About Us
CESAMH Director
Ariel J. Lang, Ph.D., MPH
CESAMH DirectorProfessor of Psychiatry, UCSD
Email: Ariel.Lang@va.gov
Publications: PUBMED
Dr. Lang oversees CESAMH’s Units and activities, serves as an approving official for all budgetary and operational activities, and guides the direction of Center efforts. She is also responsible for quality control of Center products and projects and for ensuring that administrative timelines and guidelines are followed.
Administrative and Operations Unit
Heather Donovan
Administrative Officer
Email: Heather.Donovan@va.gov
Heather Donovan advises and coordinates administrative policies and programs, and oversees all the administrative functions and daily operations of the Center. She also serves as a national representative for VA Central Office (VACO) as the Co-Lead Administrative Officer for the 11 MIRECCS and 6 COEs throughout the United States.
Maria Estores
Program Specialist
Email: Maria.Estores@va.gov
Maria Estores provides administrative support to CESAMH’s faculty and staff and the 2-year training program. Her duties include managing the hiring process for the Advanced Fellowship Programs, assists staff with productivity database, handles all supplies needs, handles the processing of IPA’s, and a variety of other day-to-day operational support activities for both staff and training programs.
Clinical Research Unit Leadership
Elizabeth Twamley, Ph.D.
Clinical Research Unit, Director
Professor of Psychiatry, UCSD
Email: Elizabeth.Twamley@va.gov
Publications: PUBMED | Google Scholar
Dr. Twamley oversees a group of about 12 investigators and staff who are primarily performing clinical research within CESAMH. She is particularly interested in the links between cognition and everyday functioning as well as community-based interventions that help people reach their highest potential social and occupational functioning. She has developed compensatory cognitive training programs for individuals with traumatic brain injury, severe mental illness, and mild cognitive impairment. Dr. Twamley’s research within CESAMH focuses on bridging neuropsychology and interventions such as compensatory cognitive training and supported employment for veterans with cognitive and psychiatric symptoms. She is also interested in cognitive impairment and disability in homeless individuals as well as the use of technology to improve cognition.
Jessica Bomyea, Ph.D.
Core Faculty, Associate DirectorAssistant Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry, UCSD
Email:jessica.bomyea@va.gov
Publications: PUBMED | Google Scholar
Dr. Bomyea’s work focuses on understanding the link between aspects of cognitive functioning (e.g., cognitive biases, executive functioning) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). She is also interested in novel intervention approaches for PTSD, including cognitive training techniques.
Clinical Research Unit Faculty
Niloofar Afari, Ph.D.
Core Faculty, Clinical Research UnitProfessor of Psychiatry, UCSD
Email: niloofar.afari@va.gov
Publications: PUBMED | Google Scholar
Dr. Afari has led the CESAMH eScreening effort that has established standardized and consistent assessment of Veterans through a tablet-based electronic screening system. Currently, she mentors psychology postdoctoral residents and collaborates with others in examining trauma-related research questions using the large database generated from eScreening. She also facilitates communication and collaboration within VA San Diego Healthcare System and VISN 22.
Amy J. Jak, Ph.D.
Clinical Research Unit, Core FacultyProfessor of Psychiatry, UCSD
Email: Amy.jak@va.gov
Publications: PUBMED | Google Scholar
Dr. Jak is a neuropsychologist and investigates hybrid treatments to address persistent post-concussive symptom presentations in Veterans with history of concussion and comorbid mental health conditions, particularly PTSD. Therapies that integrate compensatory cognitive strategies and cognitive behavioral techniques are of particular focus in her research. Neuropsychological and neuroimaging outcome variables are of primary interest
Laura Crocker, Ph.D.
Clinical Research Unit, Core Faculty
Email: Laura.Crocker@va.gov
Publications: PUBMED | Google Scholar
Dr. Crocker is a research psychologist at the VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS). Her work in CESAMH primarily focuses on improving treatment outcomes for Veterans with PTSD and comorbid TBI via integration of cognitive and emotional treatment approaches.
Peter Colvonen, Ph.D.
Clinical Research Unit, Core Faculty
Assistant Clinical Professor Psychiatry, UCSD
Email: Peter.Colvonen@va.gov
Dr. Colvonen is the recipient of several grants focused on the relationship between PTSD and sleep. He also conducts clinical research aimed at developing and evaluating interventions for PTSD, sleep disorders, and substance use.
Lisa Delano-Wood, Ph.D.
Clinical Research Unit, Core Faculty
Assistant Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry, UCSD and Director of UCSD Memory, Aging & Resilience Ctr (MARc)
Email: Lisa.delano-wood@va.gov
Dr. Delano-Wood uses novel, innovative neuroimaging methods such as diffusion tensor imaging and arterial spin labeling to better understand brain changes associated with neuropsychological disorders of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Matt Herbert, Ph.D.
Clinical Research Unit, Core Faculty
Assistant Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry, UCSD
Email: Matthew.herbert2@va.gov
Dr. Herbert conducts clinical research on the development and evaluation of mindfulness-based treatments for chronic pain. An additional focus of his research program is the use of technology to improve the assessment and treatment of pain in real-world environments.
Sonya Norman, Ph.D.
Clinical Research Unit, Core Faculty
Clinical Professor, UCSD, Psychiatry Director of PTSD Consultation Program, Executive Branch of National Center for PTSD
Email: Sonya.norman@va.gov
Publications: PUBMED | Google Scholar
Dr. Norman’s research focuses on understanding and treating PTSD and co-occurring problems. She studies psychotherapies that treat PTSD and common co-occurring problems such as substance use disorders and posttraumatic guilt and moral injury. Her research also examines treatments for PTSD and post-deployment mental health problems in recently deployed Veterans.
Anne Malaktaris, Ph.D.
Clinical Research Unit, Core Faculty
Assistant Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry, UCSD
Email: Anne.malaktaris@va.gov
Dr. Malaktaris conducts clinical research on the development and evaluation of complementary and integrative health approaches to managing posttraumatic stress disorder and related conditions, including chronic musculoskeletal pain.
Henry Orff, Ph.D.
Clinical Research Unit, Core Faculty
Assistant Clinical Professor, UCSD
Email: Henry.orff@va.gov
Publications: PUBMED |
Dr. Orff’s work within CESAMH focuses on investigating the effects of sleep disturbance on neuropsychiatric and neurocognitive outcomes in Veterans who have suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Dawn Schiehser, Ph.D.
Clinical Research Unit, Core Faculty
Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry, UCSD
Email: Dawn.schiehser@va.gov
Dr. Schiehser investigates the neuropsychological and neurofunctional correlates of post- concussive symptoms (e.g., fatigue, cognitive impairment, pain) in Veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI). She collaborates with other CESAMH investigators in researching neuroimaging and sleep in Veterans with TBI as well as treatments for Veterans with post-concussive symptoms.
Katrina Maluf, Ph.D.
Clinical Research Unit, Partner
Professor of Physical Therapy, SDSU School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, SDSU
Email: kmaluf@mail.sdsu.ed
Publications: PUBMED |
Dr. Maluf conducts clinical and neurophysiological research to better understand the effects of psychological stress and physical activity on pain sensitivity, and their role in the development and treatment of chronic pain in veterans.
Christopher Hunt, Ph.D.
Clinical Research Unit, Core Faculty
Clinical Professor, UCSD
Email: Christopher.Hunt@va.gov
Publications: PUBMED | Google Scholar
Dr. Hunt’s research focuses on clarifying the mechanisms underlying the development, maintenance, and treatment of anxiety-related conditions, particularly through the lens of fear conditioning and extinction. Dr. Hunt is especially interested in utilizing laboratory tasks and mobile health technology to predict change during exposure-based therapies to identify more robust indicators of treatment response and inform more effective treatment approaches.
Jacqueline Maye, Ph.D.
Clinical Research Unit, Core Faculty
Email: Jacqueline.Maye@va.gov
Publications: PUBMED | Google Scholar
Dr. Hunt’s research focuses on clarifying the mechanisms underlying the development, maintenance, and treatment of anxiety-related conditions, particularly through the lens of fear conditioning and extinction. Dr. Hunt is especially interested in utilizing laboratory tasks and mobile health technology to predict change during exposure-based therapies to identify more robust indicators of treatment response and inform more effective treatment approaches.
Jyoti Mishra, Ph.D.
Clinical Research Unit, Core Faculty
Email: Jacqueline.Maye@va.gov
Publications: PUBMED | Google Scholar
Dr. Hunt’s research focuses on clarifying the mechanisms underlying the development, maintenance, and treatment of anxiety-related conditions, particularly through the lens of fear conditioning and extinction. Dr. Hunt is especially interested in utilizing laboratory tasks and mobile health technology to predict change during exposure-based therapies to identify more robust indicators of treatment response and inform more effective treatment approaches.
Victoria Merritt, Ph.D.
Clinical Research Unit, Affiliate
Assistant Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry, UCSD
Email: Victoria.merritt@va.gov
Publications: PUBMED | Google Scholar
Neuroscience Research Unit Leadership
Dhakshin Ramanathan, MD.
Neuroscience Research Unit, Co- Director
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, UCSD
Email: Dhakshin.ramanathan@va.gov
Publications: PUBMED | Google Scholar
Dr. Ramanathan's CESAMH-related research focuses on brain-stimulation and novel therapeutic agents (like ketamine) and its combination with behavioral and psychological therapies to improve functional outcomes in Veterans with comorbid depression and PTSD.
Victoria B. Risbrough, Ph.D.
Neuroscience Research Unit, Co- Director
Professor of Psychiatry, UCSD
Email: vrisbrough@health.ucsd.edu
Publications: PUBMED | Google Scholar
Dr. Risbrough provides leadership for research and program development with a focus on animal mode
research, physiological markers of trauma, and the study of mind-body interactions. The goal of Dr.
Risbrough’s work is to understand the basic mechanisms underlying trauma disorders to support
development of novel diagnostic and treatment interventions.
Caroline Nievergelt Ph.D.
Co-Director, Neuroscience Research Unit
Professor of Psychiatry, UCSD
Email: Caroline.nievergelt@va.gov
Publications: PUBMED | Google Scholar
Dr. Nievergelt provides leadership for research and program development, including leading the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) GWAS and EWAS groups. Her research focus includes genomics and biomarker research for psychiatric disorders such as PTSD, bipolar disorder, and related traits. She serves as Associate Director of CESAMH’s Neuroscience Research Unit and co-PI of the CESAMH Biobank.
Neuroscience Research Unit Faculty
Dean Acheson, Ph.D.
Neuroscience Unit, Core Faculty
Associate Clinical Professor, UCSD Psychiatry
Email: Dean.acheson@va.gov
Richard Hauger, M.D.
Neuroscience Unit, Core Faculty
Professor, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine UCSD
Email: Richard.hauger@va.gov
Publications: PUBMED | Google Scholar
Dr. Hauger has extensive experience in investigating stress neuroendocrinology at the cellular and molecular levels and in posttraumatic stress disorder. Dr. Hauger directs the CESAMH Bioassay and Biomarkers Core that provides to CESAMH researchers specific and sensitive immunoassays and novel methods for measuring neuropeptides, peptide and steroid hormones, cytokines, and biomarkers.
Imanuel Lerman, M.D.
Neuroscience Unit, Core Faculty
Associate Clinical Professor, Anesthesiology UCSD
Email: Imanuel.lerman@va.gov
Dr. Lerman uses techniques such as brain imaging, inflammatory profiling, and the evaluation of peripheral autonomic nervous system function to better understand the interplay between pain and inflammation in the central and peripheral nervous systems. He carries out several clinical trials that investigate novel drugs and devices for the treatment of headache and spine pain with the goal of improving pain, function and mental health. Dr. Lerman’s lab tries to understand the mechanisms that may lead to comorbid chronic pain and mental health disorders such as PTSD.
Alan Simmons, Ph.D.
Neuroscience Unit, Core Faculty
Professor of Psychiatry, UCSD
Email: alan.simmons@va.gov
Publications: PUBMED | Google Scholar
Dr. Simmons’ research with Veterans is primarily focused on using neuroimaging techniques to identify brain activity abnormalities underlying trauma-related disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.
Andrea Spadoni, Ph.D.
Neuroscience Unit, Core Faculty
Assistant Adjunct Professor, UCSD Psychiatry
Email: aspadoni@health.ucsd.edu
Dr. Spadoni uses functional neuroimaging techniques to investigate the neural mechanisms driving the development and maintenance of comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol use disorders and their empirically supported treatments.
Daniel Stout, Ph.D.
Neuroscience Unit, Core Faculty
Assistant Adjunct Professor, UCSD Psychiatry
Email: daniel.stout@va.gov
Publications: Google Scholar
Dr. Stout is a Research Health Scientist at CESAMH. Dr. Stout's clinical research interest is in the cognitive and affective neuroscience of anxiety and stress-related disorders. His recent work is focused on using multimodal neuroimaging (e.g., fMRI, ERPs, psychophysiology) to integrate neural measures of working memory and fear learning to better understand PTSD symptoms.
Mingxiong Huang, Ph.D.
Neuroscience Unit, Affiliate
Professor, UCSD Radiology & Adjunct Professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering
Email: Mingxiong.huang@va.gov
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Arpi Minassian, Ph.D.
Neuroscience Unit, Core Faculty
Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, UCSD
Email: aminassian@health.ucsd.edu
Publications: PUBMED | Google Scholar
Dr. Arpi Minassian's research focuses upon the relationship between the body’s stress response system and risk and resilience to trauma-related conditions such as PTSD. She is also taking the lead on the Center's DEI efforts.
Education and Dissemination Unit
Laurie A. Lindamer, Ph.D.
Director, Education & Dissemination Unit
Professor of Psychiatry, UCSD
Email: Laurie.Lindamer@va.gov
Publications: PUBMED | Google Scholar
Dr. Lindamer oversees dissemination and implementation activities for CEASMH, as well as the training for programs in VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS) Mental Health Care Line. She is the Director of the CESAMH Psychology Fellowship and Director of the APA-accredited Clinical Mental Health Research Psychology Fellowship. Her research interests focus on the implementation of evidence-based practices and health technology.
Borsika Rabin, Ph.D., MPH, PharmD
Core Faculty, Education & Dissemination Unit
Professor of Psychiatry, UCSD
Email: barabin@health.ucsd.edu
Publications: PUBMED | Google Scholar
Dr. Rabin provides expertise in dissemination and implementation (D&I) science to support research an practice activities in the form of research consultation, training, review of relevant literature, development of tools relevant to D&I to senior and junior research and clinician colleagues.
Fellows
Founding Directors
Dewleen G. Baker, M.D.
Founding Director
Professor of Psychiatry, UCSD
Email: Dewleen.baker@va.gov
Publications: PUBMED | Google Scholar
Dr. Baker’s role in CESAMH is informed by her background as a clinician, research scientist and educator in VA (Cincinnati and San Diego) and at the University of Cincinnati (UC) and University of California San Diego (UCSD) which has focused upon stress-related disorders; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Gulf War Illness, and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). As Director of the CESAMH Neuroscience Research Unit, her role is to work in tandem with the CESAMH Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and Neuroscience Unit Members to assure teamwork in accomplishing CESAMH goals and initiatives, to encourage productive CESAMH-related internal and external collaborations, and to foster an atmosphere that supports of innovation in development of new ideas and CESAMH-related projects.
