This research examines how alcohol affects the severity and outcomes of suicide attempts among military service members and veterans. By analyzing documented attempts and personal narratives, the study reveals that alcohol often increases impulsivity and lethality, while occasionally interrupting attempts unintentionally, highlighting the need for alcohol-aware suicide prevention strategies.

This neuroscience research investigates how the brain assigns value during decision-making. Using low-intensity focused ultrasound and human single-neuron recordings, the study examines the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and its role in transforming perception into choices. The findings may improve understanding of disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and maladaptive decision-making.

This research investigates the physiological signature of presence by linking heart rate patterns to states of embodiment and attention. Using movement meditation, self-reports, and continuous heart monitoring, it aims to identify the “heartbeat rhythm” of presence. The findings could support technologies that promote emotional regulation, mindfulness, and human connection.

This study examines prejudice toward asexual individuals by analyzing links with social dominance orientation, traditional gender roles, and moral disengagement. Surveying 300 participants, it finds all three traits predict higher prejudice. The research advances understanding of bias mechanisms and informs future interventions to reduce discrimination against asexual individuals.

Infertility affects one in six adults and carries profound emotional, psychological, and social burdens often overlooked in medical care. This research evaluates a four-week yoga intervention for individuals undergoing IVF, aiming to reduce anxiety and depression while improving quality of life, addressing the unmet psychosocial needs of those experiencing infertility.

This research examines shame among social work students and its role in burnout. Interviews reveal key triggers: emotional coping struggles, perceived privilege, and societal stigma toward the profession. The findings highlight the need for training programs to address shame, improving well-being and enabling future social workers to better support their clients.

This research explores brain stimulation as a safe, low-cost alternative to medication for children with neurological and mental health conditions. Despite promising results across disorders, only a small fraction of studies involve children. The work aims to expand evidence and access, improving global treatment options, especially for low-income populations.

This project proposes “Tinderbox,” a modular, portable housing system for wildfire evacuees. Inspired by the Fort McMurray disaster, it addresses shortcomings of emergency shelters by providing privacy, sanitation, and essential amenities. Easily assembled and reusable, it supports both immediate relief and long-term recovery, improving well-being during disaster displacement.

This research examines how keeping secrets in romantic relationships harms well-being. It introduces “fear of discovery,” the anxiety that secrets will be revealed unintentionally. Findings show this fear increases obsessive thinking and reduces relationship and life satisfaction, offering new insight into why secrecy negatively affects mental health.

This research explores how qualified immigrants navigate career transitions after moving to Canada. Through interviews, it finds that initial motivation often shifts to distress due to systemic barriers. Successful immigrants rely on planning and community support, highlighting the need for both career resources and mental health support to enable meaningful workforce integration.