The BRAINS Lab (Brain Research And INternalizing Symptoms) directed by Dr. Antonia Kaczkurkin at Vanderbilt University uses neuroimaging and psychophysiological methods to study the neurobiological mechanisms underlying internalizing disorders including anxiety and depression. Our broader goal is to contribute to knowledge that can be used to increase the accuracy of diagnosis and treatment for brain-based disorders.
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Dimensionality
Measuring the dimensional rather than categorical nature of psychopathology symptoms.
Comorbidity
Studying brain-behavior relationships in samples with naturally occurring comorbidities
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Hierarchical classification
Investigating the hierarchical classification of symptoms using statistical modeling.
Common and Dissociable Neurobiology
Examining the neurobiological commonalities shared across disorders as well as unique associations.
Neurobiological Heterogeneity
Understanding the neurobiological heterogeneity that exists within psychopathology.
2025
Congratulations to Dr. Leighton Durham for successfully completing her PhD program and securing a postdoctoral fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) engaging in clinical practice and research centered around youth and families in the community. We wish her the very best as she embarks on the next chapter of her career!
Congratulations to Dr. Hee Jung Jeong, who has graduated from the clinical science PhD program and has moved directly into a faculty position at Sogang University in Seoul, South Korea as an Assistant Professor in Clinical Psychology where will be leading the Stress and Resilience (STAR) lab. Wishing her the best in this new phase of her career!
Congratulations to our START students, Siri Arkatala and Ge-Ho Yang, and our summer volunteers — Cleo Gauthier, Laurenne McCarty, and Kimia Rose — for presenting their work at the 2025 START/Beckman Summer Symposium!
