Dr. Ethan Moitra is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior. His research program aims to support the health and well-being of marginalized groups, including people who identify as Hispanic/Latino, people who identify as LGBTQ+, people with mental illness, people who use substances, and people with HIV.
He is expert in the application of acceptance- and mindfulness-based behavioral interventions. With his collaborators, Dr. Moitra develops and tests the benefits of these counseling approaches and mHealth interventions to reduce health disparities and to help people enhance their quality of life and functioning. mHealth refers to mobile technology-supported resources that can improve individuals’ functioning and/or reduce symptoms, including through smart phones and apps.
Dr. Moitra is also Faculty in the Providence/Boston Center for AIDS Reserach (CFAR) and Primary Faculty in the Mindfulness Center at Brown. He earned his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Drexel University. He completed his pre-doctoral clinical internship at West Virginia University Medical Center prior to joining Brown for his post-doctoral fellowship in 2009.
| Moitra, Ethan, Muñoz, Paola Jiménez, Ramirez, Johanna, Pinkston, Megan M. "Barriers and pathways to re-engage people with HIV and substance use in medical care: a qualitative study among persons with lived experience." AIDS Research and Therapy, vol. 22, no. 1, 2025. |
| Moitra, Ethan. "Commentary on the Termination of a Randomized Trial of Acceptance-based Behavioral Therapy to Improve Mental Health Outcomes for LGBTQ+ persons." Journal of Rehabilitation Therapy, vol. 7, no. 4, 2025, pp. 1-3. |
| Maglalang, Dale Dagar, Wang, Kaipeng, Moitra, Ethan, Zelaya, David G., Sun, Shufang. "Discrimination, levels of internalized heterosexism, and use of cigarettes and e-cigarettes in young sexual minority men." Sexual and Gender Diversity in Social Services, vol. 37, no. 3, 2025, pp. 616-635. |
| Gaudiano, Brandon A., Ward, Madeline, Benz, Madeline B., Hughes, Christopher, Johnson, Jennifer E., Moitra, Ethan. "Feasibility and acceptability of a mobile intervention for patients with psychosis following psychiatric hospitalization: A pilot randomized controlled trial." Psychological Services, vol. 22, no. 2, 2025, pp. 221-231. |
| Kelley, Natalie, Maglalang, Dale Dagar, Suh, Riley, Bello, Mariel S., de Leon, Cora, Moitra, Ethan, Ahluwalia, Jasjit S. "Gaps in smoking cessation counseling administered by healthcare providers to BIPOC gay men who smoke daily in the U.S." Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment, vol. 169, 2025, pp. 209590. |
| Mimiaga, Matthew J., Kuhns, Lisa M., Biello, Katie B., Tian, Jiahao, Skeer, Margie R., Psaros, Christina, Moitra, Ethan, Chen, Diane, Yonko, Elizabeth, Mayer, Kenneth H., Safren, Steven A., Garofalo, Robert. "Positive STEPS: Enhancing Medication Adherence and Achieving Viral Load Suppression in Youth Living With HIV in the United States—Results From an Efficacious Stepped Care, Randomized Controlled Trial." JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, vol. 99, no. 1, 2025, pp. 64-74. |
| Merrill, Jennifer E., Moitra, Ethan, Giorlando, Kayla, Olsen, Elizabeth M., Leigland, Avery, Abrantes, Ana M., Whiteley, Laura. "Qualitative interviews with young adults at risk for psychosis and who use Cannabis: Informing the development of a mobile intervention." Addictive Behaviors, vol. 161, 2025, pp. 108216. |
| Moitra E, Amaral TM, Benz MB, Cambow S, Elwy AR, Kunicki ZJ, Lu Z, Rafferty NS, Rabasco A, Rossi R, Schatten HT, Gaudiano BA. "A Hybrid Type 1 trial of a multi-component mHealth intervention to improve post-hospital transitions of care for patients with serious mental illness: Study protocol." Contemporary Clinical Trials, vol. 139, 2024, pp. 107481. |
| Moitra, Ethan, Stein, Michael D., Busch, Andrew M., Pinkston, Megan M., Bray, Jeremy W., Abrantes, Ana M., Baker, Jason V., Weisberg, Risa B., Anderson, Bradley J., Uebelacker, Lisa A. "Health Care Service Utilization Among People with HIV, Chronic Pain, and Depression: Utilization and Cost Outcomes from the HIV-PASS Study." AIDS and Behavior, vol. 29, no. 3, 2024, pp. 725-732. |
| Moitra, Ethan, Whiteley, Laura B. "Reducing HIV incidence among young people identifying as sexual and gender minorities." The Lancet Digital Health, vol. 6, no. 3, 2024, pp. e146-e147. |
| Moitra, Ethan, Jiménez Muñoz, Paola C, Sanchez, Martha C, Pinkston, Megan M. "Viewpoint on Human Immunodeficiency Virus Medical Care Retention Guidelines in the Coronavirus 2019 Pandemic Era and Beyond: Lessons Learned From Electronic Health Record Screening and Outreach." Open Forum Infectious Diseases, vol. 11, no. 2, 2024. |
| Moitra, Ethan, Brick, Leslie A., Cancilliere, Mary Kathryn, Elwy, A. Rani, Erbe, A. Maximillian, Fenn, Natalie, Nunn, Amy S., Salhaney, Peter, Chan, Philip A. "A randomized trial of acceptance-based behavioral therapy to improve mental health outcomes for LGBTQ+ persons: Study protocol." Contemporary Clinical Trials, vol. 130, 2023, pp. 107211. |
| Moitra, Ethan, Park, Hyun Seon, Guthrie, Kate M., Johnson, Jennifer E., Peters, Gloria, Wittler, Ellen, Price, Lawrence H., Gaudiano, Brandon A. "Stakeholder perspectives on adjunctive mHealth services during transitions of care for patients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders." Journal of Mental Health, 2022, pp. 1-7. |
| Chan, Philip A., Nunn, Amy, Van Den Berg, Jacob J., Cormier, Kevin, Sowemimo-Coker, Genoviva, Napoleon, Siena C., Arnold, Trisha, Moitra, Ethan. "A randomized trial of a brief behavioral intervention for PrEP uptake among men who have sex with men at increased risk for HIV infection." JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, vol. Publish Ahead of Print, 2021. |
| Moitra E, Stein MD, Busch AM, Pinkston MM, Abrantes AM, Baker JV, Weisberg RB, Anderson BJ, Uebelacker LA. "Acceptance of chronic pain in depressed patients with HIV: correlations with activity, functioning, and emotional distress." AIDS Care, vol. 34, no. 10, 2021, pp. 1-9. |
| Moitra, Ethan, Chan, Philip A., Molina, Patricia E., Ernst, Frances, Ferguson, Tekeda F., Mimiaga, Matthew J., Herman, Debra S., Stein, Michael D. "HIV Engage—A randomized controlled efficacy trial of an acceptance-based behavioral therapy intervention to improve retention in care for HIV treatment naïve patients: Study protocol." Contemporary Clinical Trials, vol. 108, 2021, pp. 106514. |
| Moitra, Ethan, Anderson, Bradley J., Herman, Debra S., Stein, Michael D. "Longitudinal examination of coping-motivated marijuana use and problematic outcomes among emerging adults." Addictive Behaviors, vol. 113, 2021, pp. 106691. |
| Moitra, Ethan, Anderson, Bradley J., Herman, Debra S., Hayaki, Jumi, Pinkston, Megan M., Kim, H. Nina, Stein, Michael D. "Examination of using alcohol to cope, depressive symptoms, and perceived social support in persons with HIV and Hepatitis C." AIDS Care, vol. 32, no. 10, 2020, pp. 1238-1245. |
| Howell, Abigail, Lambert, Audrey, Pinkston, Megan M., Blevins, Claire E., Hayaki, Jumi, Herman, Debra S., Moitra, Ethan, Stein, Michael D., Kim, H. Nina. "Sustained Sobriety: A Qualitative Study of Persons with HIV and Chronic Hepatitis C Coinfection and a History of Problematic Drinking." AIDS and Behavior, 2020. |
| Moitra, Ethan, van den Berg, Jacob J., Sowemimo-Coker, Genoviva, Chau, Sathiarith, Nunn, Amy, Chan, Philip A. "Open pilot trial of a brief motivational interviewing-based HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis intervention for men who have sex with men: preliminary effects, and evidence of feasibility and acceptability." AIDS Care, 2019, pp. 1-5. |
| Stein, Michael D., Caviness, Celeste M., Morse, Emily F., Grimone, Kristin R., Audet, Daniel, Herman, Debra S., Moitra, Ethan, Anderson, Bradley J. "A developmental-based motivational intervention to reduce alcohol and marijuana use among non-treatment-seeking young adults: a randomized controlled trial." Addiction, vol. 113, no. 3, 2018, pp. 440-453. |
| Moitra, Ethan, Duarte-Velez, Yovanska, Lewis-Fernández, Roberto, Weisberg, Risa B., Keller, Martin B. "Examination of ataque de nervios and ataque de nervios like events in a diverse sample of adults with anxiety disorders." Depression and Anxiety, vol. 35, no. 12, 2018, pp. 1190-1197. |
| Gaudiano BA, Ellenberg S, Price LH, Moitra E. "Time-lagged predictors of daily medication nonadherence beliefs during the month post-hospital discharge in patients with psychotic-spectrum disorders." Psychiatry Research, vol. 270, 2018, pp. 253-256. |
| Moitra, Ethan, Gaudiano, Brandon A., Davis, Carter H., Ben-Zeev, Dror. "Feasibility and acceptability of post-hospitalization ecological momentary assessment in patients with psychotic-spectrum disorders." Comprehensive Psychiatry, vol. 74, 2017, pp. 204-213. |
| Moitra, Ethan, LaPlante, Andrea, Armstrong, Megan L., Chan, Philip A., Stein, Michael D. "Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Acceptance-Based Behavior Therapy to Promote HIV Acceptance, HIV Disclosure, and Retention in Medical Care." AIDS and Behavior, vol. 21, no. 9, 2017, pp. 2641-2649. |
| Moitra, Ethan, Gaudiano, Brandon A. "A psychological flexibility model of medication adherence in psychotic-spectrum disorders." Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, vol. 5, no. 4, 2016, pp. 252-257. |
| Stein, Michael D., Herman, Debra S., Moitra, Ethan, Hecht, Jacki, Lopez, Rosalie, Anderson, Bradley J., Brown, Richard A. "A preliminary randomized controlled trial of a distress tolerance treatment for opioid dependent persons initiating buprenorphine." Drug and Alcohol Dependence, vol. 147, 2015, pp. 243-250. |
| Moitra, Ethan, Christopher, Paul P., Anderson, Bradley J., Stein, Michael D. "Coping-motivated marijuana use correlates with DSM-5 cannabis use disorder and psychological distress among emerging adults." Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, vol. 29, no. 3, 2015, pp. 627-32. |
| Gaudiano, Brandon A. "Leveraging Mobile Technology to Improve the Treatment of Comorbid Bipolar and Substance Use Disorders." J Addict Res Ther, vol. 06, no. 02, 2015. |
| Moitra, E., Chan, P. A., Stein, M. D. "Open Trial of an Acceptance-Based Behavior Therapy Intervention to Engage Newly Diagnosed HIV Patients in Care: Rationale and Evidence of Feasibility and Acceptability." Behavior Modification, vol. 39, no. 5, 2015, pp. 670-690. |
| Moitra, Ethan, Anderson, Bradley J., Stein, Michael D. "REDUCTIONS IN CANNABIS USE ARE ASSOCIATED WITH MOOD IMPROVEMENT IN FEMALE EMERGING ADULTS." Depression and Anxiety, 2015, pp. n/a-n/a. |
| Gaudiano, Brandon, Moitra, Ethan, Ellenberg, Stacy, Armey, Michael. "The Promises and Challenges of Ecological Momentary Assessment in Schizophrenia: Development of an Initial Experimental Protocol." Healthcare, vol. 3, no. 3, 2015, pp. 556-573. |
| Brown, R. A., Bloom, E. L., Hecht, J., Moitra, E., Herman, D. S., Stein, M. D. "A Pilot Study of a Distress Tolerance Treatment for Opiate-Dependent Patients Initiating Buprenorphine: Rationale, Methodology, and Outcomes." Behavior Modification, vol. 38, no. 5, 2014, pp. 730-759. |
| Weisberg RB, Beard C, Moitra E, Dyck I, Keller MB. "Adequacy of treatment received by primary care patients with anxiety disorders." Depression and Anxiety, vol. 31, no. 5, 2014, pp. 443-50. |
| Moitra E, Lewis-Fernández R, Stout RL, Angert E, Weisberg RB, Keller MB. "Disparities in psychosocial functioning in a diverse sample of adults with anxiety disorders." Journal of Anxiety Disorders, vol. 28, no. 3, 2014, pp. 335-43. |
| Bjornsson, Andri S., Sibrava, Nicholas J., Beard, Courtney, Moitra, Ethan, Weisberg, Risa B., Benítez, Carlos I. Pérez, Keller, Martin B. "Two-year course of generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder with agoraphobia in a sample of Latino adults." Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, vol. 82, no. 6, 2014, pp. 1186-1192. |
| Moitra E, Armstrong CL. "Neural substrates for heightened anxiety in children with brain tumors." Developmental neuropsychology, vol. 38, no. 5, 2013, pp. 337-51. |
| Moitra E, Anderson BJ, Stein MD. "Perceived stress and substance use in methadone-maintained smokers." Drug and Alcohol Dependence, vol. 133, no. 2, 2013, pp. 785-8. |
| Sibrava NJ, Beard C, Bjornsson AS, Moitra E, Weisberg RB, Keller MB. "Two-year course of generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder in a longitudinal sample of African American adults." Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, vol. 81, no. 6, 2013, pp. 1052-62. |
| Forman, Evan M., Herbert, James D., Juarascio, Adrienne S., Yeomans, Peter D., Zebell, John A., Goetter, Elizabeth M., Moitra, Ethan. "The Drexel defusion scale: A new measure of experiential distancing." Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, vol. 1, no. 1-2, 2012, pp. 55-65. |
| Francis JL, Moitra E, Dyck I, Keller MB. "The impact of stressful life events on relapse of generalized anxiety disorder." Depression and Anxiety, vol. 29, no. 5, 2012, pp. 386-91. |
| Forman EM, Chapman JE, Herbert JD, Goetter EM, Yuen EK, Moitra E. "Using session-by-session measurement to compare mechanisms of action for acceptance and commitment therapy and cognitive therapy." Behavior Therapy, vol. 43, no. 2, 2012, pp. 341-54. |
| Moitra, E., Sperry, J.A., Mongold, D., Kyle, B.N., & Selby, J. "A Group Medical Visit Program for Primary Care Patients with Chronic Pain." Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, vol. 42, 2011, pp. 153-159. |
| Moitra E, Herbert JD, Forman EM. "Acceptance-based behavior therapy to promote HIV medication adherence." AIDS Care, vol. 23, no. 12, 2011, pp. 1660-7. |
| Moitra E, Dyck I, Beard C, Bjornsson AS, Sibrava NJ, Weisberg RB, Keller MB. "Impact of stressful life events on the course of panic disorder in adults." Journal of affective disorders, vol. 134, no. 1-3, 2011, pp. 373-6. |
| Moitra E, Beard C, Weisberg RB, Keller MB. "Occupational impairment and Social Anxiety Disorder in a sample of primary care patients." Journal of affective disorders, vol. 130, no. 1-2, 2011, pp. 209-12. |
| Beard C, Rodriguez BF, Moitra E, Sibrava NJ, Bjornsson A, Weisberg RB, Keller MB. "Psychometric properties of the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) in a longitudinal study of African Americans with anxiety disorders." Journal of Anxiety Disorders, vol. 25, no. 5, 2011, pp. 722-6. |
| Bjornsson AS, Dyck I, Moitra E, Stout RL, Weisberg RB, Keller MB, Phillips KA. "The Clinical Course of Body Dysmorphic Disorder in the Harvard/Brown Anxiety Research Project (HARP)." The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, vol. 199, no. 1, 2011, pp. 55-7. |
| Beard C, Moitra E, Weisberg RB, Keller MB. "Characteristics and predictors of social phobia course in a longitudinal study of primary-care patients." Depression and Anxiety, vol. 27, no. 9, 2010, pp. 839-45. |
| Herbert JD, Gaudiano BA, Rheingold AA, Moitra E, Myers VH, Dalrymple KL, Brandsma LL. "Cognitive behavior therapy for generalized social anxiety disorder in adolescents: a randomized controlled trial." Journal of Anxiety Disorders, vol. 23, no. 2, 2009, pp. 167-77. |
| Moitra E, Armstrong CL. "Tumor locus moderates anxiety symptoms in a pediatric neuro-oncologic sample." Child Neuropsychology, vol. 15, no. 5, 2009, pp. 460-70. |
| Moitra E, Herbert JD, Forman EM. "Behavioral avoidance mediates the relationship between anxiety and depressive symptoms among social anxiety disorder patients." Journal of Anxiety Disorders, vol. 22, no. 7, 2008, pp. 1205-13. |
| Cardaciotto L, Herbert JD, Forman EM, Moitra E, Farrow V. "The assessment of present-moment awareness and acceptance: the Philadelphia Mindfulness Scale." Assessment, vol. 15, no. 2, 2008, pp. 204-23. |
| Forman EM, Herbert JD, Moitra E, Yeomans PD, Geller PA. "A randomized controlled effectiveness trial of acceptance and commitment therapy and cognitive therapy for anxiety and depression." Behavior Modification, vol. 31, no. 6, 2007, pp. 772-99. |
Examples of ongoing research projects:
1. LGBTQ+ mental health
We conducted a randomized controlled trial among 240 LGBTQ+ adults who had anxiety and/or depression. Half of the sample received our brief, 2-session acceptance-based behavior therapy counseling intervention. The intervention drew on participants' strengths to help them expand or strengthen their social supports as a pathway to improved mental health. We also explored the feasibility and acceptability of offering brief mental health care in busy medical settings. Results are currently being analyzed. Funding source: NIMH RF1 MH132348 (PI: Moitra).
2. mHealth for people with serious mental illness
In this Hybrid Type 1 study, we are recruiting 180 people with serious mental illness, defined as having a major mood or schizophrenia-spectrum disorder, from the acute psychiatric service units at Butler Hospital in Providence. Half of the sample in the randomized controlled trial will be in enrolled in tFOCUS, a multi-component mHealth intervention. tFOCUS has an app, which provides check-ins and text- or video-based skills, as well as a clinician dashboard that is overseen by clinical staff on the research team. We expect that tFOCUS will help patients improve coping with their mental health condition(s), improve adherence to their psychiatric care discharge plan, and reduce rehospitalization risk. As part of this trial, we have engaged with a Community Advisory Board and relevant partners to consider how tFOCUS might be integrated into psychiatric care. The clinical trial is ongoing. Funding source: NIMH R01 MH130496 (MPIs: Moitra & Gaudiano).
3. Mindfulness-based Blood Pressure program for people with HIV
In this pilot study, we are examining the feasibility and acceptability of delivering an evidence-based, 8-week group mindfulness program to people with HIV and elevated blood pressure. We are particularly interested in their response to our group program and how it might be tailored to the needs of people with HIV. One cohort recently completed the program and we are currently recruiting a second cohort. Funding sources: Mindfulness Center at Brown (PI: Moitra) & Providence/Boston CFAR (PI: Loucks).
4. mHealth for young adults in psychiatric care who use cannabis
In this pilot study, we are recruiting young adults (ages 18-25) from the intensive outpatient programs at Butler Hospital in Providence. We are specifically working with young adults who are at risk of developing psychosis, possibly because of their cannabis use. In our first phase, we conducted qualitative interviews with this population to gather their input on preferences for an mHealth app that might help them improve mental health management, as well as reduce cannabis use. We are currently testing an ecological momentary assessment paradigm to determine how best to gather information about cannabis use and how it might be influenced by dynamically fluctuating variables in young adults' lives. Funding source: Aloha Foundation (MPIs: Whiteley, Merrill, & Moitra).
Examples of research projects in development:
1. Addressing cigarette smoking among people with serious mental illness
In the United States, cigarette smoking has significantly declined over the past several decades. However, among people with serious mental illness (SMI; major mood and schizophrenia-spectrum disorders), 50-85% continue to smoke. The objective of this proposed fully-powered 2x2 factorial trial is to efficiently determine which, if any, of three evidence-based intervention components, including in combination, reduce the use of cigarettes at 12-weeks. Varenicline (VAR) with brief smoking cessation counseling is the recommended gold standard treatment for people with SMI. Our central hypothesis is that while VAR will lead to reductions in cigarettes per day, its benefits can be enhanced with adjunct interventions. These interventions will be e-cigarettes and FOCUS, a multi-component mHealth intervention designed to support coping among people with SMI.
2. Adapting an acceptance-based behavioral intervention to improve treatment engagement among recently diagnosed Hispanic/Latino people with HIV
By 2060, it is estimated that Hispanic/Latinos will make up 26.9% of the total United States population. Provision of culturally congruent care to this growing population depends on services that align with cultural norms and values. In 2022, 32% of new HIV infections in the U.S. were among Hispanic/Latino individuals. The objective of this proposed study is to adapt the evidence-based, acceptance-based behavior therapy (ABBT) approach to enhance retention in HIV services for new-to-care Hispanic/Latino patients, creating “Comprometerse.” This brief intervention will be tested in open and randomized trials.
3. Improving mental health service utilization among transgender and non-binary adults
The 2.6 million adults living as transgender and non-binary (TNB) in the United States experience a disproportionate mental health burden compared to cisgender individuals. For instance, 44% of TNB adults reported depression and 33% reported anxiety in the past year. Unfortunately, up to 41% of this population attempts suicide annually. These gender diverse people struggle to access and utilize mental health care, including care that is gender-affirming. The objective of this mixed-methods implementation science driven proposed study is to engage with TNB adults and community partners to determine how to improve mental health treatment utilization.
Examples of completed projects:
1. Acceptance-based intervention to improve HIV treatment retention among newly diagnosed patients
In this randomized clinical trial, we examined the benefits of a brief acceptance-based counseling approach to enhance retention in care among people seeking HIV treatment for the first time. The intervention focused on enhancing acceptance of HIV and its related stresses (e.g., stigma, disclosure) while shifting patients' attention to life values. Participants were recruited from Minneapolis, MN; New Orleans, LA; and, Providence, RI. Results showed that the counseling intervention had positive impacts on HIV treatment attendance, HIV viral load, and HIV disclosure. Funding source: NIMH R01 MH119919 (PI: Moitra).
2. mHealth support post-psychiatric hospitalization for people with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders
This study used an iterative process to refine a new mobile aftercare app for patients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. We also collected qualitative data from local partners (e.g., patients, clinicians, administrators) to improve the intervention in preparation for a randomized phase of the project and to establish clinicians' preferences for receiving clinical data from the mobile app. Results showed that mHealth is acceptable and feasible to patients recruited from acute psychiatric care. Funding source: R34 MH115144 (MPIs: Moitra & Gaudiano).
Improving mental health among the LGBTQ+ community impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic
RF1 MH132348 9/1/22 –8/31/26 NIMH $2,368,492
Role: Principal Investigator
Description: This Hybrid Type 1 trial will examine the effectiveness of a brief, acceptance-based intervention designed to improve anxiety and depressive symptoms among LGBTQ+ individuals by improving their social support.
Improving retention in care for persons with HIV who use substances by increasing acceptance and reducing stigma
R34 DA053738 6/1/21 – 5/31/26 (NCE) NIDA $736,694
Role: Principal Investigator (MPI: Megan Pinkston-Camp, Ph.D.)
Description: The major goals of this project are to adapt, refine, and pilot a brief acceptance-based intervention to engage patients in care for HIV and substance misuse treatment by reducing stigma.
Adapting and Mindfulness-based Blood Pressure Program for People with HIV
Mindfulness Center @ Brown 12/1/24 – 11/30/26 (NCE) $50,000
Role: Principal Investigator
Description: This project will explore the acceptability and feasibility of the Mindfulness-Based Blood Pressure Reduction Program among people with HIV and elevated blood pressure.
Adapting and Mindfulness-based Blood Pressure Program for People with HIV
Providence/Boston CFAR 2/13/25 – 1/31/26 $40,000
Role: Co-Investigator (PI: Eric Loucks, Ph.D.)
Description: This project will explore the acceptability and feasibility of the Mindfulness-Based Blood Pressure Reduction Program among people with HIV and elevated blood pressure.
Utilizing Qualitative Interviews and Ecological Momentary Assessment to Understand Cannabis Use among Young Adults in Psychiatric Care
Aloha Foundation 3/1/23 – 2/28/26 $653,000
Role: Principal Investigator (MPIs: Jennifer Merrill, Ph.D.; Laura Whiteley, M.D.)
Description: Using mixed methods, including mHealth, this study will investigate cannabis use among young adults in an intensive outpatient psychiatric program.
Effectiveness of a multi-component mHealth intervention to improve post-hospital transitions of care for patients with SMI
R01 MH130496 9/1/22 – 7/31/27 NIMH $3,639,566
Role: Principal Investigator (MPI.: Brandon Gaudiano, Ph.D.)
Description: The goal of this project is to test the effectiveness of an mHealth app (“tFOCUS”) in support patients with SMI who are transitioning from inpatient to outpatient care.
Development and Pilot Evaluation of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Reduce Self-Stigma and Increase Social Connections among LGBTQIA+ Transition Age Youth with Serious Mental Health Conditions
90IFRE0068 9/1/23 – 8/30/28 NIDILRR
Role: Co-Investigator (PI: Megan Kelly, Ph.D.)
Description: The goal of this project is to develop and pilot test a social support-focused, acceptance-based intervention (“FLOW”) for LGBTQIA+ youth with mental health conditions.
| Year | Degree | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | PhD | Drexel University |
| 2007 | MS | Drexel University |
| 2002 | BA | University of Virginia |
| Postdoctoral Research Associate | The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University | 2009-2011 | Providence, RI |
| Resident | West Virginia University, psychology | 2008-2009 | Morgantown, WV |
| Intern | The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, neuropsychology | 2006-2007 | Philadelphia, PA |
Dean’s List, University of Virginia (2000–2002)
Dean’s Scholarship Fellow, Drexel University (2004–2006)
Graduate Assistant to the Director of Clinical Training, Drexel University (2005–2007)
Most Outstanding Dissertation, Drexel University, Department of Psychology (2009)
Completed Clinical Internship with distinction, West Virginia University Medical Center (2009)
Trainee, Qualitative Science & Methods Training Program, Brown University (2018)
Scholar, mHealth Training Institute, University of California – Los Angeles (2022)
Master of Arts ad eundem, Brown University (2022)
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| Abrantes, Ana | Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior |
| Ahluwalia, Jasjit | Professor of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Professor of Medicine |
| Arnold, Trisha | Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior |
| Brick, Leslie Ann | Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior (Research) |
| Cancilliere, Mary Kathryn | Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior (Research) |
| Elwy, Anashua Rani | Warren Alpert Foundation Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Professor of Behavioral and Social Sciences |
| Fenn, Natalie | Assistant Professor of Medicine (Research), Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior (Research) |
| Galarraga, Omar | Professor of Health Services, Policy and Practice, Director of the Center for Global Public Health |
| Gaudiano, Brandon | Professor of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior |
| Keller, Martin | Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Human Behavior |
| Kunicki, Zachary | Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior |
| Martinez, Ruben | Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior |
| Merrill, Jennifer | Professor of Behavioral and Social Sciences |
| Pinkston-Camp, Megan | Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Associate Professor of Medicine |
| Schmid, Christopher | Professor of Biostatistics |
| Stein, Michael | Adjunct Professor of Medicine |
| Weisberg, Risa | Adjunct Professor of Family Medicine |
| Whiteley, Laura | Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior |
Psychiatry and Human Behavior
Providence/Boston Center for AIDS Research
Mindfulness Center at Brown
American Psychological Association
Anxiety Disorders Association of America
Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies
Association for Contextual Behavioral Science
| Licensed Psychologist | Rhode Island | 2011-Present | #PS01274 |
| Supervised Psychologist. West Virginia University, 2008-2009 |
| Psychology Resident. West Virginia University, 2008-2009 |
| Neuropsychology Intern. The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 2006-2007 |
| Therapist. Drexel University College of Medicine, 2005-2006 |
| Therapist. Drexel University, 2005-2008 |
| Therapist. Drexel University, 2005-2006 |
Instructor, Brown University Clinical Psychology Training program, Providence, RI (2014-present)
Instructor, Brown University Psychiatry Residency Training program, Providence, RI, "Journal Club" (2017-2024)
