WELCOME TO THE TRACE LAB
We look at how different people react to traumatic events.
But that’s not all we do.
We also create online tools, from AI simulators that train clinicians to social media content that encourages trauma exposed individuals to seek support; with global collaborations that increase the impact of our research. Lastly, the lab is exploring how to use neuroimaging work with the vision of adapting existing treatments personalized to each individual.
Our Big Questions
1. Why do people respond differently to trauma?
2. How can we engage trauma-exposed youth in treatment and reduce barriers to care?
3. How can neurobiological techniques improve understanding of trauma responses and intervention development?
Explore Our Research
In-Lab Experiments
Identifying behavioral and neurobiological mechanisms underlying PTSD and trauma-related psychopathologies.
Translational Science & Intervention Development
Conducting RCTs to evaluate the effectiveness of diverse trauma-focused treatments.
“Real World” Applications
We collaborate with clinics to assess social media and AI in promoting treatment seeking behaviors.
We’re creating a global impact on trauma research and treatment
Our international projects aim to reduce the global burden of childhood trauma by developing, evaluating, and disseminating brief online interventions across diverse cultures.
By tackling treatment stigma and promoting help-seeking behaviors, we strive to improve mental health outcomes and expand access to scalable support worldwide.
Most people will experience trauma at least once in their lives.
Understanding its impact is crucial.
Hi, I’m Shilat, head of the TRACE Lab and a trauma researcher. My team and I explore how different types of trauma—whether childhood maltreatment or war-related stress—shape mental health outcomes, focusing on individual differences in PTSD through behavioral and neurobiological measures. We develop user-friendly technological tools, like video-based social media interventions, to promote youth mental health across diverse cultural contexts.
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The TRACE Lab values interdisciplinary work, bridging clinical, behavioral, and neurobiological perspectives to uncover the mechanisms driving PTSD to improve interventions and access to care.
