Principal Investigator
Sabra Inslicht, Ph.D.
Dr. Inslicht has been conducting human clinical research on the psychobiology of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder for the past 20 years, serving as Principal Investigator on projects sponsored by the Dept of Defense, the Dept. of Veterans Affairs, and the National Institute of Health.
Her research goals are: 1) to identify psychobiological causes and consequences of traumatic stress symptoms; 2) to characterize sex differences in the biology of PTSD; and 3) to develop drug treatments that have potential for facilitating fear extinction and improving the treatment of PTSD.
She has led clinical studies using a human laboratory paradigm to examine fear conditioning in PTSD and has examined complex steroid pathways, reproductive hormones, and immune function. Her ultimate goal is to use the knowledge gained on the neurobiology of PTSD to inform novel interventions for ameliorating prolonged posttraumatic stress responses. The possibility that there may be sex differences in the neurobiology of PTSD may lead to more tailored treatments for men and women.
Clinical Research Coordinators
Sherry Yam MSW, LCSW
Sherry is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker by training and received her master’s degree from University of Southern California. She has worked in the VA for 8 years and has focused on developing treatments for individuals who have experienced military sexual trauma and other forms of complex trauma in rural areas. Her research interest is dedicated to the development of effective, culturally-sensitive, flexibly-delivered mental health programs for trauma exposed populations. With her special interest in humanitarian work and bridging the gap of health disparity, she enjoys volunteering as a Cantonese translator for the International Society for Trauma Stress Studies, a Co-Chair for the Military Special Interest Group at the EMDR International Association and a coordinator for the EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Program. Sherry enjoys playing piano and chasing after her bunny.
Geetanjali (Prisha) Balaguru
Prisha Balaguru graduated with a BS in Psychology and Brain Sciences at the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2024. Through a research grant from UCSB, Prisha has conducted her own honors thesis on the influence of ovarian hormones on visual working memory, furthering her enthusiasm for research. Prisha previously worked as a Direct Care Counselor at Alsana, an eating disorder treatment facility, developing her clinical skills and an interest in complex mental disorders. Due to her passion for both clinical care and research, Prisha plans to earn a doctorate in Clinical Psychology. After work, Prisha loves playing with her dog, running in Golden Gate Park, and reading with a cup of tea.
Practicum Students
Chloe Kaplan
Chloe is a doctoral student in clinical psychology at the PGSP-Stanford PsyD Consortium, where she is involved in clinical work at the Menlo Park VA outpatient Mental Health Clinic and co-leads a DBT-PTSD group for individuals who have histories of complex trauma through Stanford Psychiatry and Behavioral Services. She earned a BA from Williams College, MA and Oxford University, England and previously worked at McLean Hospital in Belmont, MA on a research project investigating the phenomenology, brain mechanisms, cognition, physiology, and genes contributing to PTSD and dissociation and how they relate to dysfunction and resilience in these disorders. Alongside complex trauma, she is interested in attachment-based treatments and mechanisms of change. In her free time, Chloe enjoys mountain biking, exploring the Bay Area, and spoiling her ragdoll cat, Rorschach.
Ava Nusblatt
Ava Nusblatt (pronouns: they/them) is a 5th-year doctoral candidate at the PGSP-Stanford PsyD Consortium. They received their BS in Clinical Psychology from Tufts University. Ava is currently training in the San Francisco VA Medical Center’s Comprehensive Gender Affirming Care Clinic and Drug and Alcohol Treatment Clinic, and has previously trained at the UCSF Alliance Health Project, the Gronowski Center Sexual and Gender Identities Clinic, and the Stanford Department of Psychiatry’s THRIVE clinic. Ava’s research interests include experiences of minority stress, trauma, and resilience in transgender and nonbinary adults. Ava’s clinical interests include psychodynamic and relational therapy modalities, LGBTQ-affirming psychotherapy, and gender-affirming care. In their free time, Ava enjoys painting and cooking overly elaborate meals.
Colin Simsarian
Colin Simsarian is a 4th-year clinical psychology doctoral student at Palo Alto University. He specializes in neuropsychology and trauma psychology. He has mostly trained at Veterans Affairs Hospitals in the Palo Alto Healthcare System and is currently at the PAVA Memory Clinic. He plans on becoming a licensed clinical neuropsychologist/trauma therapy provider once he completes his required training. He is also a student Veteran (8 years served in the Army) and plans on working for a VA post-graduation/training. His research interests involve the neuroanatomical correlates and neuropsychology of PTSD, as well as the components of visual perception and visual memory. He hopes to one day contribute to trauma-specific neuroanatomical interventions to help the brain rewire and heal from trauma (in combination with EBTs such as CPT, PE, EMDR, etc.). He is currently in Dr. Bruce Bongar's clinical crises and emergencies research (CCER) lab and has served and served in numerous leadership and extracurricular roles (e.g., as a graduate writing coach for Palo Alto University's writing center).
Kelly Stone
Lindsey Stein
Research Assistants
Alexander Wong
Alexander Wong is a second-year graduate student at the University of San Francisco, pursuing a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. For his undergraduate studies, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Psychology from the University of California, San Diego. In addition to his role as a research assistant, Alexander serves as a clinician at the Community Youth Center of San Francisco, where he provides therapeutic services for at-risk youth and families in underserved communities. Alexander intends to pursue doctoral studies in Clinical Psychology, with a research focus on the lifespan development of youth and adolescents with trauma histories. Outside of his academic and professional life, Alexander enjoys picking up new skills, reading a variety of literature, and taking long coffee walks through San Francisco.
Valerie Rutenburg
Valerie Rutenburg graduated with a B.S. in Economics from Santa Clara University in 2023. After graduating, Valerie worked as a Behavioral Technician, implementing principles of ABA therapy for the treatment of clients with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Valerie now volunteers as a Crisis Counselor for San Francisco Suicide Prevention. In addition to her work as a Research Assistant for the STAR LAB and Crisis Counselor for SFSP, Valerie is the Assistant Director and Educator at Club Z Bay Area. Outside of work she enjoys being an Indoor Cycling Instructor, spending time outdoors with loved ones, and listening to her favorite podcasts.
Mila Thien Anh Tran
As a current UC Berkeley undergraduate student, Mila is working to complete her BA in Public Health with a Minor in Clinical and Counseling Psychology. Along with her employment at Clearwater Counseling and Assessment Services, Mila also works as a Research Assistant for the UCSF and San Francisco VA Medical Center led Understanding Stress, Trauma and Resilience (STAR) Lab. Mila has aspirations of becoming a future Clinical Psychologist and is keenly interested in conducting culture-focused psychological research working with Asian and Asian-American populations. In her free time Mila enjoys drawing, playing tennis and exploring the Bay Area’s alternative music scene.
Rowan Moore
Rowan is a senior at the University of California, Berkeley, completing a BA in Psychology and Legal Studies. She serves as a Research Assistant in the STAR Lab, where she contributes to participant screening, recruitment, and data collection and management. Rowan also brings practical experience from roles in forensic treatment programs and legal advocacy firms, aligning with her passion for mental health and justice reform. Rowan aspires to become a Clinical Psychologist, focusing on underserved populations, particularly individuals in the criminal legal system and psychiatric hospitals. Her research interests focus on serious mental illness, substance use disorders, and the development of restorative justice programs aimed at supporting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism among justice-involved individuals. In her free time, Rowan enjoys practicing yoga, reading, and listening to podcasts.
Andrew Tunggal
Andrew graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a bachelor’s degree in Data Science. After doing some work in data analytics, he spent some time in a Bible Truth and Service program where he received more inspiration to pursue a path in clinical psychology and apply his data-oriented tool kit to this domain. He is interested in the impact that trauma has in daily life, and the ways—conscious and subconscious—that our bodies and our psyches process and deal with both major traumatic events and micro traumas that can be found in seemingly minuscule matters. In addition to working as a Research Assistant for the STAR Lab, he works as a spiritual counselor for youth and college students at the Church in Berkeley. He also enjoys outdoor activities such as tennis, ultimate frisbee and hiking, and playing the guitar and piano.
Allen Justin
Allen Justin is a current sophomore attending the University of California, Berkeley. He intends to graduate in 2026 with a major in Neuroscience and a minor in Public Health. He joined the lab in the summer of 2023 and is currently interested in the debilitating effects of PTSD on veterans and possible treatments. After undergrad, he intends to pursue medical school. In his free time, he enjoys playing volleyball, lifting, and hanging out with friends.
Natalie Cheung
Natalie Cheung is a sophomore at UC Berkeley studying Molecular Cell Biology and Psychology. She joined the lab in February 2024 to explore the intersections of PTSD and physical health and aspires to attend medical school in the future. Outside the lab, she works as a birthing coach and contributes to cancer research. In her free time, she enjoys playing the piano and guitar.