Initiatives

Planned Ongoing Recently Completed Projects


Investigating High Impact Learning Mechanisms for Veteran and Military-Connected Post-Secondary Students. (PI: Ditre). Spencer Foundation Small Grant (under review).

Evaluating Implementation and Effectiveness of Alcohol Use Disorder Care Management in Primary Care. (Co-I: Maisto; MPIs: Moskal & Scharer). National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). #5206524.

Advancing Patient-Centered Primary Care Response to Suicide Prevention in Rural Areas. (PI: Funderburk; Co-PI: Moskal). U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Office of Rural Health. NOMAD PROJ-04559.

RCT of Behavioral Activation for Depression and Suicidality in Primary Care. (PI: Funderburk; Co-PI: Pigeon). U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration. #5I01HX000909-05 .

Entrepreneur Stress Management & Performance Intervention Study. (PI: Gish; Graduate Research Assistant: Bettinger). Whitman School of Management, Syracuse University.

PTSD Vulnerability & Resilience Prediction Biomarker Study Among U.S. Marines. (PI: Glatt). Psychiatric Genetic Epidemiology & Neurobiology Laboratory, SUNY Upstate Medical University.

Prevalence of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, and Alcohol Use Disorder Among Student Veterans and Military-Connected Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. (PI: Rabinowitz). Center for Health Behavior Research & Innovation, Syracuse University.

Veteran Behavioral Health Study. (PI: Ditre; Co-PI: Rabinowitz). Center for Health Behavior Research & Innovation, Syracuse University.

Kratom and Prescription Opioid Use among U.S. Veterans: A Nationally Representative Analysis of the 2021-2024 NSDUH. (PI: Ripley). Center for Health Behavior Research & Innovation, Syracuse University.

Psychological distress, hazardous duty, and alcohol risk among student veterans. Undergraduate Honors Thesis. (Undergraduate Honors Student: Lupardo). Center for Health Behavior Research & Innovation.

RCT of Problem Solving Therapy for Depression & Suicidality in U.S. Veterans. (PI: Funderburk; Graduate Research Interventionist: Ripley). U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Veterans Health Administration.

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Severity of Disability-Related Functional Difficulties and Tobacco Use Patterns in a National Sample of U.S. Veterans. (In-Prep). Ripley, G. H., Carlin, V. E., Deyo, A. G., Rabinowitz, E. P., Nam, JK., & Ditre, J. W.

Examining the impact of military sexual trauma on PTSD and Pain in women with painful reproductive health conditions. (In-Prep). Rabinowitz, E. P., Moskal, D., Beehler, G., Ditre, J. W.

Prevalence of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, and Alcohol Use Disorder Among Student Veterans and Military-Connected Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. (In-Prep). Rabinowitz, E. P., Marfilius K. J., Helmstutler, B., Ditre, J. W.

Psychological distress, hazardous duty, and alcohol risk among student veterans. (In-Prep). Rabinowitz, E. P., Lupardo, A., Carlin, V. E., Ditre, J. W.

Kratom and Prescription Opioid Use among U.S. Veterans: A Nationally Representative Analysis of the 2021-2024 NSDUH. (In-Prep; PI: Ripley; Advisor: Ditre).

Examining Sleep Difficulties and Substance Use in Student Veterans. (In-Prep). Rabinowitz, E. P., Ripley, G. H., Ditre, J. W.

Opportunities to Improve Suicide Prevention Care: An Innovative Interactive Approach for Established Integrated Primary Care Providers within the VA. (In-Prep). Funderburk, J. S., Mather, B., Wiseblatt, A., Ripley, G. H., Gamble, S., Dollar, K.

Graded Associations of Tranquilizer Use and Misuse with Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in a National Sample of U.S. Veterans. (Under-Review). Jarratt, C. J., Carlin, V. E., Ripley, G. H., Nam, JK, Marfilius, K. J., & Ditre, J. W.

Chronic Pain Acceptance Moderates the Association Between Pain Intensity and Alcohol Use Severity Among Veterans with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain. (Under-Review). White, K. M., Carlin, V. E., Nam, JK, & Ditre, J. W.

Combat-Deployment Status in Relation to Chronic Pain Interference and Hazardous Drinking Among U.S. Veterans. (Under-Review) Nam, JK, White, K. W., Carlin, V. E. & Ditre, J. W.

The Relationship Between PTSD Symptom Severity, Alcohol use, and drinking to cope motivations among women veterans.(Under-Review). Rabinowitz, E. P., Buckheit, K., Carlin, V. E., Smith, A., Huang, Q., Ditre, J. W., Possemato, K.

Women Veterans’ Perspectives on the Acceptability of Behavioral Health Treatment for Unhealthy Alcohol Use in Primary Care. Buckheit, K., Firkey, M. K., Sedotto, R., Simpson, T., Mastroleo, N., Scharer, J. L., Maisto, S. A., & Possemato, K. (2025). Substance Use & Misuse, 0(0), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2025.2606865.

Expectancies for Alcohol Analgesia and Drinking Behavior among Veterans with Chronic Pain: The Moderating role of Discrimination in Medical Settings. Carlin, V. E., White, K. M., Nam, JK, Ripley, G. H., Deyo, A. G., LaRowe, L. R., & Ditre, J. W. (2025). The American Journal on Addictions, 34(6), 663–671. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajad.70067.

VA Primary Care Patients with Chronic Pain: A Comparison of Healthcare Utilization and Patient Characteristics Across Alcohol Risk Categories. Loughran, T. A., Scharer, J. L., Moskal, D., Funderburk, J. S., Buckheit, K. A., & Beehler, G. P. (2025). Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-025-10072-6.

A formative evaluation to adapt a brief mindfulness program to increase participant engagement, participant impact, and feasibility of delivery among veterans with PTSD. Possemato, K., Bergen-Cico, D., Ramon, A., McKenzie, S., Pigeon, W., & Beehler, G. P. (2025). Psychological Services. https://doi.org/10.1037/ser0000985.

Brief group adaptation of the Unified Protocol for integrated primary care: Open trial of a transdiagnostic intervention delivered via telehealth. Shepardson, R. L., De Paul, N. F., Caver, K. A., Giard, D. J., & Funderburk, J. S. (2025). Psychological Services. https://doi.org/10.1037/ser0000983.

Prospective Receptivity and Acceptability of Brief Alcohol Interventions Among Women and Racial/Ethnic Minority Veterans in Primary Care. Scharer, J. L., Shepardson, R. L., Roelk, B., Gass, J. C., Wray, L., Maisto, S. A., & Funderburk, J. S. (2025). The Journal of Integrated Primary Care: Vol. 1: Iss. 4, Article 2.
https://digitalcommons.pcom.edu/jipc/vol1/iss4/.

Integrating Peer Specialists in Primary Care: Narrative Review with Illustrative Examples, and Pragmatic Recommendations to Support Implementation. Johnson, E. M., Shook, C., Barrie. K., & Possemato, K. (2025). The Journal of Integrated Primary Care: Vol. 2: Iss.3, Article 1. https://digitalcommons.pcom.edu/jipc/vol2/iss3/1.

What Comes Next: Finding Purpose Post Trauma. Marfilius, K. J., Daugherty, D., & Hamilton, R. (2024). Journal of Veterans Studies, 10(1), 284–287. https://doi.org/10.21061/jvs.v10i1.562.

Brief modular anxiety intervention for primary care: Hybrid I pilot randomized controlled trial of feasibility, acceptability, effectiveness, and implementation potential. Shepardson R. L., Weisberg R. B., Wade M., Maisto S. A., & Funderburk J. S. (2024). Journal of Affective Disorders; 361:497-507. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2024.05.107.

Randomized Clinical Trial of Brief Primary Care–Based Mindfulness Training Versus a Psychoeducational Group for Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Possemato, K., Bergen-Cico, D., Buckheit, K., Ramon, A., McKenzie, S., Smith, A. R., Wade, M., Beehler, G. P., & Pigeon, W. R. (2023). Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 84(1). https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.22m14510.

Goal attainment among veterans with PTSD enrolled in peer-delivered whole health coaching: A multiple baseline design trial. Johnson, E. M., Possemato, K., Martens, B. K., Hampton, B., Wade, M., Chinman, M., & Maisto, S. A. (2022). Coaching: An International Journal of Theory, Research and Practice, 15(2), 197–213. https://doi.org/10.1080/17521882.2021.1941160.

Perceived pain and smoking interrelations among veterans with chronic pain enrolled in a smoking cessation trial. Lee, M., Bastian, L. A., LaRowe, L. R., DeRycke, E., Relyea, M., Becker, W. C., Ditre, J. W. (2022). Pain Medicine, 23(11), 1820–1827. https://doi.org/10.1093/pm/pnac082.

Pain and Smoking Study (PASS): A Comparative Effectiveness Trial of Smoking Cessation Counseling for Veterans with Chronic Pain. Bastian, L. A., Driscoll, M., DeRycke, E., Edmond, S., Mattocks, K., Goulet, J., Kerns, R., Lawless, M., Quon, C., Selander, K., Snow, J., Lee, M., Ditre, J. W., & Becker, W. (2022). Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 23. https://10.1016/j.conctc.2021.100839.

Local and Regional Conference Presentations

Developing a Large-Scale Survey to Assess Military Experience and Chronic Pain Among Veterans. Zusin, A., Rabinowitz, E. P., Carlin, V. E., & Ditre, J. W. (October, 2025). Poster presented at the Syracuse Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement Fall Expo, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY.

Dietary Supplement Use and Health Outcomes in Veterans: Rationale, Design, and Preliminary Data. Zusin, A., Ripley, G. H., Carlin, V. E., & Ditre, J. W. (August, 2025). Poster presented at The Syracuse Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement Summer Research Symposium, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY.

Pain-Related Anxiety and Alcohol Use among U.S. Veterans with Chronic Pain. Bucher, M. E., Carlin, V. E., White, K. M., & Ditre, J. W. (April, 2025). Poster presented at Syracuse University’s Voices of Service: A Showcase of Veteran-Focused Research, Curriculum, and Programs, Syracuse, NY.

Perceptions about Pain and Alcohol in Relation to Hazardous Drinking among Veterans with Chronic Pain. Cohen, A., Carlin, V. E., White, K. M., & Ditre, J. W. (April, 2025). Poster presented at Syracuse University’s Voices of Service: A Showcase of Veteran-Focused Research, Curriculum, and Programs, Syracuse, NY.

Chronic Pain and PTSD Among U.S. Military Veterans. Guinassi, S., Carlin, V. E., & Ditre, J. W. (April, 2025). Poster presented at Syracuse University’s Voices of Service: A Showcase of Veteran-Focused Research, Curriculum, and Programs, Syracuse, NY.

Prescription Tranquilizer Misuse as a Potential Risk Factor for Suicidal Ideation in U.S. Veterans. Jarratt, C., Carlin, V. E., Nam, JK, & Ditre, J. W. (April, 2025). Poster presented at Syracuse University’s Voices of Service: A Showcase of Veteran-Focused Research, Curriculum, and Programs, Syracuse, NY.

Developing an Undergraduate Course on Veteran and Military Behavioral Health. Litt, S. J. & Ditre, J. W. (April, 2025). Poster presented at Syracuse University’s Voices of Service: A Showcase of Veteran-Focused Research, Curriculum, and Programs, Syracuse, NY.

Pain Interference and Hazardous Drinking Among U.S. Veterans: The Role of Combat Deployment. Nam, JK, Carlin, V. E., White, K. M., & Ditre, J. W. (April, 2025). Poster presented at Syracuse University’s Voices of Service: A Showcase of Veteran-Focused Research, Curriculum, and Programs, Syracuse, NY.

Cannabis Use, Psychological Distress, and Suicidal Ideation Among U.S. Veterans. Ripley, G. H., Jarratt, C. J., & Ditre, J. W. (April, 2025). Poster presented at Syracuse University’s Voices of Service: A Showcase of Veteran-Focused Research, Curriculum, and Programs, Syracuse, NY.

Disability Status and Nicotine/Tobacco Use Among a Nationally Representative Sample of Veterans. Soh, J. M., Ripley, G. H., Carlin, V. E., & Ditre, J. W. (April, 2025). Poster presented at Syracuse University’s Voices of Service: A Showcase of Veteran-Focused Research, Curriculum, and Programs, Syracuse, NY.

Expectancies for Alcohol Analgesia and Alcohol Use among Veterans with Chronic Pain: The Moderating role of Discrimination in Medical Settings. Carlin, V. E., White, K. M., Nam, JK, Ripley, G. H., Deyo, A. G., & Ditre, J. W. (April, 2025). Poster presented at Syracuse
University’s Voices of Service: A Showcase of Veteran-Focused Research, Curriculum, and Programs, Syracuse, NY.

Primary Care Brief Mindfulness Treatment Reduces Need for Clinical Services and Behavioral Healthcare. Bergen-Cico, D., Johnson, E. M., Possemato, K., Zappala, M., Smith, A., & Sedotto, R. (April, 2025). Poster presented at the Voices of Service Research Symposium, Institute for Veterans and Military Families, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY.

Veteran’s Service in Research: Veterans Advance Complementary and Integrative Mental Healthcare. Bergen-Cico, D. (April, 2025). Poster presented at the Voices of Service Research Symposium, Institute for Veterans and Military Families, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY.

Social Work Advocacy in Veterans Treatment Court. Marfilius, K., Kubala, E., Rielly, B., Lance, M., & Esposito, P. (April, 2025). Poster presented at the Voices of Service Research Symposium, Institute for Veterans and Military Families, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY.

Cross-Discipline Collaboration: A Holistic Legal-Social Work Partnership for Veteran Advocacy. Marfilius, Ken, Kubala, E., Lance, M., & Esposito, P. (April, 2025). Poster presented at the Voices of Service Research Symposium, Institute for Veterans and Military Families, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY. https://surface.syr.edu/vos/10.

Introduction to Military Culture and Mental Health Practice. Marfilius, K. & Coyl, S. (April, 2025). Poster presented at the Voices of Service Research Symposium, Institute for Veterans and Military Families, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY. https://surface.syr.edu/vos/8.

OVMA Resiliency Program: A Holistic Approach to Supporting Veteran and Military-Connected Students. Marfilius, K., Nam, B., & Hawes, N. (April, 2025). Poster presented at the Voices of Service Research Symposium, Institute for Veterans and Military Families, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY. https://surface.syr.edu/vos/7.

Pain-Related Anxiety and Alcohol Use among U.S. Veterans with Chronic Pain. Bucher, M. E., Carlin, V. E., White, K. M., & Ditre, J. W. (April, 2025). Poster presented at Syracuse University’s Neuroscience and Health Behavior Research Day, Syracuse, NY.

Perceptions about Pain and Alcohol in Relation to Hazardous Drinking among Veterans with Chronic Pain. Cohen, A., Carlin, V. E., White, K. M., & Ditre, J. W. (April, 2025). Poster presented at Syracuse University’s Neuroscience and Health Behavior Research Day, Syracuse, NY.

Chronic Pain and PTSD Among U.S. Military Veterans. Guinassi, S., Carlin, V. E., & Ditre, J. W. (April, 2025). Poster presented at Syracuse University’s Neuroscience and Health Behavior Research Day, Syracuse, NY.

Pain Interference and Hazardous Drinking Among U.S. Veterans: The Role of Combat Deployment. Nam, JK, Carlin, V. E., White, K. M. & Ditre, J. W. (April, 2025). Poster presented at Syracuse University’s Neuroscience and Health Behavior Research Day, Syracuse, NY.

Disability Status and Nicotine/Tobacco Use Among a Nationally Representative Sample of Veterans. Soh, J. M., Ripley, G. H., Carlin, V.E., & Ditre, J. W. (April, 2025). Poster presented at Syracuse University’s Neuroscience and Health Behavior Research Day, Syracuse, NY.

Elevated Risk of Suicidal Ideation Among Veterans Who Reported Increased Drug Use During COVID-19. Jarratt, C., Nam JK., & Ditre, J. W. (December, 2024). Poster presented at the SOURCE Fall Expo, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY.

National/International Conference Presentations

Severity of Disability-Related Functional Difficulties and Tobacco Use Patterns in a National Sample of U.S. Veterans. Ripley, G. H., Carlin, V. E., Deyo, A. G., Rabinowitz, E. P., Nam, JK., & Ditre, J. W. (March, 2026). Panel Presentation: Annual Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (SRNT) conference. Panel: Tobacco-Related Disparities among People with Disabilities: Current Research and Future Directions. Baltimore, MD

Kratom and Prescription Opioid Use among U.S. Veterans: A Nationally Representative Analysis of the 2021-2023 NSDUH. Ripley, G. H., Rabinowitz, E. P., Carlin, V. E., & Ditre, J. W. (2026, June). Poster to be presented at the 88th annual meeting of the College on Problems of Drug Dependence, Portland, OR.

Elevated Risk of Suicidal Ideation Among Veterans Who Reported Increased Drug Use During COVID-19. Jarratt, C. J., Carlin, V. E., Nam, JK., & Ditre, J. W. (May, 2025). Poster presented at the 2025 Association for Psychological Science Annual Convention, Washington DC.

Associations Between Opioid Use Disorder and Suicidal Ideation among Veterans and Non-Veterans who Endorsed Lifetime Major Depression with Sleep Disturbance. Jarratt, C., Ripley, G. H., Nam, JK., Ditre, J. W. (April, 2025). Poster presented at the 2025 American Association of Suicidology Annual Conference, Columbus, OH.

Collaborative Capacity Building & Pipeline Development

  • Established a Formal VA Research–Training Pipeline
    Formalized Syracuse–VA research integration through VA Without Compensation (WOC) appointments, dual VA faculty appointments, and trainee involvement in VA-based clinical trials and implementation studies.
    • CHB members, Dr. Emily Rabinowitz & Grant Ripley currently work with CHB affiliate, Dr. Jennifer Funderburk within VA Center for Integrated Healthcare in a trial evaluating the efficacy of a behavioral intervention to support motivation to reduce alcohol consumption and tobacco use among veterans.
  • Launched the Veteran and Military Learning Scholars Program
    Created a structured, mentored training program for undergraduate veterans and military-connected students.
    • Integrating research skill development:
      • Ongoing systematic review & meta-analysis exploring mental health and substance use problems in student veterans.
      • Students are involved in empirical research posters via individualized projects exploring veteran behavioral health outcomes using nationally representative samples of veterans.
      • Students assisting in-center data collection and analyses for CHB funded original study among veterans across the country.
    • CHB Seminars:
      • Monthly, in-person seminars will be presented to Veteran and Military Learning Scholars Program members by CHB affiliates including Syracuse University staff and VA members.
      • Seminars will support learning among program participants across topics including PTSD, substance use, chronic pain, advanced research methods, and other veteran-relevant health topics.
  • Large-Scale Secondary Data Acquisition and Stewardship
    Acquired and stewarded national datasets to support student- and trainee-led research projects including:
    • National College Health Assessment (NCHA): Projects exploring substance use, psychopathology, and other health-relevant outcomes (e.g., sleep, chronic pain) among college student veterans.
    • National Survey on Drug use & Health (NSDUH): Among veterans, several ongoing projects are exploring disability, exposure to combat during deployment, mental health outcomes, and substance use and misuse across various substances (not limited to), cannabis, alcohol, tobacco, and prescriptions (e.g., opioids and benzodiazepines).
    • National Health Interview Survey (NHIS): Various projects spanning across topics such as chronic pain, tobacco and poly-tobacco use, and disability-related impairment among veterans.
  • Launched a Large-Scale Veterans Behavioral Health Survey Outside the VA Healthcare System
    Initiated a large-scale primary data collection effort (N ≈ 500) to assess behavioral health, substance use, sleep, pain, and service-related experiences among veterans.
  • Integrated Undergraduate and Graduate Trainees into Funded and Submitted Grants
    Embedded trainees into federally funded and foundation-supported projects, providing hands-on experience in grant-supported research, data analysis, and dissemination.
  • Supported Career Milestones and Academic Advancement
    Facilitated dissertation defenses, master’s theses, honors theses, and early-career grant and publication successes among collaborative trainees and affiliates.
  • Built Cross-College and Cross-Institute Partnerships
    Strengthened collaborations among the Center for Health Behavior Research and Innovation, Institute for Veterans and Military Families, College of Arts & Sciences, Falk College, College of Law, and VA clinical partners.
  • Established a Sustainable Research-to-Dissemination Pipeline
    Created an end-to-end workflow linking data acquisition, trainee-led analyses, manuscript development, conference dissemination, and grant resubmission within veteran and military health domains.
  • Launched the CHB–IVMF–SU–VA Collaboration Pilot Grant Program
    Established an internal pilot funding mechanism to catalyze interdisciplinary veteran- and military-focused research, support early-stage investigators, and accelerate the development of competitive external grant proposals in partnership with VA collaborators.
  • Entrepreneur Stress Management & Performance Intervention Study
    • CHB affiliate Dr. Jeff Gish launched a veteran-focused entrepreneurship research project examining whether stress management interventions improve entrepreneurial outcomes (e.g., creativity, opportunity evaluation, raising capital) among military members and veterans engaged in entrepreneurship.
    • Project led by Andrew (“Andy”) Bettinger (Whitman School PhD student; U.S. military veteran), strengthening CHB’s interdisciplinary research portfolio across behavioral health, resilience, and workforce/economic outcomes.
  • PTSD Vulnerability/Resilience Biomarker Study Among U.S. Marines
    • CHB affiliate Dr. Stephen Glatt completed RNA-sequencing of blood samples from U.S. marines pre- and post-deployment, of whom, a subset met criteria for PTSD, supporting models of PTSD vulnerability, resilience, and diagnostic detection.
    • Currently, Glatt’s team uses a BrainGENIE (Brain Gene Expression and Network Imputation Engine) algorithm to leverage blood transcriptomic data to impute brain-region gene-expression profiles to better understand the molecular basis of PTSD risk and symptom expression.
  • Expanded Center Research Workforce Across Career Stages
    Built a vertically integrated research team including undergraduate trainees, master’s and doctoral students, postdoctoral fellows, and early-career faculty, supporting continuity from training to independent research careers.
  • Recruited Research-Active Faculty with VA and Implementation Science Expertise
    Added multiple Research Assistant Professors with VA affiliations and applied clinical research portfolios, expanding the collaborative’s capacity in suicide prevention, integrated primary care, and behavioral health implementation.

Projects/Initiatives/Events

  1. January 2026: First Monthly CHB Seminar. These seminars are a component of the Veteran and Military Learning Scholars Program and are designed to introduce students to relevant behavioral health topics among veterans including PTSD, substance use, and disability.
  2. December 2025: Started a systematic review with undergraduate veterans and military connected students. Title: Prevalence of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, and Alcohol Use Disorder Among Student Veterans and Military-Connected Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
  3. Veteran and Military Learning Scholars Program Started.
  4. November 2025: Grant Ripley proposed his Master’s Thesis titled, “Kratom and Prescription Opioid Use among U.S. Veterans: A Nationally Representative Analysis of the 2021-2024 NSDUH.” This project will be the first to provide estimates of kratom product use among U.S. veterans and will identify potential health risk factors associated with use within the veteran population.
  5. Established an internal pilot funding mechanism to catalyze interdisciplinary veteran- and military-focused research, support early-stage investigators, and accelerate the development of competitive external grant proposals in partnership with VA collaborators.
     https://healthbehavior.syracuse.edu/awards/chb-ivmf-su-va-collaboration-pilot-grant-program/
  6. October 2025: VA-Syracuse Collaborative Lunch & Workshop
    https://healthbehavior.syracuse.edu/news-events/events/veterans-affairs-research-collaboration/
  7. Hosted the Syracuse Librarian for a research workshop
    Library Research Workshop – Center for Health Behavior Research & Innovation – Syracuse University
  8. September 2025: Developed student honors thesis project. Title: Alcohol consequences and hazardous drinking in student veterans.
  9. Initiated the Veterans Behavioral Health Survey.
  10. Acquired the dataset from the National College Health Assessment survey to conduct analyses on student veterans.
  11. July-September 2025: Grant Ripley served as Clinician Interventionist within VA’s Center for Integrated Health hosted clinical trial exploring the efficacy of a problem solving therapy compared to an active control in reducing suicidality among older veterans.
  12. April 2025: Presented posters at the Voices of Service: A Showcase of Veteran-Focused Research, Curriculum, and Programs
    Voices of Service: A Showcase of Veteran-Focused Research, Curriculum, and Programs – Center for Health Behavior Research & Innovation – Syracuse University
  13. Presented posters at the Neuroscience & Health Behavior Research Day
    Neuroscience & Health Behavior Research Day – Center for Health Behavior Research & Innovation – Syracuse University
  14. Kyle White successfully defended his dissertation titled, “Pain Intensity and Alcohol Use Behavior Among Veterans with Chronic Pain: The Moderating Role of Chronic Pain Acceptance.”

Personnel & Appointment News

  • January 2026: Emily Rabinowitz Ph.D appointed as Without Compensation Employee (WOC) at Syracuse Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
  • August 2025: Emily Rabinowitz, PhD hired as first postdoctoral researcher at the Center for Health Behavior Research and Innovation and Institute for Veterans and Military Families.
  • August 2025: Yuki (Qiuxi) Huang Ph.D. appointed as a Research Assistant Professor at the Center for Health Behavior and the Psychology Department.
  • May 2025: Dezarie Moskal, Ph.D. appointed as Research Assistant Professor with the Center for Health Behavior Research and Innovation. She has a dual appointment at the VA Center for Integrated Healthcare and is a VA employee.
  • September 2024: Kyle White, Ph.D. awarded the Bernard D. and Louise C. Rostker IVMF Dissertation Research Fund to support his research among veterans titled, “Pain Intensity and Alcohol Use Behavior Among Veterans with Chronic Pain: The Moderating Role of Chronic Pain Acceptance.”

News/Mentions

  1. CHB Aims for National Excellence in Health Behavior Research and Practice (December 2025)
    Syracuse University highlights the Center for Health Behavior’s expanding national leadership in interdisciplinary research and practice, including its Veteran and Military Health Collaborative.
    https://news.syr.edu/2025/12/11/chb-aims-for-national-excellence-in-health-behavior-research-practice/
  2. VA HSR&D Cyberseminar on Veteran Health Research (April 2025)
    A national cyberseminar hosted by VA Health Services Research & Development featuring veteran-focused health services research and dissemination science aligned with VA priorities.
    https://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/for_researchers/cyber_seminars/archives/video_archive.cfm?SessionID=4083&Seriesid=
  3. HTH Program Honors Ken Marfilius for Service to Veterans (March 2025)
    Syracuse University’s Higher-to-Hire program recognizes Ken Marfilius for leadership and sustained contributions to veteran education and workforce development.
    https://veterans.syracuse.edu/news/hth-ken-marfilius/
  4. University to Launch Innovative Mental Health Program for Student Veterans (May 2024)
    Syracuse University announced a new, innovative mental health program designed to expand access to evidence-based support and care for student veterans and military-connected students.
    https://news.syr.edu/2024/05/30/university-to-launch-innovative-mental-health-program-for-student-veterans/
  5. Office of Veteran and Military Affairs Welcomes Three New Advisory Board Members (April 2024)
    Syracuse University’s Office of Veteran and Military Affairs announced three new advisory board members — Kenneth Marfilius, Tyrone “Ty” Muse, and Wilder J. Leavitt — to support strategic guidance for veteran and military-connected student initiatives.
    https://veterans.syracuse.edu/news/three-new-advisory-board-members/
  6. Falk College Addiction Studies and Opioid Treatment Initiatives (February 2024)
    A Syracuse University feature highlighting addiction studies, opioid treatment innovation, and applied workforce training relevant to veteran and military-connected populations.
    https://www.syracuse.edu/stories/falk-addiction-studies-opioid-treatment/
  7. Psychology Professor Named Associate Dean of Research (October 2023)
    Syracuse University announces new research leadership, underscoring institutional investment in behavioral health and interdisciplinary research.
    https://news.syr.edu/2023/10/24/psychology-professor-named-new-associate-dean-of-research/
  8. New Program Connects Law & Social Work to Assist Veterans (June 2023)
    Syracuse University’s College of Law and Falk College launched the Legal-Social Work Partnership to provide free, interdisciplinary legal support and social services for veterans navigating benefits, housing, and complex legal issues.
    https://law.syracuse.edu/news/new-program-connects-law-and-social-work-disciplines-to-assist-veterans/