Scholarship

Selected Research Projects


Investigating High Impact Learning Mechanisms for Veteran and Military-Connected Post-Secondary Students. (PI: Ditre; Co-I: Marfilius, Ueda, Moskal). Spencer Foundation Small Grant (under review).

Advancing longitudinal research on servicemember health using the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (STARRS). This project utilizes nationally representative military data to investigate dynamic patterns of mental and behavioral health, strengthening the evidence base for identifying risk, resilience, and opportunities for targeted intervention across the military lifecycle. (PI: Rabinowitz). IVMF Veteran & Military Behavioral Health Collaborative, Center for Health Behavior Research & Innovation, Syracuse University.

Evaluating Implementation and Effectiveness of Alcohol Use Disorder Care Management in Primary Care. This project aims to better integrate evidence-based treatment for alcohol use disorder into VA primary care by testing an Alcohol Care Management approach to enhance medication treatment and care engagement for veterans. (Co-I: Maisto; MPIs: Moskal & Scharer). National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). #5206524. (under review).

Advancing Patient-Centered Primary Care Response to Suicide Prevention in Rural Areas. This project aims to enhance suicide prevention care for rural veterans in an innovative way by refining an existing provider training to include complex presentations of suicidal ideation in primary care that rural Veterans commonly present with (e.g., suicidal ideation and alcohol use disorder, relationship violence, and/or long-term opioid use). (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. This trial evaluates the effectiveness of Behavioral Activation delivered in primary care for reducing depression severity and suicidality among Veterans, with the goal of improving access to evidence-based mental health treatment within integrated healthcare settings. (PI: Funderburk; Co-PI: Pigeon). U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration. #5I01HX000909-05.

Entrepreneur Stress Management & Performance Intervention Study. This study evaluates a stress management intervention designed for entrepreneurs to improve psychological well-being, resilience, and business performance. The project examines whether structured stress-reduction strategies can enhance both personal health and organizational outcomes. (PI: Gish; Graduate Research Assistant: Bettinger). Whitman School of Management, Syracuse University.

PTSD Vulnerability & Resilience Prediction Biomarker Study Among U.S. Marines. This study investigates biological markers that may predict vulnerability or resilience to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among U.S. Marines. By identifying genetic and neurobiological indicators of risk, the project aims to improve early detection, prevention strategies, and personalized approaches to mental health care. (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. This project synthesizes evidence to establish pooled prevalence estimates of key mental health and alcohol-related conditions among student veterans, strengthening the empirical foundation for targeted programming, policy development, and institutional investment in student veteran support services. (PI: Rabinowitz). Center for Health Behavior Research & Innovation, Syracuse University.

Veteran Behavioral Health Study. This project is a large-scale survey of approximately 500 U.S. veterans recruited online. The study assesses behavioral health concerns including tobacco use, alcohol use, mental health symptoms, and physical health indicators. The project establishes a collaborative data resource to support ongoing research initiatives and cross-disciplinary partnerships within the Center. (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. This study is the first to describe the prevalence of kratom use among US Military Veterans and explore relations between kratom use, prescription opioid use, misuse, and symptoms of prescription opioid use disorder. (PI: Ripley). Center for Health Behavior Research & Innovation, Syracuse University.

Psychological distress, hazardous duty, and alcohol risk among student veterans. Undergraduate Honors Thesis. This honors thesis investigates how hazardous duty experiences may influence alcohol-related risk through psychological distress among student veterans, advancing understanding of service-related factors that shape health outcomes in higher education settings. (Undergraduate Honors Student: Lupardo). Center for Health Behavior Research & Innovation.

Reducing Suicide Risk in Older Veterans with Mental Health Disorders Using Problem Solving Therapy. Grant Ripley served as a clinical interventionist under the mentorship of Dr. Jennifer Funderburk in a clinical trial exploring the efficacy of a problem-solving intervention to reduce suicidality among older veterans. (PI: Beaudreau; Co-PI: Funderburk; Graduate Research Interventionist: Ripley). VA Office of Research and Development, Clinical Science Research and Development (CSRD) Award Number: 1I01CX002177-01A1

Type I Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Trial of Primary Care Brief Mindfulness Training (PCBMT) for Veterans. This study tests a brief mindfulness program offered in primary care to see if it reduces distress, improves well-being, and can be effectively delivered in real-world VA settings to expand access to supportive, Veteran-centered care. (PI: Possemato, K. Co-I Bergen-Cico, D) VA Health Services Research and Development Service (HSR&D) Award Number: 1 I01 HX003626-01A2, (IIR 22-013-3)

Multi-site Effectiveness Trial of a Brief, Integrated PTSD and Alcohol Intervention for Veterans in Primary Care. This trial will investigate the effectiveness of PC-TIME, an intervention that combines Prolonged Exposure for Primary Care (PE-PC) with brief motivational enhancement therapy to help primary care veterans reduce PTSD severity and heavy drinking.(PI: Possemato; Co-I: Buckheit, Mastroleo, Rauch, Borsari, Balderrama-Durbin, King, Moskal, Cos). VA Office of Research and Development, Brain, Behavioral and Mental Health (BBMH) Portfolio (under review).

Nudge Messaging to Promote Alcohol Related Behavior Change Among Veterans in VA Primary Care. The objective of this pilot study is to generate preliminary data on a theory-informed nudge to promote initiation of alcohol treatment and reduced use among veterans in primary care. (PI: Maisto; Co-PI: Moskal). CHB/IVMF SU + VA Collaboration Pilot Grant Program (under review).

Computer-Based Personalized Feedback Intervention to Address Hazardous Drinking and Concurrent Use of Alcohol and Opioids Among Veterans with Chronic Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial. The goal of this project is to adapt a novel web-based Integrated Personalized Feedback Intervention for veterans with chronic pain who are prescribed opioid pain medications and engage in hazardous drinking. (PI: Moskal; Co-I: Ditre, Maisto, Zvolensky). VA HSR&D, POU AMP – Pain and Opioid Use NOSI, in preparation.

A Low-Cost, High-Access Intervention to Increase Intention to Change Alcohol/Tobacco Use Among Reticent Veterans who are Non-Responders to Brief Advice at High Risk Due to Chronic Conditions.  Grant Ripley and Emily Rabinowitz serve as clinical interventionists under the mentorship of Drs. Jennifer Funderburk, Julie Gass, and Dezarie Moskal, in a clinical trial evaluating Motivational Intervention Designed for Self-management and EducaTion (MINDSET), a remote, low-resource, evidence-based intervention that uses a motivational approach to increase intentions to change health behaviors among veterans with chronic disease.  (PI: Gass; Co-PI: Funderburk; Research Interventionists: Ripley, Rabinowitz). VA Office of Research and Development, Clinical Science Research and Development (CSRD) Service Award Number: 1I01CX002177-01A1

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. P, 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.

Chronic pain and hazardous alcohol use co occurrence and comorbidity rates: A national study of Veterans Affairs primary care patients. (In-Prep). Moskal, D., Scharer, J., Funderburk, J. S., Ditre, J. W., & Beehler, G. P.

Patient and provider perspectives of brief cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic pain (Brief CBT CP): A qualitative analysis of a pilot randomized controlled trial. Conrad, M., Kimber, J., Moskal, D., Pietropaoli, V., King, P., & Beehler, G. (in press). Translational Behavioral Medicine.

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.

Treatment barriers and preferences among veterans with chronic musculoskeletal pain and alcohol use in primary care. Buckheit, K. A., Scharer, J., Loughran, T. A., Beehler, G. P., Moskal, D., & Funderburk, J. S. (2025). Psychological Services. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/ser0000938

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.

Brief behavioral intervention for chronic pain in integrated primary care: What are we waiting for? Beehler, G. P., Verile, M., Conrad, M., & Moskal, D. (2024). Families, Systems, & Health, 42(2) 151-156. doi: 10.1037/fsh0000899

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.

Program evaluation of a peer-led post-traumatic stress disorder psychoeducation group for veterans considering treatment services in a Veterans Affairs specialty clinic. Moskal, D., De Vita, M. J., Adams, T., Lashinsky, A., Milk, K., Steiger, S., Higham, J., Tubbs, C., Woodworth, C. A., Cardona, N. H., & Possemato, K. (under review).

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.

Acceptance versus distraction as coping strategies for acute pain and pain-induced alcohol urge and approach inclinations. Moskal, D., De Vita, M. J., Maisto, S. A. (2025). Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 33(1) 16-26. doi: 10.1037/pha0000739

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.

Sleep, Activity, and Nutrition Among an Army Sample: Strengths, Deficits, and Demographic Differences. Santo, T. J., Brown, J. A., Hawkins, S. A., Whittaker, K. S., Liu, K., & Teyhen, B. D. S. (2023). Evaluation Review, 47(5), 871-894. https://doi.org/10.1177/0193841X231166971

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.

Relationship of rumination and self-compassion to posttraumatic stress symptoms among Veterans. Ramon, A., Bergen-Cico D., & Possemato, K., (2022) Military Psychology. 34(1) 121-128 DOI: 10.1080/08995605.2021.1976040

Self-compassion and self judgement: potential mediators of a mindfulness intervention on depression. Willard, R., Possemato, K., Ramon, A., & Bergen-Cico, D., (2022) Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine. 28(7) 607-609, https://doi.org/10.1089/jicm.2022.0511

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.

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 and Training Initiatives

  • 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.