Robert Pietrzak, PhD, MPH
Professor of Psychiatry and of Public Health (Social and Behavioral Sciences)DownloadHi-Res Photo
Cards
Appointments
Psychiatry
Primary
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Secondary
Additional Titles
Director, Translational Psychiatric Epidemiology Laboratory, Clinical Neurosciences Division, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD
Contact Info
Psychiatry
National Center for PTSD, VA Connecticut Healthcare System
West Haven, CT 06516
United States
Appointments
Psychiatry
Primary
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Secondary
Additional Titles
Director, Translational Psychiatric Epidemiology Laboratory, Clinical Neurosciences Division, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD
Contact Info
Psychiatry
National Center for PTSD, VA Connecticut Healthcare System
West Haven, CT 06516
United States
Appointments
Psychiatry
Primary
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Secondary
Additional Titles
Director, Translational Psychiatric Epidemiology Laboratory, Clinical Neurosciences Division, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD
Contact Info
Psychiatry
National Center for PTSD, VA Connecticut Healthcare System
West Haven, CT 06516
United States
About
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Titles
Professor of Psychiatry and of Public Health (Social and Behavioral Sciences)
Director, Translational Psychiatric Epidemiology Laboratory, Clinical Neurosciences Division, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD
Biography
Robert H. Pietrzak completed a B.A. in Psychology at Clark University, and M.P.H. in Epidemiology and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with specialization in Clinical Neuropsychology at the University of Connecticut. Dr. Pietrzak is Director of the Translational Psychiatric Epidemiology Laboratory in the Clinical Neurosciences Division of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD and Professor of Psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine and Professor of Public Health (Social and Behavioral Sciences) at Yale School of Public Health. His primary research interests include the psychosocial and genetic epidemiology of traumatic stress and resilience across the lifespan; dimensional models of stress-related psychopathology; and the effect of stress on cognition.
Last Updated on April 07, 2025.
Appointments
Psychiatry
ProfessorPrimarySocial and Behavioral Sciences
ProfessorSecondary
Other Departments & Organizations
- Psychiatry
- Psychology Section
- Social and Behavioral Sciences
- VA-Yale Clinical Neurosciences PTSD Research Program
- WHRY Pilot Project Program Investigators
- Women's Health Research at Yale
- Yale Medicine
- Yale Ventures
Education & Training
- Fellowship in Clinical Neuropsychology
- Gaylord Specialty Healthcare (2010)
- PhD
- University of Connecticut (2008)
- Internship in Clinical Psychology
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System-West Haven (2008)
- MPH
- University of Connecticut, Epidemiology (2003)
- BA
- Clark University, Psychology and Neuroscience (2001)
Research
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Overview
"Risk and Resilience Factors in Iraq Combat Veterans" - This study aims to improve understanding of the needs, symptoms, and strengths of Connecticut OIF/OEF Veterans.
"Mental Health, Resilience, and Soldier's Perceptions about Psychotherapy, Medication, and Barriers to Care in the U.S. Military" - This study aims to determine characteristics that differentiate symptomatic soldiers who seek mental health treatment and symptomatic soldiers who do not seek professional mental health treatment.
"National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study" - The purpose of this NCPTSD-funded study is to characterize genetic, environmental, and gene x environmental determinants of longitudinal trajectories of posttraumatic stress disorder and related mental health outcomes in a nationally representative sample of U.S. veterans.
"Trajectories of Psychological Risk and Resilience in World Trade Center Responders" - This CDC/NIOSH-funded study aims to characterize the nature and correlates of trajectories of posttraumatic stress symptoms of a large cohort of World Trade Center responders.
"Biomarkers of Psychological Risk and Resilience in World Trade Center Responders" - This CDC/NIOSH-funded study aims to examine genetic, epigenetic, and neuroendocrine factors associated with posttraumatic stress disorder in World Trade Center responders.
Medical Research Interests
Anxiety Disorders; Resilience, Psychological; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Stress Disorders, Traumatic
ORCID
0000-0002-5561-6414
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Frequent collaborators of Robert Pietrzak's published research.
Publications Timeline
A big-picture view of Robert Pietrzak's research output by year.
Research Interests
Research topics Robert Pietrzak is interested in exploring.
Peter Jongho Na, MD, MPH
Jack Tsai
Ilan Harpaz-Rotem, PhD, ABPP
Joel Gelernter, MD
John Krystal, MD
Irina Esterlis, PhD
219Publications
2,508Citations
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
Resilience, Psychological
Anxiety Disorders
Publications
2025
Developmental timing of index trauma exposure and accelerated epigenetic aging in United States military veterans
Tamman A, Nagamatsu S, Cabrera-Mendoza B, Averill L, Dunn E, Krystal J, Gelernter J, Montalvo-Ortiz J, Polimanti R, Pietrzak R. Developmental timing of index trauma exposure and accelerated epigenetic aging in United States military veterans. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2025, 182: 107568. PMID: 41016323, DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2025.107568.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsUnited States military veteransTrauma typesTrauma exposureMilitary veteransNational Health and ResilienceExposure to interpersonal violenceInterpersonal violenceNon-interpersonal traumaVeterans StudySelf-reported ageTrauma characteristicsEpigenetic ageTrauma burdenVeteransChronological ageGrimAgeViolenceGreater oddsDevelopmental timeTraumaYounger ageRecencyLong-term health risksPotential confoundersAgeIdentifying Factors Linked to a Higher Prevalence of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Younger US Military Veterans.
Hathorn J, Fischer I, Na P, Pietrzak R. Identifying Factors Linked to a Higher Prevalence of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Younger US Military Veterans. The Journal Of Clinical Psychiatry 2025, 86 PMID: 40965837, DOI: 10.4088/jcp.25m15939.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsPrevalence of posttraumatic stress disorderPosttraumatic stress disorderHigher prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorderUS military veteransMethods: DataStress disorderMilitary veteransYounger veteransHighest prevalenceCoping strategiesRates of PTSDNational Health and ResilienceSample of US military veteransSelf-blame coping strategiesPrevalence of PTSDElevated prevalenceCombat exposure severityChildhood physical abuseAdaptive coping strategiesYounger ageAdverse childhood experiencesAge-related differencesOlder veteransPublic health concernAvoidant copingPost-traumatic stress disorder, depressive symptoms, and cognitive function among middle-aged urban adults: Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span study
Georgescu M, Beydoun M, Pietrzak R, Beydoun H, Noren Hooten N, Banerjee S, Evans M, Zonderman A. Post-traumatic stress disorder, depressive symptoms, and cognitive function among middle-aged urban adults: Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span study. GeroScience 2025, 1-19. PMID: 40954384, DOI: 10.1007/s11357-025-01825-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricConceptsPost-traumatic stress disorderCognitive test scoresDepressive symptomsCognitive functionStructural equation modelingNeighborhoods of DiversityVerbal memoryStress disorderTest scoresImpact of post-traumatic stress disorderPost-traumatic stress disorder scoreAssociated with PTSD scoresDelayed free recallAssociated with depressive symptomsAssociation of post-traumatic stress disorderTotal CES-D scoreHealthy agingCES-D scoresLife Span StudyFree recallImmediate recallPTSD scoresUrban adultsCES-DEquation modelingCannabinoid 1 receptor availability in posttraumatic stress disorder: A positron emission tomography study
Korem N, Bassir Nia A, Hillmer A, D’Souza D, Nabulsi N, Ropchan J, Huang Y, Cosgrove K, Levy I, Pietrzak R, Harpaz-Rotem I. Cannabinoid 1 receptor availability in posttraumatic stress disorder: A positron emission tomography study. Translational Psychiatry 2025, 15: 310. PMID: 40846835, PMCID: PMC12373994, DOI: 10.1038/s41398-025-03519-9.BooksCitationsAltmetricConceptsPathophysiology of posttraumatic stress disorderEmotional numbing symptomsCB1R availabilityPosttraumatic stress disorderEndocannabinoid systemStress disorderPositron emission tomographyTrauma-exposed participantsEndocannabinoid system's rolePositron emission tomography studiesCannabinoid receptor 1Emission tomography studiesMulti-faceted disorderFear learningCB1RSymptom expressionHealthy controlsCannabinoidDisordersTomography studiesEmission tomographyPreclinical studiesSymptomsHigher levelsReceptor 1318. CHANGES IN DECISION MAKING BEHAVIOR BETWEEN PREGNANCY AND POSTPARTUM
Perez-Rodriguez M, Schmitt Y, Rooney T, Prakash S, Castro J, Moore K, Strong N, Habersham L, Katz D, Adler A, Jessel R, Smith E, Rommel A, Spicer J, Pietrzak R, McClure M, Bergink V, De Witte L. 318. CHANGES IN DECISION MAKING BEHAVIOR BETWEEN PREGNANCY AND POSTPARTUM. The International Journal Of Neuropsychopharmacology 2025, 28: ii116-ii116. PMCID: PMC12359638, DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyaf052.230.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated BatteryGambling TaskDelay aversionPostpartum periodRisk takingThird trimesterThird trimester of pregnancyTrimester of pregnancyLower risk adjustmentRisk adjustmentHeightened impulsivityMonths post-partumReward processingAutomated BatteryCognitive flexibilityMaternal well-beingPost Hoc AnalysisTukey HSD post hoc analysisHigher risk takingDecision making behaviorDecision-making behaviorPregnancyEmotional statesPostpartumPost-partumA Network Analysis of Psychosocial Functioning and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression Symptoms in a Nationally Representative U.S. Veteran Cohort
Hallenbeck H, Spiller T, Kuhn E, Cloitre M, Pietrzak R. A Network Analysis of Psychosocial Functioning and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression Symptoms in a Nationally Representative U.S. Veteran Cohort. Psychological Trauma Theory Research Practice And Policy 2025 PMID: 40773343, DOI: 10.1037/tra0002002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPosttraumatic stress disorderPsychosocial functional impairmentStress disorderPsychosocial functioningDepressive symptomsNational Health and ResilienceTrauma-exposed veteransIntensive longitudinal dataPotential targets of interventionTargeting of interventionsSuicidal ideationVeterans StudyU.S. veteransDepressionFunctional impairmentVeteransDisordersVeteran cohortImpairmentGaussian graphical modelsSymptomsLongitudinal dataCross-sectional dataIrritability/angerIdeationFactors Influencing Perceived Mental Health Service Needs, Self-Reported Utilization, and Barriers to Care among Health System Faculty and Staff.
Khan A, Delgado A, Ali H, Ho S, Doukas A, Klepser N, Pietrzak R, Faherty C, Marin D, Sharma V, Clark U, Mohamed N, Charney D, Ripp J, Peccoralo L, DePierro J. Factors Influencing Perceived Mental Health Service Needs, Self-Reported Utilization, and Barriers to Care among Health System Faculty and Staff. Journal Of Occupational And Environmental Medicine 2025 PMID: 40762959, PMCID: PMC12360309, DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000003518.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMental health servicesHealth servicesMental health service needsHealth service needsMental health careMental health interventionsMental health statusSelf-reported utilizationUrban healthcare systemHealth interventionsHealth careHealth statusHealthcare systemService needsSelf-ReportDemographic factorsStaffPsychiatric symptomsOnline surveyMedical FacultyLimited timeServicesBarriersFacultyCarePET imaging evidence of HDAC6 suppression in the amygdala across species in PTSD
Bonomi R, Naganawa M, McRiley D, Toyonaga T, LeVasseur B, Duman C, Huang Y, Matuskey D, Carson R, Pietrzak R, Girgenti M, Cosgrove K. PET imaging evidence of HDAC6 suppression in the amygdala across species in PTSD. Molecular Psychiatry 2025, 1-8. PMID: 40753309, DOI: 10.1038/s41380-025-03124-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsPosttraumatic stress disorderPathophysiology of posttraumatic stress disorderNon-trauma-exposed controlsAmygdala of individualsProlonged stress modelBrain imaging studiesStress disorderRodent findingsNuclear translocation of glucocorticoid receptorTranslocation of glucocorticoid receptorHuman findingsTranslational findingsCortisol signalingAmygdalaGlucocorticoid receptorComplex disorderImaging studiesDisordersLongitudinal analysisStress modelHistone deacetylase 6Pharmacological targetsHistone deacetylasesFindingsNuclear translocationMoral injury is independently associated with suicidal ideation and suicide attempt in high-stress, service-oriented occupations
Griffin B, Maguen S, McCue M, Pietrzak R, McLean C, Hamblen J, Jendro A, Norman S. Moral injury is independently associated with suicidal ideation and suicide attempt in high-stress, service-oriented occupations. Npj Mental Health Research 2025, 4: 32. PMID: 40751003, PMCID: PMC12317004, DOI: 10.1038/s44184-025-00151-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsSuicidal ideationMoral injuryMental health issuesAssociated with suicidal ideationUS military veteransMental health factorsHealth issuesLifetime attemptsService-oriented occupationsSuicide prevention programsSuicide attemptsSuicidal thoughtsMilitary veteransIdeationComprehensive suicide prevention programHealth factorsPrevention programsHealthcare workersSuicideHigh stressPerceived Need and Utilization of Mental Health Services by Registered Nurses.
Winter S, Pietrzak R, He C, DePierro J, Cohen B, Chan C, Starkweather S, Faherty C, Benn E, Clark U, Mohamed N, Peccoralo L, Ripp J. Perceived Need and Utilization of Mental Health Services by Registered Nurses. Nursing Research 2025 PMID: 40680286, PMCID: PMC12329662, DOI: 10.1097/nnr.0000000000000852.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMental health servicesUtilization of mental health servicesHealth servicesBurden of mental health conditionsMental health support servicesHealth support servicesUrban health systemMental health conditionsMental health sequelaeMental health stressorsCross-sectional survey dataMental health characteristicsExperiences of verbal abuseNurse characteristicsRegistered NursesMultinomial logistic regressionPrevalent barriersHealth characteristicsHealth systemNursesHealth sequelaeHealth stressorsHealth conditionsDescriptive statisticsInconvenient hours
Clinical Trials
Current Trials
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HIC ID2000033404RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date08/31/2025Recruiting ParticipantsStudying the Adult Brain
HIC ID2000025671RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date07/31/2025Recruiting ParticipantsImaging SV2A in mood disorders
HIC ID1511016789RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date03/15/2022Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge18 years - 70 years
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
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Activities
activity Psychological Injury and Law
11/01/2014 - PresentProfessional OrganizationsMemberDetailsEditorial Boardactivity Journal of Anxiety Disorders
08/10/2015 - PresentProfessional OrganizationsMemberDetailsEditorial Boardactivity PLoS One
09/07/2018 - PresentProfessional OrganizationsBoard MemberDetailsEditorial Boardactivity International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
2013 - 2013CommitteesCommittee Memberactivity Advancing the Science or Education, Training, and Practice in Trauma: Developing the New Haven Model
04/24/2013 - 04/25/2013CommitteesDelegate
Honors
honor Outstanding Contributions to the Science of Trauma Psychology
07/20/2022National AwardAmerican Psychological AssociationDetailsUnited Stateshonor 2022 Paul Wender Best Paper Award
03/24/2022National AwardAmerican Society of Clinical PsychopharmacologyDetailsUnited Stateshonor Nelson Butters Award for Research Contributions to Clinical Neuropsychology
11/15/2016National AwardNational Academy of NeuropsychologyDetailsUnited Stateshonor Award for Outstanding Contribution to Trauma Psychology by an Early Career Psychologist
08/04/2015National AwardAmerican Psychological Association, Division of Trauma PsychologyDetailsUnited Stateshonor Certificate of Appreciation
05/01/2013National AwardUnited States Department of Veterans AffairsDetailsUnited States
News
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News
- October 15, 2025
CPA to Honor Pietrzak with Distinguished Contribution to the Science of Psychology Award
- September 24, 2025
New Study Reveals Genetic, Psychiatric, and Environmental Factors Contributing to Alcohol Use Disorder
- September 18, 2025
Yale Scientists Seek to Uncover Neural and Genomic Mechanisms that Drive Anxiety
- September 17, 2025
New Yale-Led Study Reveals Why Younger Veterans Face Higher PTSD Risk
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Contacts
Mailing Address
Psychiatry
National Center for PTSD, VA Connecticut Healthcare System
West Haven, CT 06516
United States