Two JDP Students Selected as 2024-2025 ARCS Scholars

Christina Vezeris is a recipient of the SDSU-based ARSC Scholarship.

Christina’s research focuses on multiple facets of prenatal alcohol exposure. The first is to increase the diagnostic abilities of clinicians who work with the FASD population by assessing the validity of diagnostic criteria and diagnostic measures to better capture FASD. The second focus of her research with FASD is to study the connection of prenatal alcohol exposure and childhood adversity to neurodevelopmental outcomes, specifically in cognition and behavior, and to involvement in the justice system. By understanding how impairing the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure and childhood adversity can be on an individual, we gain the opportunity to lessen the burden of these symptoms and increase the individual’s quality of life. In addition, these cognitive and behavioral challenges in turn may increase the risk of involvement with the law, and understanding this connection can give us clarity on areas to intervene as well as implement public policies that take into account the symptoms experienced by individuals with prenatal alcohol exposure and childhood adversity. By disseminating the findings of her research, she hopes to aid the effort in preventative measures and postnatal care for individuals with prenatal alcohol exposure by informing public policy and increasing their lifelong well-being.

Morgan Caudle is a recipient of the UC San Diego-based ARCS Scholarship. 

She is especially interested in conducting research related to investigating mechanisms to serve as novel intervention targets for mood, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorders. She currently assists with research in the Stress and Neuroimaging Lab at UCSD and works as a doctoral trainee therapist for the Department of Veteran’s Affairs PTSD clinical team. Over the past year, she published 5 first-author research articles and co-authored 9 poster presentations, primarily focused on working memory, psychopathology, and underlying neural correlates. Morgan is currently preparing to apply for the F31 Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award to support additional training and mentorship for her dissertation. For her dissertation, she plans to analyze neuroimaging data in conjunction with ecological momentary assessment data and is excited for the opportunity this project presents to receive additional data science training in intensive longitudinal data analysis.