ROBIN AUPPERLE

The NeuroCognitive Aspects of Anxiety, Trauma and Treatment (NeuroCATT) Laboratory

Our Lab's Mission

The research mission of the lab is to conduct translational neuroscience research that has the potential to inform our understanding and optimization of psychotherapy interventions for individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, or trauma-related symptoms.

By taking a strength-based approach, we seek to understand how to enhance positive mental health - with the aim to provide a supportive, inclusive space that helps therapy participants and lab members reach their goals and realize their full potential.
Among our highest values is having engagement and input from diverse brains, backgrounds, and viewpoints, which will enable us to tackle important research questions most creatively and powerfully, in ways that benefit the community.

CONTACT DR. AUPPERLE

PODCAST: Mental Health Download: Exploring Mental Illness, Suicide, Homelessness and Incarceration

Clinical Psychology Graduate Program

Dr. Aupperle, in co-mentorship with Dr. Joanna Davis, will be interviewing potential graduate students for the Fall 2024 incoming class in the Clinical Psychology Graduate Program at The University of Tulsa. Students from underrepresented backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply. Successful applicants will have research experience, particularly in the areas of clinical and/or research, strong writing and analytic/statistical skills, and ideally have prior experience presenting at scientific conferences and/or publishing.

Additional information about Dr. Davis’ laboratory and the Clinical Psychology Graduate Program can be found here:

TU Clinical Psychology Program

Research Program Highlights

Main Question

What are the behavioral or brain-based characteristics that best predict long-term outcomes and help to identify who will respond to what type of intervention?

Approach

We use a multi-level approach, i.e. test patients behaviorally, physiologically, and during fMRI, to develop individual-based profiles that will help to personalize therapy treatments and develop novel behavioral interventions and prevention programs.

Future Directions

To develop individually tailored anxiety, depression, and trauma interventions or prevention strategies that help patients to have better outcomes.

Scientific Background

Dr. Aupperle was born and raised in rural Oklahoma and obtained her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Oklahoma State University. She received her master’s and doctoral education in clinical health psychology at the University of Kansas, under the mentorship of Cary Savage, Ph.D. and Douglas Denney, Ph.D. Her graduate research and clinical education focused on neuropsychology, neuroimaging, and anxiety disorders. She then continued out west to complete clinical internship at the VA San Diego Healthcare System, during which her training focused on clinical neuropsychology, cognitive rehabilitation, and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Dr. Aupperle remained in San Diego to complete a postdoctoral fellowship under the mentorship of Drs. Martin Paulus and Murray Stein, conducting research related to neural substrates of anxiety disorders and PTSD, with a particular emphasis on decision-making processes and treatment. She moved to Kansas City to join the University of Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC) Department of Psychology as Assistant Professor in August, 2011. In August, 2014, Dr. Aupperle joined the Laureate Institute for Brain Research (LIBR) in Tulsa, OK, as Assistant Professor.

Dr. Aupperle has initiated research projects at LIBR investigating neurocognitive and behavioral predictors of treatment response to behavioral activation therapy for depression and exposure therapy for anxiety. In addition, she is taking the lead in LIBR projects investigating predictors of success for females enrolled in a criminal diversion program and factors related to mental health resiliency in college students.