Audreyana Rickels, PhD

About

Biography

I am Audreyana Jagger-Rickels, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, and I specialize in translational neuroimaging, neuropsychiatric heterogeneity, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and suicide research. My research focuses on identifying brain markers and neurobiological patterns that help explain differences in how individuals experience mental health conditions, with the goal of informing more precise treatments and earlier interventions.

A central theme of my work is understanding the brain mechanisms that underlie trauma-related conditions and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Through advanced neuroimaging, cognitive assessment and quantitative research methods, I study how patterns of brain function and cognition can reveal meaningful differences within neuropsychiatric populations. These findings help uncover the biological factors that contribute to clinical heterogeneity and may lead to more personalized approaches to care.

My current research examines brain and cognitive patterns associated with suicide attempt history among veterans, with a particular focus on identifying markers of risk and resilience. I am also involved in the State of Ohio Adversity and Resilience (SOAR) Studies, a large-scale initiative that is investigating the biological, psychological and social factors that shape mental health across Ohio. At Ohio State, I serve as a data management lead and chair of the presentations and publications committee for the SOAR Studies.

My work has been supported by competitive national funding, including a Career Development Award from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and an Early Career Award from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. I have also received a Rising Star Award from the Society of Biological Psychiatry.

Ultimately, my goal is to translate discoveries from neuroimaging and neuroscience research into innovative strategies that improve prevention, early intervention and treatment for individuals affected by trauma, stress and suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Credentials

Research