Samantha Daruwala, PhD

About

Biography

I am a Research Assistant Professor and Licensed Psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. My work focuses on improving suicide prevention and intervention strategies, particularly among military service members, Veterans, and firearm owners.

My research examines the context in which suicide risk increases and how to promote secure firearm storage as a suicide prevention strategy. I am also interested in how to optimize evidence-based interventions for suicide risk and PTSD to improve treatment outcomes. This work helps create tailored strategies that can reduce suicide risk and support individuals and families in crisis.

I received my MA in Psychology and PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi. I completed my pre-doctoral internship in Clinical Psychology at the Durham VA Medical Center. I then completed my postdoctoral training at the VA Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention at VA Finger Lakes and within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at The Ohio State University. I also hold a BS in Psychology and a MPS in Clinical Psychological Science from the University of Maryland, College Park. I value the mission of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center to advance effective, compassionate mental health care. I am passionate about evaluating mechanisms of suicide risk, developing evidence-based prevention strategies, and supporting individuals with elevated suicide risk by contributing research that can directly shape clinical practice and save lives.

Credentials

Research