Youth leaning against a wall

This initiative unites a statewide network of experts working together to better understand, prevent, and treat childhood trauma.

Through research studies and policy engagement, TX-CTRN supports informed decision-making and works to bridge the gap between mental health services available to children and adolescents in Texas. To date, more than 3,600 youth have participated in a study about the impact of childhood trauma.

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Director Dr. Karen Wagner

A Message from the TX-CTRN Directors

Welcome to the website for the Texas Childhood Trauma Research Network (TX-CTRN). Whether you are a caregiver, advocate, healthcare provider, study participant, policymaker, or researcher, we are grateful you are here. The TX-CTRN was created by the 86th Texas Legislature to tackle one of the most pressing challenges facing our state's youth: the impact of childhood trauma. read more >>

In Focus | News

Dr. Jeff Shahidullah

Behind the Scenes: Dr. Jeff Shahidullah

Dr. Jeff Shahidullah, TX-CTRN Director of Training and Node Principle Investigator at UT Austin, shares what he’s observed throughout the CTRN study to date and emphasizes the importance of supporting young study participants through their emotional journey.

On the Books: Featured Publication

This paper studied the connection between experiencing trauma and developing a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) in teenagers.

In Their Words: Testimonials from CTRN

The personal reflections of research assistants and therapists as they describe what working within the CTRN has meant to them.

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Leadership

Director Dr. Charles Nemeroff

Charles B. Nemeroff, MD, PhD
Co-Director, TX-CTRN
University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School

Director Dr. Karen Wagner

Karen Dineen Wagner, MD, PhD
Co-Director, TX-CTRN
University of Texas Medical Branch

Director Dr. Jeff Newport
 

D. Jeffrey Newport, MD, MS, MDiv
Associate Director, TX-CTRN
University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School

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TX-CTRN Leads

Justin Rousseau, MD
Data Core Lead
UT Southwestern Medical Center

Pat Scherer
Data Warehouse Lead
TACC, University of Texas at Austin

Paul Rathouz, PhD
Lead Statistician
University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School

Spencer Andries
Regulatory Lead
University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School

TF-CBT Leadership

Cody Dodd, PhD
University of Texas Medical Branch

Josh Cisler, PhD
University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School

Lynn Monnat, PhD
UT Health Austin Dell Children's Medical Center

Jeff Shahidullah, PhD
University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School

Alexis Larraga
Regulatory Lead
University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School