Dr. Audrey Tyrka

Biography

Audrey Tyrka is the Mary E. Zucker Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Brown University. She completed her MD and PhD in medicine and psychology at the University of Pennsylvania in 1999 and subsequently underwent psychiatry residency training at Brown. Dr. Tyrka's research primarily focuses on social, developmental, behavioral, and biological mechanisms of risk associated with early stress and trauma, particularly in maltreated children and adults with a history of childhood adversity. Her groundbreaking work has contributed to understanding neuroendocrine, epigenetic, and biological aging processes that impact mental and physical health conditions tied to stress. As Co-Director of the Center for Stress, Trauma, and Resilience (STAR), she leads initiatives that investigate the effects of early trauma on various health outcomes, including mood and anxiety disorders and accelerated biological aging. With a strong commitment to mentorship and research training, Dr. Tyrka serves as the principal investigator on numerous grants, including NIMH-funded research training programs, and has collaborated extensively on studies examining novel treatments for major depression and related conditions. Her dedication to the field and her contributions through teaching and research have garnered her several prestigious awards and recognitions throughout her career.

Research Interests

Experience