Melissa Zielinski, PhD

Dr. Zielinski’s work focuses on reducing the burden of traumatic stress exposure and sequelae on individuals and communities–particularly for people who use drugs and/or are incarcerated. In her faculty role at UAMS, she directs the Health and the Legal System (HEALS) Laboratory, provides leadership as Director of Research for UAMS’ Psychology Division, and serves as Co-Associate Director of UAMS’ NIDA T32 training program, “Translational Training in Addiction.” She is currently supported by a NIDA K23 Career Development Award in which she is focused on implementing and evaluating group therapy for PTSD in correction centers and testing whether these interventions can help to prevent post-incarceration drug use and improve post-incarceration mental health.