KIRSTIN BATTLES, BA

Research Assistan, Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
Department of Psychiatry
Uniformed Services University

Kirstin Battles is a recent graduate from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a Major in Psychology and a minor in Business Admin and Criminology. At UTSA she focused on the effects of TBI on college students and how it affects their cognitive function; specifically sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Subsequently, as a Research Assistant at UTSA, Kirstin further explored the intersections of personality, stress, and response in the context of traumatic brain injury. This role allowed her to contribute significantly to a doctoral student's research, handling tasks like ECG monitoring, data entry, and administering the OSU-TBI-ID. Professionally, Kirstin has taken on the role of a Clinical Research Assistant at the Henry M Jackson Foundation (HJF). Here, she supports the Department of Psychiatry's efforts in studying PTSD among veterans and active-duty service members. Her responsibilities include database management, processing lab specimens, and assisting in various stages of clinical trials. Kirstin's dedication to TBI research and her role at HJF highlights her deep commitment to advancing our understanding of traumatic brain injuries and their impact on mental health.