Dr. Emil Coccaro, MD
Principle Investigator
Dr. Emil Coccaro, M.D. is the Director of this “lab” and the Principal Investigator of a variety of funded projects conducted by the CNPRU. He is the George T. Harding, III, M.D., Endowed Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. He established the Clinical Neuroscience & Psychotherapeutics Unit (CNPRU) in 1989 at the Medical College of Pennsylvania and moved it to The University of Chicago ten years later in 1999, until he relocated here at OSUMC in 2020. At The University of Chicago, Dr. Coccaro was the Chair of the Department of Psychiatry & Clinical Neuroscience from 2004-2016. He focuses on brain neurochemistry and neuronal system function in impulsive aggression and he is the author of the current DSM-5 criteria for Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED). Dr. Coccaro joined the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (OSUMC) in 2020. Dr. Coccaro currently has over 250 peer-reviewed publications of research and has edited several books in his area of expertise. Dr. Coccaro very much enjoys research, but sometimes wishes he was Indiana Jones!
Dr. Matthew Timmins, PhD
PostDoctoral Scholar
Matt is a postdoctoral scholar who has been working at OSUMC since 2021. He graduated with his doctorate in clinical psychology from Mississippi State University in 20201 and completed his pre-doctoral internship at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center/Oklahoma City VAMC Consortium. He is interested in the relationships between neruoinflammation and suicidal behavior and behavioral analog tasks in the lab. In his free time, he enjoys time with his partner and their pets, Bowen and Saffron, reading, and playing video games.
Julian Roberts, BSN, RN
Senior Clinical Research Nurse
Our lab's Clinical Research Nurse, Julie Roberts, is an Ohio State University alumna with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. After receiving her degree in 2020, she continue her education at Xavier University where she received a Bachelor of Science in an accelerated Nursing program. After passing her board exam in early 2023, Julie worked as a beside nurse until returning academia as a CRN. Her professional goal is to provide a high level of health care to the community through research and investigation. In addition her passion for nursing, Julie enjoys goin on walks, gardening, and spending time with her family and friends.
Nancyline Nyumah
Senior Clinical Research Assistant
Nancyline Nyumah is a research assistant in Dr. Coccaro's lab. She is passionate about improving mental health conditions for POC and reducing stigma in black and brown communities.
Nancyline graduated from Ohio University in April of 2024, with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a minor in Social Services. Nancyline enjoys reading, baking, and spending time with family and friends.
Kaci Schroer
Clinical Research Assistant
Kaci Schroer graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 2026 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. She joined Dr. Coccaro’s research team as a Clinical Research Assistant in 2026. Prior to her current role, Kaci gained experience in neurodevelopmental assessment, behavioral health, and child development through clinical, research, and applied behavioral settings. Her research interests include child and adolescent development, neurodevelopmental disorders, and psychological assessment. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, caring for her dog and cats, and tending to her growing collection of plants.