Introduction
Dr. Charak is a licensed psychologist with internationally recognized trauma research and expertise in advanced statistical analyses and mixed methods. She has ~100 publications & >150 presentations.
Education
Postdoctoral Fellow – Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA
Ph.D. – Clinical and Developmental Psychology, Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam, the Netherlands
M.Phil. – Clinical Psychology, Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), University of Delhi, India
M.A. – Psychology, Panjab University, India
B.A.-Psychology (Honors), Panjab University, India
Areas of Expertise
Trauma: Adverse Childhood Experiences & Tech-mediated Violence
Mental Health: PTSD, Depression, Substance Use; CVD and Cancer
SEM and Latent Modeling
Credentials, Accreditations and Awards
Active: Licensed Psychologist (OH)
2020: UTRGV International Female Faculty Member
2020: Faculty Development Award, NSF ADVANCE Leadership Workshop for Women
2015: Postdoctoral Travel Award, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
2006-2008: M.Phil. Clinical Psychology Fellowship
Teaching Focus
Dr. Charak has taught numerous courses in research methods, statistics, mental health, psychology, family violence, and trauma. With 20 years of experience teaching undergraduate and graduate students, she mentors learners in psychology and public health. Her philosophy emphasizes critical thinking, meaningful collaboration and student ownership through dynamic, participatory learning experiences.
Research Overview
Dr. Charak has research expertise in adverse childhood experiences, revictimization, technology-mediated partner abuse, & PTSD. At UAMS, she is expanding her work to examine how mental health influences cardiovascular disease & cancer, integrating trauma research with physical health outcomes. She also serves on trauma-focused journal editorial boards.
Recent Books or Publications (selected)
For a full list of publications: Google scholar | ORCID
- Mantey DS, Holidam AH, Lao A, Charak R, Barker D, Yockey A. Sexual Violence Victimization and Gender Identity: A National Study of High School Students in the US, 2023. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. In press.
- Gilbar O, Watkins L, Charak R. Short Screener of the Cyber Aggression in Relationships Scale: Construct Validity and Reliability Cross-Cultural Samples. 2026 Apr; 33(3):471-482. https://doi.org/10.1177/10731911251320597. PMID: 40163567.
- Olorunlambe W, Galdamez M, Charak R, Ford J, Jud A. Child Maltreatment and Psychopathology Among Institutionalized and Incarcerated Adolescents in Nigeria: A Latent Class Analysis Approach. Child Abuse and Neglect. In press.
- Flores A, Charak R. Proactive and Reactive Sibling Aggression and Their Mediating Effects on the Relationship Between Exposure to Parental Violence and Adulthood Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration. Child Abuse Review. 2024 Nov 14; 33(6):1-13. org/10.1002/car.70001.
- Charak R, Cano-Gonzalez I, Ronzon-Tirado R, Ford JD, Byllesby BM, Shevlin M, Karatzias T, Hyland P, Cloitre M. Factor Structure of the International Trauma Questionnaire in Trauma Exposed LGBTQ+ Adults: Role of Accumulating Traumatic Events and Minority Stress Heterosexist Experiences. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. 2023; 15(4):628-636. 10.1037/tra0001440. PMID: 36689378.
Fun Fact
Outside of my research on trauma and health, I am a world traveler, keeping colorful mementos from the cities and countries I visit.