David T. Hsu, PhD

Assistant Professor Phone: (631) 638-1522 Email Curriculum Vitae

Social acceptance into groups and intimate relationships is critical for survival and emotional well-being.  Thus we often respond strongly when this need is threatened, such as during social rejection (i.e., when one is not wanted or liked).  However, why do some people become more depressed or anxious following social rejection, while others become more impulsive, aggressive, and/or prone to substance use?  I am currently using neuroimaging methods (PET and fMRI) to identify patterns of neural activity during social rejection and acceptance that predict these changes in behavior.  My long-term goals are to a) determine how neural responses to social cues are associated with changes in mood, cognition, and behavior, b) identify gene x environment interactions that are critical in shaping these responses, and c) investigate how abnormal responses to social cues contribute to psychiatric disorders.