Brainstorming
- https://www.barrowneuro.org/for-physicians-researchers/research/core-facilities-and-biobank/barrow-asu-center-for-preclinical-imaging/
- Azuma Vita October 2025.pdf
- Dr. Tamiko Azuma
- azuma@asu.edu
- I found your research on trauma and veterans and was hoping you or someone you know may be interested. I wasn’t a military vet, but he was.
Outreach
I'm a master's student in the School of Transformation studying gender, women and sexuality. I’m reaching out in the hopes of working with someone to get neuroimaging done in relation to my work in trauma recovery.
From 2015-21, I worked in law enforcement while also in an abusive relationship with another officer (a military veteran with trauma himself). I escaped both that field and my abuser mid-pandemic, after which I was unsurprisingly diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Due to the chronic, ongoing nature of the harm I experienced, my diagnosis would more accurately be understood as complex PTSD. Unfortunately, CPTSD isn't recognized as a diagnosis the DSM yet; which is in part why I'm interested in this research.
Trauma comes in many forms, as do levels of resilience and recovery. While symptoms can appear similar, impacts on individual functioning, stress levels, and overall health vary based on many factors. Aside from validating my own experience of trauma with evidence of physical changes to my neurological health, I’m interested in focusing future research on exploring how symptoms can be more effectively treated and managed based on specific areas of the brain affected.
What better map to start with than my own brain?
Part of what feminist applied research seeks to do is look at individual experiences through micro and macro frameworks, acknowledging that knowledge gathering itself isn’t neutral and thus must incorporate a variety of experiences.
Selfishly, I also use art as a tool in my recovery and think neuroimaging would make beautiful pieces, inspiring others experiencing shame around or dismissal of their trauma.
I’d love to speak with someone interested in trauma’s effects on the brain. If anyone is interested in contacting me, I’d love to try to set something up!