Victoria C. Merritt
Victoria C. Merritt
Credentials:
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Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology (2017)
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Licensed Clinical Psychologist (PSY30492), California Board of Psychology (11/2018-Present)
Current Position(s):
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Research Health Scientist, VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS)
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Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, UC San Diego
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Faculty Affiliate, Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health (CESAMH), VASDHS
Personal Statement:
Dr. Victoria Merritt is a Research Health Scientist at the VA San Diego Healthcare System and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at UC San Diego. She earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University and completed her internship and post-doctoral fellowship at the VA San Diego Healthcare System and UC San Diego. Dr. Merritt’s research interests include examining risk and protective factors associated with clinical outcome and recovery following concussion/traumatic brain injury (TBI). More specifically, her work focuses on identifying factors that may influence or predict the presence of post-concussive symptoms and neuropsychiatric distress following brain injury in the context of both sports-related concussion and military TBI. She has focused additional research efforts on studying the neurocognitive consequences of concussion/TBI. Another major emphasis of her research program has been to evaluate long-term outcomes following concussion/TBI and to better understand the association between TBI, other risk factors, and the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Merritt has received funding from the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, and other association grants.
Professional History:
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Faculty Affiliate, Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health (CESAMH)
VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA
01/2021-Present -
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine
UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA
05/2020-Present -
Research Health Scientist, Research Service
VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA
09/2019-Present -
Postdoctoral Neuropsychology Fellow (Postdoctoral Residency Program in Neuropsychology)
VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA
09/2017-08/2019 -
Psychology Intern
VA San Diego Healthcare System/UC San Diego, San Diego, CA
07/2016-06/2017
Education:
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Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA (2017)
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Master of Science (M.S.) in Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA (2013)
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Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology, The University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN (2008)
Awards and Honors:
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2023 Early Career Award, Sports Neuropsychology Society
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2022 Early Career Service Award, National Academy of Neuropsychology
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2022 Invited Participant, National Center of Leadership in Academic Medicine, UC San Diego
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2021 Blue Ribbon Award for Best Abstract by an Early Career Neuropsychologist, Society for Clinical
Neuropsychology (Division 40), American Psychological Association -
2020 Early Career Award, National Academy of Neuropsychology
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2020 Blue Ribbon Award for Best Abstract by an Early Career Neuropsychologist, Society for Clinical
Neuropsychology (Division 40), American Psychological Association -
2019-2020 Invited Participant, Leadership and Ambassador Development (LEAD) Program, National
Academy of Neuropsychology -
2017 Outstanding Dissertation Award, National Academy of Neuropsychology
National/Global Website: National Center for Biotechnology Information