Nicole Karcher

Nicole Karcher

Assistant Professor of Psychiatry

Additional Titles & Roles


  • Instructor

Education & Training


  • Postdoctoral Research Fellowship: Washington University, St. Louis, MO, 2020
  • PhD: University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 2017
  • MA: College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA, 2010
  • BS: College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA, 2008

Major Awards


  • NIMH K23 Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award, 2020
  • NIH Loan Repayment Program Award, 2019
  • Mark H. Thelen Outstanding Clinical Graduate Student Award, 2015

Research Interests


My research primarily focuses on understanding the neural, genetic, cognitive, and environmental factors underlying the development and persistence of psychotic-like experiences in childhood and adolescence. My work uses several methodologies, including functional MRI, structural MRI, epidemiological, and genomic approaches to the study of the etiology of psychotic-like experiences. I am also motivated to develop identification and prevention efforts for children and adolescents at risk for the development of psychotic experiences, including efforts to reduce mental health disparities.

Key Publications


  • Funded Research Projects


    NIMH K23: Cross-sectional and longitudinal predictors of psychotic-like experiences in childhood and adolescence
    NIMH LRP: Prediction of Distressing Psychotic-Like Experiences in School-Age Children