Research Hot Topics

Anna Fetter, PhD, EdM: "Advancing Native American Mental Health Equity: Challenges and Opportunities"
Dr. Anna Kawennison Fetter is an Assistant Professor in the Department, a counseling psychologist by training, and enrolled member of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill and her Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Clinically, Dr. Fetter specializes in providing culturally responsive psychotherapy to emerging adults. Dr. Fetter's interdisciplinary research program aims to promote mental health equity, particularly within Indigenous communities. Dr. Fetter brings nine years of experience in community-engaged scholarship among marginalized communities. Her work leverages both qualitative and quantitative methodologies to understand dimensions of oppression and the role of culturally relevant protective factors in supporting mental health and well-being. Dr. Fetter has been engaged in multiple nationally funded research efforts related to Indigenous suicide prevention and was recently recognized as an Exemplary Indigenous Early Career Professional by Division 35 of the APA.

Joseph Winger, PhD: "Meaning-Centered Pain Coping Skills Training: A Psychosocial Intervention for Patients with Metastatic Cancer"

Joseph G. Winger, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University School of Medicine. Dr. Winger's research focuses on developing and testing novel psychosocial interventions for patients facing life-limiting illnesses. His work emphasizes addressing spiritual and existential aspects of coping with debilitating symptoms, particularly maintaining a sense of meaning and purpose in life. His research has been supported by grants from the National Cancer Institute (R01CA291768), American Cancer Society (RSG-22-072-01-CTPS; PF-17-054-01-PCSM), and National Palliative Care Research Center (Kornfeld Scholar Award). Dr. Winger also serves as co-director of the Cognitive Behaviorally Informed Skills Training (CBIST) Program for Physical and Occupational Therapists. The CBIST program trains non-behavioral health specialists to integrate evidence-based cognitive and behavioral skills into their clinical practice to improve quality of care and patient outcomes.