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Justin Karr

Research Interests:
Brain Injury
Concussion
Clinical Neuropsychology
Dementia
Cognitive Aging
Executive Functions
Clinical assessment methodology
Psychometrics
Education
Postdoctoral Fellowship, Harvard Medical School, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, and Massachusetts General Hospital (2018-2020)
Ph.D., University of Victoria (2018)
Doctoral Internship, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle Division (2017-2018)
M.Sc., University of Victoria (2013)
B.S., Western Oregon University (2011)
Biography

I will be reviewing applications for graduate students in Clinical Neuropsychology this Fall for prospective students planning on beginning graduate school in the 2024-25 academic year.

My research program has moved toward studying traumatic brain injury among women survivors of intimate partner violence; and I am very interested in prospective students who share interest in researching the biopsychosocial health and functioning of this understudied population. You do not need prior research experiences in this area to be a successful candidate, but related research experiences would be a strength in your application (e.g., research on intimate partner violence, brain injury in other populations, cognitive testing/measurement, magnetic resonance imaging).

If you are interested in attending the UK Clinical Psych PhD program and have interest in Clinical Neuropsychology training, you can review the Clinical Neuropsychology Concentration webpage, which has other possible mentors listed as well. You should review their webpages or contact them individually to see if any may be considering accepting a student for a Fall 2024 admission.

If my areas of interest do not align with yours, I am aware of two other faculty who may have interest in mentoring a neuropsychology student with a Fall 2024 admission. Dr. Jordan Harp has research interests in Stroke and Dementia in Adults with Down Syndrome and Dr. Michelle Martel has research interests in adult and pediatric ADHD and disruptive behavior disorders.

My philosophy toward student mentorship is one of respect, collegiality, and support, as you develop towards your professional goals. I receive multiple requests to meet and clarify future research goals from prospective applicants. Although I love hearing about your interest in UK and our ongoing research, I recommend you review my recent publications below to learn about the direction of my lab. I am unavailable to meet or chat by phone with prospective applicants.

I began as an Assistant Professor of Clinical Neuropsychology in the Department of Psychology at the University of Kentucky in August 2020. Originally from Portland, Oregon, I completed my undergraduate studies in psychology at Western Oregon University and moved north to British Columbia, Canada for my graduate studies. I completed my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a Neuropsychology Specialization at the University of Victoria in 2018, where my doctoral studies and research were supported by the Vanier Scholarship. I completed my clinical internship year at the Seattle VA hospital, and my postdoctoral training within the Harvard Medical School system at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital.

My research to date has focused on neuropsychological assessment methods, cross-cultural validation of psychological tests, cognitive aging, and the psychological and cognitive sequelae of brain injury. I have been privileged, in my short career, to work with researchers in the United States, Canada, Colombia, Ghana, Taiwan, Finland, Norway, and Australia, and I am always interested in working with new collaborators. Please reach out if we have shared interests.

In my non-academic life, I enjoy travelling to new places, trying new restaurants, running, golfing (poorly), and exploring the great outdoors. Having lived in Portland, Seattle, Victoria, BC, and Boston, I have, regrettably, become a coffee snob, although Tim Hortons (Canadian chain for those unfamiliar) will always have a special place in my heart.