Member Spotlight

Member Spotlight: Misari Oe, MD, PhD

Question: For how long have you been a member of ISTSS? 

Misari Oe, MD, PhD: "I have been a member of ISTSS for 19 years." 

Question: In what ways has ISTSS membership supported your career growth and development? 

Misari Oe, MD, PhD: "Becoming a member of ISTSS and presenting at international conferences was very important in the early stages of my career. Through connections with mentors at ISTSS, I gradually became involved in international collaborative research. From 2018 to 2024, I served as a board member of ISTSS, primarily working on the creation of a framework for multilingualization and translation. Currently, I am participating in the Global Initiatives Committee while also serving as translation coordinator. As a researcher based in Japan, I believe that it is thanks to ISTSS that I have been able to engage in such international activities." 

 Question: What motivates you to study traumatic stress? 

Misari Oe, MD, PhD: "Supporting patients and residents suffering from traumatic stress at various levels—local versus global, public health versus clinical—will contribute to society." 

Member Spotlight: Renée El-Gabalawy, PhD

Question: How did you first get involved with ISTSS, and how are you currently involved?  

Renée El-Gabalawy, PhD: "My first ISTSS conference attendance was in 2016, and I have attended almost each year since. I find the conference is greatly beneficial to my clinical work and research, and is always a wonderful reunion with friends and esteemed collaborators. I value my role as an ISTSS member and participate in the Healthcare and Trauma Special Interest Group."  

Question: What kinds of research projects are you working on? 

Renée El-Gabalawy, PhD: "My research overall focuses on medical trauma / adverse health events and interventions to treat mental health symptoms in the context of these experiences. Currently, one of my areas of focus is perioperative mental health; for example, which individuals might experience trauma symptoms following surgery, and what are risk factors for trauma responses following surgical procedures? I am also examining how we can use virtual reality throughout the perioperative period. For example, for psychological preparation prior to surgery, for distraction and relaxation for awake and painful procedures, and in the context of rehabilitation in the acute post-operative period."  

Question: What advice might you give to someone starting out in the field?  

Renée El-Gabalawy, PhD: "Do things that you are passionate about despite influences or pushes in other directions. To have sustainability in academia and persistence in your career, you have to love what you’re doing and be passionate about the area. Additionally, I recommend leaning into communities – reaching out to others doing similar work, or multidisciplinary professionals that might inform your work, for collaboration. One of the primary reasons why I have the opportunity for involvement in so many interesting projects is because I have incredible collaborators that I have actively worked to foster strong relationships with."  

Question: What are your hopes for the future of the field of traumatic stress?  

Renée El-Gabalawy, PhD: “I hope to see better integration of mental health supports within specialty medicine. We are seeing huge growth in this arena, and there is continued room for increasing accessibility to interventions. For example, VR-based interventions can really augment what we are already doing as clinicians. I hope in the future to continue to see seamless integration of these interventions to support large numbers of individuals in medical settings." 

ISTSS Membership Committee:

Question: In what ways has ISTSS membership supported your career growth and development?  

Sacha McBain, PhD: "ISTSS has been acornerstone of my career growth anddevelopment throughout the years,beginning with my early days as a graduatestudent and continuing through my currentrole as an Associate Professor. It was at ISTSS where I first connected with a mentorwho played a pivotal role in guiding me as I transitioned into my first faculty position anddeveloped psychology services in a surgical service (thanks TdC!)  

Being involved in Special Interest Groups, such as the Healthcare and Trauma SIG, hasopened doors to meaningful collaborations, resulting in accepted abstracts andpublications that have significantly advanced my career. Additionally, my participation invarious committees has helped refine my leadership skills, sharpen my strategic thinking,and provided me with the opportunity to achieve impactful goals.  

Over the past decade, ISTSS has not only supported my professional growth, but alsoprovided me with a sense of belonging and community. As members often describe,ISTSS has truly been my 'professional home.' In my current role as MembershipCommittee Chair, I’m passionate about continuing to foster that same sense of inclusionand shared purpose for others. Together, we can continue to make a meaningful impact in the field by promoting the health and resilience of individuals and communitiesaffected by trauma."  

Sonya Norman, PhD: "ISTSS has given me a broader, more global perspective on theway people are impacted by trauma and traumatic stress. I have a network of U.S. andinternational collaborators thanks to ISTSS."  

Lana Grasser, PhD: “Being a part of ISTSS has helped me connect with trailblazers intraumatic stress research, allowing me to develop new skills and collaborate with folksaround the world. My membership has also led to leadership opportunities within theorganization that have helped me grow as both an individual and a professional.”  

Anka Vujanovic, PhD: "ISTSS has been my professional home since graduate school.Maintaining my ISTSS membership has allowed me to meet researchers, clinicians, andtrainees who share in the mission to alleviate suffering in the aftermath of trauma. Theconferences and materials provided by ISTSS have elevated my clinical practice andresearch program. I have wholeheartedly enjoyed my service to ISTSS, as it affords methe opportunity to interact with fellow members, to "give back" to the Society that hasgiven me so much through the years, and to help shape future initiatives."