Alan Peterson
May 8, 2026, 3:00 p.m., Rick Case Arena
Graduate/Professional Ceremony: Business, Computing, Psychology
Alan Peterson, Ph.D., is a scientist and clinician whose work has transformed understanding of trauma, resilience, and psychological health. An NSU alumnus and nationally recognized leader in psychological health, he has dedicated his career to improving care for individuals facing the effects of trauma.
Within days of 9/11, Peterson deployed with the U.S. Air Force, bringing his training as a clinical psychologist into war zones, where visible and invisible wounds of combat were unfolding. His philosophy grew from this experience, driving efforts to improve care for service members and veterans affected by posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)—which he emphasizes is not a lifelong inevitability. His research spans PTSD, traumatic brain injury, sleep disorders, chronic pain, and suicide prevention, particularly among military personnel, veterans, and first responders, with a focus on resilience, evidence-based care, and early intervention. He has helped lead landmark clinical trials adapting gold‑standard therapies—such as prolonged exposure and cognitive behavioral treatments—to the unique needs of active‑duty personnel and veterans.
Peterson is the founding director of the STRONG STAR Consortium and a founding director of the Consortium to Alleviate PTSD, a collaborative network of more than 150 investigators across over 50 institutions that has secured more than $225 million in funding.
He serves as a professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio and holds the Aaron and Bobbie Elliott Krus Endowed Chair in Psychiatry. A board‑certified clinical health psychologist, prolific researcher, and mentor, he continues to shape the next generation of trauma clinicians and scientists.