traumatic stress & violence lab

about the lab

our mission

The TSV Lab is a research collaboratory focused on traumatic stress, gun violence prevention, & systems of care. We are commited to advancing responsive, human-centered approaches that support wellbeing across inviduals, communities, & the workforce.

our team

Lab Director

Dr. Patricia Bamwine

Dr. Patricia M. Bamwine is the Founding Director of the Traumatic Stress & Violence Lab, where she leads a multidisciplinary research program focused on wellbeing after violent loss and the science of traumatic stress. Her work examines the long-term emotional, social, physical, and spiritual impacts of homicide and traumatic loss, with an emphasis on survivor perspectives, system-level responses, and the development of multi-level interventions.

Her research integrates mixed-methods, community-engaged approaches with experimental and optimization designs to deepen understanding, inform practice, and strengthen pathways toward healing. As a scholar committed to developing rising researchers, Dr. Bamwine mentors graduate assistants and emerging scholars in rigorous, reflective, and trauma-informed research

Graduate Research Assistant

Melissa Ramirez

Melissa Ramirez is a Master of Social Work student and Graduate Research Assistant at Middle Tennessee State University. With an undergraduate background in psychology, she brings an interdisciplinary perspective to the team, integrating person-centered insight with a systems-level understanding of social issues.

Her research and professional interests center on mental health and substance use disorders, with a particular focus on how these challenges interact within the individual and across broader social contexts. Melissa is committed to advancing equitable access to care and contributing to research that fosters healing.

Graduate Research Assistant

Casey Pestona

Casey earned her bachelor’s in social work and is now a Graduate Research Assistant at Middle Tennessee State University, where she is pursuing her master’s in social work. She previously interned with State Representative Aftyn Behn, gaining hands-on experience in legislative advocacy, policy analysis, and community mobilization.

Casey is especially interested in how social policy shapes health and wellbeing. She is committed to advancing social justice and is driven by efforts to elevate community voices and turn them into meaningful change.

our work

Tennessee Homicide Survivorship Study (THSS)

Advancing knowledge to strengthen healing, well-being, & systems of care for homicide survivors in Tennessee.

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National Assessment of Gun Violence Education in Social Work (NAGVES)

Examining how social work education prepares future practitioners to address gun violence.

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