Thomas Nassif PhD, MS, BA

Education

Ph.D. in Behavior, Cognition, and Neuroscience, American University, Washington, DC 2008-2013

M.S. in Biology, American University, Washington, DC 1998-2001

B.A. in Biology and Music, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 1992-1996

Biography

Major Thomas Nassif obtained his BA in Biology and Music in 1996 from the University of Virginia. He later earned his MS in Biology in 2001 and Ph.D. in Behavior, Cognition, and Neuroscience in 2013 from American University.

Major Nassif currently serves as the Deputy Vice Chair for Research at the Department of Psychiatry to promote collaboration and innovation between clinical and pre-clinical researchers across DoD psychiatry and brings together innovative research capabilities and evidence-based clinical practices from academia, military, and industry. Major Nassif is also Action Officer for DoD Psychiatry Global Grand Rounds, which provides quarterly educational opportunities for the tri-service psychiatry community in collaboration with the Society of Uniformed Services Psychiatrists. As USU Principal Investigator on SAFEGUARD (Suicide Avoidance Focused Enhanced Group Using Algorithm Risk Detection among Service Members), MAJ Nassif facilitates a collaboration between Harvard Medical School and USU that will use machine learning to identify servicemembers at elevated risk for suicide and implement targeted clinical interventions to enhance health outcomes across the Force.

During his previous assignment at WRAIR, MAJ Nassif served as Chief of the Sleep Research Center (SRC). In this role, he led a team of 20 personnel to successfully conduct clinical research aligned with DoD priorities to optimize fatigue management and sustain military readiness and performance with an annual budget of $6M. MAJ Nassif also managed a $2M renovation of the SRC to enhance the research capabilities of the DoD’s premier sleep research laboratory. At WRAIR, MAJ Nassif also served as Principal Investigator on several high visibility studies to promote psychological health and enhance performance of the Warfighter. Findings from his research have been disseminated to senior Army leaders. MAJ Nassif briefed USARPAC general officers on enhanced operational performance and mental skills associated with mindfulness training, and briefed the Commanding Generals of TRADOC and CIMT on the mental and physical health benefits of mindfulness and yoga among Soldiers during Basic Combat Training. He also led a CDMRP-funded study to identify suicide-related risk factors associated with military relocation.

MAJ Nassif is a former teaching faculty member at American University, George Washington University, and Maryland University of Integrative Health. He instructed courses in sports psychology, stress management, biological psychology, and mind body science. As a certified yoga teacher and mindfulness instructor, he delivered integrative health and wellness programs in stress management, yoga, and mindfulness to patients at the Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center. MAJ Nassif received the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and Armed Forces Service Medal.