Steven Curto

Detail-oriented Clinical Research Assistant with hands-on experience supporting NIH R01 clinical trials funded by NIDA and NIMH, focused on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment in community and healthcare settings. Skilled in coordinating multi-site study operations, administering and supporting standardized psychological and diagnostic assessments (e.g., Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 [CAPS-5], Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 [SCID]), managing regulatory documentation, and ensuring data quality using REDCap, Qualtrics, and systematic review platforms. Experienced in neuropsychological and psychological testing procedures under supervision, data tabulation, and preparation of evaluation summaries.

• Completed M.S. in Clinical Research Methods (Fordham University, 2025); thesis on violence exposure and traumatic loss as predictors of mental health and delinquency risk among AJSI youth
• Co-authored 2 peer-reviewed journal publications on youth aggression and alcohol use risk factors
• Contributed to multiple manuscripts under review/in preparation on PTSD–substance use treatment implementation and policy impacts
• Presented 10+ conference papers/posters (ISTSS, ABCT, APS, SRCD, AP-LS, IAFMHS) on trauma, polyvictimization, and externalizing behavior
• Coordinated research activities for an NIMH-funded R01 trial (Project COMET) on Massed Prolonged Exposure for PTSD in SUD settings
• Led team developing Project Harmony 2.0 IPD meta-analysis repository integrating data from 40+ PTSD/SUD clinical trials
• Conducted systematic review screening 400+ studies for PTSD/SUD intervention meta-analysis
• Trained assessor on CAPS-5, SCID-SUD, and structured diagnostic interviews for clinical trial research
• Conducted forensic psychological evaluations in a mental health diversion program using HCR-20V3 and related risk tools
• Received competitive Graduate Student Support Grant (Fordham University)

• 2024 – Present International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
• 2024 – Present Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies
• 2024 – Present American Psychological Association
• 2023 – Present The American Psychology–Law Society
• 2022 – Present Psi Chi Honor Society (Student Affiliate)
• 2022 – Present Society for Research in Child Development

• CITI Good Clinical Practice Course CITI Program Issued: Sep 2024 Credential ID: 65243782
• Biomedical Research CITI Program Issued: Sep 2024
• Expires: Sep 2028 Credential ID: 65243780
• Social/Behavioral Research Course CITI Program Issued: Sep 2024
• Expires: Sep 2028 Credential ID: 65243781

• In Press 2023 Fite, P. J., Hesse, D. R., Tampke, E. C., Zax, A., Raju, S., & Curto, S. (2023). Differential Associations Between Perceived Containment and the Forms of Proactive and Reactive Functions of Aggression Among Elementary School-Age Youth. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 32(12), 1763–1778. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926771.2023.2171827
• 2025 Fite, P. J., Hesse, D., Oke, O. D., Curto, S., & Raju, S. (2023). Parental factors contributing to risk for lifetime alcohol use among rural middle school students: Do individual factors moderate these effects? https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-025-03244-3
• Under Review 2025 Curto, S., Bulgin, T., Gette, J., Gonnella, A., Kehle-Forbes, S., Swarbrick, M., Hien, D. A., & Norman, S. B. (2025). Implementing Massed Prolonged Exposure for PTSD in Community Substance Use Treatment: Provider, Peer, and Administrator Perspectives. Manuscript submitted to Drug and Alcohol Review.
• Manuscripts in Preparation Hien, D., Hahm, H. C., Saraiya, T. C., Curto, S., & Borges Rajguru, S. (2025). The Shifting Sands of Inclusion: Federal Anti-DEI Initiatives and Their Impact on Higher Education Faculty and Research. Manuscript in preparation for submission to the Journal of Diversity in Higher Education. (Analysis completed; assisted with the results and methods).
• Hahm, C., Hien, D., Saraiya, T. C., Lee, J., Curto, S., & Borges Rajguru, S. (2025). A Qualitative Exploration of Faculty Experiences Amid Trump-Era Defunding and Policy Shifts (Analyses completed; assisted with demographics table and methods section).
• Lopez-Castro, T., Fernandez-Montalvo, J., Flanagan, J., Hien, D., Mahoney, C., Ruglass, L., Saavedra, L., Smith, K., Bauer, A., Frazier, I., Hahn, C., Jarnecke, A., Patel, S., Saraiya, T., & Curto, S. (2026). The effects of intervening on substance use disorder and/or posttraumatic stress disorder upon intimate partner violence: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Manuscript in preparation. (Assisted with systematic review methods and data table preparation).
• Thomas, E., Saavedra, L. M., Curto, S., Bulgin, T., Hien, D. A., Morgan-López A., A., Ruglass, L. M., Back, S. E., Norman, S. B., Miele, T. K. (2026). Advancing the Virtual Clinical Trial Model: Design and Methodology of Project Harmony 2.0 for Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis of PTSD and Substance Use Disorder
• Masters Thesis: 2025 Curto, S., Cruise, K. (2025). Violence Exposure and Trauma Loss as Signals of Mental Health and Delinquency Risk in Adolescents with Justice System Involvement: Implications for Trauma-Informed Screening
• Undergraduate Honors Thesis: 2023 Curto, S., Griffith, R., Fite, P. J., & Pederson, C. (2023). Proactive and Reactive Aggression are Differentially Associated with Youth Perceptions of Staff in Juvenile Detention Facilities
• Curto, S., Bulgin, T., Gette, J., Gonnella, A., Kehle-Forbes, S., Swarbrick, M., Hien, D. A., & Norman, S. B. (2025). Readiness for implementing trauma processing therapy in a community substance use treatment program: A qualitative study. Poster to be presented at the 41st Annual Meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Baltimore, MD.
• Curto, S., Cruise, K., Kramer, J. (2024). Gender-informed approaches to trauma screening: investigating the impact of violence exposure and trauma loss in adolescents experiencing juvenile justice involvement. Paper to be presented at the 2025 American Psychology-Law Society Annual Meeting, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
• Kramer, J., Cruise, K., Curto, S. (2024). Do Trauma Reactions Mediate the Relationship Between Traumatic Events and Delinquency Risk: Gender Based Differences and Additional Mental Health Correlates. Paper to be presented at the 2025 American Psychology-Law Society Annual Meeting, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
• Curto, S., Kramer, J., Cruise, K., & Ford, J. (2024). Understanding polyvictimization and PTSD symptomatology among adolescents in the juvenile justice system: Implications for trauma-informed interventions. Paper to be presented at the 2024 Annual Convention of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Boston, MA.
• Kramer, J., Curto, S., Cruise, K., & Ford, J. (2024). Caregiver and youth agreement on reported traumatic event exposures among adolescents experiencing polyvictimization. Paper to be presented at the 2024 Annual Convention of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Boston, MA.
• Curto, S., Kramer, J., Weinberger, E., Modrowski, C., Ford, J., & Cruise, K. (2024). Trauma screening and assessment with adolescents experiencing systems involvement: Challenges and opportunities in supporting adolescents identified as polyvictims. Symposium to be presented at the 2024 Annual Convention of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Boston, MA.
• Curto, S., Leon, D., Nardini, C., & Raposa, E. B. (2024). The moderating role of anxiety in the relationship between callous-unemotional traits and adolescent behavioral problems. Poster to be presented at the 2024 Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science, San Francisco, CA.
• Leon, D., Curto, S., Nardini, C., & Raposa, E. B. (2024). Exploring the moderating role of early adversity in the relationship between depressive symptoms and social cognition in adolescents. Poster to be presented at the 2024 Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science, San Francisco, CA.
• Curto, S., Callahan, P., & Rosenfeld, B. (2024). Examining the relationship between protective factors and violence risk assessment: A study on HCR-20V3 and SAPROF. Paper to be presented at the 2024 Annual Convention of the International Association of Forensic Mental Health Service, San Francisco, CA.
• Curto, S., Kramer, J., & Cruise, K. (2024). Trauma screening with adolescents experiencing justice system involvement: Violence exposure and trauma loss as a pathway to comprehensive service access. Poster to be presented at the 2024 Annual Convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Philadelphia, PA.
• Curto, S., Leon, D., & Raposa, E. B. (2024). Social connectedness and delinquent behavior among Latinx adolescents: A multi-dimensional exploration of social support. Poster to be presented at the 2024 Annual Convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Philadelphia, PA.
• Curto, S., Eisenberg, A., & Nardini, C. (2024). Exploring the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and problem behaviors among a nationally representative sample of children with ADHD. Poster to be presented at the 2024 Annual Convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Philadelphia, PA.
• Curto, S., Griffith, R., Fite, P. J., & Pederson, C. (2023). Proactive and reactive aggression are differentially associated with youth perceptions of staff in juvenile detention facilities. Poster to be presented at the 2023 Bi-Annual convention of the Society for Research in Child Development, Salt Lake City, UT.

• 2024 – 2025 DEI Advisory Council, Graduate Representative. Lead, Inclusion & Accessibility Task Force, Fordham University Supervisor: Lindsay Till Hoyt, Ph.D.
• 2024 – 2025 International Association of Forensic Mental Health Service, Communications Officer Supervisor: Quazi Haque, Ph.D.

• 2022 – 2023 Habitat for Humanity Lawrence Outreach Coordinator and Treasurer (2022–2023) Disseminated information regarding Habitat for Humanity activities and opportunities and maintained working relationships with local Habitat for Humanity locations in Lawrence, Topeka, and Kansas City.
• 2022 – 2023 University of Kansas Nonprofit Service Club Vice President (2022–2023) Maintained partnerships with various nonprofit organizations in Lawrence, Kansas and conducted club meetings.
• 2021 – 2023 Robert J. Dole Institute of Politic Student Advisory Board Member Attended monthly meetings and volunteered at various in-person speaker presentation events.

• “Child Behavior: Research Findings” Presentation to Administrators and Teachers at Eudora Elementary School. Eudora, KS January 2023
• “Child Behavior: Research Findings” Presentation to Administrators and Teachers at Eudora Elementary School. Eudora, KS February 2022