Nicholas D Thomson

Dr. Nicholas D. Thomson is the Director of Research at VCU Health’s Injury and Violence Prevention Program, Associate Professor in the Departments of Surgery and Psychology, and Forensic Research Psychologist at Virginia Commonwealth University. D. Thomson’s research has been supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute of Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; including some of the first research funding dedicated to preventing gun violence among high-risk youth and adults in 25 years. Dr. Thomson is widely published in the field of forensic psychology and developmental psychopathology, with over 70 peer-reviewed publications, chapters, and a textbook on psychopathy (Understanding Psychopathy: The Biopsychosocial Perspective). Dr. Thomson serves on the editorial board for multiple leading journals, including Psychology of Violence. Dr. Thomson pioneered the development of the first virtual reality interventions aimed at promoting gun safety among adults, reducing retaliatory gun violence among youth victims of violence, and preventing youth suicide. He is an advocate for interdisciplinary research, focusing on mechanistically-informed strategies that incorporate a biopsychosocial approach to enhance both cutting-edge research and effective prevention. His expertise is recognized internationally, and he consults on strategies for preventing gun violence, violent extremism, radicalization, and family-level antisocial behavior. Dr. Thomson has received numerous awards and nominations for his research excellence and innovation, both nationally and internationally, in the fields of externalizing disorders and violence prevention.