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About

Dr. Martie P. Thompson is a distinguished scholar and a nationally recognized leader in public health research, particularly in the areas of violence prevention, suicide risk, and college student mental health. She currently serves as the Blue Cross NC Distinguished Endowed Professor in Public Health at Appalachian State University. With a career that spans decades, Dr. Thompson brings a wealth of expertise in community psychology, epidemiology, and trauma-informed research, making her a pivotal figure in shaping evidence-based interventions across diverse populations. Dr. Thompson earned her Ph.D., M.A., and B.A. in Community Psychology from Georgia State University, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at Emory University School of Medicine and a prestigious tenure as an Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) Officer at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Over the years, she has held faculty positions at several esteemed institutions including Clemson University and Emory University, and she has served on multiple editorial boards for leading academic journals. Her extensive research portfolio includes over 100 peer-reviewed publications and numerous federally funded grants. As Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator on over 30 studies, Dr. Thompson has led groundbreaking research in the epidemiology of suicidal behavior, sexual violence, intimate partner violence, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and trauma among underserved populations. Her recent NIH-funded project investigates the impact of social determinants of health and the COVID-19 pandemic on youth suicide risk, showcasing her commitment to addressing timely public health challenges. Dr. Thompson's work has made significant contributions to the prevention of campus sexual assault and the understanding of repeat versus time-limited sexual violence perpetration among college students. She also co-authored and evaluated various digital and community-based prevention programs. Her findings have shaped national discussions and policies on violence prevention, including her participation in federal task forces and invited presentations at prominent conferences such as the American Public Health Association (APHA) and the Department of Health and Human Services. In addition to her research, Dr. Thompson is a dedicated educator and mentor. She teaches courses in biostatistics and public health methods and has guided numerous graduate students in research and professional development. Her work exemplifies a deep commitment to health equity, evidence-based policy, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Dr. Thompson's outstanding achievements have earned her numerous accolades, including multiple Charles Shepard Award nominations for her scientific contributions at the CDC and recognition from Clemson University for excellence in interdisciplinary collaboration and journal publications. Her long-standing affiliations with professional organizations such as the American Psychological Association and her roles on national research collaboratives further reflect her leadership and influence in the field.

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Skills

Experience

Distinguished Professor

Appalachian State University

Apr-2021 to Present
Professor

Clemson University (CU)

Apr-2001 to Apr-2021
Adjunct Assistant Professor

Emory University School of Medicine (EUSM)

Apr-1995 to Apr-2006
Adjunct Assistant Professor

Emory University (EU)

Apr-2000 to Apr-2004
Epidemiologist/Senior Service Fellow

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Apr-1997 to Apr-2001

Education

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Epidemic Intelligence Service in Psychology

Passout Year: 1999
Emory University School of Medicine (EUSM)

Postdoctoral fellowship in Psychology

Passout Year: 1997
Georgia State University (GSU)

Ph.D. in Community Psychology

Passout Year: 1995
Georgia State University (GSU)

M.A. in Community Psychology

Passout Year: 1991
Georgia State University (GSU)

B.A in Psychology

Passout Year: 1989

Publication

  • dott image July, 2024

Preliminary Evidence of Validity for the Verbally Pressured and Illegal Sexual Exploitation Modules of the Sexual Experiences Survey-Victimization

The Sexual Experiences Survey-Victimization (SES-V; see Koss et al., Citation2024) revises the prior 2007 Sexual Experiences Survey-Short Form Victimization (SES-SFV) in many ways, including...

  • dott image December, 2015

Trajectory Analysis of the Campus Serial Rapist Assumption

IMPORTANCE Rape on college campuses has been addressed recently by a presidential proclamation, federal legislation, advocacy groups, and popular media. Many initiatives assume that most c...

  • dott image December, 2015

Trajectory Analysis of the Campus Serial Rapist Assumption (Errors in Derivation Data and Validation Data)

We write to report errors in our article, “Trajectory Analysis of the Campus Serial Rapist Assumption,”1 published online July 13, 2015, in JAMA Pediatrics. After publication of this art...

  • dott image July, 2015

What is the best way to analyze less frequent forms of violence? The case of sexual aggression.

Objective: Most frequency data on violence are non-normally distributed, which can lead to faulty conclusions when not modeled appropriately. And, we can’t prevent what we can’t accurate...

  • dott image July, 2013

Trajectories and predictors of sexually aggressive behaviors during emerging adulthood

Objective: To assess longitudinal trajectories of college males’ sexually aggressive behaviors and determine time-varying individual- and peer-level risk factors that differentiate men who...

  • dott image November, 2010

A Prospective Mediational Model of Sexual Aggression Among College Men

Guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), the authors examined prospective associations of attitudes, norms, and control with sexual aggression (SA) perpetration 1 year later among mal...