Erika J. Wolf, PhD

Professor, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

Biography

Dr. Wolf's research focuses on the use of multivariate data analytic techniques, such as confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modeling, latent class analysis, and item response theory, to evaluate trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and related comorbidity. She is currently studying the genetics of latent psychopathology using both twin and molecular genetic methodologies. In particular, her recent work has focused on the idea that PTSD is associated with accelerated cellular aging, as reflected in DNA methylation and as manifested in physical health and neurocognitive decline.

Publications

  • Published 5/7/2026

    Sherva R, Bayly H, Zhang R, Harrington K, Mez J, Miller MW, Tsuang D, Wolf E, Zeng Q, Le Guen Y, Tejeda M, Gaziano JM, Panizzon MS, Hauger RL, Merritt VC, Farrer LA, Logue MW. A Genome-wide Association Study of Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia in a Large Multi-ancestry Military Cohort Identifies Many New Dementia-Associated Loci. medRxiv. 2026 May 07. PMID: 42145619.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 1/12/2026

    Wolf EJ, Zhao X, Madison A, Carbaugh J, Fortier CB, Milberg WP, Logue MW, Miller MW. Trauma exposure, PTSD, and methylation of the blood brain barrier claudin-5 gene. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2026 Apr; 186:107753. PMID: 41547340.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 11/25/2025

    Wolf EJ, Zhao X, Madison A, Carbaugh J, Fortier CB, Milberg WP, Logue MW, Miller MW. Trauma Exposure, PTSD, and Methylation of the Blood Brain Barrier Claudin-5 Gene. medRxiv. 2025 Nov 25. PMID: 41358302.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 9/10/2025

    Miller MW, Zhao X, Wolf EJ, Milberg WP, Fortier CB, Logue MW. Genetic and epigenetic analysis of plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels in PTSD. Mol Psychiatry. 2026 Jan; 31(1):352-361. PMID: 40931166.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 5/23/2025

    Wolf EJ, Miller MW. What is latent about trauma exposure? Commentary on the use of latent class analysis for identifying trauma subtypes. J Mood Anxiety Disord. 2025 Sep; 11:100130. PMID: 40657351.

    Read at: PubMed

Other Positions

  • Psychologist, National Center for PTSD
    VA Boston Healthcare System

Education

  • Boston University, PhD
  • Boston University, MA
  • Harvard University, ALB