Apryl Alexander, PsyD, is the Metrolina Distinguished Scholar in Health and Public Policy at UNC Charlotte. She also serves as Director of the UNC Charlotte Violence Prevention Center. She received her doctorate in clinical psychology from the Florida Institute of Technology with concentrations in forensic psychology and child and family therapy. Dr. Alexander's research and clinical work focus on violence and victimization, human sexuality, and trauma-informed and culturally informed practice. She is an award-winning researcher, and her work has been published in several leading journals. Dr. Alexander has been interviewed by numerous media outlets, including The New York Times, USA Today, and NBC Nightly News, about her research and advocacy work. Recently, she received the 2022 Outstanding Teaching and Mentoring awards from SPSSI and AP-LS, the 2022 Dr. Sarah Burgamy Citizen Psychologist Award from the Colorado Psychological Association, and the 2023 NSSBY Mark J. Chaffin Lecturer and Awardee. Dr. Alexander also enjoys bringing psychology to the public through popular media. She is a frequent presenter at Denver Pop Culture Con and has previously contributed to The Joker Psychology: Evil Clowns and the Women Who Love Them and Black Panther Psychology: Hidden Kingdoms.