Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a life-threatening event. Research on PTSD has increased dramatically in the aftermath of the attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C. on September 11, 2001.

As a clinical psychologist, Alain Brunet, PhD, has been investigating the impact of trauma exposure on individuals for over 15 years, with a special focus on characterizing the risk factors and developing effective treatments for PTSD, such as early intervention and reconsolidation blockade.

In 2001, Alain Brunet developed the Peritraumatic Distress Inventory or PDI - the first instrument to assess the recalled amount of distress experienced at the time of a traumatic event. The PDI is currently being utilized by more than 30 teams across the world and has been translated into eleven languages.

Alain Brunet is Editor in chief of The International Journal of Victimology and Assistant Editor of the Journal of Traumatic stress. In 2008, he founded i-trauma Web site, intended for victims and professionals of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders.

In 2006, he is named Maclean's annual Honour roll as one of the 39 Canadians who make the world a better place to live.