Areas of Expertise

Gun violence & school mass shootings

Dr. Cerfolio's most extensive body of media work examines the psychology behind mass shooters, the toll on survivors and educators, and what prevention actually requires — drawn on for breaking news, feature journalism, and academic research.


Available for interviews & speaking

Breaking news commentary, features, panels, or academic discussions. Reach out to Nina directly.


Slate

I've studied hundreds of mass shooters. What's happening in a Georgia court next week should change everything. 

A father is about to be sentenced for a shooting carried out by his son. Dr. Cerfolio on the lesson for all of us in this tragedy.

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Marie Claire

No teacher left behind

Teachers face a unique and compounding form of trauma because their roles require them to balance their own survival with the safety of their students. Dr. Cerfolio speaks to the toll school shootings take on educators, describing teachers as "secondary first responders."

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IPhA 2026

Voices from the dark: what school shooters can teach us about prevention

Presented at the International Psychohistorical Association's 49th annual conference.

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Fox 5

Aftermath of Morgan State University shooting

Continuing coverage with Patrice Sanders, Fox 5 Morning News, on the psychological impact for students and the campus community.

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ABC 7 DC

Origins of mass shootings in America

Continuing coverage of the Morgan State University shooting, with analysis of the roots of mass violence in the U.S.

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Scripps News

Kansas City police chief: "I am angry at what happened today"

Analysis alongside live breaking coverage of the police chief's response following a mass shooting.

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The International Psychohistorical Association

Adolescent Domestic Mass School Shooting Sprees and the Need for Humane Parenting

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Castle Road

Inside the mind of a mass shooter

Dr. Cerfolio joins host Shak Sutha to discuss the psychology of school and mass shooters, and how further tragedy can be prevented.

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ChooSELove Movement

Understanding violence, healing, and prevention

Dr. Cerfolio joins the podcast founded by Scarlett Lewis, who lost her six-year-old son in the Sandy Hook shooting, to discuss the psychological roots of school violence and how empathy and social-emotional growth can help prevent tragedy.

Listen to the episode


Teen Triumph

Empowering teen parents

From "Our best response to mass shootings and trauma" — an interview from the four-day online Teen Triumph Summit, hosted by Tanya V. Goldfrad, with tips and wisdom related to resilience.

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More from Dr. Cerfolio

Publications & academic work

Peer-reviewed journal articles, Nina’s book, and national press features.

View Publications

Terrorism & global conflict

9/11 first responder, the Gaza-Isreal crisis, and hostage psychology.

View Commentary