Vera is a senior researcher, research coordinator and lab manager at the Israel Center on Addiction and Mental Health at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. She has a MA in clinical social work and a PhD in social work from Bar Ilan University. Her PhD dissertation, supervised by Prof. Orit Taubman – Ben‑Ari focused on the mental health of women with fertility difficulties and the contribution of internal resources, cognitive appraisal and mother-daughter relationship. After finishing her doctorate, Vera worked as the Lab Manager of the Positive Family and Developmental Psychology Lab headed by Prof. Orit Taubman – Ben‑Ari. Her research interests include addiction, mental health and risk-taking behaviors. She is also interested in the development and implementation of interventions and applied research.