Dr. Calhoun is the founding director of the tri-institutional Center for Translational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Science (TReNDS), which is focused on improving our understanding of the human brain using advanced analytic approaches with an emphasis on translational research such as the development of predictive biomarkers for mental and neurological disorders. The use of big data approaches and neuroinformatics tools to capture, manage, analyze, and share data is also a major emphasis.

Dr. Calhoun develops techniques for making sense of brain imaging data. The use of flexible/data driven approaches is very useful for extracting potentially unpredictable patterns within these data. However, such methods can be further improved by incorporating additional prior information as constraints, in order to benefit from what we know. Because each imaging modality has limitations, the integration of these data is needed to understand the healthy and especially the disordered human brain. He has created algorithms which map dynamic networks of brain function, structure, and genomics and how these are impacted while being stimulated by various tasks or in individuals with mental illness such as schizophrenia. He has released multiple software tools as well as advanced neuroinformatics tools for data management and sharing.

Dr. Calhoun is the first Georgia Research Alliance (GRA) Eminent Scholar to receive a triple appointment, with positions at Georgia State, Georgia Tech and Emory.