Raimi Quiton, Ph.D.

Research Interests

The Quiton Lab has ongoing projects investigating biopsychosocial factors that contribute to disparities in pain based on gender, race/ethnicity, and age. These studies also aim to elucidate the underlying neurobiological mechanisms by which these biopsychosocial factors may contribute to pain disparities. Current projects focus on biological factors such as age; psychological factors such as stress, trauma, optimism, and emotion regulation; and sociocultural factors such as social support, gender identity, ethnic identity, discrimination, and socioeconomic status. A combination of psychophysical techniques and brain imaging in healthy human participants is used in the research.

The Quiton lab is conducting a collaborative study with Dr. Rebecca Schacht that focuses on mechanisms underlying comorbid chronic pain and PTSD, and factors contributing to disparities in this comorbidity based on race and gender. Several projects are currently in development, including a study of increased pain and chronic pain conditions in people who have experienced SARS-CoV-2 infection(s) and/or have developed symptoms consistent with long COVID.

The Quiton Lab is committed to intellectual, cultural, and ethnic diversity and welcomes students of diverse backgrounds, interests, and viewpoints.

Graduate Research and Training Opportunities

2026–2027: TBD

Undergraduate Research and Training Opportunities

2026–2027: TBD

Graduate Program Affiliation(s)

• Human Services Psychology; Behavioral Medicine

Selected Publications

• Sociodemographic patterns of pain in an urban community sample: An examination of intersectional effects of sex, race, age, and poverty status. Quiton, R.L., Leibel, D.K, Boyd, E.L., Waldstein, S., Evans, M.K, Zonderman, A.B. 2020. Pain 161:1044-1051.
• Higher Dispositional Optimism Predicts Lower Pain Reduction During Conditioned Pain Modulation. Hinkle, C.E. and Quiton, R.L. 2019. Journal of Pain 20(2): 161-170.
• Intersession reliability of fMRI activation for heat pain and motor tasks. Quiton R.L., Keaser M.K., Zhuo J., Gullapalli R.P., Greenspan J.D. 2014. NeuroImage Clinical 5: 309-321.
• Conditioned place preference reveals tonic pain in an animal model of central pain. Davoody, L*, Quiton, R.L*., Lucas, J.M., Ji Y, Keller, A, Masri, R. 2011. Journal of Pain 12(8): 868- 74. (*equal contributors to publication)
• Abnormal activity of primary somatosensory cortex in central pain syndrome.  Quiton, R.L., Masri, R., Thompson, S.M., Keller, A. 2010. Journal of Neurophysiology 104(3): 1717-25.
• Zona incerta: A role in central pain. Masri, R., Quiton R.L., Lucas, J.M., Murray, P.D., Thompson, S.M., Keller, A. 2009. Journal of Neurophysiology 102(1): 181-91.
• Across- and within-session variability of ratings of painful contact heat stimuli. Quiton, R.L. and Greenspan, J.D. 2008. Pain 137(2):245-56.
• Sex differences in endogenous pain modulation by distracting and painful conditioning stimulation. Quiton, R.L. and Greenspan, J.D. 2007. Pain 132 Suppl 1:S134-49.