Arash Javanbakht, M.D., is a psychiatrist and founding director of the Stress, Trauma, and Anxiety Research Clinic (STARC) at Wayne State University School of Medicine, and founder of MetaSyn. He is known for his clinical and research work on anxiety, trauma, and PTSD. He is heavily involved in treatment of civilians, refugees, and first responders with PTSD. 

Dr Javanbakht researches the biological, psychological, and factors of risk and resilience among refugees, and first responders.

Dr Javanbakht is the inventor ExpandXR, a patented technology using AI enhanced XR for treatment of PTSD and anxiety disorders with a specific focus on real world functioning. This work is funded by the State of Michigan, and the DoD. ExpandXR is winner of the 2025 UnitedXR Healthcare Solution of the Year, and 2026 Webby nominee.

Dr Javanbakht is recipient of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America Distinguished Member Award, The Society for Biological Psychiatry Humanitarian Award, and International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies Distinguished Member Award. He has been featured on the CNN, NPR, GMA, Scientific American, Washington Post, Smithsonian, PBS, Science, Lancet, and tens of other media outlets. 

He is the author of the book “Afraid: Understanding the Purpose of Fear, and Harnessing the Power of Anxiety”.