He holds academic cross-appointments at the Centre for Addiction & Mental Health and Hospital for Sick Children and is a licensed psychologist registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. Professor Ruocco conducts research on the assessment of mental health symptoms and associated cognitive deficits and brain biology. His research focuses especially on personality disorders, suicidal thinking and behaviours, and addictions. He has a particular interest in studying alternative ways to define mental health symptoms, identifying associated cognitive and biological markers, and using this information in an integrative manner to enhance psychotherapy and brain stimulation approaches to treatment.

Dr. Ruocco has received numerous honours and awards, including a New Investigator Salary Award from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, NARSAD Young Investigator Award from the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, and Early Researcher Award from the Province of Ontario.