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614-366-3523
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
STEPHANIE GORKA, PH.D.
Stephanie Gorka is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health at the Ohio State University (OSU) with background in clinical psychology, human psychophysiology, and affective neuroscience. Much of her research has focused on how individual differences in stress reactivity relate to behaviors motivated by negative reinforcement, such as substance abuse, anxious avoidance, and suicidality. Her work is multimodal and combines data across methods including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), electroencephalopraphy (EEG), and startle eyeblink electromyography (EMG). She seeks to develop, validate, and apply multilayered neurobiological models of stress reactivity to aid in the development of novel clinical interventions and close the gap between preclinical and clinical research.
GRADUATE STUDENTS
SOPHIA BIBB
Sophie is a PhD student in the Neuroscience Graduate Program. Her research interests include risk factors for substance use and trauma-related disorders, with a focus on sensitive temperament. When she isn't reading scientific papers or programming something random, she is likely lifting weights, crocheting, or playing with her dog, Jersey.
KATHERINE KONING
CLINICAL RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
KAYLA KREUTZER
Kayla Kreutzer is a limited licensed masters social worker. She received her B.S. in Neuroscience from University of Illinois at Chicago and her MSW from Michigan State University, specializing in childhood and adolescent trauma. She has over 7 years of research experience and her interests are focused upon the impact and long-term effects of exposure to early-life trauma. Kayla’s goal is to improve evidence-based trauma techniques to promote individualized treatment and intervention strategies. In her free time, Kayla enjoys spending time outside hiking with her dog, traveling, and being with friends and family.
KATHRYN JENKINS
Kate is a Clinical Research Assistant and the co-lead of TRY. She graduated from OSU in May 2022 with a degree in psychology, and joined the lab looking to gain research experience to pursue a graduate degree in Neuroscience. In her free time, she can be found drawing, reading, and cycling.
ALEXA HOUSE
SHIANE TOLESON
Shiane is lead of a study investigating an ultra-brief suicide Intervention for adults. She graduated from Miami University with a B.A. in Psychology and Minor in Neuroscience in 2019. She plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology, integrating evidence-based treatments to the clinical realm. Shiane enjoys going on adventures with her pets, cooking, and thrifting!
JORDAN DIFATTA
Jordan graduated from Wright State University with a B.S. in Psychology in 2019. Her research interests broadly include the impact of early intervention on treatment outcomes. More specifically, how increased parental education and access to mental health resources in early childhood impacts the development and treatment of maladaptive psychopathology in adulthood. In her free time, Jordan loves theater, board games and spending time with her husband and their three animals!
ALEXANDRA DOEHRMANN
Alex graduated with her bachelor's degree in biology from The Ohio State University in the spring of 2023. Currently, she is a study lead for the suvorexant medication trial and is applying to medical school. In her free time, she enjoys going to hot yoga classes and spending time with her two cats: Theo and Leia.
BRITTANY HOOPINGARNER
In the lab, I work primarily on ASPIRES, a project geared towards identifying effective management strategies during acute suicidal crises with adolescents. I aim to work with adolescents and young adults experiencing psychopathology, with a particular interest in the all-too-common presence of body image concerns/eating disorders in young athletes. In my free time, I enjoy running, skiing, camping, and spending time with family (including but not limited to my cat, Tofu) and friends.
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
URVI WAGH
Urvi Wagh is a fourth-year undergraduate student studying Psychology. She is primarily interested in the research overlap between Clinical and Social Psychology. She will graduate early in December 2023 and develop her research skills prior to pursuing a PhD to work with athlete psychophysiology. In her free time, she enjoys reading, drawing, and watching soccer and Formula One.
ANNABEL FULLER
Annabel is an undergraduate research assistant in the Gorka Lab and a junior at OSU, majoring in psychology B.S. and minoring in philosophy. She's graduating in Spring 2024 and planning to pursue research opportunities prior to going to graduate school. In her free time, Annabel likes to read, lift, tend to her plants, and go on walks!
YOLANI PONCE
Yolani is an Undergraduate Research Assistant working on the TRY Study and pursuing a B.S. in Psychology. Yolani hopes to go on to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology. Her research interests include developmental psychopathology, addiction medicine, and health disparities. In her free time, Yolani enjoys playing the cello with the New Albany Symphony Orchestra. She also likes to cook, read, and spend time with her friends, cats, and huskies.
EMMA KULOSZEWSKI
Emma Kuloszewski is an undergraduate research volunteer who is pursuing a B.S. in neuroscience and a minor in clinical psychology. She hopes to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology and neuropsychology and hopes to pursue a career working with children and adolescents with developmental disorders. In her free time, Emma enjoys weightlifting, traveling, cooking, spending time outdoors, with her family, friends, and dogs.
SAFWA GOPANG
Safwa is a third-year undergraduate research assistant pursuing a B.S. in behavioral neuroscience and a minor in youth development studies. She is interested in childhood and adolescent psychology and hopes to continue developing her research skills prior to attending medical school. In her free time, she enjoys going on walks and searching for new cafes to try with her friends.