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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.
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.
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KATHERINE KONING
Katherine is a graduate student in the Applied Masters in Neuroscience program at OSU. She graduated from Case Western Reserve University with a dual bachelor of engineering in electrical engineering and in biomedical engineering in 2019, and works in network systems engineering. At OSU, her research interests focus on neuromodulation and the role of subcortical networks in stress, substance use, and suicidality.
CLINICAL RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
KAYLA KREUTZER
Kayla Kreutzer is a clinical research manager and licensed clinical 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, suicide, and self-harm. In her free time, Kayla enjoys spending time outside hiking with her dog, traveling, and being with friends and family.
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!
ALEXA HOUSE
Lexi is a Clinical Research Assistant and the co-lead of TRY. She graduated from OSU in May 2023 with a B.S. in psychology and joined the lab to gain experience and narrow down her research interests before continuing her education. When she’s not at the lab, she is usually watching sitcoms, volunteering, or hanging out with her cats.
ANNABEL FULLER
Annabel is the lead of a study investigating an ultra-brief suicide intervention for adolescents. Annabel graduated from Ohio State in May 2024 with a B.S. in psychology and a minor in philosophy. She plans to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology. In her free time, Annabel likes to read, lift, tend to her plants, and go on walks!
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
EMMA KULOSZEWSKI
Emma is an undergraduate research assistant 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, and time 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.
ABIGAIL SCOTT
Abby is an undergraduate research assistant at the Gorka Lab, pursuing a B.S. in psychology and minoring in English. Abby hopes to pursue a career in research after obtaining a PhD in clinical psychology. She enjoys reading, writing, and eating quality meals with her friends and family.
LILLIAN SMITH
Lillian is an undergraduate research assistant pursuing a B.S. in Neuroscience and minor in Spanish on the Pre-Medical track. She hopes to pursue a career in psychiatry and work on advancing inpatient mental health care and treatment regimens. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies, journaling, working out, and traveling to new places with the people she loves.
BROOKE JOHNSTON
Brooke is an undergraduate research assistant studying psychology. She hopes to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology. Her research interests include developmental psychopathology, suicidality, and trauma responses. In her free time, she loves going on walks, spending time with friends and family, baking, and reading.
OHANNA CHO
Ohanna is an undergraduate research assistant studying psychology and minoring in Spanish. She is interested in developmental and clinical psychology and hopes to continue developing her research skills as she hopes to pursue an MD-PhD. In her free time, she loves spending time with family and friends, volunteering, and going to new cafes and restaurants.
ALUMNI
Kelsey Petrey, PhD Clinical Psychology
Charlie Manzler, PhD Clinical Psychology
Kia Khorrami, MBA
Emily Jones, PhD Clinical Psychology
Alexandra Doehrmann, Medical School