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PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
STEPHANIE GORKA, PH.D.
Stephanie Gorka, PhD, is the Kaufmann Family Professor for Breakthroughs in Psychiatry and Behavioral Health and a Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health at The Ohio State University. She is a licensed clinical psychologist with expertise in clinical psychology, psychophysiology, and affective neuroscience. Her research focuses on understanding factors that contribute to risk and resilience for mental health conditions, particularly addiction, anxiety, and suicide. Her work uses multiple methods to examine how people respond and adapt to stress and to identify modifiable targets for prevention and intervention. More recently, her research has expanded to take a whole-person approach to mental health, examining how factors such as nutrition, metabolic and immune health, hormones, and the environment influence mental health and recovery.
RESEARCH FELLOWS
RACHEL A. FERRY, Ph.D.
Rachel is a post-doctoral research fellow and a graduate from the Integrative Neuroscience area of the Stony Brook University Psychology department. Her research uses a multimethod approach to examine how threat impacts biological, neurological, and physiological responding. She is particularly interested in the role of predictability in shaping these responses, with a growing focus on the relationship between unpredictable stress and immune function.
GRADUATE STUDENTS
KATHRYN JENKINS
Kate is a PhD student in the Neuroscience Graduate Program. She graduated from Ohio State in May 2022 with a degree in psychology. She is interested in the neurobiological mechanisms underlying vulnerability for substance use and addiction, with an emphasis in electroencephalography (EEG).
CLINICAL RESEARCH STAFF
KAYLA KREUTZER
Kayla Kreutzer is the Addiction Research Program Manager and is a licensed clinical social worker. She received her B.S. in Neuroscience from University of Illinois at Chicago and her MSW from Michigan State University. In her free time, Kayla enjoys spending time outside hiking with her dog, gardening, and being with friends and family.
SHIANE TOLESON
Shiane is a Clinical Research Coordinator and the 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!
BROOKE JOHNSTON
Brooke is a Clinical Research Assistant and the lead of a clinical trial examining orexin receptor antagonists for the treatment of alcohol use disorder and stress-related drinking. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from The Ohio State University in May 2026, she plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology. Her research interests include the psychophysiology of substance use disorders, stress reactivity, and affective neuroscience, informing individualized medicine and patient care. In her free time, she likes to go on walks around German Village, spending time with friends and family, and baking!
SARA TALLMADGE
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Sara is a Clinical Research Coordinator and the lead of a study adapting a brief intervention to enhance medication outcomes for adults receiving MOUD treatment. She received her B.S. in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and a Master of Clinical Research from The Ohio State University. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering, trying out new coffee shops, thrifting, and running.
ALYSSA THURSTON
Alyssa is a Clinical Research Assistant and lead of a study examining stress effects and reactivity in the enteric microbiome during natural estrogen changes. She holds a B.S. in Psychology from Ohio University and plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology. Her research interests are in neural, cognitive, and emotional biomarkers of vulnerability and resilience, stress reactivity, and their impact on trauma-related disorders and treatment outcomes. Outside the lab, Alyssa enjoys volleyball, traveling, reading, and spending time with her cat, Frank.
LILY DETTMER
​Lily is a Clinical Research Assistant who is aiding multiple studies. She graduated with a B.A in Psychology from The Ohio State University in May 2026. Her research interests are trauma and suicide, and she plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology. Outside of work, she enjoys ceramics, lifting, boxing, and reading!
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
LILLIAN SMITH
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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, gymnastics, and traveling to new places .
OHANNA CHO
Ohanna is an undergraduate research assistant pursuing a B.S. in Psychology and a minor 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.
GRECIA DOMINGUEZ
Grecia is an undergraduate research assistant pursuing a B.S. in Neuroscience and minors in Business and Entrepreneurship. She plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career in biotechnology innovation and product management. Outside of academics, she enjoys working out, traveling, watching movies, and spending time with her friends and family.
CRISTINA REINA
Cristina is an undergraduate research assistant pursuing a B.S. in Neuroscience and minor in Financial Planning on the Pre-Medical track. She is interested in clinical research because it allows her to explore how scientific findings can directly improve patient care and health outcomes. In her free time, she likes to sew, play tennis/pickleball, and spend time with friends and family.
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VICTORIA CONTRERAS
Victoria is an undergraduate research assistant pursuing a B.S. in Health Science and minor in Psychology. She is on the Pre-Medical track and is interested in plastic surgery, dermatology, and clinical research . Outside of academics, she enjoys sewing and playing pickleball.
ALUMNI
Charlie Manzler, PhD Clinical Psychology
Kia Khorrami, MBA
Emily Jones, PhD Clinical Psychology
Alexandra Doehrmann, Medical School
Katherine Koning, M.S. Applied Neuroscience
Alexa House, BS in Psychology
Annabel Fuller, PhD Clinical Psychology