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PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
STEPHANIE GORKA, PH.D.
Stephanie Gorka is an Associate 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.
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!
ANNABEL FULLER
Annabel is a Clinical Research Assistant and the lead of a study examining a resilience-based clinical intervention among college students. She earned her B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Philosophy from The Ohio State University in May 2024. Her research interests include stress reactivity, anxious avoidance, substance use, and suicide. Annabel plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, practicing yoga, and taking long walks.
EMMA KULOSZEWSKI
Emma is a Clinical Research Assistant and is involved in several ongoing studies throughout the Addiction Research Program. Emma graduated from Ohio State in December 2024 with a B.S. in neuroscience and a minor in clinical psychology. She hopes to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology and neuropsychology. In her free time, Emma enjoys weightlifting, traveling, cooking, spending time outdoors, and time with her family, friends, and dogs.
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.
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
BROOKE JOHNSTON
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Brooke is an undergraduate research assistant pursuing a degree in psychology. She hopes to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology. Her research interests include the psychophysiology of substance use disorders, stress reactivity and affective neuroscience. In her free time, she loves going on walks, spending time with friends and family, baking, and going to Pilates classes.
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.
ABIGAIL SCOTT
Abby is an undergraduate research assistant pursuing a B.S. in psychology and a minor 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.
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.
SULLIVAN STOIS
Sully is an undergraduate research assistant pursuing a B.S. in psychology and a minor in neuroscience on the pre-medicine track. He hopes to pursue a career in child/adolescent psychiatry, potentially as an MD or MD/PhD. Sullivan is a current Mental Health Specialist at Nationwide Children's Hospital, working in the adolescent psychiatric inpatient unit. Sullivan's current research interests include suicide prevention and trauma-informed research to further the quality of psychiatric care. Sullivan's interests outside of the lab include watching Cleveland sports, spending time with his three pomeranians, and spending quality time with friends and family.
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