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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
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).
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.
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!
ALEXA HOUSE
Lexi is a Clinical Research Assistant and the lead of a study examining trauma and neurobiological threat reactivity as risk factors for alcohol abuse. 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 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
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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
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.
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.
ALUMNI
Charlie Manzler, PhD Clinical Psychology
Kia Khorrami, MBA
Emily Jones, PhD Clinical Psychology
Alexandra Doehrmann, Medical School
Katherine Koning, M.S. Applied Neuroscience