Postdoctoral Research Associates
Nagesh Adluru, Ph.D.
T129 Waisman
608-890-2671
adluru@wisc.edu
Nagesh's website
Recent advances in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) have allowed scientists to generate humongous amounts of data related to structural, functional and connectivity aspects of the brain. Pattern analysis of such data requires exciting interdisciplinary effort and involves wide-variety of computational challenges. We intend to focus on some of the most important problems that would have significant impact on computer assisted diagnostic procedures. To this end we would work on three specific aims viz. (1) model-based segmentation of white matter structures, (2) model-based fiber tracking and (3) extracting robust features from the output for binary classification. The techniques for segmentation and tracking themselves will be generic enough to be widely applicable for other structures in the brain and other organs in the body. The classifiers could assist doctors and radiologists to cost effectively diagnose diseases related to white matter in the brain.
Cory Burghy, Ph.D.
A132 Waisman
608-263-1968
caburghy@wisc.edu
My research focuses primarily on the acquisition and effective implementation of emotion understanding and emotion regulation strategies in childhood and adolescence. More specifically, I am interested in how life stress (e.g., poverty, negative life events) may impact the development of individual differences in emotional control and coherent affective processes. My current research includes a longitudinal examination of neural, physiological, and cognitive development through childhood and adolescence with particular emphasis on the development of internalizing symptoms/disorders.
Brandi Cage, Ph.D.
S109 Waisman
608-890-1386
368 Brogden
608-263-0130
My research interests include examining individual differences, cultural dynamics, physiological processes, and emotions as a whole. I am particularly interested in how personality traits and intragroup cultural variables influence the process of automatic emotion regulation.
Kristin Javaras, Ph.D.
My research focuses on using statistical methods to gain insight into the nosology and etiology of mental illness (especially mood, anxiety, and eating disorders) from self-report, genetic, and imaging data.
Hyejeen Lee, Ph.D.
Waisman A130
608-262-5050
My research investigates individual differences in the ability to voluntarily down-regulate negative affect and how these differences are indicated by the brain and psychophysiological measures. I also have a clinical interest in developing empirically-validated treatment protocols for effective emotion regulation.
Desmond Oathes, Ph.D.
A127 Waisman
608-263-0803
Desmond's website
I am currently running a study on emotional information processing in anxiety and depression using functional MRI, diffusion tensor imaging, and a variety of self-report and peripheral psychophysiology measures. My work has focused largely on studying worry and Generalized Anxiety Disorder using psychophysiological methods including electroencephalography, transcranial magnetic stimulation with electromyography, pupillography, and heart rate variability. In the future, I hope to further study treatment effects in psychiatric populations using fMRI as well as to pursue an interest in emotion regulation especially in clinically anxious and/or depressed patients. In addition to my research activities, I see patients for psychotherapy at the Wisconsin Psychiatric Institute of UW.
Melissa Rosenkranz, Ph.D.
A130 Waisman
608-262-5050
I am interested in the neural-immune and biochemical mechanisms by which individual differences in affective responding modulate resilience to and progression of disease, as well as the impact of meditation practice on affective responding and, subsequently, on the neural-immune and biochemical mechanisms underlying resilience or vulnerability to disease.
Emma Seppala, Ph.D.
T133 Waisman
608-265-6610
seppala@wisc.edu
Emma’s primary research interests center around methodologies to increase well-being. Subjective social connectedness is an important predictor of mental and physical health, and Emma examines how meditation can increase a person's subjective social connectedness. She is currently studying meditation-based interventions for children that promote long-term mental and emotional well-being and resiliency.
Alexander J. Shackman, Ph.D.
206 Waisman
Alex's website
I have three major research interests: First, what psychological and neural mechanisms mediate anxiety's impact on how we think and act. Accordingly, we have examined the effects of experimentally ("threat") induced anxiety on cognitive tasks thought that rely on the prefrontal cortex. We have also sought to better characterize how individual differences in anxious temperament, emotion regulation, and working memory capacity can minimize or intensify threat's impact.
A second line of work seeks to identify the functional significance of aberrant resting activity in the prefrontal cortex of individuals afflicted with major depression. In particular, we are trying to tease apart the contributions of exaggerated emotional reactivity from deficient emotion regulation.
A third line of work seeks to develop more sensitive and specific markers of deception in individuals committing high-stakes lies. Common to each of these three areas is a strong interest in quantitative and physiological methodology.