About Our Research
Research Themes
- Fear learning and emotion regulation: Using novel virtual reality and neuroimaging paradigms, we examine the development of frontolimbic circuits involved in fear extinction, threat processing, and emotion regulation.
- Cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system: We study how both endogenous and exogenous cannabinoids influence brain development--from pregnancy throughout the lifespan--stress regulation, inflammation, and psychiatric outcomes. Our work investigates the endocannabinoid system as a potential biomarker and treatment target for suicide risk and trauma-related disorders in youth.
Research Themes (Cont.)
- Impact of environmental exposures: From air pollution (e.g., PM2.5) to secondhand cannabis smoke, we examine how physical and chemical exposures intersect with social and emotional stressors to affect neurodevelopmental and immune pathways.
- Suicide risk and resilience: Our lab is pioneering work to understand how fluctuations in suicide risk are linked to stress, endocannabinoid signaling, and frontolimbic dynamics—particularly in vulnerable populations, including military veterans and minority youth.
- Intervention science: We develop and evaluate behavioral, environmental, and pharmacological interventions—such as mindfulness, exercise, CBT, and cannabinoids—to promote healthy neurodevelopment and reduce risk for psychiatric disorders.
Techniques
We employ a multi-modal, interdisciplinary toolkit that includes:
- Functional and structural neuroimaging (fMRI, MRI)
- Virtual reality paradigms of fear learning and regulation
- Ecological momentary assessment (EMA)
- Biomarker and lipidomics analyses (including endocannabinoids)
- Behavioral assessments of cognitive and affective function
- Community-based research
- Clinical trials and intervention studies, including pharmacological and behavioral approaches (e.g., cannabidiol, cannabis, exercise, meditation)
Get involved!
We are passionate about combining rigorous science with meaningful community partnerships, with the goal of translating discoveries into real-world impact for youth and families.
Learn more about our current projects and opportunities to get involved below.
Interested in working with the lab, or having us visit your school, group, or clinic? Visit the Team and Outreach pages!
Ongoing Research Studies
Volunteer for paid research opportunities
Participate in paid research studies!
Click below to complete a form to be contacted about research opportunities!
BRAINS Study: Recruiting now!
Research opportunity for 14-17 yr-olds and one parent/guardian: Help Wayne State researchers learn about the effects of exercise on brain health in youth!
SERENITY Study: Recruiting now!
The Stress and Emotion Regulation through Endocannabinoids in Teen Youth (SERENITY) study will help researchers understand how teens ages 14-17 years handle stress and emotions.
Canna Mama Study: Recruiting now!
Survey for pregnant people living in the Detroit area about their perceptions and use of CBD, cannabis, and other substances during pregnancy.
Community & Mental Health Study: Recruiting now!
An online survey research study about the community in which you live and your mental health. Young adults eligible to participate must currently reside in Detroit.
VET-Heart Study: Recruiting now!
Research opportunity for both non-Veterans and Veterans! Must be 19-69 yrs-old. Help researchers learn about air quality, stress, and heart health.
BREATHE Study: Recruiting now!
Research opportunity for parents who use cannabis and their children! Help researchers learn about air quality and mental health.
Warrior C.A.R.E.: Recruiting now!
The overall goal of this research program is to understand how cannabis affects mental health in United States armed forces veterans.
Recent Publications
For a list of the THINK lab's published research, click here
Circulating endocananbinoids in children and adolescents: Associations with anxiety and the impact of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
Marusak, H.A., Zundel, C.G., Shakir, T., Ely, S.L., Carpenter, C., Shampine, M.A.,Tamimi, R., Matsko, M., Rogers, S., Losiows,ki, J., O’Mara, E-C., Jaster, A., Sharma, K., deRoon-Cassini, T.,Hillard, C.J., Shroeder, H.K., Mills, J.A., Strawn, J.R, Barcelona, J
Neuropsychopharmacology (2025)
Relationship between circulating plasma endocannabinoids in adolescents and maternal depressive symptoms
Alaina Jaster, Samantha Ely, Clara Zundel, Leah Gowatch, MacKenna Shampine, Carmen Carpenter, Emilie O'Mara, Amanpreet Bhogal, Reem Tamimi, Christine Lewis, Kamakashi Sharma, Jennifer Losiowski, Hilary Marusak
Psychopharmacology (2025)
Outdoor Air Pollution and Psychiatric Symptoms in Adolescents: A Study of Peripheral Inflammatory Marker Associations
Clara Zundel, Mackenna Shampine, Alexander Jakubiec, Christine Lewis, Cole Brokamp, Jeffrey Strawn, Tanja Jovanovic, Patrick Ryan, Eric Woodcock, Zhao Yang, Michael Petriello, Hilary Marusak,
Frontiers in Psychiatry (2025)
Mindful young brains and minds: a systematic review of the neural
correlates of mindfulness-based interventions in youth
Jovan Jande, Isaac N. Treves, Samantha L. Ely, Leah C. Gowatch, Carmen Carpenter, MacKenna Shampine, Christian A. Webb, Matthew D. Sacchet, John D.E. Gabrielli, Hilary A. Marusak
Brain Imaging and Behavior (2025)
Threat sensitivity mediates the association between perceived safety and anxiety in adolescents from urban communities
Journal of Psychiatric Research (2024)
Endocannabinoid dysregulation and PTSD in urban adolescents: Associations with anandamide concentrations and FAAH genotype
Hilary A. Marusak, Samantha L. Ely, Clara G. Zundel, Leah C. Gowatch, MacKenna Shampine, Carmen Carpenter, Reem Tamimi, Alaina M. Jaster, Tehmina Shakir, Len May, Terri A. deRoon-Cassini & Cecilia J. Hillard
Psychopharmacology (2024)
Particulate matter exposure and default mode network equilibrium during early adolescence
Clara Zundel, Cole Brokamp, Jeffrey Strawn, Tanja Jovanovic, Patrick Ryan, and Hilary Marusak
Brain Connectivity (2024)
Research Support
If you would like to make a donation to the THINK lab or the School of Medicine, visit this link: DONATE. For THINK lab donations, hit "Other" under Designation, then write in "THINK lab".
We are thankful for research support from various funders. Our current and prior research is supported by One Mind, the National Institute of Mental Health, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the Children's Foundation, the State of Michigan Licensing and Regulatory Affairs/Cannabis Regulatory Agency, the WSU Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, and the NIH/NIEHS CURES P30 Center.
