Postdoctoral Research Fellow

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Dr. Shakir is a board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist and assistant clinical professor at Wayne State University, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences. Dr. Shakir has been collaborating with Dr. Hilary Marusak and her team members at the THINK Lab in different projects . Her focus in teaching has been to utilize current research and publications to facilitate developing curricula, teaching, and supervising trainees in our program (medical students, psychiatry residents, child and adolescent psychiatry fellows, and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners completing their preceptorship in our program). She also supervises child and adolescent psychiatry fellows for their quality improvement projects (QIP) which is a requirement in our program before they graduate. All the QIP were submitted for Detroit Medical Center QuESST Research Day and Annual Michigan Summit Quality Improvement and Patient Safety and Wellness. She has been invited as a speaker in departmental grand rounds and in regional/national conferences) to talk on topics related to trauma and adversities. She has been awarded diplomate status with The American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress.

Neuroscience Ph.D. Student

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Kama is currently an MD/PhD student at Wayne State University of Medicine. She completed her undergraduate education at the University of Pittsburgh and graduated with bachelor’s degrees in Neuroscience, Psychology, and French. She is interested in conducting research on externalizing disorders and neurodivergence as well as pursuing a clinical career in neurology, with a specialization in neurodevelopmental disorders. In her free time, she enjoys writing speculative fiction, working on her at-home espresso bar, and spending time with her loved ones and cat, Steve.

Biyyiah A. Strickland is a PhD student at Wayne State University’s College of Nursing. A Chicago native and registered nurse in Detroit, she has over fourteen years of experience in ambulatory care, home health, care coordination, and community-based nursing. She earned her Master's degree in advanced public health nursing from Wayne State University in 2021 and now focuses her research on cannabis use and mental health disparities in underserved urban communities, with an emphasis on policy, education, and healthcare equity. In her free time, she enjoys community advocacy, mentoring future nurse leaders, and spending time with her family.

Research Associate (with Dr. Eric Woodcock)

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Research Assistant & Lab Manager

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Research Assistant & Lab Manager

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MacKenna recently graduated from Hope College in May 2023 with a B.A. in Psychology. Her research interests include post-traumatic therapeutic interventions, resilience, and heart rate variability. MacKenna plans to pursue her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology to work clinically and in academic settings. In her free time, she enjoys reading, coffee, and paddle boarding.

Natalie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from SUNY Geneseo. Her academic and research interests focus on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and therapeutic interventions, with plans to pursue a doctorate in clinical psychology. Outside of her professional pursuits, Natalie enjoys cooking, baking, and spending time with a good book.

Emilie graduated from the University of Michigan in 2023, where she earned a B.S. in Neuroscience. She is interested in using neuroimaging to investigate the brain-behavior mechanisms underlying trauma and substance use disorders. Outside of the lab, Emilie enjoys spending time outside, traveling, and hanging out with her dogs.

Christine is a post-baccalaureate student in Psychology at Wayne State University, aiming for a PhD in Neuropsychology. An alumna of Kalamazoo College, her work as a community organizer highlighted the importance of understanding trauma's impact on the nervous system. She aims to contribute to research supporting brighter futures for children and families.

Research Volunteer

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Research Volunteer

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Research Volunteer

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Research Volunteer

Shravya is currently a medical student at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine with an interest in pediatric psychology. She has prior experience with mental health outreach and clinical pediatrics, and is hoping to build upon that while contributing to the THINK Lab.

Sneha is currently a medical student at Wayne State University School of Medicine. She received a bachelor’s degree from UCLA in Psychobiology. She is interested in pursuing a career in pediatrics and/or psychiatry. For fun she likes to try new restaurants and outdoor activities.

Shivani graduated from Wayne State University with a B.S in Neuroscience and is currently pursuing her medical degree at the Wayne State University School of Medicine. She is interested in pursuing a career in pediatrics and loves to cook new recipes in her free time.

Emily is a first year medical student at Wayne State University School of Medicine. She received her Bachelor's degree in Honors Neuroscience from Wayne State. Her research interests include neurodevelopment and oncology and she plans on working in a pediatric specialty. In her free time, Emily loves to explore Michigan and spend time with friends.

Jess earned her B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience from Wayne State University. She is specifically interested in neuropsychology and the relation of brain and behavior. With plans to pursue a PhD program in the future, Jess is very excited to gain experience with research at the THINK lab. In her free time, she loves playing with her cat, making music, and being outdoors.

Aidan is currently an undergraduate student at Wayne State University. He is studying Neuroscience with hopes of going to medical school after graduation. Outside of the lab, he enjoys listening to music and playing the drums.

Sarah is currently pursuing a B.S. in Neuroscience with minors in Psychology and Chemistry at Wayne State University. She is particularly interested in the neurological and behavioral impacts of environmental exposure during childhood. Currently, she is involved in research examining the effects of secondhand cannabis exposure on children aged 9 to 12. Fluent in French, Arabic, and English, Sarah also holds a Brevet diploma. In her free time, she enjoys playing with her cat, going to the gym, and spending time with friends.

Mohamed is an undergraduate student at Wayne State University majoring in Biochemistry and Chemical Biology, alongside pursuing a minor in Philosophy. He plans to pursue a career in medicine and views his time at the THINK Lab as a valuable opportunity to bridge research findings with real-world medical applications. Outside of academics, Mohamed enjoys training in mixed martial arts, fishing, reading, and spending time outdoors.

Nouman is currently an undergraduate student at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor pursuing a B.S. in Neuroscience on the pre-med track. He is broadly interested in how the brain carries out complex functions and how this understanding can inform treatments, medications, and technologies such as prosthetics. He is interested in pursuing a career as a physician, with current interests in neurosurgery and orthopedics. In his free time, he enjoys playing and watching sports, working out, traveling, and trying different cuisines.