Duval Lab

Lab Director

Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, 

Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology
 

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

I am an Assistant Professor in Psychiatry and an Adjunct Assistant Professor in Psychology at the University of Michigan.  I am interested in understanding emotion and cognitive processes (like memory and attention) in people experiencing anxiety, stress, and trauma.  I use brain imaging techniques (MRI) and physiological measures (sweating) to understand how the brain and body function in response to stress, and how treatment can impact functioning. I am involved in multiple projects to understand emotion regulation, reactivity to threat, attentional control, and memory in people with anxiety, stress, and chronic pain. I am also a licensed clinical psychologist focused on treating adults with anxiety and stress disorders using evidence-based cognitive and behavioral therapies.  I supervise and teach undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral trainees. Outside of academics, I enjoy swimming, other active outdoor activities, and spending time with my pet guinea pigs. 

Post-Doctoral Fellow
 

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Sara is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Michigan/VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System (VAAAHS) Postdoctoral Consortium. Before joining Dr. Duval's lab, she received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from The Ohio State University and completed her predoctoral internship at the Ann Arbor VA. Sara has broad research interests in emotion regulation, anxiety/mood disorders and scale development. In Dr. Duval’s lab, she is interested in utilizing psychophysiology and neuroimaging data to better understand learning and memory processes in anxiety disorders. Outside of the lab, Sara loves running, cooking, and spending time with her family

Doctoral Candidate

Clinical Science, Department of Psychology
 

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Sonalee is a doctoral candidate in Clinical Science in the Department of Psychology at the University of Michigan. Her primary research focuses are on possible relationships between anxiety-based avoidance behavior and the dimensional construct of negative urgency. Her previous, pre-candidacy research focused on the neurobiology of contextual memory and emotion regulation related to post-traumatic stress disorder. Sonalee is passionate about the ways that treatment contexts may inform clinical research and in turn, the incorporation of research techniques in informing clinical care, and thus, she hopes to learn more about conducting evidence-based therapy for patients with anxiety disorders. In addition to research, Sonalee also enjoys art, photography, and exploring nature.

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Undergraduate Research Assistant
 

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Maddy Jungbluth is an undergraduate research assistant in the Duval Lab in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Michigan. Her primary research interests include anxiety and mood disorders and the neural mechanisms that impact them. She is currently a senior studying Neuroscience and German, and she is writing a Senior Honors Thesis in the lab this year, in which she will work to investigate the neural correlates of PTSD and depression. Following graduation, Maddy hopes to attend graduate school to study psychology, with the eventual goal of continuing research in either an academic or governmental setting. In addition to research, Maddy enjoys figure skating, running, cooking, and reading.

Undergraduate Research Assistant
 

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Maddie is a research assistant in the Duval Lab in the Department of Psychiatry. Her primary research interests include anxiety, depression, and the underlying neural mechanisms that contribute to these issues, but she is also excited to expand her interests within the lab. She is currently a sophomore at the University of Michigan studying BCN and Spanish.  She hopes to use the skills gained working in the lab to help her succeed in medical school and also provide more opportunities to participate in research. Outside of the lab, Maddie enjoys running, music, being outdoors, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. 

Undergraduate Research Assistant
 

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Sofia Urban is a Research Assistant in the department of Psychology at the University of Michigan. Their primary research focuses are anxiety, substance abuse, and PTSD. Their previous research centered on racial and gender bias in the media. Sofia hopes to learn more about childhood trauma and its impacts on substance abuse and psychological disorders. Sofia hopes to attend medical school and become a psychiatrist. In addition to research, Sofia also enjoys cooking, yoga, and reading.

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Undergraduate Research Assistant
 

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Aruna Ganesan is an undergraduate research assistant at the Duval Lab in the Department of Psychiatry. She is currently a sophomore at the University of Michigan majoring in BCN and minoring in Applied Statistics. Aruna plans to attend physician assistant school following graduation. She has an avid interest in learning more about the underlying neural mechanisms involved in anxiety and stress-related disorders, and is eager to examine ongoing and potential treatments for mental illnesses. In addition to research, Aruna enjoys running, playing the violin, traveling with her family, and spending time with friends.

Undergraduate Research Assistant
 

Pronouns: he/him/his

Karan Kamath is an undergraduate research assistant at the Duval Lab in the Department of Psychiatry. His primary research interests are depression, stress-related disorders, and their underlying biological mechanisms, though he is excited to continue exploring different research interests. He is currently a sophomore at the University of Michigan studying Biology. He hopes to attend medical school following graduation. In addition to research, Karan enjoys reading, biking, and playing tennis.

Undergraduate Research Assistant
 

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Ashley LaPlant is an undergraduate research assistant at the Duval Lab in the Department of Psychiatry at the Univerisity of Michigan. Her primary research interests are anxiety and mood disorders, the physiological markers of mental health, and treatments for mental illnesses. She is currently a junior at the University of Michigan and is studying Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience (BCN) and Gender and Health. After graduation, she hopes to attend medical school with the goal of becoming a psychiatrist. In addition to research, Ashley enjoys playing the piano, growing houseplants, reading, and spending time with friends.

Undergraduate Research Assistant

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Pronouns: He/Him/His

Josh State is an undergraduate research assistant at the Duval Lab in the Department of Psychiatry. He is currently a senior at the University of Michigan majoring in BCN. After graduation, Josh is looking to attend medical school. His primary research interests are to learn more about the underlying mechanisms of PTSD and other related illnesses, but is excited to explore other interests in the lab.  In addition to research, Josh enjoys playing and watching hockey, hiking, and spending time with friends.  

Undergraduate Research Assistant