• hilary marusak, phd

    Developmental Neuroscientist | Aspiring Horsewoman

    Hi there! I'm a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan. Our lab uses a variety of neuroscientific techniques, including electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to study childhood trauma and emotion and memory systems in the brain, and to develop new treatments for emotion-related problems in children and adolescents.

     

    Click here to learn more about about research opportunities and the exciting work going on in our lab!

     

    When I'm not doing science, I'm at the HOPE Horsepark, learning and teaching others about horses and horseback riding.

  • Research

    The overarching goal of my research is to understand the neurodevelopmental consequences of childhood adversity (e.g., childhood abuse, intensive medical treatments), and to use that knowledge to develop more effective and sustainable interventions to improve long-term outcomes in children.

     

    For publications, click here.

    Emotion processing and regulation in children

    Disruptions in emotion processing and regulation are at the heart of many psychological problems (e.g., depression, anxiety, pain, attentional problems), many of which emerge in the first two decades of life. My research aims to characterize the development of brain systems underlying emotion processing and regulation, and how genetic or environmental (e.g., parenting) factors can influence development of these systems.

    Impact of childhood adversity on brain and behavioral development

    Exposure to childhood adversity (e.g., domestic violence, childhood abuse) increases risk for virtually all mental and physical health problems. However, the brain and behavioral mechanisms underlying these associations are poorly understood. My research aims to identify brain and behavioral changes induced by childhood adversity that may increase risk for later-emerging mental health problems.

    Neurodevelopmental consequences of childhood cancer

    Although childhood cancer is now a very curable disease, a significant subset of children experience lasting cognitive and emotional problems. We have proposed that these problems may be due to the detrimental effects of cancer and its treatment on brain development. My work aims to characterize the brain and behavioral consequences of childhood cancer, and considers the role of cancer as a form of early adversity (i.e., life threatening disease, endurance of invasive treatments) and potential neurotoxic effects of treatments (i.e., chemotherapy, radiation) on brain development.

    Interventions for building more resilient brains in children

    Most research has focused on identifying neural mechanisms underlying the development negative outcomes, such as mental illness (e.g., depression). One area of interest is in identifying neural mechanisms underlying resilience or positive outcomes in children, and using this knowledge to build more effective interventions for children. For example, non-pharmacology interventions such as mindfulness-based approaches have empirically-supported beneficial effects on cognitive and emotional health, and may be useful for promoting healthy brain and psychological development.

  • Education & Grant Funding

    Doctorate in Translational Neuroscience

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    Wayne State University School of Medicine

    PhD - Translational Neuroscience

    Received 2016

     

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    Kalamazoo College

    BA - Biology & Psychology

    Received 2011

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    St. Baldrick's Foundation

    Supportive Care Research Grant

    2017-2019 NCE

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    American Cancer Society

    Postdoctoral Research Fellowship

    2016-2019

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    National Institute of Mental Health

    NRSA Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (F32)

    Awarded for 2016-2019 but returned to NIH

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    National Institute of Mental Health

    2019-2024

  • Awards & Honors

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    Travel Award

    2019

    American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP)

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    Early Career Investigator Travel Award

    2018

    Society of Biological Psychiatry (SOBP)

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    Student Travel Award

    2018

    International Cannabinoid Research Society (ICRS)

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    Travel Award

    2017

    Wisconsin Symposium on Emotion

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    Travel Award

    2013

    Organization for Human Brain Mapping (OHBM)

  • Affiliations

    Groups I've had the honor and privilege to work with

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    Kids Kicking Cancer

    Nonprofit martial arts therapy for kids with cancer

    Click here for more information

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    HOPE Horsepark

    "Hold On, Pain Ends" - horseback riding, leasing, sales, and private rescue

    Located in Clarkston, Michigan. Click here for more information

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    TNP2 Lab

    Wayne State University

    PI: Dr. Christine Rabinak. Click here for more information