People
Founder
Anthony King, Ph.D.
Founder, Investigator
Email: samadhi@med.umich.edu
Anthony King, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychology, and faculty of the Neuroscience Graduate Program at the University of Michigan. Dr King is a nationally certified teacher of Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). He has a strong commitment to research on the development of effective psychotherapy interventions for stress- and trauma-related conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD, including Mindfulness-based interventions, as well as translational neuroscience, neuroimaging, and genomics approaches. His research interests lie in understanding psychotherapeutic mechanisms for treatments for depression, anxiety, and PTSD, particularly in cognitive and behavioral and mindfulness-based psychotherapy modalities, and the emotional and cognitive neurocircuitry underlying these mechanisms, such as alterations in threat detection, effortful and automatic emotional regulation, and ruminative processes. Dr. King is also interested in salutary effects of meditation and positive mood induction, in particular love and compassion, and how technological and web-based augmentation may improve access, cost-effectiveness, and clinical effectiveness of existing treatment models. In this research, he plans to be involved in the further development, implementation, delivery, and assessment of this novel psychotherapeutic intervention.
Our Team Members
David M. Fresco, Ph.D.
Director of Research
Email: fresco@med.umich.edu
Dr. David M. Fresco, Ph.D., is Professor of Psychiatry and Research Professor at the Institute for Social Research (ISR). His program of research adopts an affective neuroscience perspective to conduct basic, translational, and treatment studies of anxiety and mood disorders, particularly distress disorders (e.g., major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder) incorporating methodologies including functional neuroimaging (fMRI & EEG), peripheral psychophysiology, and serum markers (e.g., inflammation, neurodegeneration). Another facet of Dr. Fresco’s research has focused on the development of treatments informed by affective and contemplative neuroscience findings that incorporate mindfulness meditation and other practices derived from Buddhist mental training exercises. Much of his current and recent NIH-funded research has focused on examining neurobehavioral mechanisms and efficacy of mindfulness-enriched treatments for chronic illnesses, and the role of emotion regulation strategies in everyday life to reduce distress. His clinical interests include: Emotion Regulation Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Interventions, and Cognitive Behavior Therapy.
Todd Favorite, Ph.D.
Director of Michigan Mindfulness, Study Therapist
Email: tfavor@med.umich.edu
Dr. Todd Favorite, Ph.D., is a Board Certified Clinical Psychologist, Fellow of the Academy of Clinical Psychologist and a Clinical Associate Professor at the U-M Medical School and the Rackham Graduate School. His clinical research area is in psychological co-morbidities of trauma and persistent depression, insomnia, and nightmare reduction. Dr. Favorite’s clinical background is in psychotherapy integration with evidence based methods tailored to the individual. He has advanced certification in Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System for Psychotherapy, and Mindfulness- Based Cognitive Therapy. Additional training also includes tele-behavioral health applications for individual and group psychotherapies. Dr. Favorite served as the Chair for the Public Education Committee of the Michigan Psychological Association and as Ambassador for the National Register for Health Psychologists. He has served as director of the UM Psychological Clinic since 2010.
Nicole LaBrie, MSW
Director of Social Work, Study Therapist
Email: nlabrie@umich.edu
Nicole LaBrie is a licensed clinical social worker and supervising clinician at the University of Michigan MARI Psychological Clinic. Her work is centered on providing evidence-based, integrated treatment for adults experiencing a wide variety of challenges. She has special training and an interest in mindfulness-based-interventions and mind-body approaches for mental health and well-being. Nicole previously worked at the Veterans Affairs (VA) – Ann Arbor Healthcare System, providing psychotherapy, yoga, and meditation classes within the mental health clinic. She holds master’s degrees in Social Work and Health Services Administration, both from U-M. She is a Qualified Teacher of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy, a 200-hour level yoga teacher, and a Level 1 iRest Yoga Nidra instructor.
Jung Woon Park, BA
Research Coordinator
Email: jungp@med.umich.edu
Jung received her Bachelors of Arts with honors from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), majoring in Psychology and Specialization in Computing. During her undergraduate years, her research focused on the needs for social support in the face of social deprivation, working as a research assistant in the Social Affective Neuroscience Laboratory under Dr. Naomi Eisenberger and in the Social Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory under Dr. Matthew Lieberman. Currently, she plans to investigate the neural and physiological mechanisms trauma and social support have on resilience using brain imaging techniques (ie. fMRI), while administering numerous studies on mindfulness-based treatments for PTSD and other disorders. Jung is also interested in understanding the effect of experiencing helplessness and intends to pursue a Ph.D. in Social or Clinical Psychology in the future.
Nikki Senapati, MD
Research Coordinator
Email: usenapat@med.umich.edu
Nikki Senapati completed three years of OB/GYN residency at Michigan Medicine before realizing her true passion lies in women's mental health. She is overjoyed to join the King Lab this year as she transitions into psychiatry. She experienced the benefits of mindfulness firsthand as meditation helped assuage her performance anxiety as a young surgical resident. She hopes to someday incorporate MBCT into her clinical practice. In her free time, Nikki likes to run, play tennis, nurture her houseplants, and watch obscure movies. She has undergraduate degrees in sociocultural anthropology and microbiology from the University of Michigan and a medical degree from Michigan State University. Additional research interests include health disparities, perinatal psychiatry, and cultural variations in psychopathology.
Simone Wilson, MSW
Clinical Interviewer
Email: spwils@med.umich.edu
Simone Wilson, MSW, is a clinical social worker currently serving as Clinical Research Interviewer. Simone also colloborates with Elizabeth Duval, PhD studying Neural Mechanisms involved in contextual processing for PTSD and Fibromyalgia. Simone also practices at Radical Well-Being Center in Southfield, MI providing individual therapeutic services for adults. Simone obtained her Bachelor’s of Arts from Emory University in Psychology and Literature and received her Master’s of Social Work from University of Michigan – Ann Arbor.
Sean Ike
Research Assistant
Email: seik@med.umich.edu
Sean Ike has a multifaceted education that has had footprints from Detroit to Tokyo, Japan. After leaving Miami (OH) University in 1993 (Political Science and Philosophy), he went on to work in everything from Marketing to Executive Administration for Fortune listed companies, such as General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and General Electric, to spending ten years in retail with the highly rated 75 year old Ann Arbor institution, Mast Shoes. His skill set ranges from writing ad copy to video editing to live performance as a singer and guitarist. Sean has also studied Tibetan Buddhism and Meditation for 25 years. His gregarious energy adds to our team in his role in outreach and recruiting.
Jessica Stout
Research Assistant
Email: jrstout@med.umich.edu
Jessica Stout is an undergraduate student at the University of Michigan from Dexter, MI. She has enjoyed being a research assistant in this lab since September, 2019, and this experience has helped her decide to major in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience (BCN) and to do an honors thesis related to clinical psychology her senior year. Jessica is interested in studying anxiety and depression in adolescents, and hopes to pursue either an MSW to practice therapy or a PhD in clinical psychology to focus on research. On campus she is involved in Psi Chi, APO, Michigan Muscle Club, and plays intramural volleyball. She also enjoys spending time with family, friends, travelling, and being outside.
Leesa Tymofichuk
Research Assistant
Email: ltymo@med.umich.edu
Leesa Tymofichuk is an undergraduate student at the University of Michigan. Leesa has been a member of this lab since September 2019. She is pursuing a major in chemistry and hopes to attend medical school to pursue psychiatry. Leesa is interested in the treatment of mental health disorders including PTSD, bipolar disorder, depression, and more. Outside of the lab, Leesa is a part of AFROTC, volunteers at Michigan Medicine, and is a CNA.
Patrick Eagen
Research Assistant
Email: peagen@med.umich.edu
Patrick Eagen is an undergraduate student at the University of Michigan from Avon, Connecticut. Patrick has been a member of the lab since October 2020. He plans on majoring in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience (BCN) on a Pre-Medical track with the ultimate goal of receiving his MD in psychiatry. He is highly interested in helping people living with mental disorders through the study of the brain. When Patrick is not in lab or focusing on his academics, he enjoys community service through the campus club, Circle K, and spending time outdoors.
Kerra Hinrichs
Research Assistant
Email: khinrich@med.umich.edu
Kerra Hinrichs is an undergraduate student at the University of Michigan from New Lothrop, MI. She has been a research assistant in this lab since October 2020 and is excited to continue her work here. Kerra is on a pre-health track with an interest in the field of psychology, specifically positive psychology. She holds great emphasis on self-concept and enjoys practicing mindfulness in her free time. Outside of research and education, Kerra also does Tae Kwon Do and spends time with her friends and family.