Dr. Joanna J Arch's lab focuses on helping individuals with advanced cancer cope with their fears about disease progression and related trauma. They are conducting innovative research to adapt a behavioral therapy known as written exposure therapy to improve the mental health and quality of life of cancer survivors. By studying the effectiveness of their novel EASE intervention delivered via telehealth, the lab aims to provide evidence-based solutions for managing fear of progression (FoP) and associated psychological symptoms.

Dr. Michael V. Baratta's lab studies how controlling stressful situations can help individuals cope better with future challenges. By exploring the brain circuits involved in these processes, the research can have important implications for understanding resilience, especially in response to traumatic events. The work is particularly focused on understanding the differences in stress response mechanisms between males and females.

Dr. Angela Bryan's research focuses on improving health in historically underrepresented communities through two main projects. One project aims to enhance exercise adherence in the Black community by developing and testing tailored goal-setting interventions to combat cognitive decline. The second project explores the benefits and risks of cannabis, specifically full spectrum hemp-derived CBD and THC, for symptom relief in cancer patients, evaluating their effects on pain, mood, and cognitive function.

Dr. L. Cinnamon Bidwell's lab at the University of Colorado focuses on finding effective treatments for cannabis use disorder (CUD), particularly in users of high-potency cannabis concentrates. Their research tests the effects of hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD), both with and without THC, on reducing cannabis use and alleviating withdrawal symptoms. The goal is to determine whether these treatments can help individuals who struggle with CUD and improve public health outcomes in the context of increasing cannabis legalization.

Dr. Myron P. Gutmann's research lab at the University of Colorado focuses on the critical issue of rising midlife mortality rates in the U.S. by examining local factors and risk patterns. The lab uses detailed mortality data, spatial analysis, and time series methods to identify trends in various causes of death, including suicides and drug abuse. Their work aims to create data-driven policy recommendations that address the root causes of these troubling trends and foster community health improvements.

Dr. Lori M. Hunter's lab focuses on how climate change affects the health of older adults. They investigate the impacts of extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and wildfires, on both physical and mental health. The lab is working to create a collaborative research center that improves data sharing, methodology, and training across disciplines, aiming to better understand and address the health challenges posed by our changing climate.

Dr. Marie T. Banich's lab focuses on understanding how emotional thoughts can be removed from working memory and how various factors influence this process. They conduct research using brain imaging and machine learning techniques to explore the neural mechanisms involved in thought suppression, particularly in the context of psychiatric disorders. The lab also studies the effects of adolescent substance use and environmental factors on brain development and mental health outcomes.

Dr. Ben N Greenwood's research lab at the University of Colorado Denver investigates how exercise influences stress resilience, especially in women. They focus on understanding the differences between male and female responses to exercise and the underlying brain mechanisms involved. This research aims to uncover why women may benefit more quickly or effectively from exercise in resisting stress and anxiety, potentially informing better treatments for stress-related disorders.

Dr. June L Gruber's lab focuses on understanding how positive emotion dysregulation affects the onset and progression of bipolar disorder (BD) in emerging adults. The research aims to identify behavioral and neural markers that can help predict who might develop BD and how they will respond to treatment. The lab uses a combination of experimental psychology and neuroimaging techniques to explore these questions over a two-year period with various participant groups.

Dr. Soo H. Rhee's lab at the University of Colorado focuses on understanding how parental substance use, particularly marijuana, affects their children's behavior during adolescence. They employ innovative research designs, including twin studies, to tease apart genetic and environmental influences on substance use and associated disorders. By studying families in Colorado and Minnesota, the lab aims to identify effective prevention strategies and inform public policy regarding marijuana use.

David Root's lab studies how different types of brain neurons release dopamine and glutamate, which are important for learning from rewards and punishments. By exploring how these neurons interact during motivated behaviors, the lab aims to understand better the molecular differences that can affect mental health and behaviors related to addiction and aversion. This research could provide insights into the mechanisms behind various psychiatric disorders.

Dr. Beverly E. Kingston's lab focuses on preventing youth violence in underrepresented communities in Denver, Colorado. Through a collaborative approach that involves youth, community members, and researchers, the lab develops and evaluates innovative strategies aimed at reducing violence among young people. The lab emphasizes community involvement and practical solutions to improve public health and safety.