Principal Investigator, Lab Director

Sari M. van Anders, Ph.D.      (vita)
Assistant Professor, Psychology & Women's Studies
Faculty Member, Neuroscience Program, Reproductive Sciences Program, Science, Technology, & Society Program,
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

smva @ umich.edu
Click here to find out how to pronounce 'Sari', and to learn where my made-up last name comes from!

Hormones and Intimacy in Social Context. My research program is focused on social neuroendocrinology, intimacy (sexuality, partnering/pair bonding, nurturance), evolution, health, gender/sex & sexual diversity, as well as inclusive research & feminist science practice.

Graduate Students

Sarah Bell, Ph.D. Student, 2012 (Sept); RA 2012 summer.
I am a first-year Psychology (Personality and Social Contexts) and Women’s Studies student. I graduated from the University of Utah with a B.S. in Psychology and a B.S. in Gender Studies. At the University of Utah I assisted with research that examined the relationship between day-to-day sexual attractions and behaviors and day-to-day estrogen and testosterone levels in women and men. I also researched the relationship between gender identity constructs and driving behaviors. As part of the van Anders lab, I look forward to researching the role of sex steroids in pair bond formation and how different relationship configurations influence individuals' hormone levels. In my free time I enjoy finding good restaurants and watching movies.
sarahnb @ umich.edu

Katherine Goldey, Ph.D. Student, 2009 - present. (vita)
I am a fourth-year Biopsychology graduate student. I graduated from Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX, with a major in Animal Behavior. At SU I researched female rat mate choice in a behavioral neuroscience lab, and I also volunteered in a sexual psychophysiology lab at the University of Texas. As part of the van Anders Lab, I have researched the effects of sexual thoughts on testosterone and cortisol, and I plan to further investigate how contextual factors contribute to testosterone responses in solitary and partnered sexual situations for my dissertation. Besides research, I enjoy playing the clarinet, spotting groundhogs on North Campus, playing board games, and eating good food.
kalusi @ umich.edu

Lab Coordinator

Lane Nesbitt, Lab Coordinator, 2012-present; Honors Student, 2011-2012; Research Assistant, 2011-2012; Volunteer 2010-2011.
I am recent graduate of the University of Michigan with a B.A. in Psychology and Women's Studies and a minor in Crime and Justice. I am currently working on a study looking at how the elicitation of romantic jealousy affects testosterone. I enjoy volunteering at the American Friends Service Committee Healing Justice Program and spending time with my family. My future plans include graduate school in psychology and moving to a warmer climate!
lritchie @ umich.edu

Research Assistants

William Frey, Research Assistant, 2012 - present; Volunteer, 2011.
I am a graduate of the University of Michigan with a B.A. in Psychology. Currently, I assist with research in two other departments at the University of Michigan, the department of economics and the University of Michigan Sexual Health Certification program. I am involved in research projects through the department of economics/school of social work and the Program on Intergroup Relations (IGR). In the near future, I hope to research identity development, more specifically, sexual identity and sexual communication development. To keep my stress level down, I enjoy reading nonfiction books about misrepresented historical activists and I play fútbol.
willfrey @ umich.edu

Gayatri Jainagaraj, Work/Study Research Assistant, 2012 - present; Volunteer, 2012.
I am a freshman in the LSA honors college. I plan on majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in LGBTQ and sexuality studies. I am excited to be a part of this lab because it will be a perfect way to further my knowledge in my two interests of study. I am also fascinated by the effects of biology on behavior. In the future, I plan to attend Medical School and become a pediatrician.
gayatrij @ umich.edu

Amanda Posh, Research Assistant, 2012 - present; Volunteer, 2011 - 2012.
I am a senior majoring in Biopsychology, Cognition and Neuroscience with a minor in Gender and Health. My interests in psychology include social and emotional behavior. I am also very interested in women.s health and how hormones influence parent child relationships. I am trained as a childbirth doula and plan to become a Certified Nursing Midwife. Outside of the lab I enjoy listening to music, drawing, and being outside when the weather is nice!
poshar @ umich.edu

Volunteers

Shannon Burke, Honors Student, 2012-2013; Volunteer, 2012 - present.
I am a senior undergraduate student majoring in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience and minoring in Gender and Health. I am working on my honors thesis at present, exploring the relationship between sexual desire and hormones. I hope to attend graduate school after completing my Bachelor of Science here at Michigan. In addition to my academic interests, I enjoy playing piano, singing with the UM Women's Glee Club, and participating in Dance Marathon!
burkesha @ umich.edu

Haben Debessai, Volunteer, 2013 - present.
I am a senior undergraduate student in LSA, majoring in Biopsychology, Cognition and Neuroscience with a minor in Gender and Health. I am a Pre-Health student, interested in both Public Health and Medicine and plan on pursuing both those fields in the future after completing my Bachelor of Science at UofM (looking forward to many years of schooling). In addition to my academics, I am involved in student organizations such as MOCS (Multi-Disciplinary Organization of Cerebral Studies), GlobeMed, and the University of Michigan Women's Glee Club. I also work at the Alumni Association's weekly Welcome Wednesdays! I enjoy, running, reading, and eating frozen yogurt at Amer's in my fleeting spare time!
debhab @ umich.edu

Emily Dibble, Volunteer, 2013 - present.
I am a freshman dual enrolled in Art&Design and LSA. In Art&Design I am interested in exploring painting and within LSA I plan to major in Psychology. In my free time I enjoy reading, painting, hanging out with friends, and almost anything with bright colors.
emdibble @ umich.edu

Joseph Godlew, Volunteer, 2013 - present.
I am a junior undergraduate student majoring in both Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience and Political Science with a minor in German Language. Being involved in the lab is a terrific opportunity to integrate my scholastic and personal interests through research. Post-graduation, I plan to pursue a Master's degree at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. Nice weather, friendly dogs, and a good cup of tea always brighten up my extracurricular life.
godlewj @ umich.edu

Rebecca Grossman, Volunteer, 2012 - present.
I am a Junior persuing a concentration in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience and a minor in Gender and Health. I am excited to work in the lab on projects that integrate a Women.s Studies perspective into research. After graduation, I hope to attend graduate school in the feild of psychology. Outside of school, I enjoy playing guitar, baking, and reading.
grebecca @ umich.edu

Melissa Manley, Volunteer, 2012 - present.
I am a Junior studying Psychology with a minor in LGBTQ and Sexuality studies. I am delighted to join the lab for the opportunity to study sexuality empirically and explore how social contexts affect human biology. I plan to pursue a graduate degree in psychology after graduation. Outside of the lab, I enjoy reading, bubble tea, and British television programs.
manleymh @ umich.edu

Taylor Moberg, Volunteer, 2013 - present.
I am a junior at the University of Michigan and I am majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Gender and Health. I intend on going to Medical School after graduating with a Bachelors of Science. I plan on studying and specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. Being a part of this lab will explore my interests on how hormones affect gender and sexuality, a topic I have recently become increasingly interested in. I also have an infinite amount of love for animals. I currently have a chinchilla (Kim), two leopard geckos (Butters and General Grievous) and a ferret (Elton John).
mobergta @ umich.edu