Researchers in the Anxiety, Stress, and Prolonged Grief Program in NYU Langone’s Department of Psychiatry study a variety of anxiety- and grief-related conditions and seek to better understand their key characteristics and improve outcomes.

Under the leadership of Naomi M. Simon, MD, we focus our research on the optimization of treatment outcomes. This includes the development of new treatments, as well as better understanding the presentation and biological impact of trauma, loss, and anxiety disorders.

We conduct clinical and translational research on panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and prolonged grief disorder.

Clinical Research Studies for Anxiety Disorders

The following anxiety disorder studies are currently enrolling patients.

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and Stress Education Mechanisms in Generalized Anxiety Disorder

The purpose of this research study is to understand how mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) compares to a stress education (SE) class in the brain of patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). After medical and psychiatric evaluations are completed, eligible participants are randomly assigned (that is, by chance) to one of two treatment regimens which will last approximately eight weeks: MBSR or SE. Full participation includes several study visits as well as fMRI neuroimaging scans before and after treatment. Eligible participants will receive compensation for the time they spend completing study assessments.

Key Eligibility Criteria: Right-handed adults ages 18-50 who have generalized anxiety disorder.

For more information about this study, please contact Leo Almada-Makebish, research coordinator, at 646-754-7035 or Leo.Almada-Makebish@NYULangone.org.

Optimizing Exercise for the Treatment of Anxiety

The purpose of this study is to learn about the effects of different exercise regimens on anxiety and exercise engagement and adherence. If you are eligible for this study, you will complete a two-month exercise intervention and two follow-up assessments (total duration five to six months). The exercise intervention will either include low-intensity exercise only or a titration program in which you will start at low-intensity exercise and work your way up to high-intensity exercise. We also provide treatment referrals.

Key eligibility criteria: Adults ages 18 to 65 who have generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and/or panic disorder who are currently sedentary.

Your information will remain private, and you will receive compensation for your time.

For more information about this study, please contact Giselle Cornejo, research coordinator, at 646-754-4773 or Giselle.Cornejo@NYULangone.org.

Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial to Determine the Biological Signature of Cannabidiol as a Treatment for Social Anxiety Disorder

The purpose of this research study is to determine whether cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive part of cannabis, is an effective treatment for social anxiety disorder (SAD), and to better understand how CBD might improve SAD symptoms. After medical and psychiatric evaluations are completed, eligible participants are randomly assigned (that is, by chance) to one of two treatment regimens which will last approximately three weeks: CBD or placebo. The study will last about one to two months and full participation includes six study visits, fMRI neuroimaging scans, a stress task, and blood tests. Eligible participants will receive compensation for the time they spend completing study assessments.

Key eligibility criteria: Right-handed adults ages 18-45 who have social anxiety disorder.

For more information about this study, please contact Liza Goodwin, research coordinator, at 646-754-4773 or Elizabeth.Goodwin@NYULangone.org.

Experimental Studies for Anxiety Disorders

The Role of Exercise in the Consolidation of Fear Extinction Learning in Adults with High Anxiety Sensitivity

The purpose of this study is to investigate differences in extinction learning measured by skin conductance (sweating) and heart rate in adults with high anxiety sensitivity and anxiety disorders following exercise or sitting. If you are eligible for this study after one screening visit, you will complete a three-day emotional learning experiment. You will be randomly assigned (like the flip of a coin) to either exercise at moderate intensity or sit for 20 minutes after the emotional learning experiment on Day 2. This research study involves 4 in-person visits total (the 3 experimental visits and 1 screening visit beforehand). This is not a treatment study.

Key eligibility criteria: Adults ages 18 to 60 who have generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and/or panic disorder.

Your information will remain private and you will receive compensation for your time.

For more information about this study, please contact Giselle Cornejo, research coordinator, at 646-754-4773 or Giselle.Cornejo@NYULangone.org.

Natural Language Processing As a Tool to Detect Anxiety and Depression

The purpose of this study is to develop a way to identify signs of depression and anxiety in people using a computer algorithm. The algorithm will examine data, including anonymized interview transcripts to determine if someone displays symptoms of depression and anxiety. An in-person screening is required to confirm you are qualified to take part in the study. The screening visit will last about three hours. If you qualify, you will need to complete an interview and a series of computer tasks.

Key eligibility criteria: Adults ages 18 to 65 who have generalized anxiety disorder, and/or major depressive disorder.

Research Funding

Our studies are funded by government agencies and not-for-profit research institutes.

National Institutes of Health

Optimizing Exercise for the Treatment of Anxiety (principal investigator: Kristin L. Szuhany, PhD)

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and Stress Education Mechanisms in Generalized Anxiety Disorder (principal investigators: Naomi M. Simon, MD and Candace M. Raio, PhD)

Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial to Determine the Biological Signature of Cannabidiol as a Treatment for Social Anxiety Disorder (principal investigators: Naomi M. Simon, MD, and Esther Blessing, MD, PhD)

Natural Language Processing As a Tool to Detect Anxiety and Depression (principal investigator: Matteo Malgaroli)

Brain & Behavior Research Foundation

The Role of Exercise in the Consolidation of Fear Extinction Learning in Adults with High Anxiety Sensitivity (principal investigator: Kristin L. Szuhany, PhD)

Patient-Centered Outcome Research Institute

Comparative Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Pharmacotherapy for Anxiety.

Research Training

Postdoctoral fellows and resident psychiatrists have opportunities to conduct research with our faculty in anxiety and complex grief.

Program Researchers

Our program researchers are experts in the field of anxiety, stress, and grief. We conduct research on the phenomenology, comorbidity, biological correlates, and treatment of anxiety disorders, grief, and post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as exercise interventions for mental health.

Naomi M. Simon, MD

Kristin L. Szuhany, PhD

Matteo Malgaroli, PhD

Michele Santacatterina, PhD

Safina Skaf, MS, PMHNP-BC
Safina.Skaf@NYULangone.org
646-754-4797

Molly Schadegg, PhD
Molly.Schadegg@NYULangone.org
646-754-4895

Jiyu Kim, PhD
Research Scientist
Jiyu.Kim@NYULangone.org

Research Staff

Noah Wilson
Program Coordinator
Noah.Wilson@NYULangone.org
646-754-4779

Leo Almada-Makebish
Research Data Associate
Leo.Almada-Makebish@NYULangone.org
646-754-7035

Giselle Cornejo
Research Data Associate
Giselle.Cornejo@NYULangone.org
646-754-4773

Matthew Irwin
Research Data Associate
Matthew.Irwin@NYULangone.org
212-404-3478

Liza Goodwin
Research Data Associate
Liza.Goodwin@NYULangone.org
646-754-4507

Research Volunteers & Students

Charlotte Wulf
Charlotte.Wulf@NYULangone.org

Holly Liu
Holly.Liu@NYULangone.org

Cameron Sabeti
Cameron.Sabeti@NYULangone.org

Andrea Badillo Perez (Medical Student)
Andrea.Perez@NYULangone.org

Contact Us

If you have questions about our research program, you can reach us at 888-449-6779 (888-44-WORRY) or at anxietystudy@NYULangone.org. For more information about research opportunities such as postdoctoral fellowships, research coordinator, or volunteering with our group, please email Noah Wilson, program coordinator, at Noah.Wilson@NYULangone.org.

We typically begin recruiting for research coordinator positions in January each year to begin the following June.

We expect to begin recruiting for a clinical psychology post-doctoral fellow in the Fall 2024 to start in Summer 2025.

Recent Publications

Our faculty regularly publish on anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and prolonged grief in peer-reviewed journals. Here is a selection of our recent publications.