Alexander Puhalla is a fourth-year graduate student in the clinical psychology doctoral program.  He currently works in the Mechanisms of Affect Dysregulation (MAD) laboratory under the guidance of Dr. Michael McCloskey. The MAD Lab is a translational research and treatment unit dedicated to expanding our understanding of the biological, psychological (cognitive-affective) and environmental mechanisms underlying difficulties in affect regulation (control of one's emotional state).

The lab's program of research involves a combination of behavioral and neuroimaging studies among individuals with and without difficulties in affect dysregulation, focusing on problems with anger and self-other-directed aggression.  Alex's work in the MAD lab examines environmental, cognitive-affective, and interpersonal risk factors for Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED) as well as the physiological underpinnings of aggression and its related constructs. He is currently examining how various childhood risk factors like abuse and physical punishment are associated with aggression and IED. Alex is also interested in how cardiovascular functioning at rest and in reaction to interpersonal provocation are associated with aggression, anger, hostility, and emotion regulation.

Alex was the recipient of the 2017 Weinstein Graduate Student Award (pictured) for his project entitled "the separate and combined effects of childhood abuse and alcohol use disorder on aggression in a clinical sample." The annual Weinstein Award is enabled by the generous support of Stephen and Rosalyn Weinstein of the Civic Foundation, which focuses its research and advocacy on drug and alcohol addiction.

Alex credits the Weinstein Award for giving him an opportunity to combine his previous research interest in Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) with his current interests. With the support of the Weinstein Award, Alex was able to examine how co-morbid IED and a history of childhood abuse impact the relation between AUD and the tendency to be aggressive when intoxicated. 

As Alex progresses in his career, he plans to continue conducting research on the underlying physiological mechanisms of affective aggression, and ways of improving treatment efforts, as well as continuing with clinical work.