Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Research Lab

Announcements & Upcoming Events: 

Minnesota State Fair D2D:

  • Our lab collaborated with Proof Alliance to develop the FASD Awareness Study!
  • We spent two days at the Driven to Discover building and are now analyzing the data.
FASD Lab and Proof Alliance staff collected data at the Minnesota State Fair for the FASD Awareness Study on August, 21 2025. From Left to Right: Jeffrey Wozniak, Mary Anthony, Alex Doughty, Kent Tuominen, Alyssa Huether
FASD Lab and Proof Alliance collected data at the Minnesota State Fair for the FASD Awareness Study on August, 21 2025. From Left to Right: Jeffrey Wozniak, Mary Anthony, Alex Doughty, Kent Tuominen, Alyssa Huether

Pumpkins for Proof:

  • Our lab raised $1,308 for Proof Alliance, an organization dedicated to educating and advocating for individuals with FASD!
  • See our lab scan a pumpkin in a fun video put out by the University of Minnesota Medical School here!

Articles and Podcasts featuring Dr. Wozniak:

  • Check out this podcast with NOFASD Australia, also featuring Dr. Gimbel
  • Check out this podcast with FASD Success, also featuring Dr. Gimbel
  • Check out this article about FASD research at the U of MN

Our Current Studies:

  • Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) & Cognitive Training Study - Recruiting 8-17 year old children and adolescents.

    For more information on these studies check out the "Research Information" tab.

MIDB Facility:

  • We are located at the Masonic Institute of the Developing Brain (MIDB) at 2025 East River Parkway Minneapolis, MN 55414!
  • To learn more about the facility click here to watch a short video.

What We Do:

  • We use the latest brain imaging techniques and neurodevelopmental tests to study the brain changes caused by prenatal alcohol exposure.
  • We are investigating the effects of computerized cognitive training and neuromodulation (mild electrical current) on brain development in FASD.
  • We are testing nutritional interventions with the goal to optimize brain development in young children with FASD.

Our Research Team:

Research Coordinators from the FASD Lab tabled at the Proof Alliance Caregiver Conference on May 15, 2025. From Left to Right: Kent Tuominen, Mary Anthony, Alex Doughty
Research Coordinators from the FASD Lab tabled at the Proof Alliance Caregiver Conference on May 15, 2025. From Left to Right: Kent Tuominen, Mary Anthony, and Alex Doughty
Proof Alliance Caregiver Conference 2024
Members of the FASD Lab presented on "Clinical Research in FASD" at the Proof Alliance Caregiver Conference on May 16, 2024. From Left to Right: Abby Ernst, Mary Anthony, Kent Tuominen, and Blake Gimbel
Proof Alliance Benefit 2024
Members of the FASD Lab attended the annual Proof Alliance Benefit on April 18, 2024. Left to Right: Amy Wozniak, Jeff Wozniak, Blake Gimbel, Mary Anthony, Abby Ernst, Erik de Water, and Giancarlo
RSA 2023
Members of our lab recently attended the Research Society on Alcoholism Conference in Bellevue, WA from June 24-28th, 2023. Left to Right: Dr. Jeff Wozniak, Mary Anthony, Blake Gimbel, Abby Ernst, Dr. Judy Eckerle
Proof Alliance Caregiver Conference 2023
Members of our team presented on Neuropsychological Assessment and Diagnosis in FASD at the Proof Alliance Caregiver Conference on May 18, 2023. Left to Right: Mary Anthony, Abby Ernst, Blake Gimbel

 

Lab members advocating with Proof Alliance for an increase in funds going towards FASD prevention and support programs.
Our team went to the MN State Capitol on February 21, 2023 with Proof Alliance to advocate for an increase of funds going towards FASD prevention and support programs. Left to Right: Dr. Jeff Wozniak, Abby Ernst, Mary Anthony, Blake Gimbel
Colorful Diffusion Tensor Image of the brain

Colorful Diffusion Tensor Image of the brain

PBS News Hour - "Fetal alcohol disorders are more common than you think"

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