Michelle Failla

Image
Michelle Failla
First Name
Michelle
Last Name
Failla
Credentials
PhD
Assistant Professor
she/her/hers
Address
378 Newton Hall
Address (Line 2)
295 W. 10th Ave.
City
Columbus
State
OH
Zip Code
43210

Different responses to pain may influence how pain is managed in a clinical setting. Dr. Michelle Failla’s research focuses on understanding the role of social communication in pain responses and management. She is particularly interested in studying pain in populations with differences in social communication, across the lifespan, from autism spectrum disorder to Alzheimer’s Disease. She works to understand how altered neural processing of pain may contribute to differences in expression or experience of pain. She uses a variety of techniques such as psychophysics, neuroimaging, behavioral testing, and big-data approaches to investigate responses to physical pain. Dr. Failla’s work aims to improve pain management for populations where pain communication could potentially impact care.

Dr. Failla earned a B.S. in Biology from Truman State University. She earned her PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Pittsburgh Center for Neuroscience with Dr. Amy Wagner and completed her postdoctoral training at Vanderbilt University Medical Center with Dr. Carissa Cascio in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science.

Monroe Lab Blog

News

October 21, 2025

New research shows that overall, the prevalence of adverse and positive childhood experiences reported by parents of teenagers hasn’t changed substantially in the United States in recent years. 

The findings suggest that interventions designed to boost positive family experiences and shield children from negative experiences may not be hitting the mark on a national scale, the study’s authors say.

Read the Ohio State News story

October 10, 2025

The Ohio State University is investing $14 million into expanding one of its programs.

The university plans to nearly double undergraduate enrollment within the College of Nursing amid a nationwide nursing shortage.

“We need to answer that call, answer the calling to care and help people in the healthcare community,” said Dr. Wendy Bowles, Associate Dean for Baccalaureate Programs at Ohio State’s College of Nursing.

Calendar

October 24, 10:00 a.m.
Heminger Hall
1577 Neil Ave
Columbus
Oh
43210