ADAPT TEAM ALUMNI
Alexis Porter, M.s.
Alexis graduated from Utah State University with a B.S. in Psychology. During her time at Utah State, her research focused primarily on evaluating whether natural or built environments elicited significant changes in neural activation via EEG. Following graduation, she joined the Cognitive Axon Lab at Carnegie Mellon University as a lab coordinator and data manager. Her work branched into a sector of health neuroscience where she examined the effects of exercise interventions on white matter architecture. Alexis is currently a graduate student jointly advised by Dr. Caterina Gratton and Dr. Vijay Mittal. Her research interests include evaluation of machine learning approaches to understand individual differences in brain networks as they relate to behavior and psychopathology.
Franchesca Kuhney, M.A.
Franchesca is a doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology program at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She received her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Connecticut. Following graduation, she worked at the NIMH in the Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Branch, Section on Integrative Neuroimaging. Using structural neuroimaging techniques, her work at NIMH examined longitudinal developmental trajectories of brain regions thought to underlie the unique social and emotional phenotype of Williams syndrome. As a graduate student, her work focuses on understanding environmental and biological processes responsible for social dysfunction and disrupted development of skills needed to navigate the social environment in individuals with psychosis-spectrum disorders.
Katia Zalkind, M.s.
Katia Zalkind graduated from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, where she worked with Neal Cohen. Her honors thesis involved priming for words and nonwords generated by an artificial grammar. After receiving a National Science Fellowship and coming to Northwestern University, she worked with Ken Paller and Sohee Park. Katia’s Masters Thesis concerned event-related potential correlates of reading. Katia also managed a group home for Trilogy Inc—a behavioral healthcare center in Rogers Park. In the Mittal lab, Katia is investigating semantic priming and connectivity in individuals at high risk for psychosis. Her area of interest is the intersection of brain, language, and psychopathology.
Ivanka Ristanovic, M.A.
Ivanka graduated from Roosevelt University with an MA in Clinical Psychology. During her graduate training, she was a research assistant in a lab focusing on norming computer based category and digit span tests. Ivanka completed her clinical practicum at an inpatient unit of Hartgrove psychiatric hospital where she worked with at-risk populations experiencing highly acute symptomatology including but not limited to psychotic symptoms, suicide ideation, homicide ideation, and aggression. Ivanka is interested in working with adolescents and young adults, and her research interests include neurological and hormonal basis for severe psychopathology development and maintenance and their role in developing new treatment methods. She started Graduate school at NU, in the ADAPT lab, this fall.
Katherine Damme, Ph.D.
Dr. Damme received her PhD from Northwestern University where she examined in cognitive and neuroimaging markers of risk for psychopathology (bipolar disorder and psychosis). Her research focuses on the contributions of early and adolescent brain development to risk for psychosis using cortical morphometry and neural connectomics. She joined the lab in 2018 to examine how interventions like exercise and tDCS may mitigate risk for psychopathology by altering cognition and neural networks.
trevor williams, PH.D.
Trevor Williams will join the ADAPT lab in the Summer of 2020. Presently, he is completing his Clinical Psychology PhD requirements for the University at Buffalo, SUNY, where he studied transdiagnostic models of personality and psychopathology, as well as their connection to social processes. In the ADAPT lab, his research will focus on using behavioral, psychophysiological, and neural data to better understand social-cognitive processes related to the development of psychosis.
GABBY OLSON, B.A.
Gabby graduated from Northwestern with a B.A. in Psychology and Linguistics. She previously worked in labs studying neurodevelopmental and anxiety disorders. She is interested in development across the lifespan, particularly the effects of early stressors on language and cognition. Gabby hopes to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology in the future and is excited to gain more research experience in the ADAPT lab!
joanna hernandez, b.a.
Imaging Specialist
Joanna graduated from Northwestern with a B.A. in Cognitive Science. There, she developed an interest in psychological research while working as a research assistant in a psychophysiology laboratory. Since then, she has worked on a number of MRI studies and is interested in researching large-scale functional brain networks across different populations. Jo is very excited to be a part of the ADAPT team!
AMAN DATTA
Aman is a third-year undergraduate studying Psychology and Communication Studies with a minor in Film and Media Studies. He is unendingly interested in and passionate about the mental health question. He is especially interested in the connection between mental health and personality and the potential for nostalgia to be an ameliorative force. He intends to pursue a doctorate in clinical psychology with the goal of becoming a therapist, but, before that, is extremely excited to work with the ADAPT lab!
MORGAN TINSLEY
Morgan is a third-year undergraduate student at Northwestern studying Psychology and Economics with a minor in Gender and Sexuality Studies. Although undecided on a definitive career path, she hopes to pursue a master's degree or PhD in psychology after taking a gap year or two to do social work. Morgan is passionate about mental health advocacy and the need to understand, accommodate, and protect individuals with perceptual disturbances. She’s excited to be part of the ADAPT lab and gain clinical research experience. Morgan is currently working as a project manager at wikiHow on their visual team.
SALEHA MIAN
Saleha is a first-year master’s student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program in the Family Institute at Northwestern University. She recently graduated from the University of California, Los Angles, majoring in Psychobiology and minoring in Global Health. She wants to specialize with working with diverse and multicultural adolescents working through trauma and provide psychoeducation around the mental health stigma in these communities. She is very excited to join ADAPT and collaborate with the team to explore psychosis development and help provide preventative research for adolescents.
ARIEL GORDON
Ariel graduated from Northwestern University with majors in Psychology and Cognitive Science, and a minor in Data Science. He is currently at UCSF Neuroscape researching how digital therapeutics like virtual reality can improve cognition and well-being. He plans to pursue a PhD in human-computer interaction.
SOPHIA TALWALKAR
Sophia is a third year undergraduate at Northwestern studying cognitive science and theatre. She is inspired by the efforts of the ADAPT team to better understand early onset of psychological disorders and hopes to pursue a career in pediatric neurology and psychology. She cannot wait to be a part of this innovative clinical research!
Solmi Park
Solmi is a first-year undergraduate student at Northwestern majoring in psychology. After graduating, she is planning to attend medical school and is looking to pursue a career in psychiatry. She is especially interested in exploring the neurobiological causes and potential treatments of psychological disorders. She is incredibly excited to work with the ADAPT team and gain research experience surrounding her passions!
Quinn Meyerson
Quinn graduated from Northwestern University with a major in Psychology. He is interested in the psychology of meditation, the interaction between mental health and spirituality, and community-based mental health care. Outside of psychology, he enjoys meditating, baking, and being in nature.
He is currently in the Clinical Psychology PhD program at The Ohio State University!
Cheree Che
Cheree is a first year undergraduate at Northwestern University majoring in Cognitive Science. She is interested in memory, interaction with computers and the mind, as well as the subconscious. Cheree is excited to join the ADAPT lab and gain experience in clinical research!
Peirong She
Peirong is a second-year undergraduate student at Northwestern University majoring in Psychology and Statistics, with a minor in Sociology. She hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and is particularly interested in the etiology and treatment of mental disorders such as schizophrenia. Peirong is excited to join ADAPT and gain more research experience in clinical psychology.
maia miller
Maia is a third year undergraduate student at Northwestern University studying Psychology and Economics. She is interested in studying psychopathology, particularly the stressors associated with the development of schizophrenia in young adults and the social and behavioral impacts of psychotic disorders. She is very excited to gain experience in clinical research and to further pursue her interests at the ADAPT lab!
ISabella lake
Isabella is a first year undergraduate at Northwestern majoring in Psychology and Economics. Though she is still unsure about her plans after graduation, she is excited by the opportunity to be a part of the ADAPT lab and to assist in research related to the onset and treatment for psychological disorders.
Matthias Neumann
Matthias is a third year undergraduate at Northwestern University majoring in Psychology and Art. He is interested in the intersections of art and the developmental psychology behind artists and their creations. After graduation, Matthias plans to pursue clinical psychology and become more involved in the art world in the Midwest. Matthias is excited to immerse himself in the research at the ADAPT lab.
Samantha patel, M.D.
Samantha Patel received her M.D. from Rush Medical College in 2019 and is currently part of the psychiatry physician scientist training program at McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University. Her research focuses on using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to elucidate the neural underpinnings of social cognition deficits in schizophrenia and developing and evaluating treatments for these deficits. Her clinical interests include treatment of serious mental illness, neuropsychiatry, and psychotherapy. When not in the clinic or in the lab, she enjoys trying new food with her husband, running, and yoga.
kelly bates, b.a.
Kelly graduated from Northwestern University with a B.A. in Neuroscience. She was an undergraduate research assistant with ADAPT and is happy to now be working full-time with the ADAPT team during her gap year! She is interested in the neurobiological bases of psychopathology and the ways in which developmental experiences affect mental health. Kelly will be attending the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine after her gap year.
Audrey Zhou
Audrey is a second-year undergraduate student at Northwestern University studying Psychology with a minor in Religious Studies. After graduating, she hopes to attend medical school and plans to go into pediatrics. Audrey is excited to work with the ADAPT team and learn more about psychological research!
Eliana Zuckernik
Eliana is a third year undergraduate at Northwestern double majoring in Neuroscience and Global Health Studies. After graduating, she hopes to attend medical school and pursue a career as a doctor with a focus on the intersection between public health and medicine. She is excited to better understand mental disorders and to participate in work attempting to prevent their onset. Through the ADAPT lab, Eliana hopes to gain experience in clinical research.
Dana Hubbell
Dana graduated from Northwestern University in 2023 with a B.A. in psychology. She is pursuing a career as a pediatric doctor and is curious about the development of thought disorders in children and adolescents. Outside of the lab, Dana was a member of the NUDM committee and a part of the Brady Scholars Program.
After spending a year working as a clinical research coordinator for Massachusettes General Hospital, she recently started her first year as a medical student at the Feinberg School of Medicine!
Ivan Prokopiv
Ivan is a third year undergraduate at Northwestern University majoring in Neuroscience and Psychology. He is currently pursuing a career in medicine and is interested in psychiatry and neurology. He wants to learn more about the biological and social factors that play a role in the development of psychiatric disorders. He is excited to gain clinical research experience and be a part of the ADAPT team!
Maggie Chen
Maggie is a first-year master’s student in the Marriage and Family Therapy Program in the Family Institute at Northwestern University. She recently graduated from Washington University in St. Louis double-majoring in Psychological and Brain Sciences and Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology. Maggie is interested in the systemic influences of family and environment to the development as well as treatment of mental illnesses in children and adolescents. She is excited to join the ADAPT team and explore the field of adolescent development and mental illness.
Emma Wool
Emma is a second-year undergraduate student at Northwestern University, majoring in Psychology and Human Development in Context. She hopes to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology and is interested in the intersectionality of research and advocacy work in the mental health field. Emma is eager to gain laboratory experience and is excited to work with the ADAPT team!
Erica Karp, M.Ed.
Erica graduated from Vanderbilt with an M.Ed. in Early Childhood Special Education and from Claremont McKenna College with a B.A. in Psychology and Anthropology. She has worked for many years at Northwestern in research management and is excited to bring her expertise to the ADAPT program. She is interested in investigating the differences in the social and emotional development of atypical populations.
jasmine raj, b.a.
Jasmine graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in Psychology. She is interested in investigating how exposure to individual-level stressors and environmental contexts interact to predict mental health outcomes. In the future, she hopes to pursue a career working with adolescents and young adults in either a clinical or counseling setting. Jasmine is excited to join the ADAPT team as a lab manager and dive into psychosis risk and intervention research!
gillian ho, b.s.
Assessment Specialist
Gillian graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with B.S. degrees in Psychology and Mechanical Engineering. There, she researched the neuroscience of distress and emotion regulation. She is specifically interested in studying the neural and environmental factors that contribute to the development and maintenance of severe psychopathology and applying the research to develop effective treatments. She hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and continue this research. Gillian is very excited to join the ADAPT team!
Raffles Cowan, B.A.
Raffles is a doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology program at Northwestern University. He received a bachelor's degree in psychology and criminology at the University of Toronto, and worked in addictions and geriatrics at Toronto's Centre for Addition and Mental Health before coming to Northwestern. He primarily works in the Foley Center for the Study of Lives at NU with his mentor, Dan McAdams. His research in the ADAPT lab focuses on self-referential processes (e.g. self-concept, narrative identity) in the development of psychosis and other mental illness.
Teresa Vargas, M.S.
Teresa graduated from the University of Miami with a B.S in Psychology and English Literature. During her time at UMiami, she worked on research projects investigating executive control and cognitive bias in mood disorders, as well as researching the effect of educational and socioeconomic interventions in healthy preschoolers. After graduating, she worked at the NIMH Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Branch, in the genes, psychosis and cognition section. During her time there, she was involved in projects incorporating genetic and functional neuroimaging approaches to understanding psychosis. Teresa is currently a graduate student in Dr. Vijay Mittal’s ADAPT lab in Chicago. Her research interests include using multimodal approaches to understanding prodromal populations and target prevention and intervention efforts. Te
Juston Osborne, M.A.
After graduating from Longwood University with a B.S. in Psychology, Juston worked in the Social Neuroscience and Psychopathology Lab at Harvard University. During his time in the SNAP Lab, Juston was involved in several projects investigating neural and motor abnormalities in individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. He continued and expanded his research on motor abnormalities in the Master's program in Experimental Psychology at the College of William & Mary. Juston is currently a graduate student in Dr. Vijay Mittal's ADAPT lab in Chicago. His research interests focus on the use of multimethod approaches (psychophysiology, neural/cognitive markers, etc.) to characterize the factors that best predict transition to formal psychosis in order to facilitate the development of interventions to mitigate the likelihood of conversion.
Tina Gupta, M.A.
Tina graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a B.A in psychology and sociology. During her time at CU, Tina was involved in research examining cognitive function in individuals diagnosed with depression and an intervention study employing dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) to a sample of adolescent teen mothers with postpartum depression. Tina joined the ADAPT team at CU in 2012 as lab coordinator until 2015, where she then transitioned to a doctoral student in our lab at Northwestern University. In her graduate training, Tina has conducted research investigating topics of interest to early psychosis including nicotine, cognition, perception, language, and gesture. Currently, Tina seeks to understand emotional processes (e.g., the experience, expression, and recognition of emotions) in prodromal populations.
Anthea LUO
Anthea graudated from Northwestern University majoring in both Psychology and Biology, with a concentration in Molecular Genetics and Genomics. She is currently a post-bac researcher at the National Cancer Institute at NIH, and plans to apply for Fall 2026 Biology PhD programs!
Nathaniel drexler
Nathaniel is a first year undergraduate at Northwestern University majoring in Psychology and Philosophy. After graduating, he plans to earn a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. He is excited to join the ADAPT lab, and gain experience in clinical research and psychopathology.
zidi mu
Zidi is a second-year undergraduate student at Northwestern University majoring in Psychology and minoring in Theater. She has always wanted to pursue a helping profession, and has been drawn to clinical psychology after taking Professor Mittal’s Psychopathology in her first year. She is very concerned about mental health challenges among adolescents, and she hopes to raise mental health awareness in developing countries. Zidi is very excited about joining the ADAPT Lab as an assistant, and she looks forward to meeting like-minded people in the team!
Cameron Martinez, B.A.
Cameron Martinez graduated from the University of Chicago with a B.A. in Psychology and English Literature. After working in the healthcare law sector, he is returning to the field of psychology as a member of the ADAPT Program. Cameron is interested in studying the early predictors of mental illness and its effects on socio-emotional functioning. He is very excited to contribute to the ADAPT team!
Giorgio Laudati
Giorgio is a second-year undergraduate at Northwestern University majoring in Biology and Psychology. Giorgio plans to attend medical school and is interested in working as a pediatric surgeon. He is fascinated with how underlying biological and psychological processes impact human behavior, especially as it relates to adolescent development. He looks forward to exploring this concept and gaining research skills with the ADAPT team!
Tamara Raad
Tamara is a third-year undergraduate student at Northwestern University, majoring in Neuroscience, with a concentration in Neurobiology. She is interested in neuropathology and psychopathology and plans to pursue a research career in therapeutics. Tamara is excited to gain a better understanding of the developmental basis of thought disorders as well as clinical research experience with ADAPT!
YAO XIAO
Yao is a second-year undergraduate at Northwestern, majoring in psychology, RTVF and math. She always has broad interests and is passionate about exploring the interdisciplinary possibilities in psychology, especially the clinical branch. She is thrilled to learn more about research in clinical psychology while helping with alleviating people's sufferings due to mental illnesses as a member of ADAPT!
KASIA HITCZENKO, PH.D.
Kasia Hitczenko is a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Linguistics at Northwestern. She is working on a project that tests whether speech and language patterns can signal vulnerability to psychotic disorders, in collaboration with the ADAPT lab, Dr. Matt Goldrick, and Dr. Yossi Keshet. Prior to coming to Northwestern, she received her Ph.D. in linguistics from the University of Maryland- College Park, where she worked on computational models of language acquisition and speech perception.
MAKS GILJEN, B.A.
Maks graduated from Northwestern, completing a B.A. in psychology before joining the ADAPT team as a research coordinator. He is interested in studying biological and environmental predictors of mental illness in youth. Maks is leaving the lab to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology at UC Irvine in Fall 2022 to extend this research to developing preventative treatment!
JADYN PARK, B.A.
Jadyn graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, where she majored in Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology. She is interested in the neuroscientific approach to the study of cognition and emotion. Specifically, she is interested in how we use (or fail to use) cognitive control mechanisms to regulate emotions and guide decision-making. She will begin her PhD program at UChicago in Fall of 2022!
CHLOE KRUGEL, B.A.
Chloe graduated from Northwestern University, where she studied Neuroscience and Psychology. She was an undergraduate volunteer at ADAPT before joining the team full-time as a research assistant. She is interested in neural plasticity and the ways in which different life experiences can lead to certain health outcomes. Chloe is currently a medical student at Albany Medical College.
ALEXANDRA WILLEMAIN
Alex is currently pursuing a M.A. in Counseling at Northwestern University. She is excited to intern next year at Highland Park High School, providing mental health services and crisis intervention to adolescents. Alex is particularly interested in psychopathology prevention in children and adolescents. Alex also TA’s a group dynamics course and is interested in group influence on individual thought and behavior. She hopes to pursue doctoral studies intersecting Clinical and I/O Psychology.
HILLARY PATTON, M.S.
Hillary graduated from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science with her M.S. in Clinical Counseling. At both the graduate and undergraduate level, she conducted research focused on biological markers associated with psychosis—with a particular focus in neuroimaging. Hillary is currently working at a private practice conducting neuropsychological assessments with children and adolescents and she has clinical experience treating patients with a wide variety of severe mental illnesses. Hillary joined the ADAPT lab to explore her interest in the use of neuroimaging to identify youth at risk for psychosis as well as the development of early intervention strategies.
KAITLYN BARRIERE, M.A.
Kaitlyn received her Bachelor of Science from Western Kentucky University where she got her psychological research in the Risk Behaviors Lab. There she studied suicide and self-harm, particularly as it relates to gender. Kaitlyn then went on to the Master’s program at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, continuing her self-harm research. She hopes to go on to get her PhD in clinical psychology and continue her research.
DENISE S. ZOU, B.S.
Denise graduated from Northwestern University with a B.S. in Education and Social Policy with a concentration in Human Development and Psychological Services. She most recently served as a clinical research assistant at Rush University Medical Center and as a crisis intervention advocate at Northwest Center Against Sexual Assault. Denise enjoys researching the link between social dysfunction and real-world outcomes and the impact of undesirable life events on mental health. She is so happy to worked with the ADAPT team and intends to pursue a clinical science career to help vulnerable populations going forward.
ALARA OZSAN, B.S.
Alara graduated from Northwestern University with a major in Manufacturing and Design Engineering with a double major in Psychology in 2019. Upon graduation, Alara continued her research in ADAPT as an imaging specialist studying functional networks. Alara moved back to her home country of Turkey in late 2020, and has been working as a Consultant at McKinsey & Co. since.
ALBERT KIM
Albert is a third year undergraduate at Northwestern majoring in biological science. He is currently pursuing a career in the medical field where he is interested in the brain. Through the ADAPT lab, Albert hopes to better understand psychopathology research and its implications on medicine.
EMMELINE LEGGETT
Emmeline graduated from Northwestern University with a major Neuroscience with a concentration in Chemistry and a minor in both Spanish and Global Health. Emmeline hopes to attend medical school and work in emergency medicine, but she is open to exploring other fields. She is excited to work at ADAPT to gain clinical research experience and learn about the brain through experience rather than only in a classroom setting.
HELENA BACHMANN
Helena is a third year undergraduate student at Northwestern University. She is majoring in Neuroscience, with a concentration in Human Cognition and Behavior, and minoring in Global Health Studies. She hopes to pursue a career in research after graduation, focusing on topics such as neurological disorders and psychiatry. Helena is looking forward to being a part of the ADAPT team!
MARIE LOCKOWITZ
Marie is a third year undergraduate student at Northwestern University majoring in Psychology and minoring in Legal Studies and Spanish. She has interests in both forensic psychology and developmental psychopathology, hoping to pursue Clinical Psychology in graduate school. Marie is super excited to learn new skills and gain clinical research experience with the ADAPT team!
PATRICK RYAN
Patrick is a third year student at Northwestern majoring in both Biology and Psychology. Following graduation, Patrick plans to attend medical school and is interested in pursuing psychiatric medicine. He is very interested in the neurological mechanisms underlying behavior. He is excited to explore neuroscience research with the ADAPT lab team!
SHALAKA NIMMAGADDA
Shalaka is a third year student at Northwestern majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Legal Studies. After graduating, she hopes to attend medical school and pursue a career in Forensic Psychiatry. Shalaka is very interested in learning about brain disorders and their intersection with the legal system. She is excited to gain experience in psychology and neuroscience research with ADAPT!
CARSON KNOER
Carson graduated from Northwestern University in 2021 with degrees in Biology and Psychology. When away from the lab Carson was a member of Kesem at Northwestern, strategy board games and singing!
After graduation, he worked as a Research Fellow at the National Institute of Health in Dr. Robert Innis’s Molecular Imaging Branch. He is currently earning his M.D. at the University of Minnesota Medical School!
Paia amelio
Paia is a fourth year undergraduate at Northwestern University majoring in both Neuroscience and Theater. She is very interested in developmental neuroscience, and would like to research more about the intersection of mental health and development. Paia plans on going to medical school, and is very excited to be researching at ADAPT lab!
rosemary dong
Rosemary is an undergraduate student majoring in Neuroscience at Northwestern University. She is interested in brain development, mental disorders and its brain effects, and she is pursuing a career in medicine. She is excited to join the ADAPT lab to gain research experience and learn more about the implications of clinical research on medical practices!
katerina alexopoulos
Kat is a second year undergraduate student at Northwestern University. She is majoring in both Psychology and Mathematics. She is very interested in research, specifically in the field of clinical psychology, and hopes to pursue it as a career. Kat is extremely excited to be part of the ADAPT team!
Audrianna wu
Audrianna is a second year undergraduate at Northwestern pursuing a dual degree in Bienen and Weinberg. She is currently pursuing a career in the medical field, and is excited to join the ADAPT lab and gain experience in clinical research and psychology!
paula fernandez
Paula is a third year undergraduate student at Northwestern University double majoring in Neuroscience and Computer Science. She is interested in the intersection between these fields and in understanding the role technology can play in furthering scientific research. She is excited to gain clinical research experience in the ADAPT lab.
KATHRYN ABBOTT
Kathryn is a recent Northwestern graduate who majored in Neuroscience and Global Health with a Certificate in Leadership. She is particularly interested in developmental neurobiology and brain disorders. She is pursuing a Masters in Public Health at Northwestern and ultimately wants to go into medicine. Kathryn is excited to work with the ADAPT lab and gain experience in clinical research and psychology.
Sabrina Scheinberg
Sabrina is a second-year undergraduate at Northwestern pursuing a double major in Psychology and Legal Studies. She is particularly interested in researching interventions during the prodromal period, as well as the portrayal and treatment of serious mental illness in the larger context of society. Upon completing her undergrad, Sabrina looks forward to attending graduate school and pursuing a career in public service and governmental affairs.
MARA BRIONES, BA
Mara is a recent Northwestern University graduate who double majored in Neuroscience and English. She is particularly interested in adolescent development, and she hopes to attend medical school in the future.
Jordyn Ricard, B.A.
Jordyn is a Northwestern graduate who majored in Human Development and Psychological Services. She is interested in exploring emotional behavior in those at a clinical high risk for developing psychosis, and she plans to pursue graduate school in clinical psychology. Jordyn joined the Nock Lab at Harvard University as a research assistant in the fall of 2020. She is currently a clinical psychology PhD student at Yale University.
Sophia fioramonti-gorchow, B.A.
Sophia is a recent Northwestern University graduate who majored in Psychology and minored in Chinese Language. She plans to pursue a career in psychiatric medicine. Sophia is particularly interested in the neurobiology of brain disorders and its relationship with emotions and social behavior.
MARY CORMIER, B.A.
Mary is a Northwestern graduate who majored in Neuroscience. She is interested in cognition, perception of our environment, and the social determinants of health. After undergrad, she hopes to move on to grad school or medical school and engage in work that combines in some capacity neuroscience with social justice advocacy. Outside of classes, she is trying to learn to cook delicious food!
Rebecca mantel, B.A.
Rebecca is a Northwestern University graduate who majored in Neuroscience and minored in Religious Studies. She is planning to pursue a career in medicine, and is particularly interested in neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Taylor Frye, M.A.
Taylor graduated from Illinois State University with a B.S. in Psychology. During her time at ISU, Taylor worked with PATH Crisis to answer emotional support and suicide phone calls. She first began her research career at ISU working with at-risk youth in Champaign as a research apprentice for Champaign Area Relationship Education for Youth (CARE4U). While working on her M.A. in Counseling at Northwestern University, Taylor is currently an intern on the SASS/Mobile Crisis Response team at Kenneth Young Center in Mount Prospect. Taylor is largely interested in serious mental illness and cases that are considered especially intense. She aims to continue on with her education to gain a Ph.D in Clinical Psychology, and to fulfill her dream of becoming a Clinical Psychologist.
Rachel e. conley, B.A.
Rachel is a Northwestern University graduate and former lab manager at ADAPT. She is especially interested in learning differences and adolescent development. She is attending Loyola’s Stritch School of Medicine starting in the fall of 2020 and hopes to become a psychiatrist or surgeon.
Jessica Bernard, Ph.D.
Jessica received her PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience from the University of Michigan in 2012. While at Michigan, her research combined behavioral measures of motor and cognitive function with resting state functional connectivity MRI to investigate the cerebellum in young and older adults. She is particularly interested in understanding the structure and function of the cerebellum across the lifespan in both health and disease. Jessica also has experience using non-invasive brain stimulation (TMS) to study the organization of the motor cortex and cognitive function, and has worked on projects investigating the motor and cognitive benefits of working memory training. Working with ADAPT as a postdoc, she investigated both functional and structural networks of the cerebellum in high-risk individuals over the course of their disease progression with respect to symptom severity and cognitive function. She is now an assistant professor at Texas A&M University in the Psychology Department.
Joseph Orr, Ph.D.
Joe received his PhD in cognitive neuroscience from the University of Michigan in 2011. His research focuses on identifying the neural mechanisms of cognitive flexibility, with a focus on understanding how behavior is guided by the interaction of internal goals and external information. He has interests in understanding how these mechanisms are disrupted in psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and substance abuse. During this postdoctoral training, he focused on investigating how brain connectivity differs between controls and high risk individuals, and how connectivity varies with symptoms and behavioral measures. He is now an assistant professor at Texas A&M University in the Psychology Department.
Jessica R. Lunsford-Avery, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
After graduating from the University of Virginia in 2006 with a degree in psychology, Jessica spent two years as a research fellow at the National Institute of Mental Health, investigating the phenomenology and pathophysiology of pediatric bipolar disorder. During her time at ADAPT, she was co-mentored by Drs. Mittal and Miklowitz. Her graduate research projects focused on the role of sleep disturbances in the course and treatment of bipolar disorder and early psychosis in children and adolescents. She completed her Doctorate CU-Boulder in 2014, and is currently an Assistant Professor at Duke in the Psychiatry Department.
Molly Lubin, M.D.
Dr Lubin completed her residency in the Northwestern Feinberg University School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Her work with ADAPT will involved research focusing on social and occupational functioning; in addition she helped the ADAPT team with clinical consultation and diagnosis. She is currently pursing medical practice in Wisconsin.
Holly Earls, Ph.D.
Holly received her PhD in cognitive psychology from the University of Virginia in 2013. She was an ADAPT lab Post-doc for two years and her research focuses on the mechanisms underlying social functioning, with a focus on face processing and recognition. She has interests in understanding how these mechanisms are disrupted in psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. She has recently begun an exciting new career employing her significant analysis skills to help inform public policy and improve health disparities.
Christopher Hawkey, Ph.D.
Christopher's training has focused on working with adolescents and adults who are living with or are at risk for severe mental illnesses, and clients from marginalized populations including peripartum women and LGBTQ people. His research interests focus on the role of family environmental and neurobiological variables in the course, prevention, and treatment of bipolar disorder, psychosis, and suicidality in adolescent and young adult populations. He has collaborated with the ADAPT team on several ongoing research projects. He is currently Directing a clinic in Portland.
Briana Robustelli, M.A.
Briana, a Whisman Lab student and ADAPT grad affiliate, is now on her APA approved Internship in Washington. Briana studies romantic relationships and mental health.
Daniel Leopold, M.A.
Dan, a Wilcutt Lab student, and member of the ADAPT team, is now on his APA approved clinical Internship. His primary interests include early identification and remediation of developmental learning disabilities (e.g., dyslexia, math disability, ADHD) and the dissemination of evidence-based remedial practices.
Sekine Ozturk, B.A.
Sekine graduated from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities with a B.A. in psychology and a minor in neuroscience. During her time at the UMN, she worked as a research assistant at the Research on Adolescent Depression (RAD) lab studying neurobiological and cognitive underpinnings of adolescent depression. She had experience with adolescents who had depression, bipolar disorder, and non-suicidal self-harm. She is interested in neuroimaging and neurobiological basis of psychopathology and hoping to attend graduate school in clinical psychology in the near future. She recently accepted an offer to Join the Nusslock lab as an imaging analysis RA.
Julia St. Jean, MA
Julia worked as an RA and outreach coordinator on the ADAPT team, and is now working at a guidance councilor in Boston.
Jessica Yang, BA
Jessica is an NU alum, and now works for private industry in Denver. She worked as an RA at ADAPT, and plans go back into the field in a few years.
Jessie Smit, B.A.
Jessie graduated from Oberlin College with a B.A. in psychology. As an undergrad, she focused on social-behavioral psychological research, such as delayed gratification and altruism at the Gilbert Lab at Harvard, and the efficacy of a bystander intervention training programs to prevent sexualized violence on college campuses at the Morean Clinical Lab at Oberlin. She is very interested to further explore clinical research— particularly that which focuses on early intervention treatments-- and is excited to learn more about psychosis and prodromal populations while working at ADAPT as a Post-Bach RA.
Jackie Maloney
Jackie graduated from Northwestern University as a psychology major. At Northwestern she was involved in many mentoring and mental health clubs on campus. She is very interested in clinical psychology research and in pursuing this field in the future! She is now working as a Chicago Program Fellow at Peer Health Exchange.
Amy Lieberman
Amy graduated from Northwestern University, majoring in Human Development and Psychological Services (HDPS) and Psychology. She is especially interested in abnormal psychology, while clinical psychology has always been a passion as well. Amy is now a research fellow at the National Institute of Mental Health.
Ned Shashoua
Ned graduated from Northwestern University majoring in Neuroscience with a focus in neurobiology. He is especially interested in learning about neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Ned was also a Spanish minor and enjoys playing tennis and guitar. He hopes to attend medical school and study orthopedics.
Emily Fraser
Emily graduated from Northwestern, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Religious Studies. She intends to get a PhD in Clinical Psychology. She currently works at LinkedIn as a business leadership program associate.
Victoria Steigerwald
Victoria graduated from Northwestern University in her third year and is pursuing a dual degree in psychology and music cognition. After graduating, she hopes to obtain a PhD in Clinical Psychology and hopes to focus specifically on PTSD in combat veterans.
Zak Millman
Zak worked as an ADAPT RA for several years focusing on gesture dysfunction and negative symptoms before joining the Schiffman lab for graduate training in Clinical psychology.
Raeana Newberry, B.A.
Rae Newberry directed the ADAPT lab in Boulder CO from 2015 after completed her degree in Psychology at the University of Colorado, until Summer 2018. She plans to attend graduate school for clinical psychology or nursing and is currently working to build skills in working with patients. She has experience working as an assistant in physical therapy and on research projects investigating semantic processing in individuals at risk for psychosis.
Olivia Russak
Olivia was an ADAPT RA who completed an honors project in the lab during her time as an undergraduate student, and is now working for Carrie Bearden as a research coordinator at UCLA.
Emily Cibelli, Ph.D.
Dr. Cibelli is a postdoctoral researcher in Linguistics Department at Northwestern. She received her Ph.D. in linguistics from UC Berkeley, where she worked on acoustic and motor variables influencing second language phoneme acquisition. Her research focuses on the interaction between language processing and cognition, and the neural representation of speech and language. She joined the ADAPT Lab in fall 2016 to collaborate on a project investigating variation in speech motor control as a predictor for psychosis risk.
Derek Dean, M.A.
Before becoming a graduate student in the Department of Psychology and Neurosceince and the University of Colorado Boulder, Derek served as the ADAPT’s clinic coordinator. Derek studied Philosophy and English Literature at the University of Denver and the University of Oxford as well as the basic sciences at Columbia University. He has worked as a volunteer and research assistant on a mental health crisis prevention hotline and as a volunteer in several mental health treatment facilities around Boulder. Currently, his interests include biological, social and psychological markers of risk; emotion; cognitive behavioral and mindfulness based interventions for mental illness; and software applications for psychological stimuli. In his free time, Derek enjoys the outdoors.
Andrea Pelletier-Baldelli, M.A.
After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a double major in Psychology and English, Andrea began working as a research assistant at Duke University. While at Duke, Andrea worked with children, adolescents, and their families to investigate post traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, and childhood brain development. For the past three years, Andrea has trained at the PRIME (Prevention through Risk Identification, Management, and Education) high-risk clinic at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She was a graduate student in the Mittal lab at CU Boulder, and is interested in developing early identification and treatment strategies for adolescents and young adults. She will be moving to Boston for Internship this summer!
Emily Carrol, M.A.
After graduating from Mount Holyoke College with a double major in Psychology and Religion, Emily worked at Harvard University in the Social Neuroscience and Psychopathology Laboratory. At Harvard, Emily worked with children and young adults at risk for developing psychosis and individuals with schizophrenia to investigate social cognition, emotion, and targeted cognitive training as an early intervention strategy. Emily was a graduate student at CU Boulder in the Mittal Lab and is interested in early identification and intervention for youths at risk for mental illness.
Matilda Azis, Ph.D.
Dr. Azis received her PhD from King’s College London where she specialized in the clinical presentation and neurobiology of patients at Ultra High Risk of Psychosis. She worked in the Psychosis Studies Department at Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience in both clinical and research settings, with adults and children experiencing psychotic symptoms examining the neurobiological, clinical and cognitive factors underlying the onset of psychosis. She joined the lab in Fall 2017 to continue her research in to symptom dimensions and the relationship between clinical presentation and resting cerebral blood flow.
Claire Yee, Ph.D.
Dr. Claire Yee is a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of School and Social Policy and Education and the Department of Psychology at Northwestern. In collaboration with Dr. Claudia Haase, she works with the ADAPT Lab to explore how the biological and emotional pathways of social reward and support differ in psychosis. She received her PhD from Arizona State University where she studied emotional mechanisms that foster attachment relationships. Her research focuses on the processes through which positive emotions facilitate close relationship formation and maintenance as well as investigating the unique contexts in which traditional relationship vulnerabilities can provide unexpected tradeoffs.
Grishma Reddy
Grishma is a senior majoring in neuroscience and anthropology at Northwestern University. She is very interested in learning about the brain and its disorders. Apart from undergraduate research, she loves photography, being a part of NU Red Cross, volunteering, and listening to Spanish music. After graduating, she plans to attend medical school to pursue her dream of becoming a neurologist.
Kimberly Rowghani
Kimberly is an undergraduate majoring in Philosophy and Neuroscience with a minor in Global Health. She is currently entertaining a career in law. She is excited to work at ADAPT, as the lab's interdisciplinary nature is well suited to her widespread interests. With this experience, she hopes to gain insight into to which area of research she would like to pursue in the future.
Katia Valdez
Katia is a fourth year undergraduate student at Northwestern University studying Psychology and Global Health. She is especially interested in the intersection between global service and medicine, and is currently pursuing a career as a physician in the hopes of becoming a surgeon. Aside from her interest in science, she loves to run, sing, and volunteer with children of all ages. Katia is looking forward to contributing to the ADAPT team this year and gaining experience in the psychological research field!
Defne Cezayirli
Defne is a senior at Northwestern University majoring in Neuroscience. She wants to work towards a PhD in Clinical Psychology and is specifically interested in working with early adolescents. Along with a career in academia and therapy, she hopes to translate English literature in psychology to Turkish because she likes to read and share knowledge. Defne is excited to join the ADAPT team and gain experience in clinical research.
Alyssa Spada
Alyssa graduated from Northwestern University majoring in Human Development and Psychological Services (HDPS) and Psychology. She is very interested in the field of clinical psychology and hopes to pursue a career as a licensed clinical psychologist. Alyssa is excited to be a part of the ADAPT research team!