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CURRENT LAB MEMBERS

GRADUATE STUDENTS

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TEODORA STOICA

Teodora Stoica is a PhD Candidate in the Translational Neuroscience program at the University of Louisville.  Before joining NILCAMP, Teodora spent several years in neuroimaging research.  She earned a BA in psychology from East Carolina University in NC and completed her M.S in Neuroscience from the University of Hartford in CT.  Teodora's research investigates how dynamic neuroarchitecture gives rise to our empathic ability. This crucial social skill permeates daily communication, playing a role in harmonious interpersonal relationships and provides an emotional bridge that promotes prosocial behavior towards members of stigmatized groups. Utilizing multimodal neuroimaging techniques, the research aims to illuminate the dynamic interplay between brain networks underlying empathy and other mental processes such as emotion regulation. The resultant findings can guide interventions intended to elevate empathy at a societal level. When she isn't looking for colorful significance maps in the brain, she can be found cooking something very delicious (and eating all of it) and playing cello. Teodora also enjoys science outreach, and has served in several leadership positions that bring science minded activities to the local community. In 2017, she  founded an 8-week summer internship program, Louisville Science Pathways, which offers hands-on research experience for high-school students which has since expanded to include University of Kentucky’s campus as Kentucky Science Pathways.  Teodora is originally from Romania.

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KARISA HUNT

Karisa June Hunt is a fifth-year experimental psychology doctoral candidate in the Neuroimaging Laboratory of Cognitive, Affective, and Motoric Processes at the University of Louisville. Her primary research interests include using fMRI to examine the longitudinal impacts of childhood traumatic stress on the brain’s structure and function, and to explore trauma resiliency by uncovering the most protective mediators of these impacts. Karisa hopes that one day her research will aid in the development of novel evidence-based clinical interventions to be implemented throughout the lifespan. Karisa earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology through Western Kentucky University, her first master’s degree in social work through Western Kentucky University, and her second master’s degree in experimental psychology through the University of Louisville. Karisa is a licensed mental health professional and enjoys taking a multidisciplinary approach to her research. In her spare time, Karisa enjoys making music, traveling, making jewelry, and performing as an aerialist in the local circus.

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OLIVIA COOK

Olivia Cook is a second year doctoral fellow in Experimental Psychology at the University of Louisville. Her primary research goal is to use fMRI to further the affective neuroscience field’s knowledge of the complex and underexplored ​neural correlates underlying the processes of anxiety and fear extinction to better treatment and understanding of individuals with anxiety disorders.She was an undergraduate at UofL where she received a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Chemistry. In her spare time she enjoys crocheting and digital illustrations. Her favorite part of the brain is the sensory homunculus in the primary somatosensory cortex.

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JESSI KANE

Jessi Kane is a third year PhD student in Experimental Psychology at the University of Louisville.

LUIS ALVARADO

Luis Alvarado is a fourth year graduate student interested in spinal cord injury and its effects on brain function.

RESEARCH ASSISTANTS

HONORARY LAB MEMBERS

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ELIOT DEPUE

Eliot is a (super young!) investigator award winner. He enjoys playing with his best buddy, Early the dog, and thinking about the meaning of the universe while his dad writes grants.

LAB ALUMNI

FARAH NAAZ, PhD
Clinical Research Scientist, John Hopkins University
NICK FOGLEMAN
Clinical Psychology O'Grady Resident, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center 
SAMANTHA PATTON
 
Predoctoral Psychology Intern, Southeast Louisiana Veterans Healthcare System
BROOKE SIERS
Clinical Research Coordinator- Norton Cancer Institute
SAJJAD TORABIAN
 
Research Assistant, Stanford University
MELINA RAMIE
 
Neuroscience Graduate Student, Miami University 
LEONARD FAUL
 
Cognitive Neuroscience Graduate student,
Duke University 
LAUREN GRANT
 
Cognitive Neuroscience Graduate Student, 
University of Michigan 
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SARAH WITTEN 
LESLIE HODGES
BRIGID MEAGHER

SARAH L'HEUREUX

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EMILY WELLS
KATHRYN MATTINGLY
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LINDSAY KNIGHT
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