LAB DIRECTOR
Keely Muscatell, PHD
Keely Muscatell is an associate professor in the Department of Psychology & Neuroscience and the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at UNC Chapel Hill. Trained as a social neuroscientist, her research focuses on elucidating the neurobiological mechanisms that link social experiences and health. Her work is highly interdisciplinary, as she employs theory and methods from social psychology, cognitive and affective neuroscience, psychoneuroimmunology, pharmacology, and population health. Keely completed post-doctoral training in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health and Society Scholars program at UCSF/UC Berkeley, and in the Psychology Department at Berkeley. She received her Ph.D. in Psychology from UCLA in June 2013, an MA in Psychology from UCLA in 2009, and a BA in Psychology and Spanish from the University of Oregon in 2006. When not in the lab, Keely can be found reading Dave Eggers, Ben Lerner, and Zadie Smith, watching college football, and/or drinking craft beer while listening to their vinyl collection with her partner, Dave Rose.
POST-DOCTORAL SCHOLARS
Your name here!
If you're interested in writing an NSF or NRSA post-doc application, contact Keely Muscatell!
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Carrington Merritt, BA
Carrington is a sixth-year doctoral student dually enrolled in the Clinical and Social Psychology programs at UNC. Prior to being a graduate student, she worked as an undergraduate research assistant in the Carolina SNH lab while obtaining a B.A. in Psychology and minor in Neuroscience at UNC. Her research combines clinical psychology and social neuroscience approaches to explore neural and physiological mechanisms through which racism-related stress impacts the mental health of Black Americans. In addition to her research interests, as a therapist in training, Carrington has experience in and a passion for trauma recovery therapy through the implementation of evidence-based practices for PTSD and other stressor-related disorders. Outside of research and clinical work, Carrington enjoys Target shopping sprees, CrossFit, spending time with family and friends, and listening to podcasts.
Email: carritt@live.unc.edu
samantha n. brosso, BS
Sam is a fifth-year doctoral student in Social Psychology at UNC. Before becoming a graduate student, she graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from UNC Chapel Hill and served as lab manager for the SNH Lab. While obtaining her doctorate, Sam would like to utilize neuroscience and psychophysiology to study how social inequality impacts social cognition and well-being. More specifically, she would like to disentangle how people’s early life experiences and current social world (i.e. social status, socio-cultural environment, social interactions) impact their brain and stress response, and in turn, how these biological pathways influence the way in which individuals interact with the world around them. In her spare time, Sam enjoys listening to jazz, writing songs on her guitar, and playing with her guinea pig, Peppa.
Email: brosso@live.unc.edu
Manuel Galvan, MS
Manuel is a fifth-year doctoral student in Social Psychology at UNC. He graduated with a B.S. in psychology and chemistry from the University of Texas in the Rio Grande Valley. He received additional training in a Psychology master's program at the University of Texas at San Antonio and then worked as a research coordinator in the College Transition Collaborative under the guidance of Stanford professor Dr. Gregory Walton. Manuel studies how economic inequality influences decision making, prosocial behavior, policy preferences, and beliefs about success and deservingness. His larger research agenda is to understand how existing inequalities perpetuate differential advantage and thus exacerbate future inequality. He is also training in methods used to study how these topics relate to psychophysiology, brain function, and hormone activity.
Mallory Feldman, BA
Mallory is a fifth-year doctoral student in Social Psychology at UNC. She studies how sensations from the body are made meaningful by the brain - and how this meaning-making process impacts both interpersonal and intergroup relations. To explore these topics, Mallory draws from research and methods in Psychophysiology, Affective Neuroscience, Computational Psychology, and Social Cognition. In 2016, Mallory received her B.A in Psychology and Peace and Justice Studies from Tufts University. After graduating, she spent time on the Appalachian Trail with her brother and waitressed before completing a 1-year RA position in the Harvard Intergroup Neuroscience Lab and then a 2-year research technichianship in the Interdisciplinary Affective Science Lab at Northeastern University. In her spare time, Mallory enjoys running, hiking, eating, and making music.
Email: mallory.feldman@unc.edu
Website: malloryjfeldman.com
Maurryce Starks, BA
Maurryce is a third-year doctoral student in Social Psychology at UNC. Maurryce received his B.A. in Cognitive-Behavioral Neuroscience from The College of Wooster, working under the advisement of Dr. Grit Herzmann. After graduating from The College of Wooster, Maurryce received additional training at The Ohio State University. There he worked as a Lab Manager/ Research Assistant under the guidance of Dr. Julie Golomb in the Vision & Cognitive Neuroscience Lab. He currently hopes to utilize psychophysics and neuroimaging techniques (e.g., EEG, fMRI) to investigate how social factors (e.g., race, socioeconomic status) can affect a person’s brain function as well as their mental and physical heath. In his spare time, Maurryce enjoys trying new food-places, listening to music, and spending time with friends.
Megan Cardenas, Bs
Megan is a third-year doctoral student in Social Psychology at UNC. She graduated with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Business Administration from Baylor University in 2019. She then completed a two-year research assistantship with Baylor Scott and White’s Warriors Research Institute, a behavioral health research center and telehealth clinic for trauma-exposed populations. While obtaining her doctorate, Megan would like to study the different pathways linking psychosocial stress and health. More specifically, she would like to draw on psychoneuroimmunology to investigate how physiological responses to stressors in the social world, such as racial discrimination and economic inequality, influence disease risk. Her long-range objective is to conduct research that promotes health equity for marginalized populations. In her spare time, Megan enjoys eating, listening to live music, watching stand-up comedy, and searching for the best coffee shops and breweries.
Adrienne Bonar, BA
Adrienne is a fourth-year doctoral student in Social Psychology at UNC. Adrienne received her B.A in Psychology and Women's & Gender Studies from UNC Chapel Hill. As an undergrad, she volunteered in Dr. Kristen Lindquist's Carolina Affective Science Lab (CASL) with former graduate student, Dr. Jennifer MacCormack. From there, Adrienne spent two years as a project coordinator in Dr. Margaret Sheridan and Dr. Adam Miller's Child Imaging Research on Cognition and Life Experiences Lab at UNC. In the SNH Lab, she is interested in studying how variation in neurobiological responses to social stress (e.g. social rejection, discrimination) influences emotional well-being. Outside of research, Adrienne loves practicing yoga, going for hikes, grabbing drinks with friends, and reading speculative fiction.
Taylor West, MA
Taylor is a fifth-year doctoral student in Social Psychology at UNC. Broadly, she studies how social relationships influence and are influenced by immune system activity via affective pathways, and how variation in these processes may contribute to class-based disparities in health outcomes. She is also interested in understanding whether and how economic inequality may influence social connection with close and non-close others, and in turn, have consequences for health. Taylor graduated with a B.S. in Psychology with minors in Biology and Sociology from Northern Arizona University (NAU) in 2016. In 2017, she graduated with an M.A. in Psychology as part of an accelerated Masters program at NAU, and spent her final semester in a research exchange program at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. She spent nearly two years traveling and teaching English in Germany before beginning her doctoral studies at UNC. In her free time, Taylor likes to be outside, read classics and pop science books, and try new restaurants and breweries.
Email. taywest@live.unc.edu
Laboratory ManageR
Natalie Antenucci, BS
Natalie is the SNH laboratory manager. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.S. in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience and English in 2021. She is interested in studying the way inflammation may attenuate or strengthen engrained cultural tendencies and how this may impact an individual’s overall health. She is also interested in applying psychoneuroimmunological methodology to questions within the domain of cultural psychology. Outside of research, she enjoys doing yoga and pilates, reading, playing video games, watching Michigan football, and spending time with her dog, Raf.
Full-Time Research Assistant
Chloe Newbill, BS
Chloe is an SNH Research Assistant. Chloe graduated early from UNC Chapel Hill with a B.S. in Neuroscience and a minor in Chemistry. As an undergraduate student, she worked in the SNH Lab and is truly excited to be back! Chloe is interested in how chronic stressors can influence neuroimmunological health and enjoys using the array of physiological and imaging techniques involved. Outside of research, she loves lifting weights, grabbing drinks with friends, and watching Suits!
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
Sara Beach
Sara is a senior from Williamston, North Carolina, majoring in Psychology with a Neuroscience minor. She is interested in how social interactions, inflammation through the body, and cognitive functioning are related. She is also interested in the neurological differences associated with various mental illnesses. After graduation, she plans on pursuing a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Outside of academics, she enjoys gardening, reading, and playing her bassoon.
MaCkenzie Bowie
Mackenzie is a junior from Charlotte, North Carolina majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Conflict Management. Her research interests include examining correlations between chronic stress and adverse inflammatory outcomes; potentially relating to at-risk populations (i.e., people of color and those of a lower socioeconomic status). She plans to continue her education by attending medical school to become a neurosurgeon. During her moments of relaxation, she enjoys swimming, volunteering, and dancing.
Stephanie Forlemu
Stephanie is a senior from Concord, North Carolina, studying Neuroscience with minors in Chemistry and Women’s and Gender Studies. Her research interests are in delineating the relationship between clinical psychology and behavioral and integrative neuroscience. Specifically, she plans to study this relationship through an interdisciplinary and intersectional lens to better conceptualize psychopathology in minority or systemically oppressed populations. Outside of academics, she enjoys reading, journaling, and watching movies with her friends.
Maddie Germano
Maddie is a senior majoring in Neuroscience and Pre-Physician Assistant Studies. She is interested in how social factors and stressors can influence processes in the body such as the immune system functioning as well as other physiological changes. She hopes to pursue a career in medicine and is most interested in anesthesiology and neurosurgery. In her free time, Maddie loves to exercise, play tennis, go to the beach, and spend time with friends and family.
Sarah Hirsch
Sarah is a senior from Hickory, North Carolina, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Conflict Management. Her interests include the etiology and prevention of Anxiety and Depressive Disorders. After graduation, she plans on pursuing a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology, with the goal of becoming a professor. Outside of academics, Sarah enjoys reading, photography, and spending time outdoors with friends.
Ethelyn Ofei
Ethelyn is a sophomore from Harrisburg, North Carolina majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Chemistry. She is interested in how social determinants can influence health outcomes and contribute to disparities in underrepresented communities. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in medicine and explore clinical laboratory research. In her free time, Ethelyn enjoys exercising, spending time with family, and listening to music.
Jackson Penney
Jackson is a senior from San Francisco, California majoring in Psychology and Sociology. He is interested in ways that rest and mental well-being can be prioritized in order to optimize productivity. After graduation, he plans to pursue a Master of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology with hopes to integrate systems into the workplace which emphasize the importance of mental health and self-care. In his free time, he enjoys exercising, listening to podcasts, and traveling.
Bailey Smith
Bailey is a junior majoring in Biology and Political Science. She is interested in studying how socioeconomic factors impact mental and physical health. She plans to pursue a career in medicine and work with underrepresented communities. In her free time, Bailey enjoys discovering hidden gem restaurants and exploring nature trails.
Melinda Somers
Melinda is a senior from Glen Rock, New Jersey studying Neuroscience with minors in Entrepreneurship and Chemistry. Her research interests involve the brain-body connection, in particular the mental health outcomes involved in the proposed gut-brain axis. After graduation, she hopes to attend graduate school to pursue a career in neuroscience research. Down the line, she would like to apply her experiences to run her own neuroscience lab. Melinda is also a yoga instructor and enjoys spending her free time outdoors and with friends.
Myles Solomon
Myles is a senior from San Diego, California, studying Psychology with a minor in Education. He is interested in difficult experiences’ behavioral, emotional, and cognitive outcomes on individuals. Also, he finds topics of stress and children’s thinking intriguing. After undergrad, he plans to attain his graduate degree in Social or Developmental Psychology. Myles aspires to work with underrepresented communities, ultimately conducting research that will improve the lives of African American youth. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, working out, and traveling.
CARMEN STARKS
Carmen is a sophomore from Greensboro, North Carolina, double majoring in Psychology and Human Development and Family Science with a minor in African American Diaspora Studies. Her research interests include studying how race interacts and impacts psychological development, starting in children. After her undergraduate studies, she plans to attend graduate school to attain her doctoral degree in developmental psychology. Carmen aspires to be a Pediatric Psychologist and open her own practice with the specific intention of improving the mental health of youth in marginalized communities. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, going on road trips, and listening to music.
Cameron Thomas
Cameron is a senior from Charlotte, North Carolina, completing his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with minors in Cognitive Science and Conflict Management. He’s the secretary and project leader of UNC’s HGAPS organization (Helping Give Away Psychological Science), focusing on synthesizing and sharing psychological science to those who can benefit from it. Cameron is interested in the biological and social factors of mental health, and the influence of physical states on cognition. In his free time, he enjoys mindfulness, swimming, and watching documentaries with his cat.
alumni
— Post-Doctoral Scholars —
Natasha Duell, PhD
Natasha Duell was an NSF postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Psychology & Neuroscience at UNC Chapel Hill and former T32 postdoctoral fellow at the UNC Center for Developmental Science. She received her PhD in psychology from Temple University and her BA in psychology and social behavior from UC Irvine. Broadly, Natasha's research applies a strengths-based approach to examining cultural and biopsychosocial correlates of adolescent decision-making and risk taking. She is excited to work with the SNH lab on her NSF-funded project examining the neural pathways of discrimination on self-regulatory functioning among adolescents and protective factors within the home and school. Aside from work, Natasha loves to travel, especially if there's good hiking or a beach involved!
Monica M. Gaudier-Diaz, PHD
Monica M. Gaudier-Diaz was a postdoctoral fellow in the lab. She completed a BS in Biology at the University of Puerto Rico in 2008 and a PhD in Neuroscience at The Ohio State University. Interested in how environmental factors influence health, Monica decided to join the Social Neuroscience & Health Laboratory where she could expand her training in this area. She is now a Teaching Assistant Professor and the Director of Undergrad NSCI Research at UNC.
Julian M. Rucker, PHD
Julian M. Rucker was a Carolina Postdoctoral Program for Faculty Diversity Fellow in the Department of Psychology & Neuroscience at UNC Chapel Hill. He now serves as an assistant professor in the department. Broadly, Julian is interested in the psychological factors shaping perceptions of, and motivations for, reducing racial inequality across several societal domains. His primary research examines how the lay tendency to associate racism with interpersonal biases, or with the structural disadvantage of racial groups, influences beliefs about societal racial inequality. His work also examines the psychological factors underlying misperceptions of racial progress in the U.S. He received his Ph.D. in Psychology from Yale University in 2020, an MA in Psychology from Northwestern University in 2016, and a BA in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin in 2013. In his spare time, Julian enjoys playing with his dogs, cheering on the Texas Longhorns, and repairing/restoring guitars.
— Graduate Students —
Gabriella M. Alvarez, PHD
Gaby received her doctorate in Social Psychology at UNC. Supported by an NSF GRFP, as well as a Pre-doctoral Ford Foundation Fellowship, she is gaining skills in psychoneuroimmunology and affective neuroscience to study how social contexts affect psychobiological responses to stress. Ultimately, her work aims to improve our understanding of how the social world sculpts biology and will reveal the mechanisms underlying socioeconomic and racial health disparities. Gaby aspires to become a tenure-track faculty at a research university where her study of the social determinants of health not only contributes to advances in biology but also influences health policy and equity. In 2015, she received her A.B. in Psychology and Anthropology at Washington University in St. Louis. Following graduation, she completed a post-baccalaureate intramural research training position at the National Institute of Mental Health. In her spare time, Gaby enjoys eating, listening to podcasts, and bonding with her cats Lillith and Tulip.
Tatum A. Jolink, PHD
Tatum received her doctorate in Social Psychology with a concentration in Quantitative Psychology from UNC-CH in 2023. Her research integrates psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) and relationship science to try to understand basic biological and behavioral mechanisms at the root of high-quality relationships. Tatum received a BA in Psychology, History, and Plan II Honors from the University of Texas at Austin in 2015. She is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Michigan in the WHIRLab. Her goal is to become a tenure-track faculty at a research university studying the bidirectional dynamics between close relationships and health. Tatum loves research and mentorship, but also finds joy in her friendships, moving her body, reading, coffee, television, and getting into shenanigans with her partner and their dog, Birddog. You can read more about Tatum's work here.
Becky Salomon, PHD
Becky received her doctorate in nursing from UNC and is currently a postdoctoral fellow in the School of Nursing at the University of California San Francisco. Her research focuses on a specific subset of depressive symptoms (depressed mood, chronic pain, cognitive dysfunction, sleep disturbance, and fatigue) which is called the psychoneurological symptom cluster in Nursing science. For her dissertation, which is supported by an NRSA Predoctoral Fellowship from the National Institute on Nursing Research, Becky is looking at whether the symptoms are associated with the chronic situational stress experienced by low-income mothers as well as whether the symptoms are associated with maternal function and their child’s behavior. She hopes to follow up this research with an exploration of chronic stress, inflammation, and the development of symptoms. Her long-term research goal is to develop an accessible stress intervention for the dually vulnerable population of mothers and children. Becky received a B.A. in Psychology and English at Wellesley College in 2008. After spending time working with children in a variety of settings, including on a biodynamic dairy farm in upstate New York and at an overnight camp in Western North Carolina, she attended Vanderbilt University and received her MSN in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing across the lifespan. When she’s not wearing her academia hat, she loves to garden, cook, and spend time with her wife and their daughter.
JENNIFER K. MACCORMACK, PHD
Jenn received her doctorate in Social Psychology at UNC. In 2013, she received her B.A. in Psychology from NC State University. Before that, she studied Welsh language and literature at Bangor University in North Wales, UK for four years. While at UNC, Jenn studied how bodily changes (e.g., interoceptive awareness, hunger, inflammation, physiological aging) can shift our emotions, social perceptions, and affect-based decisions. To test these connections, she drew on social cognition, peripheral psychophysiology, psychoneuroimmunology, and social affective neuroscience. Her research was supported by an NRSA Predoctoral Fellowship from the National Institute on Aging. She is currently a post-doc working with Dr. Peter J. Gianaros at the University of Pittsburgh. She hopes to become a tenure-track professor at a research university and build a lab that uses social affective, developmental, and interoceptive science to explore the mind-body link.
— Post-Baccalaureate Staff —
Erin Bender
Erin was a SNH Research Coordinator. She graduated with a B.S. in Psychology and minor in Music from Tulane University in 2021. Her research interests focus on how the brain and the immune system respond to social stress. Erin is currently pursuing her music career before applying to doctoral programs.
nick fendinger
Nick was a SNH Laboratory Manager. He graduated with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in English literature from Miami University (OH) in 2019. His research interests focus on how social class impacts individuals’ motivation and ability to infer the internal states of others (e.g., theory of mind). He’s also interested in researching how being a target of racial stigma influences health and social cognition. Nick is currently enrolled as a doctoral student at New York University.
Emma Armstrong-Carter
Emma was the SNH lab's very first Laboratory Manager. She graduated in 2016 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research interests focus on child and adolescent development, and the social and cognitive conditions that underlie human experiences. Emma is currently enrolled as a doctoral student at Stanford University.
— Undergraduate research asssitants —
Sarah Barnes, BS
Sarah graduated in 2023 from UNC Chapel Hill with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Biology. She is interested in the relationships between social experiences, brain functioning, and the immune system; more specifically, to better understand inequities in health, education and general well-being of those with racial or class differences. Sarah currently works at Duke University as a Clinical Research Specialist within the School of Medicine.
Araceli Perez, BS
Araceli graduated with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Spanish for the Medical Professions from UNC Chapel Hill in 2023. She is interested in studying the health and educational inequities within the Latinx community. Araceli plans to attend graduate school for education.
Manav Patel, BS
Manav graduated in 2023 from UNC Chapel Hill with a B.S. in Neuroscience and a minor in Chemistry. He is interested in learning about how people's lifestyle choices are affected by psychological and physiological trauma. He also intrigued by how new information can impact someone's decision-making process. Manav is currently a Pre-Medical Student.
Tori DeWald, BA
Tori graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 2023 with a B.A. in Psychology and Anthropology with a minor in Food Studies. She is interested in socioeconomic factors which may impact health behaviors and treatment options. Tori currently works as a Food Systems Intern at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems and plans to attend graduate school for cultural anthropology with a focus in food studies.
Kellyn Schroeder, BS
Kellyn graduated with a B.S. in Neuroscience and minors in Chemistry and Conflict Management from UNC Chapel Hill in 2023. She is interested in studying physical, social, and emotional factors associated with the progression of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s Disease. Additionally, she is interested in studying consumer psychology and what influences consumer habits, behaviors, and decision making. Kellyn plans to continue to gain research experience and then attend graduate school working toward a PhD.
ADAEZE Chukwudebe, BS
Adaeze graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 2023 with a B.S. in Biology and Medical Anthropology and a minor in Chemistry. She is interested in mental health and medicine, especially involving minority and underrepresented communities. Adaeze plans to attend medical school and continue her studies to become a psychiatrist.
Joseph Wenz, BS
Joseph graduated in 2023 from UNC Chapel Hill with a B.S. in Psychology and minors in Data Science and Medical Anthropology. He is interested in the relationship between psychology, physiology, and immune function as they relate to chronic stress, particularly as this concerns racial and sexual minorities. Joseph plans to join the Peace Corps.
RACHEL MOLDOW, BS, baed
Rachel graduated with a B.S. in Psychology and B.A.Ed. in Human Development and Family Studies with a minor in Neuroscience in 2023 from UNC Chapel Hill. She is interested in the influence of biological and social factors on stress and psychiatric disorders. Rachel is currently working as a Research Assistant at the Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research.
ERIC GROVES, BAEd
Eric graduated with a B.A.Ed. in Human Development and Family Studies and Child and Family Health in 2023 from UNC Chapel Hill. He is interested in how stress affects the brain and addressing stress in marginalized groups to ensure health care equity. Eric plans to attend medical school and become a physician-scientist.
fowota mortoo, BA
Fowota graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a B.A. in International and Global Studies in 2022. She wants to learn more about the implications of discrimination and race-related stressors for health disparities and chronic diseases. Fowota is currently a PEN America Gap Year Writing Fellow.
joe thompson, BA
Joe graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a B.A. in Psychology in 2022. He is interested in biophilia and horticulture therapy. Specifically, he is interested in how they can be used to improve health outcomes of patients with schizophrenia and other severe mental health disorders as well as monitoring the physiological changes that occur when in nature, or gardening. Before college, he served four years in the United States Marine Corps, deploying overseas twice and attaining the rank of Sergeant. He plans to attend graduate school.
Alex Martinez, BS
Alex graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience at UNC Chapel Hill in 2021. He is interested in how peer and familial stressors interact and contribute to both psychopathology and physiological changes. Alex is currently gaining more research experience as the Clinical Research Coordinator for the UCSF Memory and Aging Center before pursuing a graduate degree in Clinical Psychology.
Hannah Tartamella, BA
Hannah graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a B.A. in Psychology and minors in English and Sexuality Studies in 2021. They are interested in substance abuse and its comorbidity with neurological disorders such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. After graduation, she plans on pursuing a graduate degree in Social Work.
Katie Fesperman, BA
Katie graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a B.A. in Psychology and Sociology with a minor in Neuroscience in 2021. She is interested in the psychological and neurological underpinning of social stratification; more specifically, she's interested in the psychological processes intertwined in racial or class differences. Katie is currently a dual-degree candidate for a Master of Social Work and Master of Public Health at the University of Pennsylvania.
kat liner, BA
Kat Liner graduated in 2021 with a B.A. in Exercise and Sport Science at UNC Chapel Hill with hopes of becoming a PA in the future. She has thoroughly enjoyed learning about the human body, how it functions, and reacts to changes in environment and is looking forward to continuing this education through research.
rahul mehra, BA
Rahul graduated in 2021 with a B.A. in Global Studies and minors in Biology and Chemistry from UNC Chapel Hill. He is interested in the biophysical impacts of stress on the immune system, as well as how socioeconomic status affects stress levels and influences health disparities in America. Rahul is currently a medical student at East Tennessee State University.
Hannah Netschytailo, BA
Hannah graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a B.A. in Psychology and Human Development and Family Studies in 2021. She is interested in studying resilience, specifically concerning children and adolescents who have experienced trauma. She hopes to help individuals overcome trauma and adversity in the future, and will possibly pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology after graduation. Hannah currently works as a Research Assistant at the UNC Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention.
catherine young, BS
Catherine graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a B.S. in Biology and General Biological Sciences in 2021. She is originally from Charlotte, NC, and is interested in pursuing a career in medicine after graduation. Catherine is currently a Master’s degree candidate in Biomedical and Health Informatics, as well as a Clinical Research Associate for Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist.
anthony lane, Ms, ATC
Anthony graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a B.A. in Psychology and Exercise and Sports Science with a minor in History in 2021. He is broadly interested in health psychology and how stress/social factors can affect one's physiological state, which can in turn lead to health implications. He graduated in 2023 from UNC Wilmington with his Master’s Degree in Athletic Training and is currently working at Louisiana State University as an Athletic Training Intern.
Emily huber, BA
Emily graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a B.A. in Psychology with minors in Chemistry and Neuroscience in 2021. She is interested in health psychology and the impact of social factors on psychopathology. Eventually, she plans to either attend medical school to build a career in women’s health, psychiatry, neurology, or another related field.
rachel musa, BS
Rachel graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a B.S. in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Medical Anthropology in 2021. She is interested in the physiological response to stress specifically the immune response. Rachel is currently a Research Technician in the Shpargel Lab at UNC Chapel Hill and is set to attend medical school at East Carolina University.
Suhas Dundigalla, BS
Suhas graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 2021 with a B.S. in Computer Science and Neuroscience. He is interested in the physical manifestations of stress and the underlying biological processes that work together to create these responses. Suhas is currently working as a Software Development Engineer at Amazon.
ishan thaker, BS
Ishan graduated in 2021 from UNC Chapel Hill with a B.S. in Psychology and Computer Science and a minor in Neuroscience. In addition to the SNH Lab, he was also a research assistant in Dr. Eric Youngstrom’s Mood, Emotions, and Clinical Child Assessment Lab, where he uses evidence based assessment to assess adolescent mood disorders and disseminate psychological resources to the general public through Wikipedia and Wikiversity. Ishan currently works as an Associate Product Manager at The Points Guy.
Luyang Jia, MS
Luyang graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a B.S. in Economics and Psychology in 2021. She is interested in studying the effects of socioeconomic factors on mental health, especially the stress of people in the workplace. Luyan recently earned a Master of Arts in International and Developmental Economics from Yale University.
Graham Booth, BS
Graham graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 2020 with a B.S. in Public Health and Nutrition. He is interested in the physiological responses to stress as well as neuromuscular disorders. Graham currently works as a Public Health Analyst at RTI International.
Krista Cannady, MHA
Krista graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 2020 with a B.A. in Exercise and Sports Science and a minor in History. For research, she is interested in how stress is connected to inflammation in the body, which relates directly to autoimmune disorders. Krista went on to earn her Master’s degree in Health Administration and Management from UNC Charlotte in 2022, now working as a Data Analyst at Centene Corporation.
Varun kasula, BA
Varun graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 2020 with a B.A. in Psychology and minors in Chemistry and Neuroscience. He is interested in the relationship between mindfulness and motivation, particularly within the field of sports, and also the benefits of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Varun plans to become a physician who is also actively involved in research.
xueyang li, mS
Xueyang graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 2020 with a B.S. in Biostatistics and Public Policy with a minor in Mathematics. She is interested in learning more about how environmental factors and demographics works together to influence health and health disparities from a neuroscientific perspective. Xueyang went on to earn her Master of Science in Analytics in 2023 from the Institute for Advanced Analytics and now works as an AVP Data Scientist at Fifth Third Bank.
El russell, MPH
El graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 2020 with a B.S. in Psychology and minors in Neuroscience and Hispanic Studies. She is interested in the neurological basis of social interactions, how these changes manifest physiologically, and how this contributes to the health of the overall population. El is earning her Master’s of Public Health at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas and works as a Graduate Assistant for Fitness and Group Fitness.
Victor catalan, BS
Victor graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 2020 with a B.S. in Psychology and minors in Neuroscience and Chemistry. He is interested in seeing how social determinants like socioeconomic status may have a biophysical effect. Victor currently is a Master’s of Public Health candidate at UNC Chapel Hill and currently has an internship at the North Carolina Farmworkers Health Program.
desman wilson, MS
Desman graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 2020 with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Neuroscience. He is broadly interested in moral psychology, specifically in how people make moral decisions, moral judgment towards autonomous agents, attitude change, political tolerance and understanding, and the psychology of ethics. Desman earned his Master of Science in Management and Organizations at Northwestern University in 2022 and is currently working as a Research Coordinator at Greener by Default.
Sinclaire Scales, CNA
Sinclaire graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 2020 with a B.S. in Psychology and a B.A. in Biology. She is interested in the effect of race-related stressors on physiological and psychological processes. Sinclaire currently works as a Certified Nursing Assistant at SearStone Retirement Community.
sophie joseph, BS, BA
Sophie graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 2020 with a B.S. in Geology and a B.A. in Anthropology. Her research interests primarily lie in global health, bioanthropology, and social determinants of human health and disease outcomes. Sophie is a doctoral candidate at Emory University’s Biological Anthropology program.
kate giffin, BA
Kate graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 2020 with a B.A. in Biology and a minor in Neuroscience. She is broadly interested in the neurobiological consequences of behavior, specifically how socioeconomic status affects social cognition, psychobiological systems, and health. Kate is currently a graduate student at the University of Michigan studying Neuroscience and working in the lab of Dr. Benjamin Singer.
claire houlihan, BS
Claire graduated in 2020 from UNC Chapel Hill with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in French. She is curious about how our understanding of psychophysiological variations can be used to promote resilience-building among individuals and their communities. Claire currently works as a Clinical Educator at McLean Hospital.
Anna Wears, BA
Anna graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 2019 with a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Medical Anthropology. She is interested in topics including health equity, chronic stress, and the presentation and treatment of anxiety and depression in adults, adolescents, and families. Anna is currently a dual-degree candidate for a Master of Social Work and Public Health at the University of Pittsburgh, working as a Research Project Assistant in the Clinical Application of Neuroscience Lab.
Jenah freeman, BS
Jenah graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 2019 with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Neuroscience. She is interested in the way events particularly stressful events alter our neural circuit activity and how this activity is altered between different population groups. Jenah currently works as a Recruiter at Compass Group USA.
Alex Haag, MD
Alex graduated with a B.A. in Biology in History from UNC Chapel Hill in 2019. He is interested in the connection between the brain and the body. In particular, he hopes to incorporate the field’s findings on the physiological consequences of this connection, and how it leads to differential health outcomes between populations, into future medical practice. Alex recently earned his medical degree at The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences in 2023.
steven vogel, BS
Steven graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 2019 with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Gender and Sexuality. His research interests include differences in physiological and emotional responses to different major life stressors, among others. Steven currently works as a Neuropsychiatric Technician at Mindpath Health.
Josh donnelly, BS
Josh graduated in 2019 from UNC Chapel Hill with a B.S. in Psychology and minor in Biology. He is interested in the biological processes that underly behavior and how these processes interact with unique social conditions or environments.
EMMIE BANKS, BA
Emmie graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 2018, with a B.A. in Psychology and Neuroscience. Upon graduation, she worked in the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Unit in the Yale School of Medicine for a three-year post-baccalaureate fellowship where she assisted in the research coordination of clinical trials and neuroimaging studies. Emmie is currently a doctoral candidate in Neurobiology and Neurosciences at Emory University.
Saif Mehyar, MS
Saif graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 2018, with a B.A. in Business Administration and Management and Psychology. He is interested in studying how cognitive dissonance theory can help explain the neural correlates of conflict resolution and dissonance reduction in moral decision making and interracial interactions. Saif earned his Master’s degree in Quantitative Management and Business Analytics in 2019 from Duke University and currently works at Ancestry as a Marketing Analyst.
Arnav Singla, MD
Arnav graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 2018 with a B.S. in Business Administration and minors in Biology and Chemistry. He is interested in the various socioeconomic factors that trigger stress and the responses, or biomarkers, associated with these triggers. Arnav earned his Doctor of Medicine degree in 2023 from the Tufts University School of Medicine and is currently a Resident Physician at Rush University Medical Center.
CARRIE HAMILTON, BS
Carrie was an SNH lab programmer. She graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 2017 with a B.S. in Environmental Science and Geography. She is interested in the intersection of social psychology and geography, and is especially interested in emotional, spatial, and temporal dynamics of bereavement and intimate relationships. Carrie is currently a doctoral candidate in Environmental Studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Hasan Mustafic, BA
Hasan graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 2017 with in Psychology. He is interested in anxiety and neuroscience. Hasan is currently a Clinical Research Coordinator at the Maimonides Medical Center.
Gary Wilkins, BS
Gary was our fMRI data analysis assistant, who constructed a pipeline for human neuroimaging data. He earned a B.S. at UNC Chapel Hill in Mathematics with a concentration in Physics and a minor in German Studies in 2010. He then worked as a research technician for Dr. Eva Anton at the Neuroscience Center for UNC School of Medicine. Gary is currently a doctoral candidate at Carnegie Mellon University in Computational Biology.
matthew davis
Matthew Davis is a junior majoring in biology (BS) with minors in chemistry and neuroscience. He is broadly interested in neurological disorders such as ADHD, depression, and OCD and novel/alternative treatments or genetic indicators for these afflictions. He hopes to pursue a career in medicine as a pediatrician. In his free time, he enjoys watching sports, playing sports, talking about sports, and listening to music.
Ellie Wallace
Ellie was an undergraduate honors student. She graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 2018, with a degree in Psychology. Ellie is interested in looking at self-disclosure as a means of cognitive reward and specifically its role in the formation of relationships. She hopes to attend medical school in the future.