Faculty
Chandan J. Vaidya, Ph.D.
Chandan is a Professor in the Department of Psychology and Vice Provost of Faculty at Georgetown University and an investigator at the Children's Research Institute, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC. Her graduate training is in Developmental Psychology from Syracuse University and her post-doctoral training is in Cognitive Neuroscience from Stanford University.
Dr. Vaidya's research program is focused upon characterizing the functional neural architecture of adaptive mechanisms during the life span. Adaptive mechanisms promote goal-directed behaviors that allow us to adjust effectively to our environment. Her research focuses on two types of adaptive mechanisms - 1) Processes that require little effort such as learning from environmental regularities without intention or conscious awareness (termed implicit memory and learning); and 2) Processes that are effortful such as voluntary control over thoughts and actions (termed executive control). Her studies investigate how these adaptive mechanisms differ across individuals. Sources of variance under investigation include but are not limited to, genetic functional polymorphisms of catecholamines (e.g., DAT, SERT), metabolic differences (e.g., obesity and its intervention), and psychiatric diagnoses (e.g., Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Schizophrenia).
Dr. Vaidya's research involves multidisciplinary methods, comprising behavioral, neuropsychological, and structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging in children and adult populations.
Yijun Chen, Ph.D.
Yijun accomplished her Ph.D. in Cognitive Neuroscience at Beijing Normal University in 2022. Her Ph.D. research focused on the plasticity of stroke and pediatric neurosurgery patients, employing multimodal MRI to gain insights into these conditions.
Her prior involvement with patients undergoing hemispherotomy sparked an interest in studying atypical brain development. This drive led her to become a postdoc of the Vaidya Lab in the summer of 2023. She is currently dedicated to researching individual differences in transferring acquired knowledge to new contexts within Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) using longitudinal data.
Away from serious brain-bending, you'll find Yijun wholeheartedly embracing the art of fencing, enthusiastically exploring others' film analyses, and eagerly plotting her next adventure through American cities.
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Graduate Students
Gina Choe, B.S.
Gina is an MD-PhD student in the Georgetown School of Medicine and the Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience (IPN). Gina graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.S. in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience, and worked as a research specialist at the Princeton Neuroscience Institute in the labs of Dr. Uri Hasson and Dr. Yael Niv. In the former, she used machine learning and ECoG data to study naturalistic language; in the latter, she leveraged tools used in computational psychiatry to model cognitive processes underlying depression. She completed her first two years of medical school before beginning her PhD in DCNL in Fall 2023. In continuing to take a data-driven approach to research, Gina is interested in using model-based fMRI and computational modeling to investigate the neural basis of learning in children with autism and epilepsy, with the aim of elucidating mechanisms to target treatment. Outside of lab, she likes to spend time with her family (including their two dogs), eat good food, and watch bad reality TV.
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Adam Kaminski, B.S.
Adam graduated from Tufts University in 2017 with a B.S. in Cognitive and Brain Sciences. While at Tufts, he worked in the Laboratory for Youth Mental Health at Harvard University, where he studied how resting state heart arrhythmia is involved in externalizing psychopathology. Having become interested in neuroimaging, Adam moved to Dr. Nadine Gaab's lab at Boston Children's Hospital and then to Dr. Gavin Price's lab at Vanderbilt University, where he studied the neural underpinnings of developmental dyslexia and healthy numerical cognition, respectively. Adam joined the Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience (IPN) at Georgetown University in 2019 and the Vaidya Lab in the summer of 2020. His current research focuses on network adjustments underpinning flexible cognitive control and their role in psychopathology and social functioning.
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Adnan Rashid, B.S.
Adnan joined the Graduate Program in 2020 to work under the guidance of Dr. Chandan Vaidya in the Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory. He graduated from University of Maryland College Park with a B.S. in Physiology and Neurobiology. Before coming to Georgetown, he worked in the Laboratory of Cognition & Emotion and Developmental Social Cognitive Neuroscience Lab at University of Maryland, where he studied the effects of anxiety, joint attention, and social-emotional paradigms. He is interested in prototype and exemplar learning and identifying the dimensions of executive control that span across psychiatric diagnosis such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, mood disorders, and anxiety disorders.
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Undergraduate Students
Alana Horewitz
Alana Horewitz is a sophomore from Northern Virginia, majoring in Psychology and on the pre-med track. She joined DCNL in fall of 2023 to pursue her interest in research, specifically the intersection of psychology and neuroscience. Alana is part of Be the Match, an organization dedicated to adding as many people as possible to the bone marrow registry, which reflects her passion for making healthcare more widely accessible. Outside of the lab, Alana enjoys music, oil painting, and ballroom dancing.
Brett Rauch
Stephanie Park
Brett Rauch is a rising junior from Thousand Oaks, California double-majoring in Psychology and Justice & Peace Studies. He joined DCNL in the summer of 2023 to research the role of interoceptive ability in weight gain. Brett tutors a literature class at Arlington County Detention Facility through GU’s Prison Outreach program, which reflects his career aspiration of using clinical psychology and restorative practices to support justice-impacted individuals. In his free time, Brett enjoys playing games with his friends, going to concerts, and reading.
Stephanie Park is a rising second-year student at Georgetown University. She joined DCNL to pursue her interest in studying the neurobiological bases of pediatric health. Stephanie administers free HIV tests to underserved members of the DC community as a member of One Tent Health, reflecting her passion for making scientific knowledge and healthcare more accessible. Outside of research, Stephanie enjoys reading, crocheting, and exploring new places with friends.
Staff
Brylee Hawkins, B.S.
Brylee graduated from the University of Florida in May 2022 with a degree in Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience. While at UF, she worked in the laboratory of Perception, Attention, and Consciousness examining the debate on rich versus sparse theories of consciousness; specifically, color diversity judgments in peripheral vision. Brylee was involved in various experiences in the local community, including working as a Haven Hospice volunteer and directing TOPS, an outreach organization for children with disabilities. She is interested in using brain imaging to better understand learning mechanisms in children with developmental disorders. Brylee plans to attend a doctoral program in clinical psychology and continue to work with pediatric populations. Outside of the lab Brylee enjoys hiking, yoga, and finding the best eats.
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Alumni
Graduate Students
Laya Rajan, Ph.D. - Received Ph.D. in 2021, currently finishing an MD in the combined MD/Ph.D. program at Georgetown University.
Kevin M. Cook, Ph.D. - Received Ph.D. in 2020, currently a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC.
Charles J. Lynch, Ph.D. - Received Ph.D. in 2018, currently a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at Cornell University
Alaina Pearce, Ph.D. - Received Ph.D. in 2017, currently an Assistant Research Professor in the Social Science Research Institute at Pennsylvania State University
Frank Fishburn, Ph.D. - Received Ph.D. in 2017, currently a Post-Doctoral Research Associate at the University of Pittsburgh
Andrew Breeden, Ph.D. - Received Ph.D. in 2016, currently a Health Program Specialist at National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Eric Murphy, Ph.D. - Received Ph.D. in 2014, currently a Program Chief at National Institute of Mental Health
Evan Gordon, Ph.D. - Received Ph.D. in 2012, currently a Staff Scientist at the Department of Veterans Affairs
Ericka Burgos-Ruiz, Ph.D. - Received Ph.D. in 2012, currently an Instructor at Johns Hopkins University in Rockville, MD
Melanie Stollstorff, Ph.D. - Received Ph.D. in 2010, currently a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the University of Colorado, Boulder.
Kelly Barnes, Ph.D. - Received Ph.D. in 2008, completed a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at Washington University, St. Louis, currently at the National Institutes for Health in Bethesda, Maryland.
Undergraduate Students
Brenna Towell, Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2019-2023
Anna Missner, Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2020-2022.
Kaitlin Ballenger, Undergraduate Honors Thesis Student, 2018-2019
Alice Beneke, Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2017-2019 Gabe Santos, Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2017-2019 Maciej Kietlinski, Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2013-2014
Joshua Loewenstern, Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2012-2014
Stephanie Crockett, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Deeksha Taneja, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Maxim Wheatley, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Rose Seidman, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Summer 2012
Michael Balsan, Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2011-2012
Anila D'Mello, Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2010-2012
Adam Fine, Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2010-2011
Daniel Bercik, Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2009-2011
Brisas Flores, Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2010-2011
Helen Burton, Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2009-2011
Andrew Malzberg, Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2009-2010
Jane Dewire, Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2008-2010
Nick Parrott, Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2008-2009
Lindsay Anderson, Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2008-2009
Stephanie Bean, Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2006-2009
Michael Billington, Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2006-2008
Colin Brody, Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2006-2008
Joshua Henderson, Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2006-2008
Brett Robinson, Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2006-2008
Meg Benner, Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2004-2006
Leslie Claracay, Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2004-2005
Jonathan Gardner, Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2004-2005
Julie Balzano, Undergraduate Honors Thesis Student, 2003-2004
Marianne Huger, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Casey Hoffman, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Vanessa Rakaczky, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Rosie Gomez-Lobo, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Rotation Students
Daisy Booker, Rotating IPN Student, 2022
Mia Coutinho, Rotating IPN Student, 2022
Breana Downey, Rotating IPN Student, 2016
Benson Stevens, Rotating IPN Student, 2014
Valerie Darcey, Rotating IPN Student, 2012
Andrew Breeden, Rotating IPN Student, 2011
Frank Fishburn, Rotating IPN Student, 2010
Lauren Pepe, Rotating IPN Student, 2010
Laurie Glezer, Rotating IPN Student, 2004
Elizabeth Lacey, Rotating IPN Student, 2004
Sylvie Song, Rotating IPN Student, 2004
Post-Doctoral Fellows
Xiaozhen You, Ph.D. - Currently working as a Quantitative Modeler for Fannie Mae
Sufang Li, Ph.D. - Currently working in SAS programming with clinical research
Ben Yerys, Ph.D. - Currently Assistant Professor at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Philip Lee, M.D., Ph.D. - Currently Director of Epilepsy Surgery at Allegheny Health Network
Staff
Jordan Linde, Lab Manager 2020-2022; currently pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology at University of Hartford Katie Flaharty, Lab Manager, 2018-2020; currently pursuing an MD at the University of Michigan Junaid Merchant, Research Associate, 2016-2018; currently pursuing a neuroscience PhD. at the University of Maryland
Brad Cherry, Lab Manager, 2015-2018
Ruth Ludlum, Lab Manager, 2013-2015; went on to get an MBS at Rutgers University
Megan Norr, Lab Manager, 2011-2013; went on to get a PhD. in psychology from UC Berkeley
Stephanie Bean, Lab Manager, 2009-2011; went on to get an MBA/MPH at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Devon Shook, Lab Manager and Research Assistant, 2006-2010
Jen Foss-Feig, Lab Manager, 2004-2006
Lauren Kaplan, Lab Manager, 2003-2004
Sarah Noonan, Lab Manager, 2001-2003