Neuroscience Student Organization (NSO)
Officers
President

Jacqueline Stotler
Experimental PsychologyMentor: Teresa Wilcox, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: Infant perception and evaluation of social versus mechanical entities
stotlerj2016@fau.edu
Vice President

Lindsey Pugh
GNTP / Experimental PsychologyMentor: Alan Kersten, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: TBD
lpugh2020@fau.edu
Secretary

Amanda Rojas
GNTP/Complex Systems and Brain SciencesMentor: Robert Vertes Ph.D.
Thesis topic: Involvement of the nucleus reuniens of the ventral midline thalamus in cognitive tasks involving the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus.
arojas2016@fau.edu
Membership Coordinator

Madeline Martinez
GNTP/ Integrative Biology—NeuroscienceMentor: Lawrence Toll, Ph.D.
Thesis Topic: TBD
madelinemart2020@fau.edu
Community Relations

Brian Escobar
GNTP/Experimental PsychologyMentor: Sang Wook Hong, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: Decoding of Face Stimuli in Basic Facial Expression and Anti-Expression Conditions
bescobar2018@fau.edu
Treasurer

Brandon Hindman
Experimental PsychologyMentor: Robert Stackman, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: Novel object memory, Dopamine, Behavioral Neuroscience
bhindman2017@fau.edu
Members

Craig Ades
Mechanical EngineeringMentor: Erik Engeberg, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: Exoskeleton for Tubular Shape Memory Alloy Finger with Internal Cooling and a Super Elastic Spring Return
cades@fau.edu

Emily Ahne
Experimental PsychologyMentor: Mónica Rosselli, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: How does a brief focused-breathing intervention influence measures of response inhibition and early perception of affective words compared to other relaxation methods?
eahne2014@fau.edu

Claudia Alvarez
GNTP/ Neuroscience Ph.D. Program
Mentor: Henriette van Praag, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: The role of diet and exercise in modulation of adult neurogenesis, neuroinflammation and amyloid-beta pathology in a mouse model of Alzheimer's Disease
claudiaalvar2021@fau.edu

Carina Arnold
IMPRS/Integrative Biology with a Concentration in NeuroscienceMentor: Randy Blakely, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: Impact of altered phosphorylation in the presynaptic serotonin transporter (SERT) on synaptic signaling and risk for mental illness.
carnold2019@fau.edu

Kerriann Badal
Integrative BiologyMentor: Dr. Sathya Puthanveetil
Thesis topic: Identifying modifications in Aplysia californica axonal transport during learning and memory.
kbadal2@fau.edu

David Bickham
Experimental PsychologyMentor: Terrance Barnhardt, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: TBD
dbickham@fau.edu

Kayleigh Biegler
Neuroscience ProgramMentor: Patrick Grant, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: TBD

Gianna Cannestro
GNTP / Complex Systems and Brain SciencesMentor: Wen Shen, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: TBD
gcannestro2015@fau.edu

Jasmine Chan
Position: Membership Coordinator of Neuroscience Student OrganizationExperimental Psychology
Mentor: Teresa Wilcox, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: Consumer Decision Making
chanj2018@fau.edu

Kori Citrin
GNTP/ MPFI Integrative Biology with a Concentration in NeuroscienceMentor: Yingxue Wang, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: Hippocampal Neuromodulatory Circuits
kcitrin2019@fau.edu

Joshua Conniff
Experimental PsychologyMentor: Monica Rosselli, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: Investigations of distractor strength on attentional processing
jconniff@fau.edu

Aquilla Copeland
Experimental PsychologyMentor: Dr. Gizelle Anzures
Thesis topic: Face Recognition and Implicit Bias
acopela5@fau.edu

Brian Escobar
GNTP/Experimental PsychologyMentor: Sang Wook Hong, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: Decoding of Face Stimuli in Basic Facial Expression and Anti-Expression Conditions
bescobar2018@fau.edu

Kylie Kealoha
GNTP/ Integrative Biology with a Concentration in Neuroscience
Mentor: Lawrence Toll, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: TBD
kyliefoster2021@fau.edu

Ryan Gallagher
GNTP/Complex Systems and Brain SciencesMentor: William Alexander, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: Decision-Making and Cognitive Control
gallagherr2016@fau.edu

Ian Gaudet
Integrative Biology with a Concentration in NeuroscienceMentor: Jenny Wei, Ph.D. & Erik Engeberg, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: TBD
igaudet2017@fau.edu

Aritra Ghosh
Computer ScienceMentor: Shihong Huang, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: Self-adaptive System with Human-in-the loop
aghosh2016@fau.edu

Jennifer Giordano
GNTP / Complex Systems and Brain SciencesMentor: William Hahn, Ph.D.
Thesis topic:TBD
jgiordano2021@fau.edu

Samantha Gnall
Experimental PsychologyMentor: Chad Forbes, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: Status Stability and Help: Examining Helping Behavior Towards Prospective STEM Majors
sgnall2021@fau.edu

Samantha Gott
Experimental PsychologyMentor: Dr. Nancy Jones.
Thesis topic: Infant Alpha EEG Coherence and Temperament Quantified by the IBQ-R
sgott2016@fau.edu

Madeleine Hagood
Integrative Biology with a Concentration in NeuroscienceMentor: Marianne Porter, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: Anisotropic mechanical properties and morphology of elasmobranch skin
mhagood2018@fau.edu

Ji Heon Han (John)
Integrative Biology with a Concentration in NeuroscienceMentor: Erik Duboue, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: TBD
jhan2020@fau.edu

Brandon Hindman
Position: Treasurer of Neuroscience Student OrganizationExperimental Psychology
Mentor: Robert Stackman, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: Novel object memory, Dopamine, Behavioral Neuroscience
bhindman2017@fau.edu

Stephen Hoover
GNTP/ Complex Systems and Brain SciencesMentor: William Hahn, Ph.D. & Elan Barenholtz, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: TBD
shoover2016@fau.edu

Murtadha Hssayeni
Computer EngineeringMentor: Behnaz Ghoraani, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: Data Analytics for In-home Management Systems for Patients with Neurodegenerative Diseases
mhssayeni2017@fau.edu

Nuran Kocak
Position: Community Relations Officer of Neuroscience Student OrganizationIntegrative Biology with a Concentration in Neuroscience
Mentor: Ning Quan, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: TBD
nkocak2020@fau.edu

Basak Kocaoglu
GNTP/Complex Systems & Brain SciencesMentor: William Alexander, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: TBD
bkocaoglu2018@fau.edu

Jacob LaMar
Integrative Biology-NeuroscienceMentor: Randy Blakely, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: TBA
jlamar2021@fau.edu

Dinghao Luo
IMPRS/Integrative Biology - NeuroscienceMentor: Yingxue Wang, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: TBA
dluo2020@fau.edu

Juan Lopez
MPFI / Integrative BiologyMentor: David Fitzpatrick, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: TBD
juanlopez2016@fau.edu

Madeline Martinez
GNTP/ Integrative Biology—NeuroscienceMentor: Lawrence Toll, Ph.D.
Thesis Topic: TBD
madelinemart2020@fau.edu

Richard Matic
Experimental PsychologyMentor: Andrzej Nowak, Ph.D.
Thesis Topic: A Computer Simulation of Human Personality with Inputs of Psychometric Data from Computer Analysis of Digital Sources.
rmatic2018@fau.edu

Joseph McKinley
PhysicsMentor: Christopher Beetle, Ph.D. and Emmanuelle Tognoli, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: Restoration of Complexity in Networks of Coupled Oscillators
jmckinley2015@fau.edu

Akshay Naraine
Integrative Biology with a Concentration in NeuroscienceMentor: Ken Dawson-Scully, Ph.D.
Thesis Topic: The effect of oxidative stress on Drosophila neuromuscular junctions
narainea2018@fau.edu

Aleksandra Nedovic
ChemistryMentor: Predrag Cudic, Ph.D.
Thesis Topic: Discovery of novel peptide based opioid antagonists suitable for intranasal delivery to the brain
anedovic2019@fau.edu

Asal Nouri
GNTP / Complex Systems & Brain SciencesMentor: William Hahn, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: Translating mnemonic representations into motor plans
anouri2015@fau.edu

Bethany O’Donnell
GNTP / Integrative Biology with a Concentration in NeuroscienceMentor: Erik Duboue, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: TBD
bodonnell2021@fau.edu

Claudius Osei
GNTP/Experimental PsychologyMentor: Elan Barenholtz, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: TBD
posei2020@fau.edu

Goksu Oz
GNTP/ MPFI Integrative Biology with a Concentration in NeuroscienceMentor: Ryohei Yasuda, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: The Roles of PKMζ and the other PKC Isoforms in the Maintenance of Long Term Memory
goz2017@fau.edu

Alexandra Paz
GNTP/Integrative Biology—NeuroscienceMentor: Alex C. Keene, Ph. D. & Johanna Kowalko, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: The characterization of a simple startle circuit in Astyanax mexicanus
paza2018@fau.edu

Oliver Pelletier
Integrative Biology with a Concentration in Biomedical ScienceMentor: Dr. Janet Robishaw
Thesis topic: Investigating the role of alternative 3’UTRs in G-protein signaling
opelletier2014@health.fau.edu

Lindsey Pugh
GNTP / Experimental PsychologyMentor: Alan Kersten, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: TBD
lpugh2020@fau.edu

Alejandra Quintero
Neuroscience ProgramMentor: Julie Pilitsis, M.D., Ph.D.
Thesis topic: TBD

Luiza Sao Pedro Romero
Neuroscience ProgramMentor: Wen Shen, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: TBD

Subhosit Ray
Experimental PsychologyMentor: Elan Barenholtz, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: Reinforcement Learning
rays2016@fau.edu

Lindsey Riera-Gomez
Experimental PsychologyIntegrative Biology
Mentor: TBD
Thesis topic: TBD
lrieragomez2018@fau.edu

Ty Roachford
Neuroscience ProgramMentor: William Hahn, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: TBD

Peter Rodriguez
Position: President of Neuroscience Student OrganizationIntegrative Biology
Mentor: Randy Blakely, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: Glial regulation of dopamine neuron viability and signaling in Caenorhabditis elegans prodri29@health.fau.edu

Amanda Rojas
Position: Secretary of Neuroscience Student OrganizationGNTP/Complex Systems and Brain Sciences
Mentor: Robert Vertes Ph.D.
Thesis topic: Involvement of the nucleus reuniens of the ventral midline thalamus in cognitive tasks involving the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus.
arojas2016@fau.edu

Brianna Saglimbeni
Neuroscience ProgramMentor: Patrick Grant, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: TBD

Paul Scarpinato
Position: Membership Coordinator of Neuroscience Student OrganizationIntegrative Biology
Mentor: Ken Dawson-Scully, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: TBD
pscarpinato@fau.edu

Layaly Shihadeh
Experimental PsychologyMentor: Dr. Monica Rosselli
Thesis topic: Verbal Fluency Intrusion Type Totals Across Cognitive Diagnoses
lshihadeh2017@fau.edu

Mustafa Shuqair
PhD Electrical EngineeringMentor: Behnaz Ghoraani, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: TBD
mshuqair2020@fau.edu

Morgan Slevin
Integrative Biology with a Concentration in NeuroscienceMentor: Rindy Anderson, Ph.D.
Thesis Topic: TBD
mslevin2018@fau.edu

Maria Smirnova
Integrative Biology - NeuroscienceMentor: Ning Quan, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: Interleukin-1 Receptor Type 1 and Neurogenesis
msmirnova2018@fau.edu

Samantha Stilley
Integrative Biology with a Concentration in NeuroscienceMentor: Randy Blakely, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: Functional impact of coding variation in the human serotonin transporter (SERT), as modeled in SERT KI mice
sstilley@fau.edu

Jacqueline Stotler
Position: Vice President Officer of Neuroscience Student OrganizationExperimental Psychology
Mentor: Teresa Wilcox, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: Infant perception and evaluation of social versus mechanical entities
stotlerj2016@fau.edu

Chelsea Temples
Experimental PsychologyMentor: Teresa Wilcox, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: Infant perception and evaluation of social versus mechanical entities
ctemples2017@fau.edu

Clara Tepohl
IMPRS/ Integrative Biology - NeuroscienceMentor: Dr. David Fitzpatrick
Thesis topic: Synaptic Basis of Binocular Integration
ctepohl2018@fau.edu

Jordan Thompson
PhD in Experimental Psychology (Social)Mentor: Dr. Geoffrey Wetherell
Thesis topic: TBD
jordanthomps2021@fau.edu

Daniel van Zant
Neuroscience ProgramMentor: Elan Barenholtz Ph.D. & William Hahn, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: TBD

Allison Walsh
GNTP/ Integrative Biology with a Concentration in NeuroscienceMentor: Randy D. Blakely, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: TBD
awalsh2020@fau.edu

Valorie Wiseman
Neuroscience ProgramMentor: Summer Sheremata, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: TBD

Zidan Yang
IMPRS/Integrative Biology with a Concentration in NeuroscienceMentor: Hidehiko Inagaki, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: TBD
zyang2019@fau.edu

Yosun Yoon
GNTP/Experimental PsychologyMentor: Sang Wook Hong, Ph.D.
Thesis Topic: Individual Difference in Binocular Rivalry Dynamics
yyoon2018@fau.edu