2022-2024 Cohort
Matthew Piniero (he/him)
Hi, my name is Matthew Piniero. I am a senior neuroscience and psychology double major at Temple University. I currently work in Dr. Lisa Briand’s Behavioral Neurophysiology Lab and focus on various molecular imaging and analyzation techniques in neural tissue in relation to adolescent stress and substance abuse. In my free time, I enjoy listening to music, going to concerts, and watching and playing soccer and baseball.
Iliana Todorovski (she/her)
My name is Iliana Todorovski and I am a senior Psychology major at Temple University. I currently work in Dr. Jarcho’s Social Developmental Neuroscience lab using fMRI to explore the effects of anxiety and social support on memory regarding social feedback from peers. In my free time I like to explore different cultures through cooking and read southern gothic literature.
Giovanna Arantes de Oliveira Campos (they/them/theirs)
My name is Giovanna Arantes de Oliveira Campos and people often call me Gigi. I am a senior at Temple University’s College of Liberal Arts pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience with a minor in Psychology and a certificate in American Sign Language. I am currently a research assistant in the Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory (PI Dr. Ingrid Olson) investigating episodic memory, spatial memory, and the white matter that may support these behaviors throughout development. In my free time, I like to weight lift, explore the food offerings in Philly, and play Dungeons & Dragons with my friends. My goals after graduation are to pursue a PhD and become a clinical neuropsychologist.
Natalia Rincon (she/her)
My name is Natalia Rincon and I am a senior at the University of Maryland, College Park pursuing a B.S. in Psychology. My current research involves working in Dr. Daniel Roche’s Lab at the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center to examine the biological and behavioral effects of minocycline in individuals with alcohol use disorder to determine its potential effectiveness as a treatment. Outside of the lab I enjoy playing guitar, going out with friends, and finding new recipes to cook.
Joyce Milandu (she/her)
My name is Joyce and I am a Senior at the University of Maryland, College Park, majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Black Women’s Studies. I am an undergraduate research assistant at the Clinical and Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, led by Dr. Edward Bernat. My research primarily focuses on assessing whether neurophysiological measures serve as indices for psychopathology. Outside of the lab, I love to take photos of beautiful people and places, cook with friends, and live vicariously through The Sims 4.
Jonathan Garcia (he/him)
Jonathan Garcia is a senior undergraduate at the University of Maryland College Park pursuing a B.S in Cellular & Molecular Neuroscience. Jonathan is working in the Venniro lab at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, investigating neurobiological mechanisms of motivation in drug-seeking behaviors. In September, he will begin a two-year IRTA postbac position at the NIH main campus in Bethesda. Jonathan will work on research investigating the role of amygdala plasticity in persistent pain sensitization and pain-related behaviors.
Immanuela-Nicole Enwesi (she/her)
Hi, my name is Immanuela-Nicole Enwesi and I’m a senior at the University of Maryland, College Park. I’m a Neuroscien and French Dual degree student and a undergraduate lab RA at the NCDL with Dr. Tracy Riggins. I work on the HBCD study at 1 of 25 sites as well as the in-person MST study where we study the development of infants via MRI and memory in preschoolers, respectively. In my free time, I love to read, write, and I’ve also started baking. But I love playing my guitar (badly).
Alexis Reed (she/her)
Hi, I’m Lex (she/her). I am a senior attending The Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, majoring in Biology on a Pre Med-Track. This summer I am continuing my research in Dr. Lisa Briand’s Laboratory at Temple University, focusing on the behavioral analysis of the self-administration of oxycodone. I spend most of my free time volunteering at my local children’s recreation center, going to parties with friends and enjoy the occasional face mask.
Naru Kang (she/her)
My name is Naru, and I am a senior majoring in Psychology and Biology at University of Maryland, College Park. My research focuses on the neural mechanisms that underlie learning and decision-making, and how these processes are disturbed in addiction, aging, and schizophrenia, and some of my hobbies include painting, singing, and cooking.
2023-2025 Cohort
Kayla Pereira (she/her)
Hi! My name is Kayla and I am a junior majoring in Neuroscience at the University of Maryland. I am currently in Dr. Redcay’s lab to study Autism using fMRI and behavioral methods to examine the brain bases underlying the development of communicative behaviors. In my free time, I enjoy fitness, mud races, and sports, as well as spending time with my family and friends.
Gaby Castro (she/her)
Hi! My name is Gaby and I am a current junior at the University of Maryland. I am pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience. I am currently working as a research assistant in the Shackman Lab at the University of Maryland. My research currently revolves around the acute impact of alcohol consumption on subjective distress, psychophysiological arousal, and neural reactivity to Dr. Alex Shackman’s Maryland Threat Countdown task. I am on track to apply for graduate school to pursue a career in Neuroscience and continue my research journey!
Leilani Taiano (she/her)
Hi! My name is Leilani and I am a Senior at Temple University. I am a double major in Neuroscience and Anthropology, working in the Ellman Laboratory. A project I am involved with is the investigation of how pre-natal biomarkers contribute to the developmental of Psychotic and Mood disorders in offspring. My hobbies include playing guitar, making pasta and Korean food, and re-watching Degrassi: The Next Generation on loop.
Keydy Mendez (she/her)
Hi! My name is Keydy and I am a junior at Temple University. I am a Neuroscience major at the College of Liberal Arts with a minor in Clinical Psychology. As a MINDS Scholar, I am working as a research assistant in Dr. Sutton Hickey’s Lab where we are investigating the neurobiology behind dysregulated eating. Some of my hobbies include reading, building lego sets, and hiking.
Brooke Shulski (she/her)
My name is Brooke Shulski, and I am a junior at Temple University pursuing a B.A. in psychology as well as a minor in criminal justice. I am working as a research assistant in the Control & Adaptive Behavior Laboratory run by Dr. Jason Chein. In this lab, I am working on a study to see how the long-term usage of social media and technology affect the cognitive function of adolescence using activities designed to test these functions, fMRI brain scans, and surveys. I hope to pursue my Ph.D. once I complete my undergraduate and do research as my primary career in the future. In my free time, I enjoy writing, painting, and binge-watching tv shows (some of my favorites have been Shameless, BoJack Horseman, Grey’s Anatomy, and Erased).
Christian Diaz-Perez (he/him)
Hi, my name is Christian. I am a junior Physiology & Neurobiology major at the University of Maryland. I’m doing research in a neurocognitive development lab focusing on child and infant brain development. In my free time I like to watch movies, paint, exercise, and play the piano.
Lauren Blagmond (she/her)
Hi! My name is Lauren Blagmond and I am a junior at Temple University pursuing my B.S. in Neuroscience. Currently, I work in Melanie Pina’s Lab at the University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Medicine. We experiment to understand the learning and motivational processes influencing drug-seeking behavior underlying neurobiology. In my free time, I enjoy playing tennis, cooking, and taking photographs of architecture.
Alumni
Citlalli Tomas-Baltazar, B.S. Neuroscience 2023
Mariyah Jiwanji, B.S. Neuroscience 2023
Nylah Miles, B.S. Neuroscience 2023
Beverly Obodaifio, B.S. Neuroscience 2023
Rebeca Fuquen, 2023