2024-2026 Cohort

Alayah O’Sullivan

Hi, my name is Alayah and I’m a junior at Temple University majoring in Neuroscience on the premedical track. I work in David Smiths Neuroeconomics lab, where we look at how the brain is activated while making financial decisions. In my free time, I love to read, go to the gym, cook, and doing anything that involves me being creative.

Ashley Pocasangre

My name is Ashley Pocasangre. I am currently a junior at the University of Maryland, working towards a B.S. in psychology and minoring in neuroscience. I am currently working in the Healthy Brain and Child Development Lab (HBCD) at the University of Maryland. We study the effects of adverse circumstances during pregnancy on early child development through behavioral and neurological measures. During my free time, I like to go on trails and to nature spots.

Janeen Louis

Hi, my name is Janeen Louis (she/her)! I am a sophomore at Howard University pursuing a B.S. in psychology as well as minors in French and international affairs. I am a research assistant in the Child and Adolescent Anxiety Disorders Clinic at Temple University under the direction of Dr. Phillip Kendall. In this lab, I am investigating disparities in anxiety manifestations and post-treatment outcomes among Black children and adolescents in comparison to white youth. I intend to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and conduct research on the Black diaspora and its differing mental health standards. Outside of academia and research, I enjoy listening to podcasts, reading. spending time with friends and family, and servicing others.

Jazmine Dennis

My name is Jazmine Dennis. My pronouns are she/her. I am a senior at Howard University. I am doing Molecular and Cellular Research on how microglia play a role in drug addiction. During my free time, I like to watch Netflix and hang out with friends.

Lillian Hubbard

Hi! My name is Lillian Hubbard (she/they), and I’m a junior at Temple University. As a Neuroscience major with a Sociology minor, my goal is to understand the inner workings of humankind; and through the research I’ve landed with the MiNDS Program, I’m doing exactly that! Here in the Briand Lab, we’re studying the impact of different social factors on the development of Substance Abuse Disorder. Aside from research, in my free time I enjoy reading, listening to music, and watching movies. You can find me at the Landmark Ritz Theater every Tuesday!

My name is NeAva Zayas. I am a junior at Temple University pursuing a B.S. in Neuroscience focusing on behavior and plasticity. I am currently working in the Memory, Epigenetics, and Addiction Lab at Temple University under Dr. Mathieu Wimmer. I am studying the effects of early-life stress on future drug-seeking behavior by working with animal models. Apart from my research, I enjoy baking, thrifting, and reading in my free time.

2023-2025 Cohort

 

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). 

 

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, B.S. Animal Sciences 2023

Jonathan Garcia, B.S. Cellular and Mollecular Neuroscience 2024

Matthew Piniero, B.S. Neuroscience 2024

Iliana Todorovski, B.A. Psychology 2024

Giovanna Arantes de Oliveira Campos, B.S. Neuroscience 2024

Natalia Rincon, B.S. Psychology 2024

Joyce Milandu, B.S. Neuroscience 2024

Immanuela-Nicole Enwesi, B.S. Neuroscience & B.A. French 2024

Alexis Reed, B.S. Biology 2024