NIACAL Bios

Director:

Lei Wang
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Phone: 614-257-2033
Email:

Address:
Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Neuroscience
Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
1670 Upham Dr
Columbus Ohio 43210-1250

Education:
B.S. Electrical Engineering with Honors: University of Maryland at College Park, 1990
M.S. Engineering Sciences: Harvard University, 1992
Ph.D. Engineering Sciences: Harvard University, 1995
Curriculum Vitae

Interests:
I have relocated to Ohio State University College of Medicine in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health. While the lab at Northwestern continues to be active to support current graduate students, I will no longer accept new applications. I will update my OSU status as the new lab gets settled.

My research focuses on developing neuroimaging markers for neuropsychiatric diseases including schizophrenia and Alzheimer disease and related dementias. I apply tools of mathematics, engineering and computer science to the analysis of in vivo and ex vivo structural and functional MRI neuroimaging datasets. Recently, I've explored the use of nanotechnology for imaging neuronal activity using in vivo animal imaging. I also enjoy running, cycling, and hiking with my wife and daughters.


Postdoctoral Fellow:

Lisanne Jenkins
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Phone: --
Email:

Address:
Abbott Hall Suite 1315
710 N Lake Shore Drive
Chicago IL 60611

Education:
Ph.D., The University of Melbourne

Interests:
Affective neuroscience, neuropsychology, mood disorders, psychosis, functional and structural connectivity

Projects:

  • Cerebral Small Vessels in Motor and Cognitive Decline (PI: Farzaneh Sorond (Neurology)): This study is to identify vascular measures of cerebral small vessels which precede the onset of cognitive and motor decline and are predictive of clinical and radiographic outcomes in small vessel disease.
  • Childhood Origins of CHD Disparities: Neural & Immune Pathways (PI: Greg Miller (Psychology)): Our lab’s role is to map out the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and the development of brain’s gray matter and white matter. The overall study of 250 youth from economically diverse backgrounds poses questions about SES disparities in immunologic, neural, and psychosocial development, and the implications for early Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) risk.

Medical Resident at Feinberg School of Medicine:

Samantha Patel
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Phone: --
Email:

Address:
446 E Ontario
Suite 7200
Chicago, IL 60611

Education:
MD, Rush Medical Collage
BA, The University of Chicago

Interests:
I am interested in 1) using fMRI to elucidate the relationship between impaired social cognition and insular dysconnectivity in schizophrenia and other neuropsychiatric diseases and 2) how neuromodulation can be used to potentially normalize insular dysconnectivity and thus improve social cognition.


Clinical Psychology at Feinberg School of Medicine Graduate Students:

Ashley Heywood
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Phone: 312-503-1982
Email:

Address:
Abbott Hall, Suite 1303
710 N. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60611

Education:
B.S. Psychology: Duke University

Interests:
I am interested in using brain imaging techniques in order to develop biomarkers of psychopathology to better inform diagnosis and treatment.


Jane Stocks
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Phone: --
Email:

Address:
Abbott Hall, Suite 1303
710 N. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60611

Education:
B.A. Honours Psychology: McGill University
M.A. Clinical Psychology: Northwestern University

Interests:
Overall, my research interests lie in the application of multiple quantitative imaging methods to understand clinical disorders. Specifically, my focus is on combining imaging neurosciences with neuropsychological, genetic, and environmental factors to elucidate mechanisms of cognitive decline in neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. In the past, I have studied mood disorder populations, neurodegenerative disorders, psychosis spectrum disorders and many more, but currently I am focusing dementia populations including Alzheimers and FTD.


Julie Petersen
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Phone: --
Email:

Address:
Abbott Hall, Suite 1303
710 N. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60611

Education:
B.S. Psychology: Drexel University
M.S. Psychology: Drexel University

Interests:
I am a Northwestern University Clinical Psychology PhD student specializing in Neuropsychology in Dr. Wang's lab. I am interested in using neuroimaging techniques to identify structural and functional differences in clinical populations.

Projects:

  • Pilot for A Systems-based Understanding and REmediation of Cancer and Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment (ASURE) (PI: Wang (Contact), Penedo, Cella): This pilot project will collect preliminary data toward the goal of developing a program aimed at studying precise mechanisms of cancer and cancer-treatment related cognitive impairments (CRCI) and developing treatment strategies targeting the mechanisms. We will study prostate cancer and breast cancer survivors by collecting and analyzing neuroimaging, cognitive, psychosocial stress, and inflammation data before and after initiation of adjuvant therapy.

Undergraduate Student:

Aditi Agarwal
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Phone: 630-418-4980
Email:

Address:
Evanston, IL

Education:
B.S. Computer Science, Northwestern University, Anticipated June 2020

Interests:
I am interested in exploring the field of medicine through clinical and medical research. I am passionate about bringing elements of computer science together to identify new and improved ways to advance the human condition.


Tommy Pirvu
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Phone: 630-457-8437
Email:

Address:
Chicago, IL

Education:
B.S. Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Anticipated May 2022

Interests:
I am interested in exploring the field of neuroscience and neuroimaging by bringing in aspects of computer science.


Research Assistant:

Sonya Gupta
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Phone: 847-997-9907
Email:

Address:
Cambridge, MA
Chicago, IL

Education:
B.S. Biological Science, University of Illinois at Chicago, May 2022
A.M. Harvard University, Anticipated May 2024

Interests:
I am interested in exploring medicine through medical and clinical research by combining my passions for Biology and Computer Science.


Software Engineer:

Alex Kogan
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Phone: --
Email:

Address:
Abbott Hall, Suite 1312
710 N. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60611

Education:
B.S. Computer Science, DePaul University, 1997
M.S. Medical Informatics, Northwestern University, 2012

Interests:
Clinical and medical research information transmission and storage, effective use of healthcare electronic standards.

Projects:

  • SchizConnect: Large-Scale Schizophrenia Neuroimaging Data Mediation & Federation (PI: Lei Wang (Contact, NU), Jose Luis Ambite (USC), Steven Potkin (UCI), Jessica Turner (MRN), David Keator (UCI)): Large-scale data sharing and integration is needed to further the state-of-the-art schizophrenia research, but is presently not possible due to practical limitations in the way in which data are being shared. SchizConnect is a data mediation and integration resource to overcome these limitations in a low-cost manner and deliver a web portal to interact with the federated databases. Access SchizConnect at http://schizconnect.org.
  • Northwestern University Schizophrenia Data and Software Tool (NUSDAST) (PI: Wang): To make structural magnetic resonance (MR) imaging data, genotyping data, and neurocognitive data as well as analysis tools available to the schizophrenic research community. Please note that this dataset is also accessible through the SchizConnect project at: http://schizconnect.org. Here, you will be able to get additional schizophrenia neuroimaging data from FBIRN and COINS.
  • Northwestern University Neuroimaging Data Archive (NUNDA) (PI: Wang): To establish a data archive for the neuroimaging community at Northwestern University, which has the capacity to efficiently and securely store collected MR scans, and to later retrieve them in time-sensitive datasets.

Affiliated Member Bios

John G. Csernansky, MD
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Phone: 312-926-2323
Email:

Address:
Onterie Building
446 East Ontario Street, Suite 7-100
Chicago, IL 60611

Education:
Medical School: New York University School of Medicine
Internship: Stanford University School of Medicine and the Palo Alto Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center
Residency: Stanford University School of Medicine and the Palo Alto Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center
Fellowship: Psychopharmacology - Palo Alto Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center under the mentorship of Leo Hollister, MD

Interests:
My research interests include in vivo neuroimaging of neuropsychiatric disorders, especially schizophrenia and Alzheimer disease, clinical trials of cognition-enhancing drugs, and the development of valid animal models for neuropsychiatric disorders.

Projects:

  • SchizConnect: Large-Scale Schizophrenia Neuroimaging Data Mediation & Federation (PI: Lei Wang (Contact, NU), Jose Luis Ambite (USC), Steven Potkin (UCI), Jessica Turner (MRN), David Keator (UCI)): Large-scale data sharing and integration is needed to further the state-of-the-art schizophrenia research, but is presently not possible due to practical limitations in the way in which data are being shared. SchizConnect is a data mediation and integration resource to overcome these limitations in a low-cost manner and deliver a web portal to interact with the federated databases. Access SchizConnect at http://schizconnect.org.
  • Northwestern University Schizophrenia Data and Software Tool (NUSDAST) (PI: Wang): To make structural magnetic resonance (MR) imaging data, genotyping data, and neurocognitive data as well as analysis tools available to the schizophrenic research community. Please note that this dataset is also accessible through the SchizConnect project at: http://schizconnect.org. Here, you will be able to get additional schizophrenia neuroimaging data from FBIRN and COINS.

Mehmet Dokucu, MD, PhD
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Phone: 312-695-8249
Email:

Address:
Onterie Building
446 East Ontario Street, Suite 7-100
Chicago, Illinois 60611

Education:
Medical School: The University of Ege School of Medicine
Residency: Washington University in St Louis
Fellowship: Washington University in St Louis

Interests:
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Electroconvulsive Therapy, Cancer Psychiatry, Well-Being and Positive Psychology, Somatoform Disorders, Sleep and Circadian Disorders.


Rachna Gupta
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Phone: 847-997-3251
Email:

Address:
Hoffman Estates, IL

Education:
Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA)

Interests:
I am interested in using my passion for computer science and neuroscience to further understand the brain and advance the human condition through research.

Projects:


Alumni Bios

Adam Christensen
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Position at NIACAL: Ph.D. Clinical Psychology Student
Current Position: Neuropsychologist at Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas

Education:
B.A. Psychology and English: State University of New York at Buffalo, 2002
M.S. Neuro-Cognitive Psychology: Ludwig Maximilian University (Munich, Germany), 2008
Ph.D. Clinical Psychology: Northwestern University


Alexandra Apple
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Position at NIACAL: Clinical Psychology Phd Student
Current Position: Intern, UCSF

Education:
B.A. Psychology: University of California, Berkeley
B.A. Social Welfare: University of California, Berkeley


Anna Varentsova
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Position at NIACAL: Postdoctoral fellow
Current Position: Insurance industry

Education:
Ph.D. Physics: Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, 2015
Curriculum Vitae


Annika Benson
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Position at NIACAL: SROP Student
Current Position: Undergraduate at Concordia College

Education:
Undergraduate at Concordia College


Anthony Kang
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Position at NIACAL: Evanston, IL
Current Position: Northwestern undergrad

Education:
B.A. Neuroscience, Science in Human Culture, Northwestern University, Anticipated June 2020


C. Paula De Los Angeles (C. Paula Lewis De Los Angeles)
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Position at NIACAL: MSTP/NUIN PhD Student
Current Position: Medical Student, NUFSM

Education:
Stanford University, BS in Biology; BA in Psychology
Harvard University, EdM in Mind, Brain, and Education
Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Class of 2019: MSTP MD/PhD (PhD -2017 in neuroscience, MD-2019)


Derin Cobia, PhD
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Position at NIACAL: Postdoctoral fellow
Current Position: Assistant Professor Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Center Brigham Young University

Education:
B.S. Psychology: Brigham Young Univerity, 2003
Ph.D. Clinical Psychology: St. Louis University, 2008
Internship Clinical Neuropsychology: West Virginia University School of Medicine, 2008
Postdoctoral Fellowship: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 2011
Curriculum Vitae


Ivy Huang
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Position at NIACAL: Medical Student
Current Position: Resident

Education:
B.A. Molecular and Cell Biology: Neurobiology, University of California Berkeley, 2014
M.D. Candidate, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 2018


Jing Ming
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Position at NIACAL: Research Assistant
Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow at Mind Research Network

Education:
B.S. Electrical Engineering: Zhejiang University (China)
M.S. Bioengineering: University of Illinois at Chicago
Ph.D. Bioengineering: University of Illinois at Chicago


Kate Alpert
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Position at NIACAL: Software Engineer
Current Position: Senior Programmer/Analyst at Radiologics

Education:
Dartmouth College, BA Government, 2008
Georgia Institute of Technology, MS Computer Science, 2018


Katherine Blizinsky
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Position at NIACAL: Northwestern University Interdepartmental Neuroscience (NUIN) Graduate Student
Current Position: Policy Director, All of Us Research Program, National Institutes of Health (https://www.joinallofus.org/) Assistant Professor, Neurology, Rush University Medical Center

Education:
B.S. Neurobiology, University of Washington
Ph.D. Neuroscience, Northwestern University


Katherine Reiter
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Position at NIACAL: Research Assistant
Current Position: Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Student at Marquette University

Education:
B.A. Psychology: Indiana University, 2008
Ph.D. Clinical Psychology: Marquette University, 2017


Marta Turowski
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Position at NIACAL: Research Assistant
Current Position: Project Manager at Epic

Education:
Northwestern University B.S., 2015


Matthew Schroeder
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Position at NIACAL: Northwestern University Interdepartmental Neuroscience (NUIN) Graduate Student
Current Position: .

Education:
Ph.D. Neuroscience Candidate: Northwestern University
Postbaccalaureate: National Institute on Drug Abuse (IRTA Fellow)
M.Sc. Forensic Mental Health Science: King’s College London, Institute of Psychiatry
B.A. Psychology: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Curriculum Vitae


Neha Raghavan (Mehta)
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Position at NIACAL: NUIN PhD Student
Current Position: Postdoc, Department of Neurology, Columbia University

Education:
B.S. Psychology and Biology: Carnegie Mellon, 2008
Ph.D. Neuroscience: Northwestern University, 2015


Roger Mei
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Position at NIACAL: Evanston, IL
Current Position: Northwestern undergrad

Education:
B.S. Industrial Engineering, Computer Science (Double Major): Northwestern University, Anticipated June 2019


Sheeraz Daudi
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Position at NIACAL: Research Assistant
Current Position: Medical Student at UIC

Education:
B.S. Electrical Engineering: Michigan State University, 1996
M.S. Computer Engineering: Northwestern University, 2001
Premedicine Postbaccalaureate: Northwestern University, 2010
Medical Student: University of Illinois at Chicago


Shun Chin Wu
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Position at NIACAL: Visiting Student
Current Position: National Defense Medical Center, School of Medicine, Taiwan

Education:
M.D. Candidate, National Defense Medical Center, School of Medicine, Taiwan., 2019


Veronika Hanko
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Position at NIACAL: Medical Student
Current Position: Resident, NUFSM

Education:
B.A. Biological Sciences: University of Chicago, 2012
M.D. Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 2017