Amoli Kothari
Amoli Kothari is a junior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is majoring in psychology with a minor in biology. Amoli is interested in learning about the development of cognitive function in children. She is excited to further her research experience with the CIRCLE lab and hopes to use this experience in her post-grad plans. (Pronouns: she/her/hers)
Annette Varghese
Annette is a senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill majoring in Neuroscience with minors in Chemistry and Medical Anthropology. She is interested in the biological aspect of cognitive behaviors with a focus on child development and psychopathology. At the CIRCLE lab, she is excited to gain hands-on experience with research techniques and learn more about neuroimaging. After graduating from UNC, she plans to attend medical school to specialize in psychiatry. (Pronouns: she/her/hers)
Jackie de Melo
Jackie is a senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill majoring in Psychology with minors in Latina/o studies and Education. As someone who has worked with children in educational and social settings, she is interested in investigating the ways in which a child’s neurodevelopment is impacted by their environment and preexisting neurobiology. She is excited to gain further experience in modern scientific methods to expand upon her knowledge of how early life experiences affect the development of brain and behavior in children. After ungrad, she plans to obtain a P.h.D in Clinical Psychology and work as a Clinical Psychologist as well as a researcher. (Pronouns: she/they)
Jennifer Rubin
Jenny is a senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill studying neuroscience and history with a minor in education. She is excited to gain hands-on research experience working with children and looks forward to studying the effect of threatening experiences on brain development. Jenny hopes to use what she learns in the CIRCLE lab as she moves forward to medical school and beyond! (Pronouns: she/her/hers)
Katie Baich
Katie is a senior at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill pursing majors in Psychology and Linguistics with a minor in Speech and Hearing Sciences. She is interested in learning the impact life experiences can have on cognitive function. Through the WHALE study, Katie is looking forward to gaining research experience. After completing her undergraduate degree, Katie plans to get her masters in Speech Language Pathology with a focus on children with disabilities. (Pronouns: she/her/hers)
Kayla Simone Brown
Kayla Brown is a junior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill dedicating her studies to Psychology. Kayla is enthusiastic to learn and have a hands on experience while working in a research environment as a member of The Circle Lab. She has the passion to expand her understanding of the adolescent cognition and the development of behavior and emotion. She plans to pursue graduate school in hopes of earning a Ph.D in Clinical Psychology and expand the idea of researching. Outside of studying, Kayla enjoys singing in UNC Gospel Choir, engaging in community service and organizations such as the Black Student Movement. She also loves spending time with her family and peers on her free time. (Pronouns: she/her/hers)
Morgan Macia
Morgan is a junior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Medical Anthropology. She is excited to combine her interest in brain development and her love for working with children. Morgan has a passion for promoting equity and representation in research and medicine. After graduation, Morgan hopes to attend medical school and become a specialized pediatrician. (Pronouns: she/her/hers)
Olivia Thomas
I am a senior at the University of North Carolina pursing a degree in neuroscience with a minor in chemistry. I am excited to start my journey in research by participating in the WHALE Study. I am particularly interested in neuroimaging and learning more about brain development in children and adolescence. After graduation, I hope to continue conducting research and attend graduate school. (Pronouns: she/her/hers)
Riley Hatcher
Riley is a senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with intentions to double major in Psychology and Exercise and Sport Science, as well as minor in Neuroscience. She is extremely interested in both the positive and negative reinforcements that can affect child brain development. Riley is ready to gain both hands-on research experience and community presence for the WHALE Study. After she graduates, she hopes to be a contributor in the biomedical community, working in either pharmaceutical marketing or psychological research and development. (Pronouns: she/her/hers)
Ross Doyle
Ross is a senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill pursuing a B.S. in Psychology. He is thrilled to be a part of the CIRCLE Lab and is excited to be gaining hands on experience learning about early brain development. He is planning on pursuing graduate school and hopes to continue research post-graduation. In his free time, Ross loves playing basketball as well as playing the piano. (Pronouns: he/him/his)
Tekla Maisashvili
Tekla is a sophomore at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, majoring in neuroscience with a minor in chemistry. Her interests are centered around how differences in environment are reflected in the brain and comparisons of thinking styles of people with various backgrounds and experiences. Whether through research or medicine, in the future, Tekla wants to spend time understanding people around her, so she is excited to help out with the WHALE study. (Pronouns: she/her/hers)
Thalia Rivero
Thalia Rivero is a transfer Junior coming from Miami Dade Honors College. She is majoring in Psychology and she plans to continue to graduate school and focus on Clinical studies with a specialization on child development and family therapy. In the future, Thalia would like to continue research and after she gain enough experience, she would like to begin her career as a therapist. She is excited to gain new perspectives by assisting in this lab and bring new ideas to the team and the study. (Pronouns: she/her/hers)
Tianyi Li
Tianyi is a sophomore at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill double majoring in Psychology and Statistics. She has a great passion for any topics related to children and adolescents. At the CIRCLE lab, she is enthusiastic to learn about the effects of parents and family relationships on children’s brain development. After graduation, she aims to apply for graduate program in child and adolescent clinical psychology or family therapy. (Pronouns: she/her/hers)
Victoria Banks
Victoria Banks is a senior at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill double majoring in Neuroscience and Exercise and Sports Science and minoring in Spanish for the Medical Professions. She is excited to learn more about how environmental factors affect child development and to work with the families and researchers of the CIRCLE Lab. After graduating from UNC, Victoria plans to obtain a graduate degree in Occupational Therapy, specializing in pediatrics. (Pronouns: she/her/hers)
Zoe Priddy
Zoe is a senior at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is a double major in Biology and Psychology and a Spanish for the Medical Professions minor. Zoe is interested in learning about the adolescent brain and the brain’s development and she is excited to learn more about the process of research. After undergrad, she plans to attend medical school to become a Pediatrician. (Pronouns: she/her/hers)