Abbie Shannon
Abbie is an undergraduate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, double majoring in Psychology (B.S.) and Medical Anthropology with a minor in Neuroscience. As someone who loves working with children and is interested in learning about how different life experiences affect mental health and aspects of child development, she is so excited to join the CIRCLE Lab. After graduation, Abbie hopes to attend graduate school and pursue a career in the healthcare field. In her free time, Abbie enjoys going on walks, playing piano, and swimming. (Pronouns: she/her/hers)
Anushree Ramanujam
Anushree Ramanujam is an undergraduate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is from Concord, NC and is majoring in Neuroscience on the pre-med track. She is excited to join the Circle Lab and explore clinical psychology. She is interested in gaining hands-on experience in a research setting and furthering her knowledge in neuroscience and psychology. (Pronouns: she/her/hers)
Aria Merrill
Aria Merrill is an undergraduate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill majoring in Neuroscience and Chemistry with a minor in Philosophy. Originally from Washington, D.C., she hopes to one day earn her MD-PhD and pursue a future at the intersection of pediatric neuroscience and trauma. Her research passions lie in understanding how adverse childhood experiences shape brain development, with a special interest in the epigenetic mechanisms that may underlie generational trauma and their implications for long-term mental and physical health outcomes. Aria’s primary love has always been working with children, and she is eager for a career that serves them both clinically and through research & advocacy. In her free time, she enjoys curling up outside with her philosophy readings, mentoring young students, and exploring Chapel Hill coffee shops.
Kamirah Louissaint
Kamirah Louissaint is a Haitian-American first generation college student from Miami, Florida. She graduated from Miami Dade Honors College with highest honors, earning her Associate of Arts in Psychology. Kamirah has a strong background in community engagement and advocacy, having served on the Florida State Board for Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT), where her work in tobacco control earned recognition at both the state and county levels in 2023. She continues her commitment to social causes through her work with Educate Tomorrow, mentoring students experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Kamirah also contributes to Educate Tomorrow’s Field Academy, where she educates students on advocacy and mental health while assisting with the school’s garden initiative. As a Graduate Fellow, she hosts and coordinates workshops to support high school seniors in their transition into early adulthood. Through her roles as a mentor, tutor, and educator, Kamirah continues to prioritize education and community engagement. She was recognized as the 2025 Catalyst for Change by Miami Dade College North Campus and as the 2024 Young Adult Woman of the Year by Florida State Representative Marie Woodson. Her interests are centered on supporting at-risk youth through addressing systemic barriers and mentorship. During her free time Kamirah loves to write poetry, read romance books, watch romance movies, and crochet. Kamirah is Inspired by Richard Wilkins quote “Miracles start to happen when you give as much energy to your dreams as you do your fears.”
Larry Liu
Larry Liu is an undergraduate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill pursuing a major in Biology. Larry is excited to join the CIRCLE Lab, where he looks forward to better understand the technical foundations of neuroimaging and how data integrity influences clinical findings. Following his time at UNC, Larry plans to attend medical school and apply his research background to improve patient outcomes and clinical care. In his free time he likes to lift, play volleyball, and crochet.
Luke Edwards
Luke Edwards is an undergraduate at UNC Chapel Hill majoring in Biology and Psychology with a minor in Anthropology. He is from Elizabeth City, North Carolina and plans on attending a Physician Assistant program after graduation to specialize in either Psychiatry or Orthopedics. Luke is super excited to join the CIRCLE Lab and is specifically interested in the effects of adverse childhood experiences on neural pathways and the development of psychopathological behaviors. He is excited to gain hands-on experience and a better understanding of the research process. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer and team handball, fishing, hiking, and reading mystery novels.
Rahiem Brooks
Rahiem Brooks is a transfer undergraduate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, majoring in Psychology (B.A.) and double minoring in Neuroscience and History. Originally from Philadelphia, PA, Rahiem is passionate about child development and is particularly focused on creating educational resources to support early childhood learning. His current research interests center on developing an Early Childhood Education Kit for children aged 0-5 years, specifically aimed at helping parents and caregivers from low-income and underserved communities prepare their children for kindergarten. This project aligns with his broader aspiration to promote resilience, well-being, and educational equity for children in marginalized communities. After graduation, Rahiem plans to pursue graduate studies in psychology, with the goal of becoming a tenured professor and continuing his work on developmental psychology and educational preparedness. In his free time, Rahiem enjoys spending time with his two children and is an avid reader with a particular interest in history. (Pronouns: he/him/his)
Saakshi Patel
Saakshi Patel is an undergraduate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill pursuing majors in Neuroscience and Information Science along with a minor in Chemistry. Saakshi is currently working at the UNC Medical Center and has a strong interest in the relationship between life experiences, brain development, and behavior. She is excited to join the CIRCLE Lab to explore how early environments and experiences—such as stress, adversity, and substance use—affect cognitive and emotional development. Saakshi is passionate about neuroscience and hopes to build on her current research experience by learning more about neuroimaging methods and child development. She hopes to attend Physician Assistant (PA) school in the future to further her ability to integrate clinical practice with research-informed care, particularly in underserved populations. Through CIRCLE Lab, she looks forward to contributing to meaningful research, collaborating with a motivated team, and gaining insights that can support more effective, evidence-based care for children and adolescents. In her free time, Saakshi enjoys watching romance movies, walking outdoors, and cooking. (Pronouns: she/her/hers)