Research Assistants

Dipabali Jana

Dipabali is a fourth-year undergraduate student at Rutgers University. She is interested in conducting various therapeutic techniques to help people who suffer from depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety. She is also interested in research regarding the association between women’s health and mood disorders. This year, Dipabali will be completing a Senior Honors Thesis under the supervision of Dr. Theresa Leyro!

Jason Marum 

Jason is a senior at Rutgers University majoring in Psychology with a minor in Criminology. He is also a current volunteer Crisis Counselor for the Crisis Text Line and helps those in tense moments understand effective coping techniques that work for them. His future career goal is to attend graduate school to earn his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Jason's current research interests relate to learning more about anxiety, mood disorders, OCD, and their individual comorbidities. He also would love to explore the involvement of the diathesis stress model within the onset of these disorders. This year, Jason will be completing a Senior Honors Thesis under the supervision of Dr.Theresa Leyro!

Samantha Stucchi  

Samantha is a senior at Rutgers University majoring in psychology and minoring in cognitive science and criminology. Her goal is to go to graduate school and complete the full Ph.D. route, and eventually become a neuropsychologist. Samantha is thinking about potentially working as a trauma specialist for a large organization such as the FBI. While she is still finding her path regarding what she wants to do with her future neuropsychology degree, she is keeping multiple doors open.  Samantha is looking forward to working with the team and conducting research. Some of her hobbies include hiking, pottery, photography, and working out. This year, Samantha will be completing a Senior Honors Thesis under the supervision of Dr. Samantha Farris!

Isabelle Barb

Isabelle is a senior in the School of Arts and Sciences majoring in Psychology and minoring in Creative Writing. She loves studying Psychology and is particularly interested in the field of sex therapy. After finishing her undergrad, she intends to pursue a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology and become a sex therapist with a concentration in helping survivors of sexual abuse.

Helena Beshay 

Helena is a senior at the School of Arts and Sciences, pursuing a pre-medical track. With her passion for psychology, she is interested in studying the relationship of substance abuse on physiological and psychological health. Helena looks forward to working with the ABUSA and REHAB labs to better help those struggling with substance abuse. Some of her current hobbies include reading, hiking, and exploring new restaurants.

Nidhi Gourabathuni  

Nidhi is a junior in the School of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers University with an intent to major in Cell Biology & Neuroscience and a minor in Health Administration. In the future, she plans to go into the medical field to become a physician and continue doing research as well. Her current research interests include neuropsychopathy, and brain-related disorders. In her free time she enjoys, reading, hiking, and painting. 

Shriya Mandava

Shriya is a current undergraduate student at Rutgers University in her senior year. She is majoring in Psychology with a minor in Cognitive Science. After graduating, she plans on pursuing a Psy.D. or Ph. D. in Clinical Psychology. Prior to this lab, she was an intern at University Behavioral Health Care in the Adult In-Patient unit. Her experience there boosted her interest in clinical psychology with a focus on etiology and prevention. Her current research interests are mood disorders, PTSD, and the psychological effects of addiction and withdrawl. Outside of the lab, she enjoys working out, watching movies/tv shows, and playing video games.

Divya Penta

Divya is a 4th year undergraduate student at Rutgers University-New Brunswick majoring in Psychology and minoring in Government and Business and Italian! After graduation, she will further pursue her goals by attending Medical School. Prior to working at the AHBC lab, she has worked on Dr. Shors' latest lab, and she has also worked with the American Red Cross as a Lead Supervisor. She is very interested in the physiological aspects of addiction and seeing the effects on both the body and the mind. By combining both psychology and medicine, she will gain an insight to new information and skills by working here. Outside of the lab, her other hobbies include cooking, photography, music and entertainment. She is looking forward to joining the team and helping out on the valuable research conducted here at the AHBC lab. 

Anirudh Sateesh

Anirudh is a junior at Rutgers majoring in cell biology and neuroscience. He plans on attending medical school and becoming a doctor and eventually becoming a teacher. Through his research, he hopes to find new types of preventative measures for common illnesses. Most importantly, he would like to combine psychology and medicine to achieve a healthier patient. Fun fact about him: he has been playing the piano since 1st grade!
 

Luke Stanton

Luke is a sophomore at Rutgers University planning on majoring in Psychology and Cognitive science with a minor in biology. He is interested in the intersection between human physiology and psychology and more specifically, the possible physiological/genetic causes for psychological disorders. He plans on eventually pursuing a Ph.D in clinical psychology or neuroscience to explore his research interests. He also enjoys playing guitar, piano, drums, and loves to write and produce music.

Komal Vakadkar

Komal is a senior at Rutgers University pursuing a major in Biological Sciences and a minor in Psychology. Komal has always been facinated by the link shared between physiology and psychology even though the mind and body are often perceived as separate. After graduating, Komal plans on attending medical school to gain knowledge on a deeper level and be able to create treatment plans for patients presenting symptoms of wide range from psychiatric to physiological. Outside of the lab, Komal enjoys hiking, reading, and dancing!

Goldy Zazon

Goldy is a second-year planning on majoring in psychology and minoring in cognitive science in the school of arts and sciences. She hopes to obtain a Ph.D. in psychology and specialize in addiction and rehabilitation. She currently volunteers as a crisis counselor and a campus advocate for Crisis Textline, which is what originally spiked her curiosity in addiction. Some hobbies of hers include reading, journaling, exploring nature, art, and baking.