Research Assistants
Dipabali Jana
Dipabali is a third-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.
Valerie (Huong) Le
Valerie is a junior at Rutgers, majoring in Biomathematics and minoring in Psychology. After graduating, she aims to pursue further education by going to Medical School or pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. As a person who is frequently anxious with lots of things in the world: ghosts, sharks, mortality, aliens, sickness, losing loved ones, the sky falling on top of her. Valerie would personally like to understand what it's all about a little bit more; she wants to get involved in research about anxiety and health psychology. She is looking forward to learning from skilled researchers and knowing more about tobacco use, specifically the relationship between smoking and various cognitive, psychological, and physiological factors.
Jason Marum
Jason is a junior 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.
Samantha Stucchi
Samantha is a junior 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.
Isabelle Barb
Isabelle is a junior 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 junior 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.
Aabriah Chapman
Aabriah is currently a Sophomore majoring in Psychology with a minor in Creative Writing. After her undergraduate degree, she intends to obtain either a PsyD or a PhD in Psychology. Her dream is to open up my own private practice for the therapeutic counselling of youth suffering from mood and personality disorders. She wants to combine both her cross-cultural awareness and knowledge of both applied and traditional research in order to make a proper therapeutic environment for people from different cultures. Outside of the lab, her hobbies include studying languages like Japanese and Korean, reading novels, and keeping her plants alive.
Dakshita Chebolu
Dakshita is currently a freshman at Rutgers University planning to major in Psychology with minor in Biology. After her undergraduate degree, she intends to attend graduate school and get either a Psy.D or Ph.D in clinical psychology. She hopes that one day she can have her own practice specializing in child and adolescent psychology. She is especially interested in development and behavioral disorders. Prior to this lab, she was an intern at 7 Cups, an online therapeutic service. Outside of the lab, she enjoys reading, listening to music, and photography.
Sebastian Chung
Sebastian is a junior majoring in Psychology and Human Resources. Back in his hometown, he assisted in mental health organizations. Since his freshman year of college, he has been working with the Suicide Hotline, working for grant opportunities, and he hopes to aid in mental health for other countries. His next project will be in South Korea! He loves piano, volleyball, taekwondo, reading, and puns. He is SEBpassionate to work here!
Patricia Di Falco
While working in architecture Patricia was exposed to the dynamics between design and environments within various communities. Patricia found herself longing to understand more about learning and social development. She pursued a master's in education with specializations in math and science to elementary through high school levels. Her teaching experiences encouraged her interest in learning more about anxiety relative to learning and physical disabilities. Working within organizations that foster and promote child development facilitated her plans to pursue a PsyD. Patricia is very excited to be a part of the ABUSA REHAB Lab as an Advanced Research Assistant. She is eager to learn more about how depression and substance abuse are linked, and methods to promote positive changes. Patricia loves spending time with her family, two kitties, and friends. In her spare time she loves going to the beach, baking, and the arts.
Nidhi Gourabathuni
Nidhi is a sophomore 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.
Sravya Kari
I am sophomore at Rutgers University majoring in Psychology and Human Resource Management. I also currently am interning, at Immi Care which is non-profit organization, helping undocumented immigrants get affordable healthcare. I am very interested and excited to be taking a part in the studies here at the ABUSA and REHAB lab. I hope to grow my experience and learn more about the mind. After graduating, I plan to go to graduate school to either earn my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology or Psy.D.
Lori Khadse
Lori is a sophomore at Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences, majoring in Biological Sciences and minoring in Psychology and Public Health. As a Crisis Text Line Counselor and an EMT, her research interests include mental illness, substance abuse, and mental health, particularly in the context of youth. In the past, she has conducted research at the Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience and she is currently leading a project in the Rutgers Interdisciplinary Research Program. Outside of school and research, she loves to spend her time writing for The Elysian Muse, a mental health youth literary journal she founded three years ago, and drawing greeting and holiday cards for The Arts Council of Princeton. Fun Fact: she has been playing the guitar for ten years!
Srujana Mallem
Srujana is a junior majoring in Psychology and Information Technology and Informatics. Prior to joining the lab, she was a psychiatric intern at the Robert Wood Johnson Hospital. Seeing patients with different psychological and mental illnesses and observing how treatment plans are curated made her interested in pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology. She is interested in learning more about mood, especially stress disorders as well as addiction and prevention. She also hopes to understand how to make mental healthcare more accessible to those who need it. Outside of the lab, she enjoys spending time on art, music, and community service.
Shriya Mandava
Shriya is a current undergraduate student at Rutgers University in her junior year. She is double majoring in Psychology and 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.
Rutu Patel
Rutu is a sophomore at Rutgers on the pre-med track, pursuing a major in Cell Biology and Neuroscience and a minor in Computer Science. Her long term goal is to become a surgeon. The main focus of her major is neuroscience, opening up her research and work opportunities to both mental and physiological health. Rutu's specific interests include how drugs can affect cognition and physiology, neuron regeneration, and neuroplasticity. Her hobbies are drawing, painting, dancing, and reading.
Divya Penta
Divya is a 3rd 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 sophomore 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!
Marcus Shipp
Marcus is a rising senior in the School of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers University. He is pursuing a major in Psychology and minors in Sociology, Criminology, and Health and Society. Marcus has always had an interest in the relationship between the brain and behavior, and after his recent experience as an undergraduate intern for a clinical neuropsychologist, his interest has significantly grown. He is excited to gain lab experience and further study the mind-body relationship, anxiety, stress, substance use disorder and more. After graduating, Marcus plans to pursue a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology or Neuropsychology.
Luke Stanton
Luke is a freshman 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 graduate school in psychology, biology, or neuroscience to explore my 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. She has always been fascinated by the link shared between physiology and psychology even though the mind and body are often perceived as separate. After graduating, she 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 lab, she enjoys hiking, reading, and dancing!
Goldy Zazon
Goldy is a first-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.