People

Adiya earned a Ph.D. in Bioengineering from the University of Pittsburgh, where she investigated how inhibitory neurons influence network activity and regulate cerebral blood flow. Using multiphoton and optical imaging techniques alongside EEG recordings in mice, she examined brain activity while selectively manipulating neuronal subpopulations with optogenetics and chemogenetics. Now, as a postdoctoral researcher in the Lewis Lab, Adiya aims to integrate fNIRS and fMRI to explore how neuromodulatory nuclei shape neurovascular coupling in the cortex and across the brain.

Aaron is a PhD student in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science program at MIT. He obtained B.S. from University of California, San Diego in 2020 with in Electrical and Computer Engineering. He also received M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University in 2023 before coming to Boston. Aaron's past experiences span both hardware and computational research for neuroscience. He previously worked with Dr. Maysam Chamanzar at CMU to create automated propagation loss characterization system for optical neural probes. Afterwards, he worked with Dr. Michele Insanally at University of Pittsburgh to study the synaptic origin of behavioral flexibility through spiking RNN models. Aaron aims to combine both hardware and software research to improve neuromodulation in humans, and he is currently working on refining stimulation algorithm for slow wave sleep.

Gabby is a PhD student in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science program at MIT. She graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 2024 with B.S. from the Biomedical Engineering and Computer Science Departments, as well as an M.S. in Biomedical Engineering. Previously, she worked with Dr. Adam Charles in the Neural Signals and Computation Lab at JHU, where she worked with evaluating and improving spike deconvolution algorithms for calcium neural signal imaging. Gabby’s research interest is in using computational techniques to extract biological relevance from neuroimages, and she is currently investigating the predictability of CSF flow from EEG.

Hannah recently graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a degree in neuroscience and cognitive science. As an undergraduate, she worked at the Neuroplasticity and Development Lab, investigating how sensory loss affects brain function and cognition. She completed a thesis project on English braille letter recognition. Hannah also joined the Poverty and Inequality Research Lab, where she examined the systematic connections among socioeconomic factors, housing, health, and educational attainment. Hannah is broadly interested in how experience shapes the brain. She hopes to gain proficiency in neuroimaging techniques and learn more about neural circuits and functional brain connectivity related to sleep.

Danlei received her Ph.D. in Psychology from Northeastern University focusing on the functional involvement of the human brainstem in cognition using ultra-high field fMRI. Her general interest is in investigating whole-brain neural dynamics that regulate the autonomic systems over time, especially during different levels of arousal. Currently, she uses fast, high-resolution neuroimaging, measures in both central and peripheral physiology, and computational approaches to explore the relationship between changes in BOLD signals, cerebrospinal fluid flow, and peripheral physiological patterns across a spectrum of arousal states.

Brandon recently graduated from Dartmouth College, where he studied cognitive science with a focus on human cooperation. He conducted research at the PhilLab on causal reasoning using online game theory studies and physics simulations, and he wrote his thesis at the SCRAP Lab on social signal prediction using machine learning techniques. Brandon hopes to pursue clinical psychology and study methods that allow practitioners to predict the most effective treatment for a patient. Broadly, he is interested in learning more signal processing, machine learning, and brain state transitions.

Banban recently graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in neuroscience major and philosophy minor with Honors and Honors Carolina laureate. She worked in Dr. Charlotte Boettiger’s lab and finished an independent honor thesis on early binge drinking’s effect on value-based attentional bias as well as neural activity in the caudate. In her free time, she enjoys practicing karate, hiking, and writing sci-fi.

Rashmina is currently an undergraduate student majoring in Neuroscience and is expected to graduate in 2024. Her research interests include understanding the effects of sleep deprivation on people with and without depression. Apart from school, she likes to cook new recipes and travel!

Massinissa is an undergraduate student studying Biomedical Engineering with a concentration in Machine Learning at Boston University and plans to graduate in 2024. His interests include coding, machine learning, and using AI in medicine. Outside of school, he enjoys playing soccer, running, and sailing. Currently, Massi is assisting in collecting data for the sleep deprivation studies.

Joseph is an undergraduate student studying Biomedical Engineering at Boston University, expecting to graduate in 2025. His interests include optimizing the functionality of neurotechnology, studying neurodegenerative disorders, and examining how sleep deprivation affects the emotional centers of the brain. Outside of school, he enjoys making music as well as working on independent engineering projects.

Anne-Sophie is an undergraduate student studying neuroscience and psychology and is graduating in 2023. She is interested in the relationship between brain activity and cognition. Outside of school, she likes to play piano, read, and visit new places.

Marissa is an undergraduate student studying biomedical engineering who is expecting to graduate in 2025. She is interested in biomedical devices ranging from prosthetics to MRI scanners and everything in between. She currently assists with data collection for the sleep deprivation studies. Outside of school Marissa is involved with the BU figure skating team. She also loves to cook!