Clinical Neuroscience Lab
University of Texas at Austin
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Lab Members:
Andreana Haley, Ph.D.
Director
Curriculum Vita
I received my Ph.D. degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Virginia in 2005 after completing a pre-doctoral internship in Neuropsychology and Rehabilitation Medicine at Eastern Virginia Medical School. Before joining the Clinical Psychology faculty at UT Austin, I spent two years as a Dementia Research Fellow at Brown University, and a visiting research fellow at the Center for Neurological Imaging at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.
My research examines the biological underpinnings of cognitive impairment associated with aging and dementia. As a clinical neuropsychologist, I am interested in studying the neural substrates of memory, language and executive function in clinical populations, in vivo, by utilizing functional neuroimaging (fMRI) and neurospectroscopy (1H MRS). I also conduct work to determine how disturbances in glucose metabolism, hormonal regulation, and cardiovascular functioning contribute to changes in cognition, brain morphology, and energy metabolism. My goal is to bridge knowledge from basic and clinical neuroscience with the aim of improving how we understand, predict, and treat age- and disease-related cognitive impairment.
Mitzi Gonzales, BA, Graduate Student
Mitzi graduated from Occidental College with a BA in biopsychology in 2006. After graduating, she worked as a research assistant at City of Hope, a cancer research hospital. Mitzi joined the Haley Lab in the fall of 2008. Her research focuses on the consequences of metabolic and vascular diseases on brain function and the development of interventions to target them.
Danielle Eagan, MA, Graduate Student
I completed a B.A. in English Literature at the University of California at Berkeley and an M.A. in Linguistics at Temple University, where I wrote my thesis on the evolution of Broca’s area. My interest in human behavior began as an interest in the domains of language and working memory, specifically the onset of aphasia after stroke. Over time I began to focus more on the contribution of inflammatory processes to cognitive decline after acute events, like stroke, and chronic conditions, such as HIV, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. My work in Dr. Haley’s lab examines the role of C-reactive protein and pro-inflammatory cytokines in midlife changes in brain activity, and the extent to which these biomarkers can be used in conjunction with fMRI to predict future cognitive decline.
Sonya Kaur, BA, Graduate Student
I graduated from Monash University in 2008 with a BA(hons) in psychology. After graduation, I worked as a research psychologist at the National University Health System in Singapore, where I ran clinics and conducted research on post stroke patients as well as dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease patients. I am currently interested in examining the relationship between vascular risk factors and cognitive decline, as well as brain function.
Taka Tarumi, MA, Kinesiology Graduate Student
I received a BS from the University of Oregon in human physiology and moved to The University of Texas at Austin for my graduate study. I currently work as a PhD student in the Dr. Hirofumi Tanaka's Cardiovascular Aging Research Laboratory from the Kinesiology and Health Education department, and have been collaborating with the Dr. Haley's Clinical Psychology laboratory for the past three years. Working for the two laboratories in interdisciplinary fields, my research interest is to investigate the effect of lifestyle modification, particularly regular exercise, on vascular function in the brain and how the improved vascular function with lifestyle modification leads to the prevention of diseases, including stroke and dementia.
Miral Vaghasia, Research Assistant
I am currently seeking a B.S. in Neurobiology and Psychology. I joined the Haley lab because of my interest in Clinical Neuroscience research. I am a pre-med student and hope to continue similar research after getting my M.D.
Ryan Ellis, Research Assistant
I am currently a pre-medical student pursuing a B.S. in Neurobiology here at the University of Texas at Austin. I joined Dr. Haley's lab due to my interests in clinical neuroscience research and the computer science behind magnetic resonance imaging. I would like to someday have a career in neurosurgery after receiving my M.D.
Sima Mozdbar, Research Assistant
I am currently a pre-medical student seeking a B.S. in Human Development and Family Sciences at UT. I joined the Haley lab because of my interest in clinical neuroscience which came from being mentored by neurologists at various hospitals across Austin. I hope to pursue neurology, and possibly specialize in pediatric neurology.
Danh Doan, Research Assistant
I am seeking a B.S. in Chemistry. I sought to join the Haley lab because I'm looking to diversify my interests and am looking to broaden my horizons in the field of psychology, seeing as how I may meander from Chemistry. I am at the moment pre-Pharmacy but am considering changing my long-term goals.
Jessica Rae Hungate, BS, Research Assistant
I graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin in May 2011 . I am currently working at Texas Physical Therapy Specialists. I joined the lab to gain research experience in Clinical Neuroscience, and plan to pursue a clinical career after medical or graduate school.
Kayla Steward, Research Assistant
I am an undergraduate at the University of Texas currently working towards a B.S. in Psychology with a Biology minor. I joined Dr. Haley's Clinical Neuroscience lab due to my interest in cognitive testing and neuroimaging. After graduation I hope to pursue a Ph.D and focus on studying neuropsychological disorders and/or cognitive impairments caused by brain damage.
Katy Wheeler, Research Assistant
I am currently an undergraduate at the University of Texas, working toward a B.A. in Psychology. I joined the Haley lab as a way to diversify my research experience and because of my interest in clinical neuroscience. After graduation I'm looking to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology with a concentration in forensics.
Kennon (Kent) Kasischke, Research Assistant
I'm Kennon (Kent) Kasischke, a UT undergrad obtaining a dual degree in Neurobiology and Psychology. I hope to further pursue either Clinical Psychology or Neuroscience in the graduate level to obtain my PhD and start my own research. I have a fascination with the aspects of the CNS and how it can greatly affect ones cognitive functioning when it gets out of whack. The Haley Lab provides me with an experience to develop my interest and learn from people who I hope to be my colleagues one day.
Katy Goudarzi, Research Project Director
I received my M.D. in 2004 in Tehran, Iran- Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. I worked as a general physician in an economically underserved area in central Iran before I came to the U.S in 2006. I completed my masters in Women’s Studies with a focus in Psychology at UT Austin in 2008. Working in the Clinical Neuroscience Lab is an invaluable experience for me because during my medical education and practice I was always interested in neuroscience research and clinical psychology/psychiatry.
Former Research Assitants:
1. Rachel Reed
2. Tali Swan-Sternberg
3. Priya Ghelani
4. Glory Okugo
5. Alyssa Esmail
6. Ishita Gosh
7. Maria Kobidze
8. Seema Pandya
9. Bryan Snead
10. Furqan Shah
11. Mandy Kidwell
Honor's Thesis Students:
1. Fedora Biney (2007-2008) – Genetic risk for hypertension and cardiovascular reactivity in response to mental stress
2. Erin Pomerantz (2008-2009) – Cardiac output and functional activation to working memory
3. Jared Kilmer (Spring/Fall 2009) – Pain perception in individuals at risk for hypertension
4. Sandra Stautberg (2009-2010) – Cerebral N-acetyl-aspartate concentrations in hypertension