Leehyun Yoon, PhD

Dr. Leehyun Yoon is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Psychology and the Center for Vital Longevity at UT Dallas. Her research field is developmental social affective neuroscience, and her research focuses on how people at different developmental stages and with different mental health conditions update self-views and maintain a positive (but not too positive) sense of self when faced with ups and downs in social and performance outcomes. More broadly, Dr. Yoon aims to understand how and why self-related processing, thought patterns, and social behaviors change across development and how such development is affected by common mental health problems such as depression.

Dr. Yoon received doctoral training in social/affective and decision neuroscience at Korea University and postdoctoral training in developmental psychopathology and neuroscience at UC Davis to pursue her interdisciplinary research interest. In her free time, she enjoys playing the electronic piano, going to jazz bars, and exploring new places.

See Leehyun Yoon’s CV

Thomas Painter, BS

Thomas graduated from The University of Texas at Dallas with a BS in psychology. As an undergraduate, he worked in the Aging Well Lab at the Center for Vital Longevity. Thomas is interested in studying aging across the lifespan as well as self-esteem. In his spare time, Thomas enjoys fishing and playing video games.

Israel Smitherman, MS

Israel graduated with his BS in psychology from Fort Hays State University in 2021 and MS in applied cognition and neuroscience from The University of Texas at Dallas in 2023. Following graduation, he worked as a lab manager for the Aging Well Lab under Dr. Kendra Seaman. His research interests include neuroeconomics, social decision making, affect, and cognitive ability.  In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his daughter, playing chess, and reading. 

Maximilian Ciesla, BA

Maximilian Ciesla is a first-year student in the cognition and neuroscience doctoral program at UT Dallas. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in behavioral neuroscience from Cornell College in 2023. There he worked in the Integrative Neuroscience and Behavior Lab studying the impact of high-fat diets on memory and perseverative behaviors in adolescent rats. His research interests revolve broadly around cognitive and neurobiological development and its relation to socioemotional behaviors and experience. When not at a desk he can be found swimming, reading in his favorite chair, or watching his favorite shows and movies.

Kathryn Ditzler

Kathryn is a third year biology student at The University of Texas at Dallas. She is also in the UTEACH program earning her teaching certificate. Her research interests include child development and psychology. After completing her degree she hopes to go on to medical school and become a pediatric surgeon. Kathryn enjoys activities such as painting, drawing, and hiking in her free time.

Haley Price

Haley received her associate of science from Collin College Wylie. She is now an undergraduate at UT Dallas studying psychology. She currently is an undergrad research assistant in the DSAN laboratory. Her research interests include cognitive changes due to external factors in daily life. After graduating, Haley wants to get her master’s in psychology. Outside of the lab, Haley enjoys reading and taking her dog for walks.  

Hamshitha Sasidhar

Hamshitha is currently a sophomore pursuing a BS in neuroscience on the pre-medical track at The University of Texas at Dallas. Previously, Hamshitha worked in the Baby Brain Lab under Dr. Meghan Swanson, studying caregiver communication and the correlation to infant brain and cognitive development. She is interested in studying social competence and social learning in adolescence coupled with the influence of mental disorders. In her free time, Hamshitha enjoys window shopping and watching new television shows and movies!