Ashley Michelle Campos, MA

Ashley received her MA in psychological research from Texas State University in 2023 and her BA in psychology and English at Austin College in 2017. She is currently enrolled in the applied cognition and neuroscience program at The University of Texas at Dallas and working in the NeuroPsychometric Lab. She is primarily interested in understanding how stress affects our higher cognitive thought processes (e.g., memory and attention) and mental health (e.g., anxiety and depression), explored through behavioral and physiological data. She is also interested in understanding how we can use techniques such as mindfulness to help improve resilience and coping with stress. She is currently assisting with multiple projects in the lab including mindfulness, yoga, and aging projects. She plans to attend a doctoral program in the future for cognitive neuroscience.

Lab Manager
Center for BrainHealth
UT Dallas School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences
Office: CBH 2.218
Email: ashley.campos@utdallas.edu

JOANNA L. HUTCHISON, PHD

Center for BrainHealth
UT Dallas School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences
Department of Psychiatry, UT Southwestern Medical Center
Phone: 972-883-3258
Email: joanna.hutchison@utdallas.edu

Joanna is currently working as a postdoctoral research fellow with Dr. Bart Rypma at the Center for BrainHealth and the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences at The University of Texas at Dallas and at the department of psychiatry at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

Research Interests: Cognition and circumstances that affect cognition, such as aging, traumatic brain injury, and psychiatric illness (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression); auditory processing; fMRI.

Binu Thomas, PhD

Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Center for BrainHealth
Advanced Imaging Research Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center
Email: binu.thomas@utsouthwestern.edu

Binu received his PhD in biomedical engineering from The University of Texas at Arlington jointly with The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in August 2014. He is currently working as senior research scientist at the Advanced Imaging Research Center at UT Southwestern and as a postdoctoral research fellow with Dr. Bart Rypma at the Center for BrainHealth.

Dr. Thomas has more than 15 years of research experience in neuroimaging, MRI data acquisition, analysis and interpretation. He is interested in studying brain function using MRI based methods to measure perfusion, cerebrovascular reactivity, and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen consumption in young, and aging volunteers, and in diseases like Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. He has published more than 15 peer-reviewed journal publications, including papers in NeuroImage, J. Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism, and JMRI, and has published over 40 conference abstracts.

Research Interests: brain function in young, aging, Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s disease; effects of exercise on brain function, functional MRI, cerebrovascular physiology, perfusion MRI.

Jessica Ma, BS

Doctoral Student
UT Dallas School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences
Email: jessica.ma@utdallas.edu

Jessica joined the lab as an undergraduate intern and eventually went on to receive a BS in neuroscience from UT Dallas in 2021 and is currently enrolled in the doctoral Neuroscience and Cognition program. She is primarily interested in using neuroimaging techniques to study cognition, neural mechanisms, and the pathologies that may affect these processes. Specifically, she aims to use fMRI to investigate cognitive processes and brain vasculature in both healthy and clinical populations.

GAYATHRI BATCHALLI MARUTHY, MS

Doctoral Student
UT Dallas School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences
Email: gayathri.bm@utdallas.edu

Gayathri graduated with a master’s degree in applied cognition and neuroscience program from UT Dallas in May 2017. She is currently a graduate student at the Neuropsychometric Research Lab assisting with the Multiple Sclerosis and Mindfulness projects. With a background in Ayurveda (an alternative system of medicine practiced in India), she is interested in understanding the mechanisms involved in meditation by using neuroimaging techniques and looking at its effects on neurological disorders. Her extra-curricular interests include Indian classical music and practice of yoga.

STEPHANIE RODRIGUEZ, MS

Doctoral Student
UT Dallas School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences
Email: stephanie.rodriguez2@utdallas.edu

Stephanie began her career with a bachelor’s in electrical engineering in 2015 and initially worked in corporate, eventually discovering her passion for cognitive neuroscience. She earned her master’s degree in applied cognition and neuroscience from UT Dallas in 2022 and is now pursuing a PhD in cognitive neuroscience. Her research focuses on how holistic practices like mindfulness and yoga influence cognition and neurophysiology, explored through neuroimaging techniques. Outside of the lab, Stephanie enjoys practicing yoga, reading, and spending time with her dog.

G. Hulon Sherard, BS

Doctoral Student
UT Dallas School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences
Email: glenn.sherard@utdallas.edu

Hulon received bachelor’s degrees in cognitive science and mathematics in 2020 from The University of Texas at Dallas. He now conducts research as a PhD student in the NeuroPsychometric research lab, with interests focused on age discrepancies in the relationships between white matter integrity, BOLD signal functional connectivity, cerebral blood flow, and systems of neurovascular coupling.

Emily Jo Smith, BS

Doctoral Student
UT Dallas School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences
Email: emily.smith2@utdallas.edu

Emily received her bachelor of science in psychology from Texas Christian University in 2024 and is currently pursuing a PhD in cognition and neuroscience at The University of Texas at Dallas. As a member of the NeuroPsychometric Research Lab, she is interested in using behavioral measures and neuroimaging techniques to explore age-related changes in cognition and memory in both healthy and clinical populations, as well as neurodegenerative diseases. Outside of the lab, Emily enjoys cooking, exploring new coffee shops, and playing the piano.

Morgen Crosby, BS

Morgen graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Texas Christian University in May 2024. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in psychology with a neuroscience specialization at UT Dallas, where she conducts research in the NeuroPsychometric Research Lab. Her interests focus on the mechanisms of cognitive aging and neurodegenerative disorders, specifically multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease. Morgen plans to pursue a doctoral degree in clinical psychology with a specialization in neuropsychology after graduating from UT Dallas.

GIGI CUMMINGS

Gigi is a research assistant in the NPR lab and is currently working on the Mindfulness Project. She received her bachelor’s in psychology and child development in 2022 and is now a master’s student in the applied cognition and neuroscience program. After receiving her master’s degree, Gigi plans to apply for an MD-PhD program in order to achieve her goal of conducting impactful research in clinical neuroscience. She is interested in both cognition and the cellular mechanisms of the nervous system.

HIRAM FATIMA

Hiram is a junior majoring in neuroscience at The University of Texas at Dallas, with a focused interest in neural plasticity and neurodegenerative disorders. She is currently contributing to the NPR Multiple Sclerosis project. Aspiring to attend medical school, Hiram aims to combine her research and clinical expertise to advance scientific understanding and make a meaningful impact in the field of medicine.

Walter Holcomb, MS

Walter received his MS in applied cognition and neuroscience from UT Dallas in 2024 and his BS in psychological science with a minor in pre professional health from Austin Peay State University in 2021. He is actively assisting with the mindfulness project in the NPR Lab. Walter plans to pursue a doctorate in clinical psychology with a focus in neuropsychology.

PARTHIV KOMMANABOYINA

Parthiv is a junior healthcare studies major on the pre-med track at The University of Texas at Dallas. He is interested in researching multiple sclerosis and dementia. He currently works with the NPR lab’s Multiple Sclerosis project. Parthiv plans to attend medical school and pursue a degree in pediatric neurology.

ASHWIN KUMAR

Ashwin is a sophomore at The University of Texas at Dallas where he majors in biomedical engineering. He is interested in researching neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. He is currently assisting in the NPR lab’s Mindfulness Project. Ashwin plans to acquire a master’s degree in biomedical engineering and pursue a profession in research and development or entering the industry upon graduating from UT Dallas.

POUYA MABOUDIAN

Pouya is a junior neuroscience major at The University of Texas at Dallas. He is interested in researching neurodegenerative diseases such as MS and Alzheimer’s. He is currently assisting in the NPR lab’s Multiple Sclerosis project. Pouya plans to attend medical school and pursue a profession in neurology as well as continue being involved within research.

AARUSHI MOHANTY

Aarushi is a junior psychology major at UT Dallas, who is actively involved in the NPR Lab for Contemplative Neuroscience. Her research focuses on the neural foundations of affect and examines how cognitive processes in mindfulness influence emotion expression and regulation. By exploring the impact of mood manipulation on cognitive function, she assists in investigating how mindfulness meditation may help protect cognitive health during negative emotional states. Aarushi has also contributed to Dr. Price’s Pain Neurobiology Lab, where she has gained hands-on experience with genetic imaging techniques, including DNA electrophoresis, and assisted with animal colony maintenance. She plans to pursue an MD-PhD to achieve her goal of advancing clinical neuropsychology research, with the aim of creating meaningful contributions to the field.

SABIKA NAQVI

Sabika is a junior at UT Dallas majoring in neuroscience. She is assisting on the NPR lab’s Mindfulness Project. She is interested in studying and learning more about neural plasticity, neuroimaging, and neurological disorders. Sabika plans to attend medical school after graduation to become a physician.

LANDON SCOTT NORMAN

Landon is a senior at UT Dallas where he studies both neuroscience and art. He is fortunate enough to be able to combine his passions of art and science in order to create wonderful illustrations of topics related to research and health. His sights are set on medical school where he hopes to become a neurologist and a medical illustrator. Working in the NPR lab has not only given him a deeper understanding of neurodegenerative diseases but inspired him to find ways to better educate the public about health topics. Before medical school, he plans to devote a few years to branch out his research to other disorders and diseases such as schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease, or Alzheimer’s disease.

SARAH FATIMA QURESHI

Sarah is a senior biology major at The University of Texas at Dallas. She is interested in researching the relationship between aging, neurovascular health, and cognition, and is currently involved in Aging projects at the NPR lab. Sarah plans to attend medical school and pursue a profession in geriatrics. Her extracurricular interests include birdwatching, picking up new artistic hobbies, and watching movies.

SHREYAS RAMAKRISHNAN, BS

Shreyas graduated from UT Dallas last summer with a bachelor’s in neuroscience. He is currently assisting in the NPR Lab’s mindfulness project. He is interested in the causes of neurodegenerative illnesses, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Shreyas plans to attend medical school to be a future physician but wants to continue to contribute to research studies in a clinical setting.