Noa Ofen, PhD
noa.ofen@utdallas.edu
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Dr. Ofen is a professor at the Center for Vital Longevity and The University of Texas at Dallas in the school of Behavioral and Brain Sciences within the Department of Psychology. Dr. Ofen joined UT Dallas in 2024 having held a faculty position at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan (2011-2023).
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Dr. Ofen is the director of the Cognitive and Brain Development Laboratory. Together with her research team she has been investigating the development of memory systems in the brain. In particular, using a range of cognitive neuroscience approaches pairing careful behavioral assessments with multiple neuroimaging approaches including intracranial EEG and both structural and functional MRI, we aims to understand the factors that shape cognitive ability across the lifespan.
One focus of her ongoing research is utilizing localized electrical signature of brain activity to uncover the neurophysiological mechanisms that support memory encoding and retrieval. Coupled with rigorous investigations using fMRI these studies promise to provide profound understanding on the neural basis of memory in the developing brain. Another key focus of her research has been the investigation of the structure and function of the hippocampus, a crucial brain structure for learning and memory that is altered in a number of neurodevelopmental disorders. Yet another key focus in her research is striving to disentangle sources of individual differences in behavior and biological measures that are linked to environmental influences or genetic predispositions.
Dr. Ofen provides extensive service to professional societies and participates in peer-review of grants and scientific manuscripts. Her excellence in scholarship has been recognized in various awards including Career Development Chair from Wayne State University and being elected as a Kavli Frontiers of Science Fellow by the National Academy of Science.
Dr. Ofen’s research has broad societal implications in clinical conditions where memory serves as a key domain of deficit and she has also written about, and is interested in exploring, how insights gained from developmental cognitive neuroscience may have practical implication in education settings.
In her free time, she enjoys connecting with friends, traveling, exercising, and spectating her kids’ sporting events.
Dimple Wadhwa, MS
dimple.wadhwa@utdallas.edu
Dimple Wadhwa graduated from The University of Texas at Dallas with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Child Learning and Development in 2021 and received a Master’s Degree in Medical Sciences from Texas A&M University in 2023. Throughout her time at UT Dallas, she was involved in Dr. Francesca Filbey’s Lab and Dr. Jiyoung Park’s Cultural and Affective Neuroscience Lab. She is interested in investigating the relationship between psychopathology and chronic illness from adolescence to adulthood and the role stress plays. In her free time, she enjoys playing golf, working out, reading, and baking!
Parker Younger, BS
parker.younger@utdallas.edu
Parker received his BS in psychology from Old Dominion University. During his time at ODU, he worked under Dr. George Noell researching the emergence of hierarchical categorical reasoning during development. His current research interests are centered in neuropsychological thought with focuses on understanding the development of neural and cognitive mechanisms in early schooling applications. In his spare time he enjoys baking, playing board games, and competitively sailing around the nation.
Qin Yin, PhD
qin.yin@utdallas.edu
Qin received her PhD in psychology from Wayne State University in 2023. Her research interests are the neural correlates of memory and memory development. Specifically, she uses intracranial EEG to investigate the development of episodic memory. Qin enjoys hiking, cooking, and watching movies in her free time.
Aditi Arora, PhD
aditi.arora@utdallas.edu
Aditi Arora earned her PhD from the Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Austria. She is dedicated to understanding the intricacies of human memory. Her research explores neural correlates of memory processes among children and adults throughout the lifespan. She is also interested in how memory and metacognitive abilities develop and change throughout our lives. Aditi enjoys traveling, exploring new cultures, spending time with animals, and embracing the outdoors.
Lipika Devara
dogilipika.devara@utdallas.edu
Lipika Devara is a freshman at the University of Texas at Dallas , majoring in Psychology with a minor in Music. With aspirations to pursue a career in clinical psychology and/or research and a professional path in music/voice/singing, Lipika is enthusiastic about exploring the intersection of mental health and artistic expression. In addition to academic pursuits, Lipika is passionate about different genres of music, dance, and art, dedicating time to these creative outlets. Lipika is excited to contribute to and grow within the research community!
Prestin Cherian
prestin.cherian@utdallas.edu
Prestin Cherian is working toward a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering at the University of Texas at Dallas. He is interested in the brain and how it affects cognitive function. Prestin likes hiking, watching movies, and gardening in his free time.
Antonia Stefan
antonia.stefan@utdallas.edu
Antonia Stefan is a neuroscience major and music minor student at the University of Texas at Dallas. She is on the pre-medical track and her passions are studying memory and learning in the brain, neurodevelopmental disorders, childhood mental health, and nutrition. Antonia also enjoys tutoring, reading science fiction books, and going on walks.
Zain Pervaiz
zain.pervaiz@utdallas.edu
Zain Pervaiz is a Business Administration and Pre-Med student at The University of Texas at Dallas. He has always been interested in how the brain stores and retrieves memory, especially in stressful situations, and how this relates to medicine and psychiatry. Zain is excited to explore these topics further through research and hands-on experience. In his free time, he enjoys lifting, traveling, and playing sports with friends.
Dalya Jabr
dalya.jabr@utdallas.edu
Dalya Jabr is an undergraduate psychology major at The University of Texas at Dallas who has aspirations of pursuing a graduate degree in clinical psychology. She is interested in memory and how neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders bring on cognitive decline. Dalya enjoys writing and baking in her free time.