Mechanisms Underlying
Neurocognitive Aging Lab
Alexandra L. Clark, PhD
alexandra.clark@austin.utexas.edu
Curriculum Vitae
Dr. Clark received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Neuropsychology from the San Diego State University/University of California San Diego Joint Doctoral Program. She completed a full-time postdoctoral fellowship in Interprofessional PolytraumaTBI Rehabilitation at the San Diego VA Healthcare System as well as a part-time fellowship in Neuropsychology and Novel Neuroimaging Metrics for Alzheimer's Disease at the University of California San Diego from 2019-2021. Her research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, Veterans Affairs Administration, and American Psychological Association. Dr. Clark also has extensive training in the neuropsychological assessment of a broad range of neurological and psychiatric disorders (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, TBI, Parkinson’s disease, PTSD), and has provided clinical supervision to doctoral students and interns. Dr. Clark joined the UT Austin Clinical Psychology Faculty in Fall 2021.
Abbey Hamlin, M.A.
Curriculum Vitae
Abbey is a third-year student in the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program. She graduated with her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Michigan in May 2020 and has since then received her Masters of Arts in Psychology. Upon graduating, she worked as a study coordinator for the Michigan Neural Distinctiveness (MiND) study (R01AG050523), a longitudinal research study supported by the NIH that uses functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to examine how brain activity and cognitive function change with age. Her primary research interests include cognitive aging, cultural neuropsychology, and social determinants of health in the context of age-related cognitive decline. Abbey also hopes to apply brain imaging techniques as a means to better understand the biological mechanisms that influence cognitive aging trajectories among underrepresented older adult populations.
Victoria Leyva, M.A.
victoria.leyva@austin.utexas.edu
Curriculum Vitae
Victoria Leyva earned her Master of Psychological Research from Texas State University, where her thesis explored the cognitive effects of relationship endings. She also holds a B.S. in Psychology with minors in Biology, Sociology, and Philosophy. Victoria has extensive research experience in memory and cognition, with a particular focus on how stress impacts cognitive functioning. Her work has examined the relationship between stress and memory processes, including how stress influences emotional regulation and cognitive performance. Victoria's primary research interests include memory processes, cognitive aging, and the impact of life experiences on cognitive functioning. She is particularly interested in how memory systems interact with emotional and social factors to shape cognitive outcomes.
Hannah Kim
hannahh082304@utexas.edu
Curriculum Vitae
Hannah is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin, double majoring in Psychology and Plan II Honors. Her research focuses on sex differences in memory development, sexual disgust, and sexual guilt, particularly how guilt influences unwanted sexual fantasies. She is particularly interested in how neural processes shape sexual behavior and decision-making across different cultural contexts. After graduating, she plans to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, spending time outdoors, and playing the piano.
Ashley Chikkala
adc4876@utexas.edu
Curriculum Vitae
Ashley was our 2024 data science intern who graciously joined the lab! Ashley is a second year undergraduate at the University of Texas at Austin pursuing a B.A. in Psychology, along with a minor in English and a certificate in Spanish in the Mental Health Professions. She is interested in exploring how ethnocultural factors shape the cognitive impact of resource deprivation in communities of low socioeconomic status. After graduating, she hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. In her free time, Ashley enjoys dancing, reading, and attending concerts.
Asmi Dhotre
asmi.dhotre@utexas.edu
Curriculum Vitae
Asmi is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin pursuing a B.S. in Psychology. She is passionate about clinical psychology and aims to pursue a Ph.D. in the field to support individuals struggling with mental health challenges. Asmi is particularly interested in understanding clinical disorders and exploring therapeutic strategies to improve psychological well-being. In her free time, she enjoys working out, watching movies and spending time with friends and family
Christian Jackson
cjjackson@utexas.edu
Curriculum Vitae
Christian is a second year undergraduate at the University of Texas at Austin. He is pursuing a B.S.A in Neuroscience. His research interests include the formation and strengthening of Neural Pathways, Alzheimer’s development and treatments, and the glymphatic system. After graduating, he plans on attending medical school to become a neurosurgeon. He enjoys reading and watching movies.
Estefanía Cavazos-Reyes
Curriculum Vitae
Estefanía is a third-year undergraduate at the University of Texas at Austin double majoring in Psychology (B.A) and English with a minor in Spanish. Her research interests involve exploring how life experiences impact cognitive functioning. More specifically, she is interested in working with different demographic groups to observe how their unique experiences and struggles shape biological mechanisms that impact brain outcomes. After graduating, she hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. In her free time, Estefanía enjoys reading, dancing, and watching movies.
Ashna Pethe
Curriculum Vitae
Ashna is an third-year undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin pursuing a B.S.A in Neuroscience and a minor in Healthcare Reform and Innovation. She is also part of the Health Science Scholars Honors Program. Ashna is interested in exploring how sociocultural factors play a role in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. She is also curious to learn about current treatment options and early detection methods that could slow the disease process. In her free time, Ashna enjoys singing, reading, and spending time with her friends and family.
Nazareth Ortega, B.A.
nazareth.ortega@austin.utexas.edu
Curriculum Vitae
Nazareth received her B.A. in Psychology from the California State University of Northridge. During her undergraduate studies, Nazareth was a research scholar for BUILD PODER (Building Infrastructure Leading to Diversity, Promoting Opportunities for Diversity in Education and Research), a biomedical research training program funded by the NIH, and RA in the Dementia and Multicultural Neuropsychology Lab. Her primary research interests include cultural neuropsychology, social determinants of health, risk and protective factors, and biological mechanisms of pathological aging trajectories in historically marginalized and linguistically diverse populations. Nazareth hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical neuropsychology.
Wren Thomson
Curriculum Vitae
Matthew (Wren) is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin striving for a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in History. Wren is currently in the Psychology Honors program completing his thesis on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) risk after Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) within various racial/ethnic groups. Wren is interested in ADRD research since it detrimentally impacts the groups he wishes to help (prisoners, the homeless, and foster youth). Wren is researching graduate school opportunities and hopes to pursue a PhD or PsyD in Psychology and a JD. In his free time, Wren likes to read fictional novels, watch baseball and basketball, play his euphonium, and spend time with friends/family.
Niousha Bastani
Curriculum Vitae
Niousha is a third-year student at the University of Texas at Austin majoring in Psychology (B.S) with a certificate in Health Sciences. She is interested in exploring the socioeconomic impact of Alzheimer's disease in underresourced communities. More specifically, she is interested in understanding the impact of various treatment options both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. After graduating, she is planning on pursuing a M.D./Ph.D. in order to become a neurologist. In her free time Niousha enjoys reading, cooking, and going on walks.
Joaquin Urquiza-Perez
Curriculum Vitae
Joaquin is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and received his B.S. in Psychology. His research interests are in the different aspects that impact pathology in the brain ranging from racial, cultural, socioeconomic, and gender differences.
Sanya Kotian
Curriculum Vitae
Sanya is graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a B.S. in Psychology and a certificate in health sciences. Her research interests include the biological progression of neurological diseases and the role of nutrients in the early prevention of Alzheimer's. She hopes to pursue a PhD in cognitive neuroscience.
Tara Porras
Curriculum Vitae
Tara is a fourth year at the University of Texas at Austin studying to receive a B.S. in Human Development and Family Sciences. She is particularly interested in exploring the role of mental health on cognitive aging in racially and ethnically diverse communities. Tara is interested in pursuing a career in pediatric neuropsychology.
Lauren Eisenstat
Curriculum Vitae
Lauren graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Health Communication in Spring 2022. Her interests include pediatric neuropsychology, the treatment of mental illness, and cognitive diagnostics. Lauren plans to pursue a doctoral degree in clinical psychology.
Megan Perry
Curriculum Vitae
Megan received her B.A. in psychology at the University of Texas at Austin May 2022. Her research interests include neurological aging and environmental factors that contribute to it. She hopes to go to grad school and obtain a PhD in Psychology.
Kasey Escamilla
Curriculum Vitae
Kasey graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in December 2021 with a B.A. in Psychology. Her research interests include cultural neuropsychology and cognitive aging. Kasey plans to pursue a doctoral degree in clinical psychology.
Mona Shirvani
Curriculum Vitae
Mona is a fourth-year undergraduate at the University of Texas at Austin studying to receive a B.S. in Neuroscience and is part of the Dean’s Scholars Honors Program. Her research interests revolve around the intersection between Neuroscience and Psychology, with a particular focus on what the brain-behavior interaction can reveal about the nature of neurocognitive (i.e. Alzheimers) and neurodevelopmental (i.e. ADHD, autism) disorders. She hopes to be able to use her research to advance preventive and possibly curative measures for these disorders. In her free time, she likes to solve puzzles, sketch, and binge-watch TV shows.
Thaha Hossain
Curriculum Vitae
Thaha is a fourth year undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin pursuing a B.S.A in Neuroscience and a minor in Health Communication. His research interests involve understanding biological mechanisms involved in neurogenesis and neurodegeneration, but more specifically, the social determinants that affect these interests such as life experiences, socioeconomic status, and race/ethnicity. Thaha enjoys weight lifting, cooking, and watching movies and tv shows.
Joshua Medor, B.S.
Curriculum Vitae
Joshua graduated from Florida State University in December 2021 with a B.S. in Behavioral Neuroscience. His research interests involve the intersections between social psychology and neuroscience. He hopes to explore the ways in which social phenomena that affect behavior create lasting expressions and pathways within the mind and body through the repetition of mundane and unconscious processes that occur in every day life. Other interests include intersections between stress, anxiety, and sleep. Joshua enjoys seeing live music, exploring local cuisines, and getting out in nature. He hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in psychology.