Primary Investigator
Anthony Ryals Ph.D. (Click Here
for my CV)
Dr. Ryals joined the Behavioral Science Program in the Department of Psychology at UNT in the Fall of 2016. Prior to that, he completed his Graduate training in Cognitive Psychology at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, and he completed a four-year Postdoctoral Fellowship at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.
Current Graduate Research Assistants
Khrista "Kirby" Doshier M.S. (Behavioral Science PhD Program)
I am in my fifth year of the Behavioral Science Ph.D. Program working under the guidance of Dr. Anthony Ryals. My research focus is on neurodegenerative diseases, specifically Parkinson's disease, looking at the translational aspects between animal and human research with an emphasis on memory and biomarkers. Outside of school, I am an avid hiker, dog lover, and major foodie.
Melissa Materia M.S. (Behavioral Science PhD Program)
I am a first year in the Behavioral Science PhD program. I am interested in researching concussions in athletes, exercise impacts on cognition, decision making, neuropsychology, and deception. After completion of my PhD, I hope to pursue a career in research, specifically with user experience, concussion assessments and protocols in a hospital or a sports setting. Outside of research I like to read, crochet, and attend concerts! I have two cats and many plants.
Kara Stuart B.A. (Behavioral Science PhD Program)
My research interests include cognitive neuroscience, experimental psychology, and psychophysiology. Specifically, I am interested in the promising effects of both Mindfulness-Based Intervention (MBI) and Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to combat the symptomology of PTSD and cPTSD. I am also a 200-hr registered yoga teacher and a music lover.
Current Undergraduate Research Assistants
Steph Camacho
Hello! I am an undergraduate student working towards a Bachelors of Science in Psychology. My research interests include neuropsychology, behavioral psychology, and psychopharmacology. I am particularly interested in researching neurodegenerative diseases as well as the effects of stress on individuals with autoimmune diseases and chronic pain. After completing my undergraduate degree, I intend to pursue a PhD in Behavioral Neuroscience and work in academic research.
Luke Boyce
Greetings! I am a third year undergraduate working towards my Bachelors of Science in Psychology. I intend to pursue a PhD in Behavioral Neuroscience (or a closely related specialization) in order to begin a career in academic research. As is the case with many psychology students, my research interests are informed by my own history and personal experiences. I am particularly interested in the study of neurodiverse individuals, specifically in posing questions related to emotional regulation, genetic/environmental interactions as it relates to symptomatology, improved treatment models, and maladaptive social behaviors. I am also keenly interested in the psychotherapeutic applications of psychoactive/psychotropic substances (e.g., Ketamine, Psilocybin, LSD, Ibogaine, Hieracium Erinaceus, etc.), as they appear to fill large gaps in current standardized treatments.
Luis Vasquez
Hello, my name is Luis Vazquez, and I am an undergraduate at the University of North Texas studying Mathematics. My research interests include using tools from statistics and mathematics to model cognition. In particular, I am interested in using data obtained from fMRI, EEG, and eye-tracking to better understand how different behaviors are processed in the brain. Alongside being a part of the Neurocognitive Lab at UNT, I have worked on using machine learning for kidney data at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard as part of BSRP 2021. I also work as a volunteer tutor for the Learning Center at UNT, tutoring math classes.
Jessica Meeks
Hello! My name is Jessica and I am an undergraduate student at UNT studying Psychology. My research interests primarily include dementia and psychopathology in relation to trauma. I have worked with a variety of different populations including ASD, PTSD, Alzheimer's, Schizophrenia, BPD, Bipolar, ADHD, and more. In the future, I plan to use both my work experience and research experience to pursue my PhD in Clinical Psychology.
David McGregor
Hello, my name is David. I am currently an undergraduate psychology major with a concentration in behavior analysis here at the University of North Texas. My research interests including severe psychopathology, specifically early detectors of bipolar disorder. My other research interest includes the neurobiology of eating disorders. I plan on attending graduate school to obtain my PhD in clinical psychology next fall. In my free time I am an avid reader of Stephen King and take care of three freeloading cats!
Former Research Assistants (Grad and Undergrad)
Megan Kelly Ph.D. (Behavioral Science Program)
Megan is interested in understanding consciousness by studying how mind-wandering, dissociation, and similar experiences lead to distortions in time perception and therefore changes in conscious experience.
You may contact Megan at MeganKelly3@my.unt.edu and may learn more about her at her website, MeganErinKelly.com.
Ivan Carbajal Ph.D. (Behavioral Science Program)
My interests are in social psychology, psychophysiology, and social neuroscience. My favorite color is maroon, and I love a good brisket.
Justin Litvin (Counseling Psychology Program)
I am a fifth year doctoral candidate in the UNT Counseling Psychology Program. I am interested in the psychological effects of trauma, measurements of trauma, and coping strategies. I have over 150 hours of clinical experience administering, scoring, and interpreting a variety of neuropsychological tests. Justin is currently on internship in the arctic wilds of upstate New York. (Update: Dr. Litvin is now a Staff Psychologist at the Dallas Veterans Administration)
Brooke Reynolds B.S.
Brooke is a recent UNT graduate and a newly appointed Research Associate at the Mind Research Network in New Mexico working with Dr. Kent Kiehl. Her goal is to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis on psychopathy and its neurological underpinnings.
Katie Workman
I am a psychology major with a criminal justice minor. I am a senior this year! I am planning on getting my PhD in either cognitive psychology or clinical psychology with a focus in forensic psychology. I want to study the relationship between memory and eyewitness testimony while focusing on triggers. When I'm not being studious, I enjoy watching Netflix, reading, or playing with my dog.
Bianca Pirotina
Hello, my name is Bianca Pirotina and I am a senior double majoring in psychology and sociology. I plan on attending graduate school after earning my bachelor's degree with the goal of earning my PhD. My research interests include attention and memory, brain injuries and memory loss disorders. I have been a part of the Neurocognitive Lab for a year now and I am excited to continue conducting research!
Nick Hasapes
I am a senior graduating with dual degrees in Music Performance and Psychology. While performing in orchestras and jazz ensembles, I was struck by the deep emotional connection that the listeners had with the music. I decided to delve more deeply in the study of how these emotions influence behavior, both normal and abnormal. Moreover, I want to further elucidate abnormalities in the brain that impair psychosocial functioning. Specifically, using neuroimaging tools, I plan to explore the neural and cognitive mechanisms underlying the development of manic and depressive episodes in individuals with bipolar disorder. By understanding these mechanisms, targeted treatments can be developed to improve patients' lives.
Madison "Sonny" Card
Madison Card began her professional career in the performing arts. She developed choreographic works and performed dance styles such as ballet, pointe, modern, West African, and Ballet Folclorico. After attending the California Institute of Arts in pursuit of a Bachelor of Fine Arts, she learned about the application of dance in cognitive neuroscience research. Sonny's area of interest shifted from the production of movement art through dance to motor training-induced neuroplasticity. At the University of North Texas, she studies as a McNair Scholar and Undergraduate Research Fellow investigating the cognitive differences in individuals with dance training. After earning her Bachelor of Science in the spring of 2022, she will pursue a Ph.D. in psychology with a concentration in cognitive neuroscience.
Kathryn Phan
I am a senior majoring in psychology and minoring in communication studies. I am interested in topics concerning neuropsychology and neurological disorders. I plan to obtain my PhD to continue research or to work with patients as a practicing neuropsychologist. In my free time, I enjoy playing word games, video games, and reading.
Carmen Winters
My name is Carmen Storm Winters and I am a senior with a major in psychology as well as a minor in criminal justice. My areas of interest include neuropsychology/neuroscience and all aspects relating to criminal offending such as varying levels of aggression, intelligence, and factors relating to individual trauma. My goal is to continue on to earn my Ph.D. so that I may retroactively study the past behaviors and psychology of an offender to thus develop preventative measures that reduce crime and promote healthy rehabilitation. I am also interested in the relation of psychology within the realm of court trials such as the reliability of eyewitness accounts and suggestibility within the courts of law.
Chelsi Patton
Hello my name is Chelsi Patton, I am a honors student and D1 athlete studying psychology and pre medical studies with a minor in Spanish. I plan on attending medical school following my bachelors degree and becoming an anesthesiologist for a plastic surgeon. This is my second year as a research assistant in the neurocognitive laboratory and I also shadow 3 anesthesiologists in the OR during rotations. I have a passion for both memory and cancer research and aim to be published within 2 years.
Annelise Cornwell
I am a junior psychology major. My interests are all realms of neuroscience/neuropsychology, including cognitive behavior, pain perception, and pain centers of the brain. I am passionately interested in the relationship between pain and mental health. My ambition is to earn my PhD and research effective pain management, along with developing new therapeutic methods, specifically for chronic illnesses and/or autoimmune diseases, such as fibromyalgia, lupus, and arthritis. My goal is to work at a pain center, counsel patients, and become a renowned expert in the field.
Nicole Nielsen
I am a psychology major in my senior year, and I aim to build a career in the Industrial-Organizational field of psychology. My primary interests are attention and working memory, and their influence on behavior.
Julia Bacci
I am a senior majoring in psychology while minoring in Spanish and Addiction Studies. I aspire to earn a PhD and perform research at an academic institute. My interests are all involved in the fields of neuropsychology, psychopharmacology and traumatic brain injuries.
Sonja Hunter
I am a double major in Psychology and French, interested in pursuing a doctorate in Experimental Psychology. My current research interests are understanding the cognitive and social developments involved in; learning multiple languages, developing substance use disorders, and finding potential neurological connections to these trends. As a senior undergraduate, I currently tutor several psychology and statistics courses at the Learning Center. Sonja is currently designing an experiment for an honor's thesis as well.
Jessica De La Garza
I am an undergraduate student studying psychology and behavior analysis as a double major. In the future I aspire to work with adults on the autism spectrum, with anxiety, ADD, and/or other learning disorders; I currently have an internship at a neuropsych/clinical practice that works with these kiddos. This is my second year as an undergraduate research assistant and I cannot wait to continue my studies and learn new research related skills.
Jared Cortez- UNT McNair Scholars Program
Michelle Hagenimana- UNT TAMS Program
Zoe Lawson
Bio: I'm a psychology major/bio minor in my senior year of college. I hope to continue with my studies at a graduate level though I'm undecided about what field specifically to pursue; my two main interests are child cognitive development and neuropharmacology of psychotropic drugs. In my personal life, I enjoy playing my harp or hunting for mushrooms to make spore prints.
Connor McKee- UNT TAMS Program
Hello! My name is Connor and I'm attending UNT under the TAMS program. This is my senior year of high school and my second semester in the Neurocognitive Lab. I love science, the languages, and the violin. I'm looking to major in neuroscience in college and pursue a career as a researcher afterwards. (Connor has since gone on to bigger and better things, he was recently accepted as a research assistant in the Preston lab at UT Austin, Strong work Connor!)
Sherianne Maiorelle
I am a psychology major in my senior year. My interests include clinical neuropsychology and the treatment of anxiety and mood disorders (Sherianne is applying for graduate school currently)
Paola Tirado
I am a junior majoring in psychology and criminal justice. My interest is finding new treatments for mental illness and securing the well-being of incarcerated individuals (Paola has since graduated)