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Master's Recipients
2022
Bryan Dec
Masters Student
B.S in Biology at UMass Amherst 2020
Research Interests: I research a sensorimotor gating circuit using electrophysiological field recordings and Immunohistochemistry
Advisor: Karine Fénelon
Benjamin Slay
B.S. Clinical Research, University of North Carolina Wilmington, 2018
Advisor: Elena Vazey
Research Interests: How endogenous and exogenous psychoactive chemicals modulate the nervous system on molecular and behavior levels
Advisor: Elena Vazey
2021
Charles Gualtieri
Research Interests: Interested in uncovering the neural circuits underlying social behavior in animal models. Currently using fiber photometry and advanced genetic techniques to uncover the social behavior network.
2020
2019
Marcelo Corrreia
Ph.D. Student
Advisor: Joseph Bergan
Bergan Lab
Research Interests: Investigating neural circuits underlying social behavior using mouse models
Advisor: Joseph Bergan
Daniil Frolov
PhD Student
B.S., Biology, Saint Petersburg State University, Russia 2004
M.S., Biology with specialization in Human and Animal Physiology and Endocrinology, Saint Petersburg State University, Russia 2007
Advisor: Josef G. Trapani
Trapani Lab
Research Interests: Behavioral and Electrophysiological Investigations of Sensorimotor System Development
Brianna Healey
B.S. Pre-Veterinary Sciences, UMass Amherst
Research Interests: Aging and sex differences in reversal learning and cognition
Zachary Marciano
B.S., Psychology (Neuroscience Track), University of MAssachusetts Amherst, 2018
Research Interests: Personality and cognition in marmoset monkeys
Ryan Papargiris
B.S., Biology, B.S., Psychology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 2017
Research Interests: Visual Cognition and Attention
Advisor: Kyle R. Cave
Samuel P. Scott
B.S., Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Psychology & Neuroscience, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2017
Research Interests: Adolescent binge drinking and effects on the oligodendrocyte cell
Francesca Walsh
B.S. BDIC: Neurophysiology and Social Behavior, SM: Economics, Minor: Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2018
Research Interests: Neurobiological and cognitive mechanisms involved in delay discounting and effects of uncertainty on economic decision-making
2018
Brendan Abbott
Masters Student
B.S. University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2016
Advisor: Mariana Pereira
Matias Leandro Andina
PhD Student
University of Buenos Aires (UBA), College of Exact and Natural Sciences (FCEyN) Biology Degree specialized in Neuroscience and Molecular Biology oriented. (Equivalent to Bachelor’s + Specialization), December 2015
Advisor: Dr. Mariana Pereira
Research Interests: Behavioral Neuroscience
Advisor: Mariana Pereira
Tal Inbar
Masters Student
B.S. University of MAssachusetts Amherst, 2015
Advisor: Joseph Bergan
Peter McGinn
B.S., Pre-Veterinary Sciences, UMass Amherst 2017
Research Interests: Probiotics and the Brain Gut Pathway. Reproduction. Animal Welfare.
Advisor: Melinda Novak
Idil Tuncali
Masters Student
B.S. University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2016
Advisor: Mariana Pereira
2017
Alyssa Lutservitz
MS Student
Dissertation Title: "An adult zebrafish brain atlas to investigate SHH mediated cell-cell signaling in adult neurogenic zones"
2016
Lauren Stanwicks
Dissertation Title: "Probiotics as a treatment for increased nighttime activity in rhesus macaques (macaca mulatta) displaying self-injurious behavior"
2015
Lauren Hobbs
MS Student
B.S. Psychology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Research Interests: Primate cognition and behavior
Advisor: Melinda Novak
Dissertation Title: "Associations between anxiety and attention in laboratory-housed Rhesus Macaques (macaca mulatta)"
Jeffreys Nathaniel Johnson
PhD Student
B.S. Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, May 2010
Research Interests: Pharmacology and mechanism of action of the sigma receptor
Dissertation Title: Investigating effects of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin on the dopaminergic SH-SY5Y cell line
Emily Peterson
MS Student
B.S. Animal Science, University of Massachusetts, May 2013
Research Interests: Animal Behavior, specifically primate stress and anxiety as well as canine cognition
Advisor: Melinda Novak
2014
Avelino Cardoso Amado
B.S. Kinesiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, May 2010
Research Interests: The Effects of Disrupted Posture on Bi-Manual Coordination.
Advisor: Richard van Emmerik
Dissertation Title: Postural instabilities and the maintenance of bi-manual rhythmic movements
Courtney Begnoche
B.S. Pre-Veterinary and Animal Sciences, UMass, May 2012
Research Interests: Primate Behavior and Cognition
Advisor: Melinda Novak
Dissertation Title: Behavioral effects of construction activity on...
Christina Gagliardi
B.A. Studio Art, Mount Holyoke College (May 2002), B.S. Biology, University of Maine Orono (May 2010)
Research Interests: Modeling and assessing chronic stress in rodents
Dissertation Title: Increased body weight in adulthood following a peripubertal stressor and proposed mechanism for effects of increased adiposity on estrogen-dependent behaviors
Bethany Rappleyea
B.S. Biology; Secondary B.S. Psychology, University of Massachusetts-Amherst , May 2012
Research Interests: The enduring effects of stress during puberty on female mice
Dissertation Title: The role of ER-Alpha and the ovaries in the enduring altered behavioral response to pubertal immune stress
2012
André Boulay
B.S. Psychology/Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, May 2007
Research Interests: Motor Control and Coordination, Motor Speech Disorder Apraxia
Advisor: Richard van Emmerik
Dissertation Title: Motor Control and Coordination, Motor Speech Disorder Apraxia
Position: Owner of YoYoExpert; Co-owner of YoYoNews
Chrisanthi A. Karanikas
B.A. Psychology, Michigan State University, May 2009
Research Interests: Neurobiological and Behavioral Effects of Alcohol Addiction
Advisor: Heather N. Richardson
Position: Senior Associate, Scientific Communications; Eli Lilly and Company
Emily D. Merchasin
B.S. Biology, San Francisco State University, January 2005
M.S. Biology, San Francisco State University, May 2009
Research Interests: The Effects of Stress During Puberty on Adult Behavior
2011
Sean W. Burton
B.A. Psychology, Kent State University, May 2006
Research Interests: Axon/Glial Interactions in Axon Guidance
Advisor: Rolf O. Karlstrom, Michael J.F. Barresi
2010
Michael J. Cunningham
B.S. Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
M.S. Neuroscience and Behavior, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Dissertation Title: Regulation of Trio Splice Variants by 17beta-Estradiol and 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-P-Dioxin
Position: First year medical student (class of 2015)
University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Hanna M. King
B.A. Psychology, Loyola University, December 2007
M.S. Neuroscience and Behavior, University of Massachusetts Amherst, September 2010
Research Interests: The Influence of Peripubertal Stress on Altered Adult Response to Estradiol
Position: Medical Student, SUNY Downstate College of Medicine
2009
Jamie L. Berkowitz
B.S. Biology, minor Psychology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
M.S. Neuroscience and Behavior, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Advisor: Melinda Novak
Dissertation Title: Sexually Differentiated Object Preference in Rhesus Monkeys (Macaca Mulatta)
Position: Physician Assistant in Urgent Care
Christina S. Henderson
B.S. Biology,University of Massachusetts Amherst
M.S. Neuroscience and Behavior, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Dissertation Title: MDMA and Methamphetamine: An Investigation of a Neurochemical and Behavioral Cross-Tolerance in the Rat
Position: Research Associate, R&D, Seaside Therapeutics, Cambridge, Massachusetts
John C. Richiedei
B.S. Psychology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
M.S. Neuroscience and Behavior, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Dissertation Title: Event=Related Potential Indices of Attentional Gradients Across the Visual Field
Position: First year medical student, UMass Medical School.
2007
Lauren R. Ditzian
B.S. Psychology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
M.S. Neuroscience and Behavior, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Dissertation Title: The Time-Course of Developmental Cell Death in the Spinal Nucleus of the Bulbocavernosus of Mice
Position: Intern, Planned Parenthood International, Santiago, Chile
Lauren M. Gasbarro
B.S. Psychology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
M.S. Neuroscience and Behavior, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Dissertation Title: Female Sexual Receptivity: The Effect of Stress at Puberty on Sexual Receptivity in Female Mice
Position: Pharmacovigilance Associate, Genzyme, Cambridge, Mass.
Christine A. Major
B.S. Animal Science (minor Psychology), University of Massachusetts Amherst
M.S. Neuroscience and Behavior, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Dissertation Title: Seeing and Knowing Ability of Rhesus Monkeys (Macaca Mulatta)
Position: Research Technician II, Division of Neuroscience, Laboratory of Behavioral Biology at Harvard Medical School's New England Regional Primate Research Center, Southborough, Massachusetts
David M. Whitehead
B.S. Biochemistry & Psychology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
M.S. Neuroscience and Behavior, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Dissertation Title: What Mediates the Interaction Between Semaphorin and Rac at the Developing Synapse?
Position: Surgery residency program, Albert Einstein College of Medicine - Montefiore, Bronx, New York.
2006
Scott Baver
B.S. Psychology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
M.S. Neuroscience and Behavior, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Colorado State University, September 2009
Dissertation Title: Melanopsin-Immunoreactive Retinal Ganglion Cells in the Mongolian Gerbil Retina
Position: Postdoctoral Fellow, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Division of Endocrinology
Maria Furman
B.S. Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
M.S. Neuroscience and Behavior, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Dissertation Title: The Role of Ghrelin in Estrous Behavior Interactions with Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone
Position: Clinical Development Associate, US Exploratory Implementation, Eli Lilly & Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
Arthur W. Seelig
B.S. Psychology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
M.S. Neuroscience and Behavior, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Dissertation Title: Neurochemical Identity of c-Fos Expressing Neurons in the Dorsal Raphe Nucleus
Position: Instructor & Laboratory Manager
Science Department, Sierra Nevada College
2003
Mohammed Reza
B.S. Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
M.S. Neuroscience and Behavior, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Dissertation Title: Role of Cell Death in Respect to Sexual Differentiation of the Vasopressin Neurotransmitter System
Position: Medical student at SABA University of Medicine
Patricia L. Seymour
B.S. Biology (minor Psychology), University of Massachusetts Amherst
M.S. Neuroscience and Behavior, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Dissertation Title: The Role of Corticotropin Releasing Factor Receptors in the Suppression of Estrous Behavior
Position: Second year primary care/family practice resident, Worcester Program for Family Medicine and Community Health
Christina M. Veino
B.S. Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
M.S. Neuroscience and Behavior, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Dissertation Title: A Systematic Exploration of Tool Use in Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta)
2002
Shaun Gaipo
B.S. Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
M.S. Neuroscience and Behavior, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Dissertation Title: Do the Vasopressin Cells of the Mouse Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis and Medial Amygdala Contain Androgen and Progesterone Receptors: An Immunocytochemical Study
Ernie Pedapati
B.S. Psychology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
M.S. Neuroscience and Behavior, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Dissertation Title: The Effect of Endogenous Neurotrophic Factors on the Development of the Rat Perineal Muscles
Position: Medical Student, University of Massachusetts Medical School
Peter S. Wu
B.S. Psychology (minor Biology), University of Massachusetts Amherst, May 2001
M.S. Neuroscience and Behavior, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Dissertation Title: The Effects of Flashing Light on c-Fos Expression in the Dorsal Raphe Nucleus of the Mongolian Gerbil
Position: Baystate Surgical Residency Program, Baystate Medical Center
2001
Maria Peroulakis
B.A. Psychology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
M.S. Neuroscience and Behavior, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Dissertation Title: Characterization of Perineal Muscles and Motoneurons in the Nakes Mole-Rat (Heterocephalus Glaber)
Position: Consultant, Global Enrollment Optimization, Clinical Development Organization, Eli Lilly & Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
John Ribadeneyra
B.S. Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
M.S. Neuroscience and Behavior, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Dissertation Title: Effects of 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin on Estradiol Induction of Progesterone Receptor Gene Expression in the Hypothalamus and Preoptic Area of the Rat Brain
Position: Cell Biology Department (Lab of Gary Stein), UMass Medical School, Worcester
1999
Kathryn Larsen
B.S. Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
M.S. Neuroscience and Behavior, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Dissertation Title: Sensory Axon Growth During Drosophila Metamorphosis
Position: Adjunct Professor of Biology, Southern Connecticut State University and Manchester Community College
Katie Copelas
Masters Student
UMass Amherst, 2020, BS Biology, BS Psychology (Neuroscience Track)
Advisor: Mariana Pereira
Research Interests: Circuitry behind maternal behavior in mother rats in an effort to identify subregions of and evaluate recruitment of offspringresponsive populations of the medial preoptic area that project to the infralimbic cortex and the ventral tegmental area during maternal caregiving behavior.
Advisor: Mariana Pereira
Kelly Fischer
Masters Student
BS in Biochemistry and molecular biology, UMass Amherst
Advisor: Paul Katz
Research Interests: I am interested in deepening our understanding of decision making in the nudibranch sea slug Berghia stephanieae through the use of chemical cues and the animal's olfactory system and a new rapid behavioral assay
Advisor: Paul S. Katz
Ani Maroyan
Masters Student
BS in Psychology, minor in Biology, UMass 2020
Advisor: Paul Katz
Research Interests: Understanding the olfactory navigation of Berghia stephanieae when their olfactory organs are severed and allowed to regenerate.
Advisor: Paul S. Katz