Meet our Team

Vijay A. Mittal, Ph.D.

Research Coordinators

MAEVE HOFFMAN, B.A.

Maeve graduated from Wesleyan University with a B.A. in Neuroscience & Behavior and Psychology. There, she worked in the Kurtz lab investigating the effects of cognitive remediation therapy for individuals with schizophrenia-spectrum disorder. She is excited to gain more clinical and research experience in the ADAPT lab!

Catherine Spencer, M.A., L.C.S.W.

Assessment Specialist

Cathy received her Master of Arts degree in Social Work, Social Policy, and Social Administration from the University of Chicago with a clinical and school social work concentration. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Biology from Truman State University. Cathy has worked with adolescents and their families in various settings, specializing in eating disorders, autism spectrum disorders, student assessment in schools and youth alcohol and drug prevention. She looks forward to continuing to build her expertise in adolescent and young adult mental health in the ADAPT Lab.

kiara khemani, b.s.

Kiara graduated with a B.S. in Neuroscience and a minor in Chemistry from the University of Miami in May of 2024. There, she worked in an integrative health neuroscience lab focused on researching psychoneuroimmune and cardiometabolic responses to behavioral interventions in those living with HIV. Her research interests involve utilizing a range of psychophysiological and neurobiological measures to better understand psychopathology and inform treatments across development. Kiara is excited to expand her research experience in the ADAPT Lab with future plans of obtaining a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.

Avryl Carmona, B.A.

Avryl graduated from Northwestern University with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Data Science. There, she completed an honors thesis under Dr. Dan McAdams focusing on narrative identity and meaning-making processes, particularly how prominent Latin American women who navigated early adversity make sense of disorienting experiences and sustain a lifelong commitment to advocacy in their home countries. Her other research included designing and implementing a daily intervention to reduce body image disturbance among Mexican college women and using machine learning with EEG data to predict diagnostic group membership (control, internalizing, externalizing, or thought disorder). Alongside her research, she worked directly with adolescents as a mindfulness and expressive writing coach in the YMAP program. Avryl is interested in the underlying mechanisms of risk and relapse in psychopathology, with a focus on psychosocial predictors and the development of novel interventions. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and is excited to join the ADAPT lab!

Postdoctoral Fellows

Danielle Pratt, PH.D.

Danielle Pratt received her PhD from the University of Minnesota where she studied the psychometric properties of cognitive measurements in people with psychosis as well as identifying how cognitive mechanisms differ for those individuals using classical and computational methods. She joined the ADAPT lab in 2021 to examine what cognitive patterns or altered mechanisms might indicate risk for developing psychosis.

victor pokorny, PH.D.

Victor Pokorny joined the ADAPT lab in the summer of 2024. He is interested in neural mechanisms of atypical visual experiences. In particular, his PhD was focused on altered use of visuospatial context in psychosis spectrum disorders. In his future work, he hopes to use computational models, psychophysics and neuroimaging to identify low-level brain circuits that are altered in psychotic psychopathology.

Emma Herms, PH.D.

Emma received her PhD in Clinical and Cognitive Science at Indiana University. Her research focuses on how individuals on the psychosis spectrum learn about and experience their bodies, emotions, and environment. She investigates these questions using advanced statistical methods (e.g., structural equation modeling), computational modeling, and experimental paradigms.

Mandy Withall, PH.D.

Mandy M. Withall received their Ph.D. from Northwestern University in 2026, where they studied whether and how people update knowledge after reading a correction. In the ADAPT Lab, Mandy is interested in further investigating interventions that encourage knowledge updating, and particularly for clinical populations and adolescents. In the future, Mandy hopes to develop a framework that explains why people have particular beliefs, which could be used to develop interventions that help people understand what is true of the world.

Graduate Students

Jessica Fattal, b.s.

Jessica graduated from Michigan State University with a B.S. in Psychology and a B.S. in Neuroscience. During her baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate training, Jessica worked as a research assistant and lab manager in the Michigan State Clinical Neuroscience Lab studying visual and oculomotor changes in schizophrenia. Jessica is currently a graduate student in Dr. Vijay Mittal's ADAPT lab in Chicago. Her research interests center on identifying basic physiological changes that may act as markers for risk in prodromal populations.

Matthew Miller, B.S.

Matthew graduated from Yale College in 2024 with a B.S. in neuroscience, where his thesis focused on the relationship between circadian irregularity and brain connectivity in adolescents and young adults with mood disorders. He is currently completing his fall rotation in the ADAPT lab as a first-year student in the Northwestern University Interdepartmental Neuroscience (NUIN) PhD program. Matthew’s interests lie in neuroimaging, actigraphy, computational modeling, psychiatric illness, and adolescence.

Luz maria alliende serra, M.A.

Luz Maria graduated from Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile with a BA in Clinical Psychology. After graduation she worked as a research assistant under Dr. Nicolas Crossley at the same institution, studying early psychosis with a focus on neuroimaging approaches. She also worked as a clinician in an inpatient unit for first episode psychosis. In 2021, she obtained an MA in Psychology from The University of Chicago working under Dr. Molly Erickson. Her MA thesis focused on thalamocortical connectivity and its role in explaining 2 consistently found EEG and fMRI patterns in working memory deficit in schizophrenia. She is part of the ANDES network for the study of early psychosis in Latin America. Luz Maria is interested on how environmental stressors affect the onset and presentation of early psychosis and how this can be translated onto the study of biomarkers through imaging and EEG.

Luz Maria is also part of the ANDES network for the study of early psychosis in Latin America and is interested in the study of psychosis from a global perspective.

Claire Bertrand, B.S.

Claire Bertrand completed her B.S. in Psychobiology from the University of California, Los Angeles. Following graduation, she worked as a research assistant at the UCSF Brain Imaging and EEG Lab, where she utilized multimodal techniques, including fMRI and EEG, to explore the neural mechanisms underlying schizophrenia and depression in veterans. Following this, Claire became lab manager at the Stanford Personalized and Translational Neuroscience Lab, coordinating neuroimaging studies aimed at advancing personalized treatments for depression. In 2024, Claire joined the ADAPT Lab, where she is now investigating neural biomarkers associated with psychosis through a transdiagnostic lens.

sophie parmacek, M.S., LPC

Sophie graduated from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science with an M.S. in Clinical Counseling (Research Track) and from the University of Missouri with a B.A. in Psychology. She is interested in investigating executive functioning and social development in adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders. Sophie plans to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology and is excited to join the ADAPT lab!

Jacey Anderson, B.A.

Jacey graduated from the University of Connecticut with a B.A. in Psychological Sciences. After graduation, she worked as a Clinical Research Assistant at the Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center of Hartford Hospital, where she utilized functional neuroimaging and cognitive testing to study the effects of an executive working memory training program for adolescents with ADHD. Following this, she became a Senior Clinical Research Assistant in McLean Hospital’s Psychotic Disorders Division, where she ran a clinical trial of the ketogenic diet for individuals experiencing first-episode psychosis, among other projects examining brain energy metabolism in psychosis using magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Jacey joined the ADAPT lab in 2026, where her research interests are focused on the cognitive and neural underpinnings of the transition from clinical high risk (CHR) to psychosis. She hopes to contribute to the development of more effective screening tools and interventions for CHR and early psychosis. 

Research Assistants

Harper Barnowski

Harper is a second-year undergraduate at Northwestern University majoring in Psychology and Communication Studies. She is interested in how social environments, cognitive processes, and communication shape mental health outcomes, and hopes to pursue a PhD in clinical or social psychology. Harper is excited to continue developing her research experience and be part of the ADAPT team!

Ila Dohrmann

Ila is pursuing a double major in Cognitive Science and Journalism and a minor in Psychology. She hopes to pursue a career in clinical psychology, and is interested in researching the early biological and environmental stressors for psychosis. She is excited for the opportunity to contribute to the meaningful work being done in the ADAPT Lab.

Landon Warner

Landon is a first-year undergraduate student at Northwestern University majoring in Psychology. After graduating, he hopes to go on to graduate school and then pursue a career in research and education. He is especially interested in developmental psychology and is excited to gain experience with and contribute to the ADAPT Lab!

Abby Pearson

Abby is a second-year undergraduate at Northwestern University, where she is pursuing a double major in Psychology and Physics. She is especially interested in developing early diagnostic techniques for psychosis to improve how resources and interventions are allocated to those most in need. She is curious about how different scientific perspectives can inform innovative mental health research. Abby plans to pursue a career in clinical psychology and is excited to be a part of the ADAPT Lab and contribute to its mission!

Ozge Unver

Ozge is a second-year undergraduate at Northwestern University majoring in Psychology and Cognitive Science. After completing her bachelor’s degree, she plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology. Her research interests include preventative care and early diagnosis in child psychopathology, as well as social and developmental psychology. She is excited to gain hands-on research experience and to join the ADAPT Lab

Rosalyn Beach

Rosalyn Beach is currently a third-year undergraduate student at Northwestern University. She is majoring in psychology and plans to pursue her PhD in clinical psychology. Rosalyn is interested in studying how social factors influence mental health and how social differences impact how individuals are diagnoses. She is excited to be a part of the ADAPT team and looks forward to gaining more research experience! 

Jillian Suarez

Jillian is a second-year undergraduate student at Northwestern University, majoring in neuroscience with a concentration in human behavior and cognition. She is interested in the diagnosis and treatment of child and adolescent psychopathology and plans to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology. Jillian is excited to gain clinical research experience and to contribute to ADAPT’s studies!

Naomi Burnett

Naomi is a third-year undergraduate student at Northwestern University, majoring in Psychology and minoring legal studies and creative writing. She is especially interested in how different demographic indicators influence individuals who at clinical-high risk for psychosis. Naomi plans to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology with a concentration in in forensics. She is very excited to be a part of ADAPT Lab and help contribute to its work!

Sarah Lau

Sarah is a second-year undergraduate student at Northwestern University, majoring in Neuroscience. She is especially interested in how biological and environmental factors influence the presentation of neurological conditions. As an EMT, her clinical experience has further strengthened her interest in how psychiatric and neurological conditions manifest in real-world settings. Sarah is excited to continue building her understanding of these processes and looks forward to contributing to research at the ADAPT Lab.

Amal Sastry

Amal is a first-year undergraduate student majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Philosophy. After graduating, he hopes to go onto medical school and pursue an Md/PhD. Within the lab, Amal interested in researching early diagnosis of psychological disorders, and exploring neural mechanisms with brain imaging techniques. He is extremely excited to join the ADAPT lab!

Greg Dempsey

Greg Dempsey is a senior undergraduate student at Northwestern University majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Music Composition. After graduation, he plans to go to medical school to specialize in child and adolescent psychiatry. Greg is particularly interested in how biological and environmental factors combine to affect psychological well-being and how they contribute to disorders. Greg is ecstatic to learn in the ADAPT Lab while contributing to an important area of research!

Maya Page

Maya Page is a rising senior studying Psychology and Communication Sciences and Disorders who is planning to pursue a career in clinical psychology. She particularly hopes to work with at-risk and underserved youth in her community and contribute to efforts to improve education on mental health. She is passionate about research in the realm of developmental psychopathology and is interested in understanding how sociocultural factors influence perceptions and experiences of mental health and thought disorders. Maya is so excited to become involved in the important work ADAPT is doing!

Elizabeth SHIN

Elizabeth Shin graduated from Emory University with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Quantitative Sciences. During her time there, she was a research assistant studying various factors that influence psychopathology, particularly childhood disruptive disorders and externalizing behavior problems. Her research interests are on how developmental, biological, and environmental factors shape mental health in children and adolescents. Elizabeth is an incoming student in the Master’s in Counseling program at Northwestern University’s Family Institute and is interested in pursuing further studies in clinical psychology. She is excited to gain greater research experience in the ADAPT Lab!

Nehaa Arul Doss Susithraa

Nehaa is a first-year undergraduate student at Northwestern University majoring in Neuroscience. After graduation, she hopes to attend medical school and pursue a career in child and adolescent psychiatry or neurology. She is interested in the early identification and diagnosis of psychological disorders, as well as how stress and environmental factors influence neurodevelopment and behavior. Nehaa is excited to contribute to research at the ADAPT Lab!

Emily Rosman

Emily completed a post-baccalaureate program in Pre-Clinical Psychology at Northwestern University in 2024. Prior to joining the ADAPT Lab, she worked in Ken Paller’s Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, where she contributed to research on consciousness, sleep, and dreaming, with a focus on lucid dreaming and the processing of external stimuli during sleep. She is interested in research on the prediction of conversion from clinical high-risk states to psychosis, and in exploring how emerging AI-based technologies may relate to cognitive and perceptual processes relevant to symptom development. Emily plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and is excited to contribute to the ADAPT Lab’s work.

Gabriel Bernick

Gabriel is a third-year undergraduate student at Northwestern University majoring in Psychology and Journalism. After graduating, he hopes to pursue a PsyD in clinical psychology. He is interested in learning more about mental health as well as prevention and early treatment for mental disorders. He is very excited to join the ADAPT team and engage in clinical research!

Sia Salwan

Sia is a third-year student studying Psychology and Global Health. She hopes to pursue dentistry after graduation, specifically working in the public health realm. She is interested in the development of preventative techniques to combat feelings of isolation in adolescence. Sia is very excited to be a part of the ADAPT lab!

FOlasade Martin

Folasade is a second-year undergraduate student at Northwestern University majoring in Psychology and minoring in Data Science. After graduation, she plans to pursue a PsyD in Clinical Psychology and is interested in studying how emotional regulation in adolescents can impact their mental health. She is excited to work with ADAPT Lab to gain clinical research experience!

Ismail Guenoun

Ismail is a first-year undergraduate student at Northwestern pursuing a double major in Psychology and Data Science. He is interested in studying psychopathology, the effects of trauma on developmental disorders, and the interactions between culture and mental health. After graduating, Ismail hopes to pursue a Psy.D in clinical psychology. He is thrilled to join the ADAPT team and gain research experience!

alexander myers

Alexander Myers is a second-year undergraduate at Northwestern University majoring in Jazz Performance on the pre-med track. After graduation, he plans to pursue a career in humanitarian psychiatry. His interests lie in exploring new interventions as well as discovering more objective metrics for accurately identifying predispositions and diagnosing various mental conditions. Alexander is thrilled to be a part of the clinical research at ADAPT lab!

Eshaal Kizilbash

Eshaal is a second-year undergraduate student at Northwestern University majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Art Theory and Practice. She aims to attend medical school to later service underprivileged communities. Eshaal is interested in how factors can influence the manifestation of different neurological disorders, such as Schizophrenia, and is eager to further her understanding of this through the ADAPT lab!

Madilynn Griffin

Maddie is majoring in neuroscience and psychology and is on the pre-med track. Her research interests involve the neurodevelopment of psychosis as well as making advancements in biomarker identification to improve prognoses in high-risk individuals. At ADAPT, Maddie is currently studying the relationship between negative symptoms of schizophrenia and major depressive disorder. She is grateful to be a part of the ADAPT team, and is excited to contribute to ADAPT’s success!

Ben Geduld

Memorial

Shane Colombo, B.A.

Shane was prepared to start in the fall of 2018 as a graduate student at Northwestern and new member of the ADAPT lab. His research interests centered around understanding the neurobiological mechanisms that link psychosocial stressors with self-knowledge deficits observed in psychosis. Shane received his B.A. in psychology from San Francisco State University. As an undergraduate, he assisted with research at the University of California, San Francisco that examined the inhibition of imitative behavior in patients with schizophrenia. After graduation, he conducted research at Columbia University using functional neuroimaging techniques to characterize the relationship between stigma and social cognition in patients at clinical-high risk for psychosis. 

Shane was taken from us, in an untimely and violent way, shortly after arriving in Chicago. He had only just begun to touch our lives, but in that short time, had already become an important member of our group. He will be missed, but never forgotten. The ADAPT lab team and our community are still reeling from this loss and trying to come to grips with what has happened. We are dedicated to honoring Shane’s memory through continuing his important work, aimed at reducing stigma and improving our understanding of how societal stress may exacerbate risk for serious psychopathology.

Randal Ross, M.D.