Posts classified under: TNT People

Karina Keus

As a member of the UCLA Miniscope Project, my research entails designing and implementing novel, open-source tools to increase accessibility in science. My thesis project in the Aharoni Lab involves developing a combined calcium imaging-electrophysiological recording platform to track neural representations of spatial location over unprecedented time scales. This platform enables in-depth analysis of the role of different sleep states in memory consolidation across the full circadian cycle.

Mentor: Daniel Aharoni, Ph.D.

Samuel Vander Dussen

Sam is a 2nd year Masters student in the Dept. of Bioengineering at UCLA, transitioning to the Ph.D. program. He previously attended Azusa Pacific University where he played collegiate football and received a B.S. in Systems Engineering in 2019. His current research focuses on the system design of  a synchronous behavioral and functional ultrasound imaging platform to acquire information about functional network connectivity changes after traumatic brain injury. His research interests include computational neuroscience, machine learning, and graph theory to understand plasticity and working memory in the whole brain.

Mentor: Neil Harris, Ph.D.

Timothy Jordan

My research interests are in applying brain imaging to TMS treatment to find biomarkers for the aid of treatment. Specifically I want to find a way of utilizing resting state functional MRI data to determine both the best area for treatments in specific populations and improve individual based treatments by finding biomarkers that correlate with participant improvement. My current research involves applying these methods to Smoking populations and using fMRI & TMS to reduce smoking withdrawal symptoms.

Mentor: Nicole Petersen, Ph.D.

Zachary Zeidler

Memory is an active process that allows for the recall of previous experiences, shaping how we interpret the present moment and plan future behavior. My research seeks to understand the mechanisms and function of how memories organize and reorganize in the brain across time. To achieve this, I use a combination of techniques from molecular, systems, and behavioral neuroscience within a rodent model system and classical fear memory paradigms.

Mentor: Laura DeNardo, Ph.D.