Lab Members

Fabio Ferrarelli, MD PhD

Prinicipal Investigator

Dr. Ferrarelli earned his MD and PhD in psychiatry at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome. At the University of Wisconsin, and while completing his residency at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, he studied the alterations in neuronal circuits contributing to altered sleep architecture in schizophrenia. The primary research interests of his lab focus on the utilization of hd-EEG, MRI, and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) to better understand the neurobiology of schizophrenia and to identify potential treatment targets. Dr. Ferrarelli will now extend those lines of research to high risk children and adolescents.

Francesco Luciano Donati, MD PhD

Visiting Scholar

Francesco received his MD from the University of Milan, Italy defending a thesis on altered sleep slow wave activity in first-degree relatives of Schizophrenia patients. He is currently enrolled in the Psychiatry residency program at ‘San Paolo’ Hospital, Milan, Italy. During his first years of residency, Francesco worked in both inpatient and outpatient clinics, with a focus on prodromal states of psychosis. His research interests include the sleep endophenotype of Schizophrenia, TMS-EEG in psychosis, and the neurobiology Self-disorders. During his visiting period at Dr. Ferrarelli’s lab, he has been involved in TMS-EEG data acquisition and analysis and sleep data analysis.

Ahmad Mayeli, PhD

Research Assistant Professor

Ahmad received his B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Tehran and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Oklahoma under Dr. Jerzy Bodurka and Dr. Hazem Refai. Currently, Ahmad is a postdoctoral scholar in the PyNeL lab and responsible for analyzing EEG/MRI/fMRI data.

Sabine Janssen, BS

Academic Manager

Sabine received her BS in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh. Her areas of interest were Social Neuroscience and Fairytales. In particular she hopes to bridge these interests through researching the physiology of dissociation. Before joining the PyNeL lab she worked with Dr. Tristen Inagaki on many studies regarding social bonding on a biomedical level. She also worked with Dr. Michael First at Columbia Medical Center in NYC helping to edit the DSM V casebook before moving to Pittsburgh. In her free time Sabine enjoys cooking, painting, and shopping for antiques. 

Chloe Huston, MA 

Research Specialist

Chloe earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Baldwin-Wallace University where she used EEG to research how concussions alter neural underpinnings of language and cognition. She then went on to complete her master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at Cleveland State University where she worked in a lab that specialized in neuropsychological test development. Before joining the PyNeL, Chloe worked in a lab at The Ohio State University that used MRI to study cognitive decline during aging. Chloe is primarily interested in clinical neuropsychology, and her specific research interests include tracking the structural and functional brain changes and cognitive outcomes associated with traumatic brain injury and examining factors that help reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. In her free time, Chloe enjoys running, cooking, and reading.

Ahmadreza Keihani, PhD

Postdoctoral Associate

Ahmadreza graduated from the BSc program in biomedical engineering (Bioelectric) at Isfahan University and received his MSc and Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering (Bioelectric) from Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS). After graduating with Ph.D. as the valedictorian of medical school at TUMS, he was accepted/invited to be an assistant professor of neuroimaging in the TUMS neuroscience department. But he is young enough to be trained more and moved to the US as a postdoctoral associate in the department of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh to learn more from the senior researchers in the field. His research interests are neuroimaging, nonlinear dynamics and chaos, EEG and biological data science, and brain-computer interface (BCI). His Ph.D. thesis was inspired by the death of his mother because of ALS disease and was a joint EEG-EMG and MRI study to find the cortico-muscular coupling function in both normal and ALS patients. He will continue to do translational research on neurological disorders.

Allison Kim, BS

Research Specialist

Allison graduated from University of Pittsburgh with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Chemistry. During her undergraduate years, she worked as a research assistant for Dr. Reed in SIERA lab that focuses on interaction between stress and immune system of older adults. Allison is primarily interested in brain scans and how structural changes in the brain are associated with mental health disorders. In her free time, she likes to walk in nature and write a journal. 

Omeed Chaichian, BS

Research Specialist

Omeed received his B.S. in Neuroscience with a minor in Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh in April 2023. Prior to beginning his work with the PyNeL lab, Omeed worked with Dr. Marianne Seney in the Department of Psychiatry and Translational Neuroscience Program of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine where he studied the sex differences in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). More specifically, Omeed assisted the lab with tissue sectioning/staining and neuron tracing. In his last year with the Seney Lab, Omeed wrote a thesis based on his own project regarding the sex differences in microglia and dendritic spines in the human dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Omeed has also volunteered at various Pittsburgh hospitals over the years, including UPMC Presbyterian and Allegheny General Hosptial. On his free time, Omeed enjoys cooking in addition to playing soccer, pickleball, and going to the gym. In the future, Omeed plans on attending medical school.  

Caitlin Moore, BS

Research Specialist

Caitlin earned her BS in Psychology from the University of Minnesota, with a minor in Chemistry. During her time at UMN, she was involved in a pediatric neurology lab researching ALD, a medicinal chemistry lab looking into possible RTA inhibitors, and a psychology lab looking at possible relationships between emotion and narrative coding trends. Her main interest lies in clinical psychology and specifically the cognitions and behaviours related to stress and trauma. In her free time, Caitlin enjoys writing, museum trips, and cooking. 

Current Undergraduates

Katerina Piskun

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Katerina is currently a sophomore at the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh. She is majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Hispanic Language and Culture with a certificate for conceptual foundations of medicine on the pre-medical track. She is a member of Phi Delta Epsilon International Medical Fraternity and on the women’s club ultimate frisbee team. In her free time she enjoys going to the gym, reading, hiking, and skiing throughout the winter.

Julia Feibusch

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Julia is currently a sophomore at the University of Pittsburgh. Julia is majoring in History with a minor in Neuroscience and a certificate for the Conceptual Foundations of Medicine on the pre-medical track. She is interested in mental health, women’s health, and the history of medicine. When she is home on break, she loves to volunteer at the Mütter Museum of Medical History in Philadelphia. In her free time, she loves to read, go to concerts, and watch movies!

Anisha Virmani

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Anisha is a second-year undergraduate student at the University of Pittsburgh. She is majoring in Psychology, minoring in Neuroscience, and working on a certificate in Conceptual Foundations of Medicine. She has future goals of earning a Ph.D. and pursuing Clinical Psychology, and is interested in the psychopathology of psychotic disorders. Outside of the classroom, Anisha enjoys going to the gym, mentoring in the Psychology club, listening to music, and volunteering to sit/train future service dogs.

Arnav Randade

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Arnav is a second-year neuroscience major at the University of Pittsburgh with a minor in chemistry and is working on a certificate for conceptual foundations of medicine. Arnav is on Pre-med track and hopes to pursue a medical career in either neurology or psychiatry. In his free time he enjoys hanging out with friends and family, going to the gym, and volunteering with Global Medical brigades or UPMC.

Former Members

Savannah Applegate

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Savannah is a sophomore in the Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences with a major in neuroscience, minor in chemistry, and a certificate for conceptual foundations of medicine on the pre-medical track. She would love to pursue a career in psychiatry and is very interested in psychiatric/behavioral disorders. She is also a member of Rho Psi Eta, a pre-health sorority, and the global medical brigades club. In her free time she loves to read and go to the gym! 

Vic Mistretta

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Vic is a second-year undergraduate student at the University of Pittsburgh. Vic is majoring in Neuroscience and is on the pre-health track with minors in Chemistry, Hispanic Language and Culture, and Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies (GSWS), and a certificate in American Sign Language. Additionally, Vic is a member of the Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity, ASL Club, and is an Executive Board Member for Wayne for Change, a non-profit organization created by high school and college students to increase LGBTQ and human rights awareness in the town of Wayne, NJ. Vic hopes to go onto medical school and pursue a career in gender affirming care.

Julia Rupp

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Julia is currently a sophomore at the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh. She is a pre-medical student majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in French and is very interested in neurological and psychiatric disorders. Julia is a member of Phi Delta Epsilon International Medical Fraternity and also enjoys running, cooking, and hiking.

Kamakashi (Kama) Sharma, BS

Research Specialist

Kamakashi recently graduated from the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh with two BS in Neuroscience and Psychology as well as a BA in French. She joined the lab in March 2019 and has been involved in running and analyzing sleep and TMS studies. Kamakashi is highly interested in neuroscience and psychopathology research, and in the future, she hopes to pursue a career in psychiatry through an MD/PhD path.

Rebekah Colacot

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Rebekah is a third year undergraduate student at the University of Pittsburgh. She is majoring in Neuroscience with minors in Chemistry and Music, and is also receiving a certificate in Conceptual Foundations of Medicine. She joined the lab in the Fall term of 2019, and has been involved in EEG analysis and sleep studies. Outside of the lab she volunteers at UPMC Shadyside hospital, is involved in campus ministry and The Imagination Project, and performs in a chamber orchestra. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in medicine.

Rachel Kaskie, BS

Research Project Assistant

Rachel received her BS in Neuroscience from the University of Pittsburgh in April 2015. While an undergraduate, she worked in the lab of Dr. Dean Salisbury studying facial affect processing in patients with schizophrenia. As a Research Project Assistant in the PyNeL lab, she is responsible for conducting sleep EEG recordings and TMS/hd-EEG sessions, as well as analyzing EEG data. She also runs TMS sessions for Dr. Price’s OCD and theta burst stimulation study. Right now, she is getting ready to apply to Physician’s Assistant programs.

When not in the lab, Rachel is playing softball with the Raging Avocados or hanging out with her dog named Cooper – that’s him in the picture! 

Alice LaGoy, BS MS

Research Assistant

Alice received her BS in Human Physiology from Gonzaga University and her MS in Sports Medicine from the University of Pittsburgh.  Currently Alice is a doctoral student enrolled in the Rehabilitation Sciences program where she has a split appointment working with Dr. Chris Connaboy, Dr. Fabio Ferrarelli and Dr. Anne Germain.  She is interested in studying the role of sleep on performance, specifically looking at the relationship between different sleep features and individual differences in performance.

Gonzalo Quiñones, BA

Research Specialist

Gonzalo received his BA in Psychology and Spanish Language & Literature from SUNY Binghamton University in May 2018. As an undergraduate student, Gonzalo worked as a research assistant for Dr. Richard Mattson and Dr. Vladimir Miskovic. In Dr. Mattson’s lab, Gonzalo primarily worked on studies examining intimate partner violence and perceptions of sexual consent. In Dr. Miskovic’s lab, he worked on projects in the field of affective neuroscience. Over the summer of 2018, Gonzalo participated in the MHIRT program through the University of Southern California. He lived in Puebla, Mexico over the course of the summer and conducted research on duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) in individuals with first-episode psychosis, where he examined pathways to care and the role of the family. In the future, Gonzalo hopes to obtain his Ph.D. either in clinical psychology or neuroscience.

Marlee Renard, BA

Research Project Coordinator

Marlee received her BA in Psychology from Mercyhurst University in 2015. She concentrated in Neuroscience and minored in Biology to focus on understanding the social, neural, and physiological aspects of adults with neurological disorders. She has previously worked with Dr. Siegle’s PICAN lab, and and Dr. Price’s CAN Lab as a Research Project Coordinator where she was involved in recruitment, the consent process, and conducting study procedures.

Yingyi Zhang, MD

Research Specialist

Yingyi received her MD in Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China. She worked as a postdoctoral researcher in Capital Medical University, Beijing, China after graduation. In the PyNeL lab, she is excited to explore the field of neuroscience with the team.

Alexandra (Sasha) Geyfman

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Sasha is in her Junior year as an undergraduate student at the University of Pittsburgh Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences. She is a Biology and Anthropology major with a Chemistry minor and plans to follow the Pre-Medicine track. In her free time she volunteers at the Children’s Hospital of University of Pittsburgh Medical School and is part of Phi Chi, Pitt’s on campus Pre-Health Fraternity. She also enjoys spending time with her family, writing articles for Odyssey Online, a nationally acclaimed internet media company,  and working as an EMT when at home in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Katy Gill, PhD

Senior Research Associate

Katy received her PhD in behavioral neuroscience from the University of Washington. Afterwards, she completed her postdoctoral training in the Neuroscience Department with Dr. Anthony Grace at the University of Pittsburgh, where her research focus utilized a systems level approach to understanding the role of dopamine in animal models of stress-related and psychiatric conditions. When out of the lab, Katy is usually busy hiking somewhere with her two beagle-mixes, Winnie and Frank.

Bianca Graziano

Visiting Scholar - Medical Student

Bianca is an Italian medical student who is going to graduate in October 2017. She has previously worked as an intern at the Psychiatry Department of San Paolo Hospital in Milan conducting sleep EEG recordings in psychiatric patients and healthy controls. In PyNeL lab she conducts sleep EEG recordings and TMS/hd-EEG sessions, and analyses EEG data. In the future she hopes to pursue the path of psychiatric and psychological research in the United States using brain imaging techniques. 

Adelle Hamilton

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Adelle is a fourth year undergraduate student at the University of Pittsburgh, and is majoring in Neuroscience and Psychology, with a minor in Chemistry. She joined the lab in the fall term of 2015, and has since been assisting with TMS, sleep studies, and data analysis. She is interested in neuroimaging, and enjoys performing data analysis, as well as performing research in a clinical setting. While Adelle is ultimately interested in neuropathology, she is currently thinking of pursuing a PA program.

Soukaina Eljamri

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Soukaina Eljamri is a senior at the University of Pittsburgh studying Anthropology with a minor in Chemistry. She has been an undergraduate research assistant with the lab since the Fall of 2015. She is really interested in brain imaging and psychosis and has contributed to the lab by helping with sleep studies, TMS, and data analysis. After graduating, she hopes to pursue a career in medicine. 

Joanne Chiu

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Joanne Chiu is a senior at the University of Pittsburgh studying neuroscience with a minor in studio arts. She has been an undergraduate research assistant with PyNeL since fall 2015. In the lab, she helps with sleep studies, TMS, and data analysis. She is interested in neurophysiology but also enjoys art, music, and teaching. She hopes to someday pursue a career in medicine.

Hussain Alkhars

CTMHR Fellow