Research Assistants

Cameron Manard is a undergraduate researcher studying social psychology. He has been a research assistant with the DN Lab since the summer of 2022. He is interested in finding ways to alleviate anxieties caused by disabilities. He plans on getting his Ph.D. after finishing his undergraduate degree. In his free time, Cameron enjoys reading and creating stories as well as spending time with friends and family.
 

Joshua is a Third-Year undergraduate researcher at UCSD, double majoring in Neurobiology and Clinical Psychology. He joined the lab in Winter 2024 and is interested in BioPsychology and understanding the biological factors that play a role in developing disorders. In the future, Joshua plans to pursue a career in the medical field and obtain his PhD and MD, and become a medical scientist to pursue research in medicine and neuroscience. In his free time, Joshua enjoys going to the beach, hanging with friends, and trying new foods.
 

Natalie is a third-year undergraduate student researcher at UCSD majoring in Clinical Psychology with a minor in General Biology. She joined the lab in Fall 2024 and is particularly interested in Neuropsychology, with a focus on the biological aspects of personality disorders. Natalie is passionate about understanding how brain structure and function contribute to the development of mental disorders. In the future, she plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology and a career in research. Outside of academics, Natalie enjoys binging TV shows, watching anime, listening to music, and sleeping.
 

Amy is a third-year undergraduate student double majoring in Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience and Clinical Psychology. She joined the lab in Fall 2024 and is interested in the intersection of neuropsychology, neuroimaging techniques, and neurodevelopmental disorders. In the future, Amy hopes to obtain her PhD and become a clinical neuropsychologist. In her free time, she enjoys going to the beach, reading, and getting matcha.
 

Ani is a Second-year undergraduate student pursuing a B.S. in Clinical Psychology. She joined the DN lab in the fall of 2025 and is interested in studying various aspects of psychology, especially it’s overlap with neuroscience. In the future, Ani hopes to obtain her PhD and become a clinical neuropsychologist. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, traveling, and volunteering!
 

Nima is a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Psychology with a pre-medical emphasis. My research interests center on understanding learning processes, particularly how implicit and explicit strategies are used during social stimulus tasks. Nima is especially interested in comparing these processes in neurotypical individuals and those with autism, with the goal of contributing to more effective approaches for supporting social learning and interaction.
 

Shruthi is a second-year undergraduate student at UCSD, majoring in Developmental Psychology and minoring in Education Studies. She joined the lab in Fall 2025 and is passionate about studying cognitive development and knowledge acquisition in neurodivergent children. Currently, she is working on a study that explores face perception in children with autism. In the future, she hopes to pursue graduate school and enhance education for students across all neurological profiles. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, reading, listening to music, and spending time with friends and family.
 

Mac is a third-year undergraduate developmental psychology major. They are interested in the role of prediction and feedback in learning, as well as how neurological differences in attention and motivation change how we learn. They are currently working on their psychology honor’s thesis on implicit prediction in autistic adults. After graduation, Mac hopes to enter a PHD program in experimental psychology and enter a career of teaching and research. In their free time, Mac does arts and crafts, goes on beach hikes, and watches old movies.
 

Chloe is a second-year undergraduate student double majoring in Psychology and Cognitive Behavioral Neuroscience. She joined the lab in Fall of 2025 and is interested in exploring what neuroimaging techniques reveal about developmental disorders. In the future, Chloe hopes to attend graduate school and dedicate herself to using psychology and neuroscience to improve children’s lives. In her free time, she enjoys exploring San Diego, going to the beach, reading, and spending time with friends!
 

Sumeet is a second year Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience major minoring in Computational Social Science and Human Developmental Sciences. She joined the lab in Fall 2025. She is interested in getting a PsyD specializing in Neuropsychology and researching neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and dementia in the future. In her free time, she loves to thrift and collect records!
 

Genevieve is a fourth-year undergraduate majoring in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience. Her research interests center on neuropsychology, with a particular focus on neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. She is currently completing a research thesis examining the effects of maternal stress on neurodevelopment. Genevieve plans to pursue a Ph.D. and aims to become a clinical neuropsychologist. Outside of the lab, she enjoys baking, going to the gym, and spending time with friends.
 

Katherine is a third-year undergraduate student double majoring in Cognitive Behavioral Neuroscience and Developmental Psychology. She joined the lab in Winter 2026 and is interested in the biological mechanisms of neurodevelopmental disorders, including the differences in functioning and structure in neurodivergent brains. In the future, Katherine hopes to obtain her Ph.D. and become a child psychologist. In her free time, she enjoys exploring nature, cafe hopping, and watching psychological thrillers and crime documentaries.
 

Paula is a third-year undergraduate student researcher at UC San Diego, majoring in Cognitive Behavioral Neuroscience. She joined the lab in Spring 2026. She is interested in neuropsychology and exploring how brain processes influence behavior and memory. Paula hopes to continue working in research related to cognition and the brain in the future. Outside of the lab, she enjoys indoor and outdoor rock climbing and spending time with friends.