Alexandra O. Cohen, Ph.D.
Lab Director
she/her
Ali received her B.S. in Neuroscience from Duke University and her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences. She then completed her postdoctoral training at New York University. Ali joined the Department of Psychology at Emory University as an Assistant Professor in 2022. She is deeply committed to promoting equity in and accessibility of science. Outside the lab, Ali enjoys cuddling her cats, taking care of her plants, and loves all things brunch, unicorn, and brightly-colored.
ali [dot] cohen [at] emory [dot] edu | personal website | CV
Sagarika Devarayapuram Ramakrishnan, B.S.
Lab Manager
she/they
Sagarika graduated with a B.S. in Psychology and a certificate in Spanish from Georgia State University, where they defended their Honors thesis on age differences in memory for prior feelings. They are interested in the effects of memory and emotion on behavior and well-being across the lifespan, the impact of sociocultural factors on psychology, and intergenerational transmission. Broadly, they are concerned with promoting justice, equity, and accessibility in the field. Apart from psychology, Sagarika loves solving puzzles, visiting museums, and collecting trinkets.
Rohini Kumar, B.A.
Doctoral Student
she/her
Rohini completed her B.A. in Neuroscience at Rice University in 2021. After graduating, she completed a post-baccalaureate research fellowship at the National Institute of Mental Health where she studied emotional face perception. She is interested in how memory and emotion interact and how this relationship is supported by the brain. She loves dancing and live music.
Venkata Anirudh Pillala
Graduate Research Assistant
he/him
Pillala Venkata Anirudh graduated in 2021, after which he worked as a DevOps Engineer at Accenture. Anirudh is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Computer Science. Prior to joining the LUMeN Lab, he led a research project entitled Blockchain Based PKI Framework with Dr. R. C. Saritha, the Joint Director at SHVD group, C-DAC, Bangalore, India, working on integrating Blockchain to fortify the vulnerabilities of traditional PKI systems. Anirudh is committed to excellence and continuous learning, aiming to contribute meaningfully to the ever-evolving tech industry.
Katie Oshins
Research Assistant
she/her
Katie is a junior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Neuroethics. She is especially interested in the neurodevelopment of decision-making and how decision-making processes influence the risk of developing mental disorders. After graduation, Katie plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology. In her free time, Katie enjoys listening to music, reading, and exploring coffee shops in Altanta.
John Wang
Research Assistant
he/him
John is a junior double majoring in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology and Philosophy. He is planning to pursue cognitive neuroscience in an interdisciplinary manner in graduate school, and is looking to learn more about how humans form various cognitive processes in the brain. Other than research, he likes to read novels, go to classical concerts, and try out different restaurants.
Vivian Yang
Research Assistant
she/her
Vivian is a junior majoring in psychology. She is interested in studying learning, memory, and motivation in children and adolescents. Planning to attend graduate school in clinical or school psychology, Vivian is also interested in studying the risk factors of mental disorders, neurodevelopmental aspects of psychopathology, and effective interventions for childhood mental disorders. Outside of the lab, Vivian enjoys dancing, doing yoga and pilates, playing the piano, and visiting museums and galleries.
Michelle Sauceda
Research Assistant
she/her
Michelle is a sophomore majoring in Psychology and minoring in Predictive Health. She is interested in studying how memory and emotions impact decision-making in children and adolescents and how this relates to the development of mental disorders. After graduation, Michelle plans to attend graduate school for clinical psychology. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, going on nature walks, and hanging out with friends.
Anny Huang
Research Assistant
she/her
Anny is a sophomore majoring in Psychology. She is particularly drawn to the dynamic intersections of biopsychology, cognitive neuroscience, and psychology. Her primary research interests revolve around understanding the impact of brain damage on human behavior, mood, and cognition. She is also interested in exploring the interplay between mood and behavior, and she is eager to delve into the correlations between genetics and psychological disorders. Outside of the lab, Anny spends most of her time cooking, reading books, watching TV, and listening to music.
Yonah Temlock
Research Assistant
he/him
Yonah is a junior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Business. He is interested in memory, decision making, and child development. After graduation, Yonah plans to continue his psychology studies in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. Outside of work, he enjoys watching movies, running, and hiking.
Alya Khoury
Research Assistant
she/her
Alya is a rising junior studying Anthropology and Human Biology, with a keen interest in the human brain. Driven by the intersection of neuroscience and anthropology, Alya is most interested in learning about the anatomy of memory as well as understanding how our brain develops and matures both on an individual and on a species scale. In her free time, she enjoys taking pictures with old film cameras, writing for the school paper, and spending time outdoors in a hammock.
Zoë McNeil
Research Assistant
she/her
Zoë is a rising senior psychology major and bioethics minor at Tuskegee University. She is a participant in the Emory University REU: Mind, Brain, Body, and Behavior. Zoë is interested in both the research and clinical aspects of psychology. After graduating, she wants to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology and then become a clinical psychologist doing both therapy and research. Zoë is especially interested in the intersections of race, gender, and psychology. Her goal is to work with BIPOC and other marginalized groups impacted by intergenerational trauma. In her free time, Zoë loves to watch movies, listen to music, and spend time with family and friends.
Minina & Tober
Support Staff
Mini (left) & Tobey (right) are third year rescue kitties and littermates. They are constantly investigating the impact of sleep on their well-being, the optimal amount of zoomies in a day, and whether they should show affection to humans other than their mom and dad.