Lab Group

Maya recently graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Minnesota, and plans to pursue her PhD in Clinical Psychology. Maya has been a part of the MIND Lab since 2021 and enjoys furthering her experience in Clinical Psychology while working with children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities.

Maya is a part of the Social Justice Action Community and the Sexual Misconduct Hearing Committee at the UMN, and has extensive experience volunteering with youth programs throughout greater Minnesota. Advocacy has played a major role in Maya’s career, as she is currently a trained advocate for the Alexandra House, specializing in youth survivor support.

Rhys graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2024 with a B.S. in Neuroscience and Biology. 10 years ago, he decided to begin his journey to become a pediatric neurologist after his baby brother, Solomon, was found to be significantly developmentally delayed. Solomon was abandoned near a river in Ethiopia and was malnourished, thus he has many neurological issues. He was later found to have Pediatric Acute Neuropsychiatric Syndrome. Rhys’ interest in medicine increased through Solomon being taken in and out of multiple appointments. Dealing with Solomon’s motor, cognitive, and language delays came with many vicissitudes; albeit Rhys’ love for him and medicine expanded immensely. 

Throughout his undergrad, Rhys was a research assistant in the Ellison Lab for a year, where he learned about measures used in neuropsychological assessments in children, about different clinical populations, and learned skills to utilize the RedCap system. He has pursued many volunteering experiences such as hospice, substitute aide for children, and Children’s Minnesota. Additionally, he has been a scribe, PCA, ED tech, and EMT and enjoys interacting with clinical populations. Rhys joined the Pierpont Lab in 2024 due to his interest in neurodevelopment in the pediatric population. Currently, he is working on early detection of ALD in newborns and possible treatments.

Lexy recently graduated from the University of Minnesota with a B.A. in Developmental Psychology and Spanish Studies and a minor in Psychology. She joined the MIND Lab in 2024 as an undergraduate research assistant and is working on the ALD research project and the BRAIN Study.

Lexy is also a research assistant in the Cognitive Development and Neuroimaging Lab at the Institute of Child Development, where she wrote her honors thesis on the role of bilingualism in executive function measures for young adults. She is interested in the impact of early life experiences on the brain and plans to get her PhD in Clinical Psychology or Developmental Psychology in order to become a neuropsychologist. Lexy hopes to work in communities that historically lack access to mental health care and to do part of her practice in Spanish.

Monica is a researcher in Dr. Igor Nestrasil's Medical Imaging Lab (MILab) in the Department of Pediatrics. She joined the MILab as an undergraduate student to learn how MR imaging could be utilized to study disorders affecting the central nervous system such as MPS, ALD, and CMV. After graduating in Spring 2020 with a B.S. in Psychology and minor in Neuroscience, Monica joined the MILab full-time in 2021 to continue her research work and take on new roles as a study coordinator and lab manager. Currently, she is responsible for the lab's administrative and regulatory needs, and is involved in MRI analysis for several ongoing studies. In the BRAIN study, she assists her MILab colleagues on MRI data collection and analysis. She looks forward to studying research management and policy at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health's Executive Public Health Administration & Policy MPH program starting in Fall 2024.

Rachel graduated from St. Olaf College in December of 2019 with a B.A. in Biology and a concentration in Neuroscience. She has worked directly with children with emotional behavioral and neurodevelopmental disorders since 2016 with experience at Fraser, Sibusiso Foundation, Children's Hospital St. Paul, and Bridgewater Elementary school. Rachel was also awarded a research grant and Steen Fellowship to spend the spring/summer of 2019 developing and carrying out an IRB approved independent research study on how cultural context affects the treatment of children with neurodevelopmental conditions. She has worked in research at the University of Minnesota since January of 2020. Currently, she works as a clinical research coordinator and regulatory specialist for a variety of clinical studies in pediatric neuropsychology and cardiology including the ALD research project.

Jacqueline graduated with a BS in Neuroscience from the University of Minnesota in 2021. She spent much of her senior year and year after graduation in the Rothwell lab researching the role of dopamine in decision making using mouse models. She currently works on multiple studies within the Center for Neurobehavioral Development at the MIDB, including Dr. Pierpont's BRAIN study. She is excited to progress in her role as an examiner and continue to gain experience working with developmental populations. In addition to working in research, she is also completing prerequisites for a master's program, deciding between genetic counseling and PA school.

Tyler graduated from the University of Minnesota, Morris with a B.A. in Psychology. While at Morris, Tyler served as senior research assistant in Dr. Oscar Baldelomar’s Developmental Psychology lab, developing the foundations of what would become a longitudinal study on the identity development of Latinx and White youth in rural Minnesota. Following graduation, Tyler worked in settings where he provided direct therapeutic interventions with individuals diagnosed with a variety of neurodevelopmental, genetic, metabolic, and mental health disorders, ranging from the ultra-rare to highly common. Most recently, Tyler was employed as a Pediatric Neuropsychometrist at M-Health/Fairview where he specialized in neuropsychological test administration. In 2021, He was awarded with U+ Bronze award for providing exceptional patient care. His experience as a psychometrist also earned him an invitation to speak at the 2020 International MPS Master Class on the evaluation of individuals diagnosed with Mucopolysaccharidosis. He is currently enrolled in the Counselor Education master’s program at the University of Minnesota, where he is specializing in School Counseling.

Morgan graduated from the University of Minnesota with a B.S. in Developmental Psychology and specifications in childhood trauma and neuroscience. Morgan worked in various research laboratories, including the Child Wellbeing Research Lab, the COVID Family Stress Research Lab, and the WISHES Research Lab. Morgan has also volunteered as a Crisis Counselor with Crisis Text Line and she also spent time mentoring children in Minneapolis schools as a “Big Sister” with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Morgan was also the President of a student organization called H.O.P.E., which aims to spread awareness of Adverse Childhood Experiences and their long term effects on children. Until she furthers her education with a doctoral degree in the clinical or developmental psychology area, Morgan plans to work at a youth residential program or hospital to gain clinical experience working with children.

Sabrina graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2018 with a B.A. in psychology and a minor in management. She developed an interest in neurodevelopment in addition to her other research interests: early prevention and intervention, social and emotional development, and psychological assessment. Sabrina was a research assistant supporting multiple projects in the MIND lab from 2021-2022. 

Josué graduated from the University of Puerto Rico-Humacao with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. He is originally from Humacao, Puerto Rico. Josué conducted research in the MIND lab being part of the Advanced Pathways to Research Program of CTSI UMN. At the lab, he studied the clinical presentation and treatment of epilepsy in CFC syndrome. Josué is currently a 4th year medical student at Ponce Health Sciences University-SOM. After completion of his medical degree, Josué plans to continue his specialty in Pediatrics.

Saakshi graduated from Macalester College in Saint Paul, majoring in Neuroscience Studies and minoring in Japanese Language and Culture. She is originally from Mumbai, India.  Saakshi conducted research in the MIND lab and helped to develop accessible educational materials for patients and families with RASopathies. She is the co-author of a children's book featuring a child with Noonan syndrome.

After leaving the MIND lab Saakshi was hired as a Clinical Research Assistant II at Boston Children's Hospital. In 2020 she began Medical School at Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI). She will be completing a Pediatrics Residency at Rutgers University in 2024-25.

Alexis worked in the MIND lab as an undergraduate student at the University of Minnesota pursuing a B.S. in Neuroscience with a minor in psychology. She has been a part of research projects for rare disorders and complex conditions through the Chloe Barnes Rare Disease Advisory Council and Gillette Children's Hospital. Looking to connect her passion for rare disorders and neuroscience, she has joined the MIND lab! During her undergraduate career, she has also been in the Community Engaged Scholar's Program which has fostered her desire to better connect research back to the communities it serves. Following her graduation, in May 2023, she plans to pursue a doctoral degree in clinical psychology or neuropsychology. 

Dr. Isaia joined the MIND lab during her postdoctoral fellowship in pediatric neuropsychology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. She helped to develop an online family wellness toolkit in collaboration with a nonprofit organization, ALD Alliance, to support individuals and families coping with a diagnosis of adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD). She also co-authored a comprehensive review paper focusing on the neurocognitive and psychological impact of ALD across the lifespan. In 2022 Dr. Isaia began providing clinical services at Minnesota Neuropsychology.

Sam graduated from Saint Louis University in May 2020 with a B.A. in psychology and minors in Service Leadership and Entrepreneurship. He is interested in neuroanatomy and the role of cognitive function in behavioral processes. Sam was a research assistant in the MIND lab from 2021-2022, studying neurological and cognitive features of CFC syndrome and X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy. Sam is currently a PhD student in Clinical Psychology at Wayne State University.

Erin graduated from St. Olaf College with a B.A. in biology and psychology. She utilized both of those degrees while working as a psychometrist at Hennepin County Medical Center. She conducted research in the MIND lab to examine the long term outcomes of transplants among boys with adrenoleukodystrophy. She also contributed as a co-author on a manuscript reviewing the neuropsychological impact of ALD.

Erin is pursued a master's degree in Psychology at American University and is currently a doctoral student at Carleton University.

Julene graduated from the University of Minnesota with a B.S. in developmental psychology with minors in neuroscience and general psychology. She assisted in various research projects related to cerebral ALD, particularly studies regarding correlations between neuropsychological functioning and MRI imaging. 

Alana McNeill, Ph.D., received her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Southern Illinois University in August 2017. She completed her predoctoral clinical internship and postdoctoral fellowship in Pediatric Neuropsychology through the University of Minnesota Medical School. Her clinical interests include the assessment of children undergoing chemotherapy, bone marrow transplantation, and other therapies for the treatment of cancer and metabolic disorders. Her research interests include attention and executive functioning as well as social, emotional, and behavioral functioning in children with RASopathies. In particular, she is interested in better understanding these areas of neuropsychological functioning as they relate to children diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 and Noonan syndrome. 

Dr. McNeill is currently practicing at Penn State Health Hershey Medical Center.

Dante graduated from the University of Minnesota with a B.S. in Psychology and minors in both neuroscience and mass communication. His undergraduate career was marked with a diverse range of research experiences, serving as a McNair Scholar within the Department of Psychology, a PReP Scholar/Research Assistant within the Department of Neuroscience and a Research Assistant within the Department of Clinical & Experimental Pharmacology. These opportunities have refined his interests within neurodevelopment, clinical psychology and the intertwined nature of neuronal processes, cognitive functioning and behavior. He is involved in the ALD research project, specifically in the development of tools and methods to assess children longitudinally to identify whether cognitive performance or white matter microstructure align with the status of their disease. Dante will be pursuing a Clinical Psychology PhD at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine under the mentorship of Dr. Molly Losh beginning in the fall of 2024.

Abigail recently graduated from the University of Minnesota with a B.S. in psychology and anthropology and a minor in neuroscience. She assisted in various RASopathies research projects in the MIND lab, particularly those that study neuropsychological functioning and examine the benefits of different treatment options in children with genetic conditions. She is helped to coordinate a study to investigate the neurodevelopmental impact of seizures in children with cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome. After moving on from the MIND lab she worked as a clinical research coordinator at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She is currently pursuing doctoral studies at the Max Planck School of Cognition.