Nancy E. Adleman, Ph.D.

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

My research aims to determine the neuropathophysiology of pediatric mood disorders including bipolar disorder (BD), disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD), and major depressive disorder (MDD). To identify the neural correlates of these disorders, I utilize structural and functional neuroimaging techniques including diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), voxel-based morphometry (VBM), and advanced functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) methods. Specifically, I study the neural correlates of attention and attention-emotion interactions in these disorders, as attention deficits are present in all three mood disorders and the extent to which attention deficits are secondary to emotional difficulties remains unclear. Neuroimaging may be used to elucidate how dysfunction in attention and its interaction with emotion may mediate symptoms of mood disorders, and how treatment impacts such dysfunction. Additionally, because attention deficits are evident across a range of diagnoses, delineation of the neural correlates of attention deficits has the potential for broad-reaching impact on psychiatric treatment, especially in children. As evidence suggests that pediatric mood disorders lead to a lifetime of reduced functioning, novel interventions based on neural findings could significantly reduce both the life burden of illness for children with these disorders, as well as the overall societal burden of mental illness.

Faculty Web Page

Alyssa Parker, M.A.

Graduate Student, Research Assistant

I am a sixth-year PhD student in the applied experimental psychology program at CUA. Prior to arriving at CUA, I earned B.A.’s in psychology and statistics at UC Berkeley. Following my undergraduate program, I worked as a lab manager in the Idiographic Dynamics Lab at UC Berkeley, managing studies concerning both individualizing psychotherapy and physiological responses to prolonged stressors for people with generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder. My current research interests center around the effects of emotional information on attentional processes as reflected in behavioral and neurological differences. I am particularly interested in studying these effects in populations with mood disorders.

Teal Raffaele, M.A.

Graduate Student, Research Assistant

I am a fourth-year Ph.D. student in the clinical psychology program at CUA. I earned my B.A. in psychology from Wake Forest University and M.A. in psychology from the College of William & Mary. More recently, I was a research coordinator for the Eastern Virginia Medical School Autism Spectrum Disorder Program. My previous experience includes investigating the role of the cholinergic system in attention and plasticity, as well as exploring emotion regulation in young adults with autism. I am interested in applying cognitive neuroscience techniques to better understand how cognitive and emotional mechanisms interact to produce individual differences in a range of developmental psychopathologies and mood disorders. I hope that this may ultimately contribute to more personalized intervention.

Carolyn Albright

Undergraduate Student, Research Assistant

I am a senior from York, PA double majoring in Psychology and Philosophy. I am interested in emotional regulation and emotional development within the context of families. In the future, I aspire to attend grad school for Developmental Psychology.

Alejandra Calderon

Undergraduate Student, Research Assistant

I am a senior Psychological & Brain Sciences major from San Juan, Puerto Rico. I am interested in research in cognitive psychology and neuroscience and hope to get more experience from working in the CAN lab.

Catherine Cerroni

Undergraduate Student, Research Assistant

I am a senior Psychological & Brain Sciences and English double major. I am interested in exploring all types of quantitative research in neuroscience and biological psychology, which I hope to get involved in after graduation.

Kaitlyn Dombrowski

Masters Student, Research Assistant

I'm a first year Master's student in the Psychological Science program. I'm originally from Los Angeles where I received my B.A. in Psychology from Cal State LA and after living abroad, went on to complete Post-Baccalaureate in Psychology at UC Irvine. After the completion of this program I plan on continuing my education by entering into a PhD program that has a focus on the neurological psychopathology aspects of mood disorders. My goal is to help advance the understanding of mood disorders, especially Major Depressive Disorder, for more effective treatments.

Ershia François

Masters Student, Research Assistant

I am a second-year masters student in the psychology masters program at CUA. Prior to arriving at CUA I earned my B.A in psychology from Towson University. It is my goal, after earning my masters degree, to attain my PhD and conduct research within the field of neuropsychology, particularly as it pertains to neurodegenerative diseases and mood disorders.

Jacob Koopman

Undergraduate Student, Research Assistant

I am a senior Psychology B.A. major all the way from Cincinnati, OH. After I graduate, I plan to pursue a dual JD/PhD program and work as a researcher, where I hope to help create a better and more holistic mental health policy in the court system.

Robert Milano

Undergraduate Student, Research Assistant

I am a senior Psychological and Brain Sciences major on the pre-medical track from Staten Island, NY. I plan to apply to medical school after graduation, but in the meantime, I’m exploring different types of medicine and research by getting experience working in the CAN Lab and other research labs on and off campus

Justin Popoola

Undergraduate Student, Research Assistant

I am a sophomore Psychological and Brain Sciences major from Lynn, Massachusetts. In this research lab, I hope to gain hands-on experience that complements my course load in the cognitive & neuropsychology field.

Hailey Steier

Undergraduate Student, Research Assistant

I am a sophomore from Eldersburg, MD, studying Psychological and Brain Sciences with a minor in Health, Society, & Policy on the pre-med track. After graduation, I hope to pursue a dual MD-PhD program to work as a research physician with special interests in neuroimaging techniques and neurodegenerative diseases.