Rachel Pizzie is an Assistant Professor in the PhD in Educational Neuroscience (PEN) Program in the Gallaudet-NSF Visual Language and Visual Learning (VL2) Science of Learning Center. Dr. Pizzie is the director of the Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience (CAN) lab at Gallaudet, and Coordinator of the Cognitive Neuroscience Lab Rotations. 

Dr. Pizzie’s approach to understanding negative emotion and its impact on learning integrates research at multiple levels of analysis—from examining neurobiological processes in the lab using tools such as psychophysiology and fMRI brain imaging, to developing and testing interventions both in the lab and in the classroom. 

Dr. Pizzie received her doctoral degree from Dartmouth College working with Dr. David Kraemer, and worked as a postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown University collaborating with Dr. Adam Green and Dr. Ian Lyons. Outside the lab, Rachel enjoys yoga, singing in choir with NEWorks Voices of America, and spending time outside with her dogs.

For a short ASL Bio, click here.  

Christina is a student in the PEN program at Gallaudet. She received her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Virginia, where she became interested in neuroscience after studying mechanisms of hearing loss and cellular regeneration.

As a CODA, Christina aims to reduce barriers that d/Deaf, hard of hearing, and disabled students encounter in STEM by understanding challenges to learning language and STEM concepts. Outside of the lab, Christina enjoys cooking, biking, yoga, and exploring weekend farmers markets.

Rachel is a student in the Ph.D. in Educational Neuroscience (PEN) program at Gallaudet University. She received her undergraduate degree in Chemistry at Fordham University, her M.Ed. in Science Education at the University of Notre Dame, and her M.A. in Deaf Education at Gallaudet University. Before starting her Ph.D. program, she taught secondary science at The Learning Center for the Deaf in Framingham, MA.

As a former science teacher, Rachel aims to learn more about how conceptually accurate/embedded signs, such as those used by AtomicHands and developed by ASLCore, can support conceptual understanding. 

Thalia Guettler, undergraduate senior has been working in CAN lab since the end of the Fall 2022 semester. She is double-majoring in Biology and Sociology at Gallaudet University.

Katie McClyman is an undergraduate junior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Family and Child Studies.

Rachel is a student in the Clinical Psychology PhD program at Gallaudet.  She completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh where she developed an interest in cognitive affective neuroscience through work in various research labs. When she is not studying, you can find her hanging out with her dog and family, aquascaping, or attempting her best bakasana.

Taylor Delorme is an undergraduate Psychology major and research assistant in CAN lab from Fall 2022-present. She has a variety of interests such as art, reading, food, and writing and loves to creatively express herself in any way. In the future she’d like to use her psychology degree and experience to work with children.

Laurel Aichler is a student in the M.A. Linguistics program. She graduated with a degree in English with a writing emphasis from Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles and an A.A. in ASL/English Interpreting from L.A. Pierce College. As a graduate student, she has become interested in how domain-general functions are potentially applied to language. When she is not working, she enjoys baking and outdoor activities like hiking and camping.

Bridget Lam was an undergraduate Psychology major and research assistant in the CAN lab. She graduated from Gallaudet University in May 2022 with a degree in psychology. She is very passionate about human behavior and development and plans to one day use her psychology background to specialize in research and experimentation related to real-world social and ethical problems.

Isabelle Diaz was an undergraduate research assistant in the CAN lab. She graduated from Gallaudet University in May 2021 with a degree in psychology.