Meet the Lab Members

Dr. Tracey A. Knaus, Ph.D.

Education:

- B.S. in Neuroscience from Texas Christian University
- Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Tulane University
- Postdoctoral training in Cognitive Neuroscience at Boston University School of Medicine

Research Interests: My main research interests are in neurodevelopmental disorders, the relationship between brain anatomy, function, and behavior, and language and communication functions. I am also interested in minimally verbal children with ASD, as well as the intersection of music and language.

My past research has specifically focused on children with ASD and differences in brain activation, using fMRI, during language tasks and anatomical-behavioral associations, using MRI. With these we found differences in lateralization of activation and associations between cortical anatomy and behavioral changes over time and differences between children with severely impaired expressive language (> 3 standard deviations below the mean) and those without expressive language deficits.

My current studies aim to evaluate the effectiveness of cortical modulation, using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), in improving language and to examine the neurobiological intersection between music and language, using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).

In future studies, I plan to further explore tDCS in improving language in children with ASD, combining it with speech-language therapy, exploring it in a minimally verbal population, and conducting studies to determine in whom it may be the most effective. I also plan to further explore the intersection between music and language in ASD and the possibility of utilizing music as a means of improving language. We also plan to begin exploring the connection between gut microbiome and language in children with ASD.

Dr. Megan A. Goldfarb, Ph.D.

Graduate Alumni Member

Dr. Goldfarb graduated with her PhD from the University of New Orleans in May 2023 after successfully defending her dissertation. Prior to earning her doctorate, she received a B.S. in Psychology from Tulane University and an M.A. in Counseling from John Carroll University in Ohio in 2009. Over the last decade, she has worked in the mental health field, first in the community as a case manager and clinician, then as a community college instructor, and most recently as a drug addiction counselor at a local drug and alcohol addiction rehab. In between, she’s studied everything from mate selection in spiders to suicide in Samoa. But her main interests have always been in the brain and behavior. She began working with Dr. Knaus in 2018, where her interest in Autism has been fostered further. During her tenure at the University of New Orleans, she enjoyed teaching General Psychology and now currently serves as a professor at the University of Southern Mississippi while maintaining her research affiliation with the Autism Brain and Language Lab.

Alyssa Lacour, M.S.

Graduate Practicum Research Assistant

Alyssa earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Southeastern Louisiana University, in May 2015. She pursued graduate study with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette where her research efforts were devoted to better understanding the cognitive mechanisms underlying recurring psychopathology. Alyssa then earned a Master of Science degree in Psychology from UL, December of 2018. Her clinical efforts consist of extensive training and practice in psychological assessment for medical and forensic evaluation as well as clinical trial coordination within pediatric oncology. Alyssa returned to graduate school in August of 2022 and is in pursuit of a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Applied Biopsychology from the University of New Orleans. Her research initiatives are broadly devoted to better understanding brain-resident immune mechanisms, their role in the formation and maintenance of neural circuits, and what causes these systems to become aberrant, ultimately lending to neurological dysfunction.

Ava Arabie, B.S.

Ava Arabie earned dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Biochemistry and Psychology from Mississippi State University, where she also completed a minor in Sociology. She is currently

pursuing a Ph.D. in Applied Biopsychology at the University of New Orleans.

During her undergraduate studies, she investigated neuroimmune interactions and genetic factors influencing brain development, and in her doctoral work she is particularly interested in the biological bases of psychopathology, resilience, and language. Her hands on experience working in an Applied Behavioral Analysis clinic with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, supporting growth in communication, social, and daily living skills, has guided her commitment to research that bridges basic science with interventions that improve developmental outcomes. Beyond academics, Ava is actively involved in volleyball as both a

player and coach, enjoys spending time outdoors, and loves traveling with her family and her dog, Bruiser.

Canada Awad, B.S.

Canada Awad is a Ph.D. candidate in Applied Biopsychology at the University of New Orleans. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology with an emphasis in Neuroscience at the University of Georgia. Her undergraduate research focused on trust in artificial intelligence, sparking her interest in how humans interact with complex systems. With experience in Applied Behavioral Analysis and caregiver training, she is passionate about exploring the neurobiological and cultural factors that shape autism diagnosis and support. Her work focuses on bridging science and practice to better understand and serve children with developmental disorders and

their families.

Hanna LeBlanc , B.S.

Hanna LeBlanc is a Baton Rouge native who graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor’s of Science

in Psychology with a minor in Social Work in May 2024. To continue her education in clinical and behavioral psychology, she is currently pursuing a Master’s of Applied

Psychology at the University of New Orleans. She has previously worked with labs that studied Autism Spectrum Disorder and other neurocognitive disorders, as well as behavioral disorders. She has clinical experience through her previous roles as a Registered Behavior Technician and a Mental Health Technician with a child and adolescent population. Her research interests include behavior, sociability, psychopathology, and developmental psychology. Her long-term goal is to

earn her PhD in Clinical Psychology and one day practice professionally as a clinical

psychologist with children and adoles

cents.

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