Meet the Lab!

Hello! My name is Chloe Gorla. I am a senior from Richmond, Virginia majoring in Psychology. I joined the Autism Lab in the spring of 2024. Throughout my time I have worked on an eye-tracking study looking at the relationship between emojis and attention in individuals with autistic traits. I have run participants and cleaned data for this project. During the summer of 2025 I was an Honors Fellow through the Charles Center and am now working on my honors thesis in the lab. My thesis explores the performance on an emotion Stroop task for individuals with autistic traits. Outside of the lab, I have had the opportunity to participate in a clinic that administered the RITA-T to children ages 2-4 and in a pediatric primary care office. On campus, I am a part of two a cappella groups and work as a barista. 

Allison Dolan (she/her), Honors Student

Hi! I’m a pre-med who’s majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Psychology. I have been a part of the Autism Lab since the Summer of 2022, and I have loved every minute of it. It has been so much fun getting to learn about the research process and see everything that happens behind the scenes of research. I love the mix of psychology and neuroscience that this lab brings! Some of our studies are very behaviorally oriented while others focus more on biological processes such as EEG waves and eye tracking. Outside of the lab, I am either volunteering as an EMT or working behind the Circulation Desk at Swem Library. Make sure to wave at me next time you walk into Swem!

Emma Griffiths (they/them), Honors Student

Hello! My name is Emma Griffiths, and I am a senior from New Jersey majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Public Health on the Health Equity and Justice track. I joined the lab in the Spring of 2023, and I have had a great time learning how to use eye-tracking technology and seeing how our research applies to neurodiversity and autism as an identity! Outside of the lab, I play the bassoon in the W&M Wind Ensemble, I am a freshman resident assistant, and I am a member of organizations such as Someone You Know, Student Accessibility & Disability Alliance, the Neurodiversity Initiative, and Psi Chi Honor Society! My thesis combines my interests in neurodiversity, peer education, and advocacy by exploring the use of an educational intervention to combat stereotypes and improve attitudes toward autistic individuals in intimate relationships.

Maanasa Schwartzkopf, Research Assistant

Hi! My name is Maanasa Schwartzkopf and I am a sophomore double majoring in Psychology and Studio Arts. I joined the lab last semester, Spring 2024! I am extremely passionate about neurodivergency acceptance and support, which is how I found myself drawn to this lab. Outside of the lab, you'll probably find me playing with animals, or painting them!

Zoe Zollinger, Research Assistant

Hi! My name is Zoe Zollinger, and I am a senior double majoring in Psychology and Hispanic Studies. This is my second year in the lab, and I am working on the Autism Education Intervention Project. Outside of lab, I am the Outreach Manager at the Wellness Center, a TA for the Hispanic Studies Department, treasurer for Psi Chi, and a member of Active Minds and Club Swim!