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Lab Team

Principal Investigator

Michelle Chen

Dr. Michelle Chen is a neuropsychologist by training. She completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Yeshiva University, clinical internship at the VA Maryland Health Care System, and postdoctoral fellowship at Kessler Foundation. She is trained as both a scientist and a clinician, with experience across a variety of clinical populations such as multiple sclerosis, dementia, and epilepsy. Dr. Chen is currently a core member of the Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Publications

Research Assistant/Coordinator

Ashrarul Haq Sifat

Ash is an Engineer and Researcher with a knack for solving real life problems and utilizing digital technologies for improving human life. He completed a bachelor’s in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. He then did his Master’s and subsequent PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Virginia Tech. Ash is driven for excellence in research and excited to join Dr. Chen’s Neuropsychology lab with a mission to utilize digital technologies and data science to enable healthy aging. In this free time Ash loves to travel, hike and play tennis/ping pong.

Sophie Weisenfeld

Sophie Weisenfeld is currently pursuing her doctorate in School Psychology at the Rutgers University Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology. She graduated from Lehigh University in the spring, where she majored in Psychology and minored in English. Sophie has research experience examining children’s emotion controllability, early intervention for preschoolers with ADHD, and parent-child interactions. She also has clinical experience providing evidence-based interventions for children. In her free time, Sophie enjoys reading, baking, and spending time with friends. Sophie is deeply passionate about the field of neuropsychology and is excited to gain experience working with adult populations through the Rutgers Neuropsychology Lab, as she hopes to pursue a career in the field.

Ilana Knoll

Ilana Knoll is a doctoral student in the School Psychology program at the Rutgers Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, where she is the recipient of the Presidential Fellowship. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Barnard College of Columbia University, graduating with a double major in Psychology and Cognitive Science. Ilana has clinical experience in both therapeutic and assessment settings, where she has applied evidence-based interventions and conducted neuropsychological testing. Her previous research has focused on neurodevelopmental disorders, neuropsychological assessment, parent-child interaction, cultural competence, and emotional regulation. In her free time, Ilana enjoys cooking, baking, and spending time with friends and family. She looks forward to deepening her expertise in neuropsychology across the lifespan through her work at the Rutgers Neuropsychology Lab as she pursues a career in the field.

Mohan Krishna Askani

Mohan is currently pursuing his Master’s in Data Science. Previously, he worked as a Data Scientist at Uber for nearly five years, where he tackled complex business challenges using data-driven solutions. He is deeply passionate about leveraging advanced statistical and mathematical techniques to solve intricate data-related problems. When these challenges involve human health, he finds the impact even more meaningful and rewarding. Beyond his professional pursuits, he enjoys hiking, playing chess, and engaging in board games.

Undergraduate Research Assistants

Daksha Nair

Daksha Nair is currently a junior at Rutgers University studying Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience, and Criminal Justice. She discovered her profound interest in Clinical Neuropsychology, specifically with neurodegenerative disorders. By working for a PhD in the future, Daksha hopes to apply this knowledge to the corrections department, providing rehabilitation to inmates who may benefit from it. Outside of academics, she finds fulfillment in reading, studying Hindu scriptures, playing video games, and Bollywood dancing.

Brianna Clark

Brianna is a senior at Rutgers University who is currently in the accelerated Master’s of Applied Psychology program. She is interested in the intersection of cognition and neuroscience in studying  vigilance deficits of people with brain fog post-COVID and those who have neurodegenerative diseases. Brianna hopes to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology after completing her Masters. Outside of academics, she enjoys baking, running, and spending time with family and friends.

Pranathi Bammidi

Pranathi is a freshman studying Cell Biology and Neuroscience. She’s particularly interested in neurodegenerative diseases like Multiple Sclerosis and Alzheimer’s. In the future, she hopes to become a physician and focus on helping underserved populations affected by these conditions. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, playing tennis, volunteering, and baking.

Jake Scharago

Jake Scharago is currently a junior at Rutgers University studying Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience. He has developed a strong passion for Clinical Neuropsychology, with a focus on trauma, chronic pain/illness, substance use/addiction, and cognitive rehabilitation. With plans to pursue a PhD or PsyD in Clinical Psychology after his undergraduate degree, Jake hopes to apply this expertise through personalized methods of assessment, therapy, and recovery to help people understand and improve their mental and physical health. Outside of academics, he enjoys hiking, watching movies, and reading.

Lithra Sankari

Lithra is currently a freshman at Rutgers University Honors College studying Cell Biology & Neuroscience and Public Health. She is particularly interested in neurodegenerative disorders and the impact of research on female participants. In the future, she hopes to pursue a career in medicine while contributing to clinical research trials to improve health outcomes. Outside of academics, Lithra enjoys spending time with her women’s workout club CHAARG and painting!

Alumni

Karen Elenjickal | Research Coordinator (2022)

Carl Almazan | Undergraduate Research Assistant (2021-2022)

Cheyenne Smith | Undergraduate Research Assistant (2021-2022)

Akila Venkatraman | Undergraduate Research Assistant (2023 summer – 2023 fall)

Ishika Varma | Undergraduate Research Assistant (August 2023-May 2024)

Darshee Machhar | Data Analyst (graduate RA) (2022 – May 2024)

Anjali Patel | Undergraduate Research Assistant (Jan 2022- May 2024)   –  Public Health and Cell Biology and Neuroscience

Christine Cherian | Undergraduate Research Assistant (Sept 2022 – May 2024)  –  Biochemistry

Tian Zhang | Part-time Research Assistant (Jan 2023 – July 2024)  –  Nutrition

Yingfei Tang | Research Coordinator (2023-2025) – Psychology

Eliana Birnbaum | Undergraduate Research Assistant (2024) – Cognitive Science

Jahnavi Nipamkumar Shah | Research Assistant (2024) – Data Science

Priya Ramani | Undergraduate Research Assistant (2024) – Psychology and Human Resource Management

Abby Rosko | Undergraduate Research Assistant (2024) – Psychology and Biology

Laura Liao | Undergraduate Research Assistant (2024-2025) – Cell Biology and Neuroscience

Tanirikka Ramkumar | Undergraduate Research Assistant (2022) – Cognitive Science

Kathryn Marton | Research Coordinator (2022-2025) – Data Science

Adaeze Njoku | Research Coordinator (2025) – Biological Science and Psychology

Manasa Mangipudi | Graduate Research Assistant (Jun 2024 – Jan 2025) – Data Analyst