Sydney Hardy, B.A.
Clinical Research Assistant
Sydney obtained her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Vermont and will confer her M.A. in Clinical Psychology by Fall 2025. During her time at UVM, she researched the effects of isolation on self-consciousness and anxiety and served as a research assistant in the CREST Lab, where she developed a strong interest in the physiological and psychological mechanisms underlying stress, trauma, and anxiety disorders. Her long-term goal is to conduct research that examines how physiological and affective processes interact to shape mental and physical well-being. Currently, she is a Clinical Research Assistant for the HeartBeeps Study, where she continues to pursue these interests and supports day-to-day coordination of lab activities. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, biking, and hiking with her dogs.
Aditi Akolkar, B.S.
M.P.H. Research Assistant
Aditi Akolkar is a M.P.H. student at Brown University’s School of Public Health. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Ohio State University in 2022 with a minor in Human Development and Family Sciences. Her research interests relate to population mental health and the biological impacts of trauma. Her current plans are to pursue a career in psychiatric epidemiology. In her spare time, Aditi enjoys spending time with her family, running, and playing with her dog, Kiara.
Alice Xu
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Alice Xu is a sophomore undergraduate at Brown University concentrating in Neuroscience. She is also a member of Brown’s Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME), an eight-year undergraduate-medical school combined program (ScB/MD), and ultimately intends to become a physician. Alice’s research interests center around neurobiology, preventative medicine, and social determinants of health. In her free time, Alice enjoys distance running, listening to podcasts, and landscape painting.
Hanh Nguyen
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Hanh Nguyen is a sophomore at Brown University, planning to concentrate in Health & Human Biology and Psychology. She was born and raised in Upstate New York. In the future, she hopes to go to medical school, though she is still exploring different fields! A fun fact about Hanh is that she is quite the matcha lover, so you may often spot her sitting inside Ceremony in Providence.
Lab Alumni
Salter Arms, Undergraduate Research Assistant, B.S. in Neuroscience at Brown University