Jennifer Barredo, Ph.D.
Director
jennifer_barredo@brown.edu
Dr. Barredo received her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Washington and her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Brown University. She uses structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate biological signatures of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, as well as other emotional and cognitive disorders. In addition to leading the CNRC, Dr. Barredo also directs MRI research cores affiliated with Butler Hospital and the Providence VA Health System, and is a Co-Director of the Suicide Prevention INnovation Group (SPRING) at the Providence VA Medical Center.
Hannah Swearingen, MSc
Research Coordinator
hannah_swearingen1@brown.edu
Hannah Swearingen is a Research Coordinator at the Providence VA Center for Neurorestoration and Neurotechnology (CfNN). She joined CfNN in July 2017 after receiving her B.A. in Neuroscience and German from Washington & Jefferson College and a Masters in Applied Data Science from the University of Michigan. Hannah coordinates several neuroimaging projects at the VA and supports investigators and their study staff with neuroimaging and scientific computing projects, including fMRI data collection, preprocessing, and analysis. Her research interests include using neuroimaging and computational approaches to investigate brain signatures of psychiatric disorders and treatment response. Hannah is also interested in leveraging scientific computing methods to develop best practices in data analysis and sharing in order to promote scientific reproducibility.
W. Luke Acuff, MSc
Associate Research Scientist
william_acuff@brown.edu
Luke is an Associate Research Scientist for the Butler Neuromodulation Research Facility (BNRF) and Design and Analysis Core (DAC) for the COBRE Center for Neuromodulation at Butler Hospital. He obtained a BS in Biomedical Engineering from Mississippi State University in 2020 and an ScM (MS) in Biomedical Engineering from Brown University in 2022. His graduate work in the lab of Dr. Nicole McLaughlin contributed to detecting quantitative electroencephalographic (EEG) biomarkers of obsessive-compulsive disorder. His work with Dr. Barredo through the DAC and the greater Butler COBRE focuses on managing, processing, and analysing EEG and other neural data towards improving function and understanding of neuromodulation therapy, primarily transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), for psychiatric disorders.
Meghan Gonsalves, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Fellow & Staff Scientist
meghan_gonsalves@brown.edu
Dr. Gonsalves is a Postdoctoral Researcher and Core Staff Scientist for the Providence VA Center for Neurorestoration and Neurotechnology. She joined CfNN in October 2023 after receiving her PhD in Neuroscience from Brown University in July 2023; she also holds an ScM in Behavioral and Social Health Sciences and ScB in Cognitive Neuroscience with Honors from Brown. Dr. Gonsalves uses proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and functional magnetic resonance imaging to explore the etiology and neuromodulatory treatment of affective disorders and suicidality. Her work with Dr. Barredo continues to expand on her doctoral work in these areas and also investigates the neural underpinnings of personality disorders and anger/aggression in Veterans.
Andrew Sojka
Undergraduate Research Assistant
andrew_sojka@brown.edu
Andrew Sojka is a senior at Brown University pursuing an Sc.B in Neuroscience, and is a research assistant at the Providence VA Center for Neurorestoration and Neurotechnology in the Barredo lab. His research interests include cognitive, behavioral, and translational approaches to treating mental illness, suicide, and addiction. On campus, he serves as the co-president of the Black Premed Society as well as the vice president of the Students for Samaritans, an organization that supports a local crisis line. He also works as a Peer Career Advisor in the Center for Career Exploration.
Ellison Mucharsky
Undergraduate Research Assistant
ellison_mucharsky@brown.edu
Ellison is a junior at Brown University pursuing a double concentration in Neuroscience and English and is a research assistant at the Providence VA Center for Neurorestoration and Neurotechnology. Her research interests encompass the intersection between neuroscience and mental health. On campus she co-founded @NoBearLeftBehind, a campus wide mental health social media campaign, is a staff writer for Sole Magazine, and a member of the club Triathlon team. Additionally, she is a CNA on a Surgical Oncology Unit and a member of Army ROTC where she hopes to receive an Ed Delay to attend medical school following the completion of her undergraduate education.
Sonia Sheth
Undergraduate Teaching & Research Award Recipient
sonia_sheth@brown.edu
Sonia is a freshman at Brown University interested in pursuing a double concentration in Neuroscience and Hispanic Literatures and Cultures and is a research assistant at the Providence VA Center for Neurorestoration and Neurotechnology. Her research interests include exploring the neural basis of psychiatric disorders. On campus, she serves as a First-Year Representative for Brown Umeed, an organization dedicated to fundraising for childhood cancer treatment in lower income countries, and sings in The Brown’sTones a cappella group. She also works as a Community Engagement Coordinator for Brown Refugee Youth Tutoring and Enrichment.
Kaitlyn Budhai
Undergraduate Teaching & Research Award Recipient
kaitlyn_budhai@brown.edu
Kaitlyn is a freshman at Brown University pursuing a concentration in Neuroscience and is a research assistant at the Providence VA Center for Neurorestoration and Neurotechnology. Her research interests include understanding the development of mental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases on a behavioral and neurological level. On campus, she is a part of the computational biology research team for the Infectious Disease Society and is an editor for the Brown Undergraduate Journal of Public Health. She is also a member of Women in Science and Engineering and the Brown Alzheimer’s Activists.