Gabriela Rosenblau

Principal Investigator

Gabriela Rosenblau is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at George Washington University (GWU). She is also affiliated with the Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Institute at GWU. Her research combines computational and neuroscientific methods to understand the cognitive and neurobiological mechanisms underlying social interactions across development and in clinical populations, especially Autism Spectrum Disorder. She is currently funded by the Simons Foundation for Autism Research (SFARI) and by the NIMH.

Samantha (Yen-Wen) Chen

Postdoctoral Associate

Samantha (Yen-Wen) received a Ph.D. in Integrative Neuroscience at Stony Brook University in 2023. Sam’s doctoral work investigated loneliness, the Big Five personality, and aging, using MRI-based imaging techniques. Sam is interested in in identifying biomarkers in developing brains among typically developed individuals and individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions.

Shannon Cahalan

Graduate Student

Shannon received a BS in Brain and Cognitive Sciences and a BA in Psychology at the University of Rochester in 2019. She is interested in using neuroimaging and computational modeling approaches to understand social learning in autism and particularly sex and gender differences in social learning.

Lexie Mathis

Graduate Student

Lexie received a B.A. in Psychology from University of Maryland, Baltimore County in 2021 and an M.A. in Experimental Psychology from Towson University in 2023. Lexie is interested in using neuroimaging and computational modeling to examine social learning, cognitive rigidity, and anxious and obsessive-compulsive symptoms within autism.

Mikaila Loughlin

Lab Manager

Mikaila graduated summa cum laude from the George Washington University in 2024 with a B.S. in Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychological & Brain Sciences, plus minors in Criminal Justice and Mind-Brain Studies. Mikaila intends to pursue a doctorate in clinical psychology, focusing on ADHD in women and the unique assessment and treatment needs of this clinical group.

Diksha Sriram

Research Specialist

Diksha graduated from the George Washington University in 2025 with a B.S. in Neuroscience a minor in Psychological and Brain Sciences. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Cognitive Neuroscience, using neuroimaging and computational modeling to identify disorder-specific patterns in brain function that can inform more precise, personalized interventions.

Nicole Treece

Shenoy Undergraduate Research Fellow

Nicole is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychological and Brain Sciences with a double minor in Human Services and Social Justice, and Mind-Brain Sciences. She is interested in using brain imaging to understand the neural underpinnings of neurodevelopmental disorders and improve treatment, education, and accessibility.

Kelsey Kirker

Research Assistant

Kelsey is a triple major dual degree student at the George Washington University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychological Brain Sciences and a Bachelor of Arts in Dance. Kelsey intends to pursue a doctorate in clinical psychology, centering her focus around diagnostic evaluation and clinical assessments.

Kai Schappelle

Research Assistant

Kai is a junior at the George Washington University pursuing a Bachelors of Science with a double major in Psychological & Brain Sciences and Cognitive Neuroscience. Upon graduating, he plans to pursue a PhD in Neuroscience and conduct research on the cognitive and neurological correlates of psychiatric disorders.

Lab Alumni

Wenda Liu

Wenda completed both his PhD and postdoctoral training in the lab. His research focuses on the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying cooperation across typical and atypical developmental trajectories, with particular emphasis on pre-adolescence as a sensitive developmental period.

Isabella Mark

After spending almost five years in the DSN Lab, first as an undergraduate research assistant and then as lab manager, Isabella left to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology at Case Western Reserve University in August 2025.

Andrea Jara

Andrea completed her master’s thesis in the lab from 2022-2024. After receiving her M.S. in biology, she left to attend medical school.

Ella Chapman

Ella worked as an undergraduate research assistant and then as a part-time lab manager from 2023 until 2024. She is completing a Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medicine Program at the George Washington University, with the goal of attending medical school afterward.

Jonathan Doyon

Jonathan worked as a postdoctoral associate in the lab from 2019 until 2022 and started a postdoc position at the Schepens Eye Research Institute – Harvard Medical School.

Sair Lazzaro

Sair worked as a lab manager in the DSN lab from 2021 until 2023, while pursing an MA in art therapy at GWU. They currently work as an art therapist for adolescents.

Sophia Block

Sophia worked as a lab manager from 2020 until 2021, before leaving to attend medical school. She is currently a medical student at Thomas Jefferson University.

Nikita Shah

Nikita worked as a lab manager from 2018 until 2020, before leaving to complete her Masters degree in clinical psychology at the University of Maryland. She currently works as a neuropsychologist.