Children’s Studies Staff //
| Julia M. Stephen, Ph.D. |
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Mind Research Network MEG/EEG Core Director and Principal Investigator
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Julia M. Stephen, Ph.D.Maryam Alsameen, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow, MRN
Dr. Alsameen earned her PhD from the University of Cincinnati in collaboration with the Radiology and Medical Imaging Research Center at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Specializing in various imaging modalities within Radiology, her expertise includes functional and structural MRI, as well as Diffusion Tensor Imaging.
During her tenure at the NIH, she led a high-impact project focused on investigating the human brain, incorporating multicomponent diffusion and relaxometry MRI. Currently, as a dedicated scientist, her primary focus is researching Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). This compelling pursuit involves leveraging MRI, EEG, and MEG data to explore the intricacies of sensory and cognitive functioning. Actively engaged in clinical research, which contributes significantly to advancing our understanding of child neurodevelopment. Her multifaceted approach, combining cutting-edge imaging technologies with clinical insights, aims to shed light on the complexities of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and its impact on early brain development.
Megan Schendel, B.A
Physics, MEG Technician, MRN
With 16 years of experience in many domains of magnetoencephalography (MEG) research. Current projects include developing automated data analysis pipelines, data quality evaluation, and analysis support for research in infant and childhood brain development, brain development in children and adolescents with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
| Lucinda Romero Flynn, B.A. |
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Biology, Research Associate III/Co-Investigator, MRN
Zinia Pervin M.S |
Current projects include: Assisting in multiple aspects of the infant/child neurodevelopmental research studies utilizing magnetoencephalography (MEG) neuroimaging. We are researching normal functioning children and those diagnosed with autism, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, fetal alcohol syndrome, and premature births. We are also performing developmental and behavioral testing, and genetic testing to support and correlate with the neuroimaging aspect in order to identify early diagnostic markers for brain development dysfunction, and to further understand child neurodevelopment in general. Graduate Research Assistant, MRN
Current research includes: focus on the understanding of neurodevelopment in children with or without fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), specifically to determine neurophysiological markers associated with FASD to promote intervention and treatment modalities in children with FASD who have frequently shown poor outcomes across various developmental domains. Using multimodal strategies including non-invasive neuroimaging techniques (MEG and MRI), questionnaire-based assessment, and direct behavioral measures to correlate the neural bases with psychological behavior. The goal of using neuroimaging is to identify what particular stages of the neuronal process are affected to understand behavioral outcomes better and potentially develop pathophysiology-informed interventions.
Donovan A. Roberts, undergraduate psychology/neuroscience major
Research Associate I, MRN
Current role in Dr. Julia Stephen’s lab: Aiding in the kick-off of Dr. Stephens's first clinical study, Synchrony. Research focus is on music training (MT) having positive effects on children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). With the use of magnetoencephalography (MEG), electroencephalography (EEG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and neurocognitive tests to track changes in neurological and behavioral functioning. Apart from Synchrony, Donovan is writing for the Theta study, which focuses on alpha spectral power in children with FASD, and the Sound study, a precursor to Synchrony that tested MT’s benefits on neurocognitive skills in children studying in New Mexico.
Debora Mun, B.A. in Neuroscience and Behavior
Research Assistant II, MRN
Current projects include: whether alpha oscillations - a neural signature found in adults - are a neural index of attention in typically developing children (TDC) 4-7 years of age across the socioeconomic status (SES) spectrum, the effects of documented prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) on alpha oscillations and the association with attention deficits in children, and specific factors in the brain and environment (e.g. PAE, SES, family environment) that best predict attention deficits. In the AsCend study, a longitudinal research study, we utilize magnetoencephalography (MEG) imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and perform behavioral testing.
Lujayn Al-Ghweir, B.S
Biology, Research Assistant I, MRN
Lujayn is a graduate Research Assistant from the University of New Mexico and recipient of the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. With extensive clinical experience and an international education, areas of interest include the clinical applications of FASD research and how it can improve patient outcomes for marginalized communities.
Theresah Boateng, MA, BCBA
Special Education, Ph.D Student
Theresah is a first-year doctoral student in the special education department at the University of New Mexico. She has earned two master’s degrees, Public Administration, Special Education, and a graduate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of New Mexico. She has had the opportunity to author a manuscript that was recently published (Boateng et al., 2023) and co-authored an article that is currently under review for publication.
Areas of specialization and interests: language/communication presentation and stereotypic behaviors in individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and assessment of culturally diverse groups for the purposes of developing appropriate intervention plans. Recent interests include: emerging in the application of applied behavior analysis and multitiered systems of support in public schools and the dynamics of regressive autism, and its association with language/communication, and social skills.
Hyesun Choi, B.S
MD/PhD Candidate, MSII
Interest include: Translational neuroscience, focusing on preventative health and therapeutic discoveries that maximize the quality of life without financial burden or social obstacles for the marginalized populations in medicine. Especially passionate about working in immigrant/refugee populations and women’s healthcare (Refugee & Immigrant Wellbeing Project 2019-2022, Sunny Smiles Initiative 2021-now). Currently working with children and adolescents at Mind Research Network using MEG to understand neurotypical/neurodivergent development, and potential benefits of music training on cerebellar & cognitive deficits in children with FASD.
