Team Lead Investigators Dr. Jared F BengeAssociate Professor, Dept of Neurology || Director, Comprehensive Memory Center, Mulva Clinic for the Neurosciences || Director, Adult Neuropsychology Postdoctoral Program || The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School || UT Health Austin Postdoctoral Fellows Rachel Mis, PhDPostdoctoral FellowDr. Rachel Mis is a postdoctoral fellow in clinical neuropsychology at Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin and UT Health Austin's Comprehensive Memory Center. She completed her doctorate in clinical psychology at Temple University and her predoctoral internship at the UCLA Semel Institute specializing in geriatric neuropsychology. Her research interests include digital biomarkers of early cognitive decline in neurodegenerative disease and novel technologies to support daily functioning in older adults. Research Coordinators Rovianne Iris TindaanClinical Research AssociateRovi is a clinical research associate working for Dr. Jared Benge. She has earned a Master of Public Health degree from New York University and is an alumna from UT Austin. Her research background includes adolescent mental health, adult immunizations, COVID-19, and sexual and reproductive health. She is motivated by data-driven research that seeks to better support an aging population through technology, education, and community outreach.Cecilia ZunigaResearch Assistant/PsychometristCecilia is a research coordinator as well as a psychometrist for the TechANS lab and Comprehensive Memory Center at the University of Texas at Austin. She received her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Texas - San Antonio and is currently working on her master's degree for the same field at Southern New Hampshire University. Cecilia started my career in mental health but has been in the neurology/neuropsychology space for almost 5 years now. She has great interest in integrating underrepresented populations into the incredibly important research that is being done at UT Austin. She aims to continue working in the care of older adults experiencing changes in cognition due to neurodegenerative disorders through research and clinical practice. Undergraduate Researchers Carolyn HermanResearch AssistantCarolyn is a third-year pre-medical student studying neuroscience at UT Austin. She is interested in studying neurological disorders, especially Parkinson’s disease, and ways to better the lives of those living with such conditions. Specifically, she hopes to learn how to use new and changing technologies to better diagnose and treat patients as an aspiring healthcare professional.Rohit KondareddyResearch AssistantRohit is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin pursuing a degree in Neuroscience and a minor in Healthcare Reform and Innovation. He is passionate about research on the mechanisms behind neurodegenerative diseases and aims to explore how these processes can be treated. After completing his undergraduate degree, Rohit aspires to earn an MD and pursue a career as a physician, combining clinical practice with academic research to make a meaningful impact on patient care. External Collaborators Dr. Michael K. Scullin, PhDAssociate Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor UniversityOur collaboration with the TechANS Lab centers on testing the technological reserve hypothesis and investigating digital solutions to everyday prospective memory challenges.Dr. Andrew Kiselica PhD, ABPP-CNNeuropsychologist || Assistant Professor of Health Psychology at the University of MissouriDr. Andrew Kiselica, PhD, ABPP-CN is a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist and Assistant Professor of Health Psychology at the University of Missouri. Dr. Kiselica is interested in helping older adults, people with Alzheimer’s disease, and care partners optimize use of commercial technologies to improve independence and quality of life. His current work involves development of a new technology-based intervention called Technology Assistance in Dementia (Tech-AiD) with funding from the NIA IMPACT Collaboratory.Dr. Robin Hilsabeck, PhD, ABPPBoard Certified Clinical Neuropsychologist || Professor of Neurology || Chief, Division of Neuropsychology || UT Health San Antonio Alumni Amtul-noor RanaResearch AssistantNoor was a research assistant at the Comprehensive Memory Center, working alongside Dr. Robin Hilsabeck. She joined Dr. Hilsabeck's team following the completion of her bachelor's degree in neuroscience from UT Austin. Noor's passion for understanding the complexities of the human brain has driven her to pursue a long-term goal of obtaining a PhD in either neuroscience or clinical neuropsychology. With a keen interest in age-related declines in cognition and neurodegenerative diseases, Noor aims to shed light on potential interventional and therapeutic mechanisms. Her research aspirations revolve around exploring the processes underlying cognitive decline and finding innovative ways to address and mitigate the effects.Bertha OrtizResearch Assistant / PsychometristBertha was a research assistant/psychometrist for Dr. Robin Hilsabeck at the Comprehensive Memory Center. Bertha joined Dr. Hilsabeck's team after earning a bachelor's degree in neuroscience from the University of Texas at El Paso. She is interested in the risk factors associated with early development of Alzheimer's Disease in Hispanic populations.Suzanne SchmitzResearch AssistantSuzanne was a research assistant for Dr. Robin Hilsabeck at the Comprehensive Memory Center. Suzanne joined Dr. Hilsabeck’s team after earning a bachelor’s degree in biology from Whitman College. She is interested in how early detection of cognitive issues can benefit the patient and their caregivers. Avery Largent Clinical Research Coordinator Avery Largent was a clinical research coordinator at the Mulva Clinic for the Neurosciences at UTHealth Austin. Before joining the Mulva Clinic, Avery earned Bachelors degrees in Psychology and Humanities Honors at the University of Texas at Austin. Her primary research interests are in psychoneuroimmunology, aging, and biopsychosocial influences on health. Ali Arsh S.Research Assistant Arsh was a third-year student at UT Austin studying neuroscience and pursuing a minor in the philosophy of the mind and language as well as a certificate in scientific computation and data science. Her long-term goal is to attend graduate school for cellular and molecular neuroscience or clinical neuropsychology. She aims to explore different avenues for learning about neurodegenerative diseases, specifically brain-behavior relationships and structural-functional changes of synapses during cognitive dysfunction and decline. Jason ThomasUndergraduate Research AssistantJason was a fourth year student at UT Austin studying public health and pursuing a minor in healthcare reform and innovation. His long-term goal is to attend medical school and work as a primary care physician. He hopes to improve health by promoting prevention and early detection of disease.Neha ChandnaUndergraduate Research AssistantNeha was a third year psychology major at UT Austin pursuing a pre-medical track. While her long term goal is to attend medical school, she aims to tie psychology and neuroscience during her time here as well as explore new ways in which physicians and other medical professionals can use cognitive technologies to aid patients with neurodegenerative diseases.
