Wig Neuroimaging Lab

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Research Scientist

mchan@utdallas.edu
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Micaela completed her Ph.D. in the Cognition and Neuroscience program at UTD, and her B.S. in Psychology from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her research focuses on how our experience and environment interacts with the brain’s functional network organization. Her broader scientific interest includes network analysis, optimizing workflow and data-processing, and contributing to open source projects/open science. In her spare time, she trains Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, does random woodworking projects, and unwinds by watching science/education videos. All research and leisure activities are powered by coffee.

Postdoctoral Researcher

Marco.Pipoly@utdallas.edu
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Marco completed his Ph.D. in Neuroscience at the University of Iowa, and his B.S. in Psychology at the University of Missouri - St. Louis. His doctoral research focused on the role of early-life education on select brain network functions in older adults performing cognitive control tasks. Broadly, Marco's research interests fall into two categories: 1) health disparities and their effect on the trajectory of brain and cognitive aging, and 2) brain network mechanisms underlying change in cognitive function with advancing age. In his spare time Marco likes to spend time with family and explore the DFW area.

Doctoral student

Ummi.Coats@utdallas.edu
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Ummi is a Cognitive Neuroscience Ph.D. student who joined the Wig Lab in 2024. She graduated from Union College with a degree in Cognitive Neuroscience and a minor in Data Analytics. Her research interests include examining social determinants of brain network changes across the lifespan, focusing on older adults. She enjoys weightlifting, reading, and watching movies in her free time. One fun fact about Ummi is that she went on a marine science scuba diving trip without knowing how to swim.

Doctoral student

Roy.Massett@utdallas.edu
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Roy began in 2024 as a PhD student in Cognition and Neuroscience at UTD. Prior to joining, he completed a BA in Molecular and Cell Biology and Data Science from the University of California, Berkeley. He then worked as Project Assistant at the University of Southern California and then as a Research Scientist at the University of Washington. He is interested in using changes in functional brain networks as an early biomarker of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Outside of the lab, he practices cooking, yoga, and sleeping.

Research Assistant

Samuel.Young@utdallas.edu

Sam earned his B.S. in Psychology from the University of North Texas. He is primarily interested in understanding how our subjective perceptions of the social world shape cognition, decision-making, and their underlying neural mechanisms. More broadly, his research interests include race, sexuality, gender, religion, anxiety, stress, and how social systems and environments influence brain health and psychological well-being. Outside of the lab, Sam enjoys training Muay Thai, running, weightlifting, reading philosophy, playing video games, and taking care of his two dogs; all not without his wife's help of course! He plans to pursue a Ph.D. in social psychology, where he hopes to lead his own research lab and teach at the university level.

Undergraduate researcher

Harneet.Bains@utdallas.edu
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Harneet is a undergraduate researcher at The University of Texas at Dallas majoring in Neuroscience. She is interested in how large-scale brain networks support memory, emotion, and resilience, and how these processes shift with aging and Alzheimer’s disease. She is especially curious about the role cultural and environmental factors play in shaping the brain across the lifespan. Outside of the lab, Harneet enjoys cooking, baking, spending time with friends, and grabbing an iced coffee. She plans to pursue a career in medicine in the future.