Wig Neuroimaging Lab

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.

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER

ziwei.zhang@utdallas.edu
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Ziwei completed her PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience at UTD, and B.A. in Psychology at UCLA. Her research interests include mechanisms of neurodegenerative disease and psychopathology. She is currently working with the Wig Neuroimaging Lab and the Park lab on a project that examines the effects of aging and Alzheimer’s disease on functional brain network organization and cognition. In her precious spare time, she tries to read books on a variety of topics, write about random things to clear her mind, cook Chinese food, meditate and play video games.

Doctoral student

ezra@utdallas.edu
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Ezra joined the Wig Neuroimaging lab as a Ph.D. student in 2019 after graduating from the University of Illinois with a degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology. His research interests are centered around dynamics of resting-state network organization, and his current project investigates the nature of spontaneous, transient large-scale topological changes. His favorite thing about network neuroscience is that you never have to worry about running out of questions. In his free time, he enjoys reading, playing basketball, and watching sports.

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

Cameron.Sullins@utdallas.edu
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Cameron is a Research Assistant for the Wig Neuroimaging Lab. Prior to joining, he earned a B.S in Psychology at the University of Texas at Arlington with minors in criminal justice and counseling psychology. During his undergraduate studies he assisted in research examining cyber-vetting in the workplace and tasks that improve prospective memory. His primary research interest is examining cognitive decline in older adults through neuroimaging. In his spare time he enjoys exercising, playing video games, and catering to the needs of his pet cockatiel.

Research Assistant

Annsley.Martin@UTDallas.edu
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Annsley is a Research Assistant for the Midlife Brain & Environmental Study in the Wig Neuroimaging Lab. She graduated in May 2024 from Southern Methodist University with a B.S. in Psychology and minors in Cognitive Science and Corporate Communications & Public Affairs. During her senior year, Annsley assisted in a developmental psychology study researching child language development and memory retention in the context of technology exposure. Her research interests include psychopathology and the development of neurodegenerative diseases throughout lifespans. Her future plan is to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. Outside of the lab, Annsley is a member of the UTD Club Gymnastics team and has been a competitive gymnast her entire life.

Undergraduate Researcher

Maya.Seale@utdallas.edu

Maya is currently a Research Assistant for the Midlife Brain & Environment Study in the Wig Neuroimaging Lab. She will be graduating from The University of Texas at Dallas in the Fall of 2022 with a B.S. in Cognitive Science and a minor in Physics. Maya’s budding research interests include interaction design, artificial intelligence, cognitive neuroscience, psychoplastogens, mental health, community psychology, and socio-economic inequity. In her free time, Maya enjoys volunteering for the Fireside project, Vipassana meditation, and reading books that she’ll never finish.

Undergraduate Researcher

Anusha.Dasara@UTDallas.edu
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Anusha is a Research Assistant for the Midlife Brain & Environmental Study in the Wig Neuroimaging Lab. She earned her B.S. in Healthcare Management while on the pre-medical track at The University of Texas at Dallas. Her research interests include clinical psychology, biopsychology, and cognitive neuroscience. In her free time, Anusha enjoys dancing and learning about different cultures and languages.