People
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Jan R. Wessel, Ph.D.
Lab Director
Jan is an Associate Professor of Psychological & Brain Sciences (UI) and Neurology (UIHC), with a secondary appointment in Biomedical Engineering. He performed doctoral research at the former Max Planck Institute for Neurological Research in Cologne (Germany) and postdoctoral research at UC San Diego.
Google Scholar | PubMed | Curriculum Vitae
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHERS
Joshua R. Tatz, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Scholar
Josh received a B.S. in Neuroscience from Drake University and then went on to earn a Ph.D. in Behavior, Cognition, and Neuroscience from American University in Washington, D.C.
Mario Hervault, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Scholar
Mario received Master's degrees in Human Movement Science from ENS Rennes, and in Neuropsychology & Clinical Neuroscience from the University of Toulouse. He then received his Ph.D. from the University of Toulouse at the Brain and Cognition Research Center, CNRS, France.
DOCTORAL RESEARCHERS
Cheol Soh, B.A., M.Eng.
Graduate Student (Psychological & Brain Sciences)
Cheol is a graduate student in the Psychological and Brain Sciences Department. He received a BA in Psychology and Master's degree in Brain and Cognitive Engineering from Korea University in Seoul.
Benjamin O. Rangel, B.Sc.
Graduate Student (Neuroscience)
Ben joined the lab full-time as a graduate student in 2018, after a lab rotation in his first year in the Neuroscience program. He received a B.Sc. in Biology from Southern Oregon University, where has was a McNair Scholar.
Yoojeong Choo, M.A.
Graduate Student (Psychological & Brain Sciences)
Yoojeong is a graduate student in the Psychological and Brain Sciences Department. She received a B.A. and M.A. degrees in Cognitive Psychology from Yonsei University in Seoul.
Ossama Abu-Halawa, B.A., M.Phil.
Graduate Student (Biomedical Engineering)
Ossama is an MD/PhD graduate student in the Biomedical Engineering program and the Medical Scientist Training Program. Ossama received a BA in Biochemistry & Chemistry from Coe College, and an M.Phil degree in Philosophy of Science from Cambridge University.
LABORATORY STAFF
Nathan R. Chalkley, B.Sc.
Research Associate, Lab Manager
Nathan has been our lab manager since 2016. He graduated with distinction from The University of Iowa with a B.Sc. in Psychology.
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
Anna Kalan
Maddie Carlson
Madigan Crowley
Josephine Amick
Nikhita Reddibathuni
Britt Mariman
SUPPORT STAFF
Freddie
Research Support
Freddie is a mutt from Ottumwa, Iowa, who supports Jan in his research. Like his supervisor, he enjoyes hiking in the snow, playing with dogs, wrestling, and eating things that he shouldn't.
Aurora
Research Support
Aurora is majestic Malamute mix who excels in leadership capacities. She uses her howls to instruct her workplace companion Josh that her water bowl needs replenished and can also be heard commentating on other dogs' play at the local dog park (while seldom engaging in such behavior herself).
Ray
Administrative Support
Ray is a ray of sunshine in Nathan’s life. She’s a sour patch kid of a dog, when she’s outside she’s sour (just plain crazy), but when she’s inside she’s the sweetest dog in the world.
ALUMNI
Darcy A. Diesburg (née Waller), Ph.D. (2016-2022)
In the lab: Graduate Student
Afterwards: Postdoctoral scholar at Brown University (Jones Lab).
Megan Hynd (2018-2020)
In the lab: Undergraduate RA, Honor's student, INI Fellow, ICRU Fellow
Afterwards: Post-Bac Researcher at the NIH, Clinical Psychology graduate student at UNC Chapel Hill.
Alec Mather (2017-2019)
In the lab: Undergraduate RA, Scientific Programmer, Honor's student, ICRU Fellow
Afterwards: Manager of Data Science at Sony (Los Angeles, CA).
Yao Guan (2018-2022)
In the lab: Postdoctoral scholar
Afterwards: Scientist at National Grid (Boston, MA).
Isabella Dutra (2016-2019)
In the lab: Undergraduate RA, ICRU Fellow, Honor's student
Afterwards: Psychology graduate student at Northwestern.
Emily Huber (2020-2021)
In the lab: Undergraduate RA
Afterwards: Post-Bac Researcher at the NIH.
Carly Ryder (2016-2018)
In the lab: Undergraduate RA
Afterwards: Graduate student at UNI.
Daniel Thayer (2016-2017)
In the lab: Undergraduate RA
Afterwards: Psychological and Brain Sciences graduate student at UC Santa Barbara.
Ryan Potter (2020-2021)
In the lab: Graduate RA, Study Coordinator
Afterwards: Medical student at NEOMED.