The Team

A group of people learning about brains learning.

Lab Director

Tehila Nugiel, Ph.D.

Tehila is an Assistant Professor in the Psychology Department and Neuroscience Program at Florida State University. Trained in developmental cognitive neuroscience, her research broadly investigates how brain function and organization supports academic learning and attention in youth with a variety of experiences and developmental challenges. Her research has been supported by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute on Child Health and Development and the National Institute of Mental Health.

Before coming to FSU, Tehila completed a postdoctoral fellowship at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She received her Ph.D. in Psychology with a cognitive neuroscience concentration from the University of Texas at Austin-and received her B.A. in Psychology from Ramapo College of New Jersey. When she’s not in the lab you can find Tehila bothering anyone around her to play pickleball or playing backgammon and hanging out with her wife and small petting zoo (a cat and two rabbits).

CV

Program Coordinator

Christy Allen, B.S

Christy earned her B.S. in Psychology from Florida State University in 2023 and has worked in psychology research since graduating. Her work has given her experience in research coordination, study operations, and working with children and families. She is particularly interested in cognitive neuroscience and enjoys contributing to research that helps us better understand human development and behavior. At the Learning Brain Lab, she supports the day-to-day coordination of research projects and works closely with students, families, and the research team.​

Outside of work, Christy is driven by creativity and curiosity. She enjoys reading, running, painting, and pottery, anything that gives her an opportunity to create, explore, or learn something new. She is passionate about personal and professional growth and enjoys helping create environments where others can learn, grow, and become the best versions of themselves. Christy is also pursuing her M.S. in Organizational Behavior and Communication at Florida State University.

Graduate Students

Ashley Jaimes, M.S

Ashley is currently a Neuroscience graduate student in  Dr. Nugiel's Lab. In 2016, she earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from Colorado State University. After graduating, she taught English in Vietnam and Taiwan for 5 years before completing a Master's degree in Cognitive Neuroscience at National Taiwan University in 2022, working with Dr. Joshua Ooh Son Goh and Dr. Susan Shur-Fen Gau to investigate developmental functional connectivity differences in adolescent children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and typically developing children (TD). Her current research plans in The Learning Brain Lab include examining and identifying specific brain networks and hub-regions in adolescents to better understand brain network developmental differences. In her free time, she enjoys trail running, exploring the beautiful FL beaches, and most importantly, trying out different banana bread recipes.

Summer Caliri, B.S.

Summer completed her B.S. in Psychology at Florida State University in 2023. She is a developmental psychology student interested in understanding how children learn, with a particular focus on the development of arithmetic skills. Her research examines how executive functions, such as working memory and inhibitory control, contribute to the development of arithmetic skills. Summer is  also interested in understanding how cognitive and neural development during adolescence contributes to academic achievement. Through this work, she aims to better understand the cognitive and neural mechanisms that support learning across development. When I am not doing research, I enjoy spending time outdoors and exploring nature with friends, cooking, and experimenting with baking.

Chloe Britton Naime, B.S.

Chloe is a Neuroscience graduate student from Chicago, Illinois. They earned their B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Neuroscience from Syracuse University in 2025. Their research focuses on using neuroimaging to examine learning differences between neurodevelopmental and neurotypical populations, with particular interest in autism, ADHD, and learning disorders. They are also interested in how factors such as sex, race, and gender influence functional outcomes, and in improving neuroimaging data processing. Previously, they completed their honors thesis at the Center for Autism Research and Electrophysiology and a Fulbright-MITACS internship at the University of British Columbia’s Baby Learning Lab. Outside of research, they enjoy rock climbing, knitting, crocheting, and quilting.

Gehna Gupta, M.S.

Gehna is a Psychology PhD student in the Learning Brain Lab. She is an international student from India and came to the U.S. to study how the brain works and develops with neurodevelopmental disorders. She graduated with an undergraduate degree in psychology and a master’s in Neuroscience from Georgia State University, where she researched neural sex differences in children with dyslexia. Her current research focus is the interplay of sleep, depression, and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adolescent brains! When she is not working, she loves to read, watch movies, explore cute coffee shops, and go dancing! She is super excited to be working with Dr. Nugiel and this lab!

Current Undergraduates

  • Bronson Empsall

    Undergraduate Research Assistant

    Bronson is a Senior at FSU majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience hailing from Palmetto, FL. He is interested in studying neurodiversity, especially the cognition behind ADHD & Autism. In his free time he likes to jam out to punk & metal music, log a film on letterboxd, and brew some speciality coffee.

  • Nathalie Faresi

    Undergraduate Research Assistant

    Nathalie is a Junior at FSU majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience on the pre-med track. She is interested in exploring the neurological mechanisms that shape individual differences in perception. The work in this lab connects to her career goal of becoming a well-rounded physician who values holistic patient care and works to reduce barriers to healthcare. Outside of academics, she enjoys going to the gym, reading, and spending time with her friends and cats.

  • Carmela Gonzalez

    Undergraduate Research Assistant

    Carmela is a Senior at FSU majoring in psychology and minoring in sociology. She is interested in studying developmental disorders and how underlying cognitive deficits impact academic and social performance in different subjects and areas of people’s lives. Her plans are to attend graduate school for neuropsychology and eventually engage in clinical work while performing research through her practice or on the side. Outside of academics, she enjoys playing beach volleyball, going to the gym, drawing/crafting, and is currently in the process of getting her RBT certification.

  • Lizzie Rivera

    Undergraduate Research Assistant

    Lizzie is a Junior at FSU majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience and minoring in Spanish and Childhood Development. Her research interests include neuroimaging techniques involving fMRI and brain analysis to better understand cognition and behavior. Her goal is to become a neuroscientist and conduct neuroimaging research to better understand how human behavior originates in the brain. By studying brain activity through fMRI, she hopes to explore and advance the understanding of how neural processes shape cognition, emotion, and behavior.In her free time, she enjoys reading, playing and listening to music, pickleball, arts and crafts, puzzles, and hanging out with friends.

  • Mia Gonzalez del Valle

    Undergraduate Research Assistant

    Mia is a Senior Honors student at FSU pursuing a Dual Degree in Behavioral Neuroscience and Theatre on the pre-medical track. Her research interests include improving mental health diagnosis methods and treatment options to shorten the process and enhance patient quality of life. Furthermore, she is interested in the role of attention in mental health and how it is affected by modern technological advancements such as smartphones and social media. Outside of my academics, she works as a Learning Assistant in the Chemistry department and also serves as President for FSU’s skiing and snowboarding club (FSU Snow). In her free time, she loves listening to music, dancing, playing sports with friends, and spending time outside hiking or at the beach!

  • Antonella Chemerinski

    Undergraduate Research Assistant

    Antonella Chemerinski is a Junior at FSU pursuing degrees in Behavioral Neuroscience and Political Science, with minors in Chemistry and Spanish. She was born in Argentina and has always been passionate about the science of human behavior as well as the broader social systems that shape people’s lives. In the future, she hopes to pursue a career in medicine while working at the intersection of public policy and medical rights! Outside of academics, she enjoys traveling, reading, learning anything new in general, and staying active through sports or hiking!

  • Ava Wasilewski

    Undergraduate Research Assistant

    Ava is a Sophomore at FSU majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience and currently beginning a minor in Child Development. The Learning Brain Lab aligns with her interests in psychology and child development, specifically in the realm of neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD and autism. Her long-term goal is to attend OT school and become a Doctor of Occupational Therapy. As a professional-level OT practitioner, she hopes to specialize in working with young children diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders who are struggling with their behavioral or motor development, facing learning or communication delays, etc. Beyond academics, she is involved in the chemistry fraternity AXΣ and enjoys spending time by the beach or lakes, reading and journaling, and drawing. She is excited to participate in the lab and gain relevant research experience learning about neurological mechanisms related to ADHD!

  • Gianna Gildard

    Undergraduate Research Assistant

    Gianna is a Senior at FSU majoring in Psychology on the pre-medical track. Her research interests include developmental cognitive neuroscience, mental health, and understanding the cognitive and neural processes that contribute to individual differences in learning and behavior. She is especially interested in how research can be applied to better understand psychological disorders and improve clinical outcomes. Her long-term goal is to attend medical school and pursue a career in psychiatry, where she hopes to combine her interests in medicine, mental health, and research! Outside of the lab, she works as a Learning Assistant in the Chemistry department and teaches an Engage 100 course for first-year students at FSU. In her free time, she enjoys working out, spending time with friends and family, traveling, and trying new restaurants and activities around Tallahassee!

  • Adithi Amoes

    Undergraduate Research Assistant

    Adithi is a Sophomore at FSU majoring in Psychology and minoring in Data Analytics. Her research interests primarily include cognitive and developmental psychology, especially understanding the factors that influence learning, attention, and behavior. She enjoys learning about social psychology and industrial-organizational psychology and plans to continue exploring different areas of psychology throughout her academic career. Outside of school, she enjoys singing, baking, reading, and dancing.

Past Staff

  • Nikita Potdar

    Lab Manager

    Nikita is now the Clinic Coordinator for the Children's Learning Clinic at FSU!

  • Sarah Drake

    Lab Manager

    Sarah is currently working toward pursuing a Ph.D. in either Cognitive Neuroscience or Psychology!

Past Undergraduates

  • Ayberk Ozgen

    Undergraduate Research Assistant

  • Savannah Wyckoff

    Undergraduate Research Assistant

  • Emily Lopez Diaz

    Undergraduate Research Assistant

  • Elizabeth Siomin

    Undergraduate Research Assistant

  • Aaliyah Flowers

    Undergraduate Research Assistant

  • Karsyn Baughman

    Undergraduate Research Assistant

  • Aiden Irrizary

    Undergraduate Research Assistant

  • Abigail Okey

    Undergraduate Research Assistant

  • Emma Prior

    Undergraduate Research Assistant

  • Nicole Moll

    Undergraduate Research Assistant

  • Abigail Schenck

    Undergraduate Research Assistant

  • Annisa Richardson

    Undergraduate Research Assistant

  • Camila Roman

    Undergraduate Research Assistant

  • Alessia Molina

    Undergraduate Research Assistant