Research Assistants Team

Photo of Faith Collins Faith Collins

Faith is one of our senior RAs, with a B.S. in Psychology, 2019 at University of Oregon and currently holding a post-baccalaureate position. Her interests include using computational methods and multimodal imaging to study the dynamic and physiological differences in how our brains distinguish and represent the concept of self from other individuals. She plans on pursuing a PhD in the field of Social Cognitive Neuroscience to further study the self-other distinction. She is often found in a coffee shop, and is obsessed with finding waterfalls.

Photo of Mackenzie Mattos Mackenzie Mattos

Mackenzie is a Senior Psychology student who is going on to do her Masters and PhD in Neuroscience in Germany. Her research interests lie in neurodegenerative diseases and animal intelligence. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, playing video games and photography.

Photo of Meghan Ramirez Meghan Ramirez

Meghan graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Oregon. Currently, she is a graduate student in the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Biomedical Science with a focus in Neuroscience at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Her research interests are in the therapeutic applications of sound and how they may be used as treatments for individuals with neurodegenerative diseases. In her free time, Meghan enjoys photography, cooking, trying new teas, and exploring nature.  

Photo of Shijing Zhou Shijing Zhou

Shijing graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Japanese from the University of Oregon in 2019. Her research interests in Psychology include cognitive neuropsychological mechanisms of sleep, emotions, psychopathology, and behavioral medicine. Her goal is to translate clinical research to evidence-based mental health prevention and intervention. Outside the lab, she enjoys cuddling with cats, traveling, gaming, photography, and Japanese fashion.

Photo of Yuhan Wu Yuhan Wu

Yuhan is interested in the social and developmental psychology study, especially the study involved and focused on Asian adolescence groups. She's currently a senior undergraduate student, and in her free time, she likes to watch films and drink hot tea.

Photo of Maddy Hickerson Maddy Hickerson

Maddy began at BEL in February 2018 and graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Oregon in 2019. Her research interests include comas and the effects of traumatic brain injuries on psychopathology. In her free time, Maddy can be found hiking, traveling, playing piano, or at the local animal shelter playing with the cats and dogs.

Photo of Alexei Doncov Alexei Doncov

Alexei (ah lek syay) joined the lab in the spring of 2018 along with a couple of the other current RAs. Since then, he has graduated from the University of Oregon with a B.S. in Psychology and hopes to pursue a doctoral degree in Behavioral Neuroscience with a focus on autism. His passions include fly fishing and filmography, as well as sleeping.

Photo of Elyria Kabasenche Elyria Kabasenche

Elyria is a junior at the University of Oregon majoring in Psychology and Neuroscience. Her research interests are the biological basis of disease, particularly in the brain. In her free time, she can be found curled up with a good book or outside running, mountain biking, and backpacking.  

Photo of Sofia Fluke Sofia Fluke

Sofia graduated from Southern Oregon University with a BS degree in Psychology. She is currently applying to masters and PhD programs to pursue a career in Neuroscience. Her research interests surround neurodegeneration, memory consolidation and neuropharmacology. She hopes to one day work in a lab that focuses on the effects of different drugs on the brain and subsequent effects on memory consolidation. One of her main loves in life is traveling, which led her to study abroad in Spain. Some of her hobbies include reading, crocheting, hiking and camping.  

Photo of Morgan Presson Morgan Presson

Morgan is a Junior Mathematics major who plans to apply to Medical School after graduation. She is new to research, but has interests in disease and neurophysiology. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and trying new coffee shops.

Photo of Fan Yang   (BEL Alumni) Fan Yang (BEL Alumni)

Fan graduated from UO in Spring 2019 with a departmental honor in Psychology. Overall, he is interested in brain regulations and neuronal behaviors under the influence of psychopathology and he wrote his honor thesis in BEL. investigating time-frequency dynamic of theta oscillation between depressed and non-depressed individuals. By the way, he loves Froyo at an extreme amount!

Photo of Avery Turner   (BEL Alumni) Avery Turner (BEL Alumni)

Avery is a senior studying Psychology and Political Science.  Her research interests are women’s reproductive health and addiction. She plans to get a PhD in Clinical Psychology, and  become a professor, running a lab that studies maternal addiction and helps support moms in their recovery.

Photo of Max Arquilevich Max Arquilevich

Max is a Sophomore at the University of Oregon, double majoring in Psychology and Environmental Studies. He joined BEL this past term (Spring 2021), due to an interest in the underrated benefits/potential of sleep. He is brand new to research, and stoked to have this opportunity. If he isn't sleeping or studying sleep, you'll likely find him backpacking, long-distance running, or playing ultimate frisbee.