Lab Director
Jacklynn Fitzgerald, PhD
jacklynn.fitzgerald@marquette.edu
she/her/hers
Dr. Fitzgerald’s research seeks to uncover common neural “biomarkers” that track disruption in neurocircuitry and peripheral measures specific to emotion dysregulation. Linking this to clinical outcomes, the aim is to identify individual difference factors in this relationship to help clinicians understand what sets individuals on the path towards developing illness. Uncovering how stress and trauma “get under the skin” to lead to changes in neurocircuitry supporting emotion regulation and increased risk for onset of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a major emphasis of her work.
Trained as a neuroscientist, Dr. Fitzgerald integrates multiple methods for the study of human brain functioning, including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), psychophysiology, and electroencephalogram (EEG) recording. Dr. Fitzgerald received her PhD in Psychology (Behavioral Neuroscience) from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2017 and completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. She joined Marquette’s Department of Psychology as an Assistant Professor in 2019.
Graduate Students
Tristan Benjamin, MS
she/her/hers
Tristan is a 6th year graduate student in the clinical psychology program at Marquette University. Her research interests focus on how childhood trauma impacts people physiologically and neurobiologically long term into adulthood. Particularly, she is interested in how trauma occurring in childhood can lead to unique biological differences that impact how people respond to their environment and stressors in adulthood. Before beginning graduate school at Marquette, Tristan earned her bachelor's degree in Neuroscience and Psychology from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, where she researched neurobiological correlates of drugs and addiction.
Meghan Bennett, MS
she/her/hers
Meghan is a 5th year graduate student in the doctoral program in clinical psychology at Marquette University. Her research interest is identifying how stress and trauma ‘gets under the skin’ to give rise to psychopathology and, ultimately, to elucidate neurobiological mechanisms of symptom change in psychiatric disorders. Prior to starting at Marquette, Meghan worked as a neurofeedback clinician and psychotherapist. This work with electroencephalogram (EEG) recording initiated her interest in using a multimodal approach to improving clinical treatment outcomes and understanding psychopathology. Meghan earned her master’s degree in clinical-counseling psychology at Illinois State University in 2017, and her bachelor’s degree in psychology from University of Minnesota in 2013. Her ongoing goal is to continue work across four domains: (a) identify the neurocircuitry underlying psychiatric symptomology; (b) examine the intersection of this neurocircuitry with peripheral markers of stress-responding and emotion regulation; (c) define neurobiological mechanisms of symptom change; (d) translate this knowledge to inform clinical interventions.
Kaley Davis, MS
she/her/hers
Kaley is a 4th year graduate student in the clinical psychology doctoral program at Marquette University. Her research interests focus on the intersection between stress and environmental factors, and their influence on the development of emotion processing and its associated neural circuits in individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder. She is particularly interested in studying the underlying neural mechanisms of post-traumatic growth in traumatic injury survivors and the relationship with emotion regulation. Before starting the graduate program at Marquette and joining the TAN lab, Kaley received her master’s in clinical research methodology from Fordham University in 2020 and her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2015.
Jessie Jenson, MA (Visiting Graduate Student)
she/her/hers
Jessie is a 4th year graduate student in the doctoral program in clinical psychology at Fielding Graduate University. Her research interests focus on the neuropsychological and neurophysiological bases of mental health and behavior. Jessie is currently a Licensed Professional Counselor in Wisconsin. She received her master’s degree from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology and her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
Kathryn Barber, MS
Katie is a 3rd year graduate student in the clinical psychology doctoral program at Marquette University. Her research interests revolve around cognitive and emotional mechanisms that underlie obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders. She is particularly interested in neurocognitive characteristics of hair pulling disorder and skin picking disorder. Before starting at Marquette, Katie worked as a research assistant at Penn State University. She earned a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania (2022) and a bachelor’s in psychology from Penn State (2019).
Lead Undergraduate Research Assistants
Ellie Thorstenson (Disciplinary Honors)
she/her/hers
Ellie is a senior at Marquette University pursuing a psychology degree with a minor in biological sciences. She is passionate about mental health advocacy and aspires to become a psychiatrist in the future. She is very excited to be working in Dr. Fitzgerald’s lab and is particularly interested to learn more about the neurological effects of chronic stress on an individual.
Louis Zielinski
Louis is a senior majoring in psychology on the pre-med track at Marquette University. He is interested in the neurophysiological indicators of psychological wellbeing and how that information can be used to improve the mental health of others. He plans to further his education after graduating in hopes of being a psychiatrist or a neuropsychologist.
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Josh Wilder (McNair Scholar)
Josh is a senior studying Cognitive Science and Psychology with a minor in Mathematics at Marquette University. While still determining what specific path he wants to pursue in the field of psychology, he is interested in studying the cognitive processes behind thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Throughout the summer of 2023, Josh was involved in the McNair Scholars Program, in which he studied implicit bias and emotional appraisal of ingroup and outgroup members under faculty mentor, Dr. Jacklynn Fitzgerald. Beyond undergraduate education, Josh hopes to continue studying psychology in a graduate school setting, aspiring to become active in research and teaching.
Maya Patel
Maya is a senior studying Psychology with a minor in neuroscience at Marquette University. She is passionate about studying the ways in which psychological disorders change and impact the brain. Last summer Maya had an internship working in a neuroscience lab at UIC and wants to further her knowledge on this topic in graduate school.
Rasmeen Kaur
Rasmeen is a senior at Marquette University, pursuing a major in psychology with minors in Biological Science and Biomedical Science. On a pre-dental track, she is also a first-generation college student at Marquette. Her passion lies in understanding how psychological disorders dynamically alter and influence brain functioning and structure, as well as the mechanisms through which they shape human cognition and behavior. She plans to attend dental school to further her education and career goals.
Maeve Carraher
Maeve is a senior at Marquette University majoring in psychology and pursuing a minor in literature. She hopes to pursue a graduate education in neuroscience that will allow her to research the neuronal circuity and frameworks underlying various human behaviors, personalities, and identities. She wishes to engage in research that validates the emotional and personal experiences of those who don’t align with societal norms to advocate for institutional changes and accommodations, particularly for neurodiverse individuals.
Téa Graham
Téa is a junior at Marquette University, pursuing a major in psychology and cognitive science. She is interested in studying how neural mechanisms impact brain function and influence psychological outcomes and emotional responses. She is also interested in exploring the relationship between brain processes and human behavior, and how these insights can be applied to improve mental health and emotional well-being. She plans to attend graduate school after her time at Marquette.
Brandon Huffman
Brandon is a junior at Marquette University, pursuing a double major in Biomedical Sciences and Psychology with a minor in Theology. Having served in the Navy from 2010-2022, he departed after 12 years of service to pursue college full-time. He is passionate about the mental health of veterans, veteran-specific trauma and its effect on the brain, and how to provide better psychological treatment for veterans. In the future, he plans on attending graduate school and ultimately work in behavioral health for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Esther Akinsanya
Esther is a sophomore double majoring in Psychology and Theatre, Arts. She is interested in how trauma changes the neuroplasticity of the brain and how that affects people, as well as creating an environment of resilience. In studying Psychology, she wants to be a clinical therapist.
Chloe Gomez
Chloe is a senior studying Psychology and Educational Studies at Marquette University. She is passionate about studying the relationship between behavior, emotion, and cognition and the brain. She plans to further her education in this field, in the hopes of becoming a child neuropsychological. She is looking forward to working under Dr. Fitzgerald in the TAN lab and deepening her knowledge on the neurobiological effects of stress.
Ashley Dirkmaat
Ashley is a junior at Marquette University studying Psychology. She has a strong interest in the interaction between neuroscience and social psychology. She has experience developing and working in a mixed methods lab studying intersectionality. She is excited to explore different lab topics in her remaining undergraduate years as she develops her field interest for graduate school.
Brigitte Lindell
Brigitte is a junior at Marquette University, double majoring in Cognitive Science and Psychology and double minoring in Family Studies and German. She has had the pleasure of working with Dr. Van Hecke and the Marquette Autism Project, researching individuals with autism and their ability to cope with uncertainty. Brigitte is excited to work with Dr. Fitzgerald to expand her knowledge on emotion regulation and cognition. She plans to attend graduate school and work in a clinical setting in her future.
Lab Alum
Morgan Christoph (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2019-2021)
Veronica Cruz (Undergraduate Research Assistant and McNair Scholar, 2019-2021)
Kelly Dietrick (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2019-2021)
Hailey Begg (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2019-2021)
Claire Sheeran (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2019-2020): Claire is currently a graduate student in the MA Counseling Psychology program at Golden Gate University
Ana Cinch (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2020-2021): Ana is currently a graduate student in the Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program at Rush University in Chicago, IL.
Devi Jayan, PhD (graduate student, 2019-2021): Dr. Jayan is currently an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago
Kim Enrile (Lead Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2020-2021)
Keeley Hamill (Visiting Research Assistant, 2020-2021)
Boiana Pegau (Lead Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2020-2022)
Francesca Mancini (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2020-2022): Francesca is currently a nursing student, Marquette University
Jada Jacks (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2021-2022)
Jasmine Jacks (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2021-2022)
Maria Cecilia (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2021-2022): Maria is currently a medical student, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Jack Barrett (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2021-2022)
Annabella Salvo (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2021-2022)
Leona Kondic (Lead Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2021-2023 and Disciplinary Honors Student, 2023)
Aditii Wakhlu (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2021-2023)
Yara Hamadeh (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2022)
Juru “Jo” Okwaramoi (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2022-2023)
Arianna Cozzini (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2022-2023)
Nell Burgener (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2022-2023)
Sadaf Nasir (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2022-2023)
Calista Capaul (Lead Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2022-2024)
Mary Brown (Lead Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2022-2024
Baneen Al Saeedi (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2023-2024)
Emely Zavaleta Varela (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2023-2024 and McNair Scholar, 2024)
Abby Lechner (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2023-2024)
Riley Fisher (Post-bac Research Assistant, 2024)
Sylvia Fochesato (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2024)
