About us
Meet Our Team
Adriane Soehner, Ph.D., Lab Director
Dr. Soehner is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh. She is a clinical psychologist whose research program synthesizes affective neuroscience with sleep medicine to study the mechanisms through which sleep-circadian processes contribute to brain development and mood regulation in adolescence. Her research is supported by the National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Department of Defense, University of Pittsburgh Clinical & Translational Science Institute, and Klingenstein Third Generation Foundation. Dr. Soehner is affiliated with the Mood & Brain Laboratory, Center for Sleep & Circadian Science, and Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition. She also provides outpatient cognitive behavioral therapy for sleep and circadian rhythm disorders.
Staff
Allison Caswell, B.S., Research Coordinator
Allison joined the lab as a Research Coordinator in Spring 2022. She is a 2020 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, where she majored in Neuroscience and minored in Chemistry and Spanish. Her research interests include the neural mechanisms of sleep and their effect on mood disorders. She hopes to pursue a PhD and continue conducting research.
Nathan Elia, B.S., Research Specialist
Nathan joined the lab as a Research Specialist in Fall 2021. He is a 2021 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, where he majored in Psychology and minored in Creative Writing. His research interests include sleep, mood, and personality disorders. He hopes to pursue a PhD or PsyD and become a therapist.
Maya Fray-Witzer, B.S., Research Specialist
Maya joined the lab as a Research Specialist in Summer 2022. She is a graduate of Middlebury College, where she majored in Psychology and minored in Japanese. Her research interests include sleep, mood disorders, and human sexuality. In the future, Maya hopes to pursue a PhD in order to become a scientist-practitioner focused on improving the wellbeing of patients through evidenced-based clinical care
Lauren Keller, B.S., Research Specialist
Lauren joined the lab in July of 2022. She is a graduate from the University of Pittsburgh where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Psychology, minored in neuroscience and statistics, and a certificate in the Conceptual Foundations of Medicine. Lauren’s research interests are looking at potential risk factors for developing psychopathology in adolescents. In the future she hopes to obtain a PhD in Clinical Psychology.
Kaylee Hine, B.S., Research Specialist
Kaylee joined the lab in January of 2023. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh, where she majored in Psychology, minored in Sociology, and obtained a certificate in Children’s Literature. Kaylee’s research interests include sleep, mood, and personality disorders. In the future she hopes to pursue a PhD and continue conducting research.
Simey Chan, M.S., Systems Programmer/Analyst
Simey (Simmy) joined the team in Fall 2021 as a System Programmer/Analyst. She graduated from the University of Denver with a MS degree in Health Informatics, concentrated in Data Science. Her responsibilities include managing and analyzing collected data, setting up ACCESS front-end, and utilizing SQL, R, and ACCESS tools to process data and generate reports.
Undergraduates
Samantha Turley
Samantha is a second-year at the University of Pittsburgh majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Chemistry and Sociology. Samantha joined the lab in the Spring of 2022. She is interested in neuroscience research, especially neurological diseases and disorders. Samantha hopes to have a career in neurology after graduating.
Mahi Pachgade
Mahi is a second-year at the University of Pittsburgh majoring in Neuroscience and the History & Philosophy of Science. She joined the lab in January of 2022. Her research interests include sleep and mood disorders in adolescents and their effects on brain development. She hopes to attend medical school after graduating.
Dhruv S. Patel
Dhruv is a second-year at the University of Pittsburgh majoring in Neuroscience and Psychology and minoring in Chemistry. Dhruv joined the lab in the Fall of 2022. His research interests include sleep and cognitive disorders. After graduating, he hopes to attend medical school to become a surgeon.
Elizabeth Gillette
Elizabeth is a third-year at the University of Pittsburgh majoring Neuroscience and minoring in Chemistry and French. She joined the lab fall of 2022. Elizabeth is interested in neuroscience research, specifically in mood disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. In the future, Elizabeth hopes to earn a PhD in Clinical Science.
Kassidy Burke
Kassidy is a Junior Neuroscience major, minoring in Chemistry and Law, Criminal Justice, and Society. She is also working to pursue a certificate in Public and Professional Writing. Her research interests include mental illness/neurological disorders and neuroplasticity. She plans on attending law school after undergrad to become an intellectual property or medical law attorney.
Prabhjot S. Jattana
Prabhjot is a second year at the University of Pittsburgh and is majoring in Neuroscience and Psychology along with a minor in Chemistry. Prabhjot joined the lab in the Spring of 2023. His research interests are sleep and psychiatric disorders as well as its implications on cognitive and physical performance. After graduating, he hoped to attend medical school.
Cal Sollie
Cal is a 3rd year neuroscience major at the University of Pittsburgh. He joined the lab in January of 2023. He is interested in research regarding sleep and mood disorders. Cal hopes to go to medical school to work towards being a psychiatrist.
Mansi Patel
Mansi is a junior at the University of Pittsburgh where she is studying Nutrition Sciences with a minor in Neuroscience and Chemistry. She joined the lab in the Fall of 2023 and is interested in research related to sleep and cognitive disorders. She plans on attending PA school and specializing in women’s health or pediatrics!
Despina (Demi) Hassiotis
Demi is a fourth year student at the University of Pittsburgh, where she is pursuing a major in Neuroscience along with minors in Chemistry and Modern Greek Language. She joined the lab in the Fall of 2023. Her academic pursuits are driven by her interest in several research areas, including the development of treatments for neuromuscular disorders, the early detection and prevention of manic episodes, and innovative approaches to combat depression. Looking ahead, she envisions a few years dedicated to Neurology or Neuroscience research, with her ultimate goal being to attend medical school.
Kayla Piper
Kayla is a fourth-year at the University of Pittsburgh majoring in psychology. She joined the lab in the summer of 2023. She is interested in research concerning behavioral and mood disorders. In the future, she plans on pursuing a PhD in neuropsychology and continuing in research.
Aditi Wadhwa
Aditi is a third year student at the University of Pittsburgh majoring in Neuroscience, and minoring in Chemistry and Theatre Arts with a Certificate in the Conceptual Foundations of Medicine. She joined the lab in Fall 2023. Her research interests include neurological and psychiatric disorders. After graduating, she hopes to attend medical school and pursue a career in neurology.
Trevor Staab
Trevor is a sophomore at the University of Pittsburgh majoring in neuroscience and psychology with a minor in chemistry. He joined the lab in the Spring of 2024. He is interested in how external cues affect sleep and circadian rhythms, which may be used in therapeutic treatments for patients with psychiatric disorders. In the future, he hopes to continue in neuroscience research and pursue a Ph.D. in neuroscience or clinical psychology.