Faculty
Daniel O’Leary, PhD
Daniel O’Leary, PhD, is a cognitive neuroscientist who has a long history of researching relationships between brain development and cognitive functions, both in normal children and adolescents and in children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia. He is currently using brain imaging techniques along with behavioral assessments to better understand why 13 to 18-year-old children of alcoholics have a much greater than normal risk of developing alcohol problems. He is also using brain imaging techniques to investigate the reasons why schizophrenic individuals use marijuana more frequently than non-schizophrenics. View O'Leary's academic profile.
Jatin Vaidya, PhD
Jatin Vaidya, PhD, completed a doctoral degree in psychology and a research fellowship in neuroimaging at the University of Iowa. His research focuses on neurobiological processes that relate to developmental changes in emotional and motivational functioning. Vaidya is currently involved in a number of projects specifically focused on adolescent development that aim to a) better characterize which emotional and motivational traits show the greatest degree of change during this time period and b) how changes in the brain’s reward and behavioral regulation system impact high risk behavior and drug use in adolescence. View Vaidya's academic profile.
Staff
Lindsey Fuhrmeister
Lindsey Fuhrmeister is a research associate for the Cognitive Brain Development Laboratory. Fuhrmeister received a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in human relations from the University of Iowa in 2000. Upon graduating, she worked as substance abuse counselor for MECCA. In 2005, Fuhrmeister began working in research in the Department of Psychiatry. Fuhrmeister coordinates all studies and supervises staff for the Cognitive Brain Development Laboratory.
Rose Nguyen
Rose Nguyen is a research assistant for the Cognitive Brain Development Laboratory. She received a bachelor’s degree from Augustana College in psychology with a minor in philosophy. Upon graduating, she worked as a mental health rehabilitation specialist and family safety coordinator in her community before joining the Cognitive Brain Development Laboratory in October of 2010. Rose currently works on the Brain Development in Adolescents Study, and the University of Iowa College Life Study.
Carinda Linkenmeyer
Carinda Linkenmeyer is a research assistant for the Cognitive Brain Development Laboratory. Carinda graduated from Iowa State University in Ames with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She went on to earn a master’s degree in education (school counseling) from the University of Northern Iowa in 2010. Upon graduating, Carinda worked as a substitute teacher and school counselor in Iowa before joining the Cognitive Brain Development Laboratory in January 2013. She works on the Brain Development in Adolescents Study.
Alex Wallace
Alex Wallace is a research assistant for the Cognitive Brain Development Laboratory. Alex received a bachelor of science degree in psychology and a minor in human relations from the University of Iowa in 2013. Upon graduating he worked as a Clinical Trials Research Assistant and Data Manager before joining the Cognitive Brain Development Lab in 2014. Alex currently works on the Reward Modulated Attention Study and the University of Iowa College Life Study.
Alane Tranel
Alane Tranel is a research associate for the Cognitive Brain Development Laboratory. She received a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in counseling. She has worked on various research projects in the Department of Psychiatry, including studies of schizophrenia, cognition, and creativity. Alane currently works on the University of Iowa College Life Study.