MEET THE LAB
SAMIR YELLAPRAGADA
Research Assistant
Joined the Lab: Spring Semester 2018Â
Research Interest: Neural measures/correlates and link between gut microbiome and mental health disorders
DR. CAROLINE OPPENHEIMER
Primary Investigator
Caroline Oppenheimer, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh. After earning a PhD in Clinical Child Psychology from the University of Denver in 2014, Dr. Oppenheimer moved to Pittsburgh to complete a clinical psychology internship at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of UPMC. Dr. Oppenheimer has research and clinical experience working with children and adolescents, and her current research focuses on predicting risk for mood problems in young people. In addition to publishing numerous peer-reviewed papers in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, the Journal of Abnormal Psychology, Translational Psychiatry, and other important scientific journals, Dr. Oppenheimer has presented her findings at scientific conferences and meetings throughout the United States and Canada. Dr. Oppenheimer  has been actively involved in the WPIC Services for Teens at Risk (STAR Center) program, where she led a parent group for the intensive outpatient program and co-led the STAR Transition to Adulthood group for young adults transitioning out of the STAR program.
LAUREN REINHARDT
Research Assistant
Lauren is a Junior at Pitt majoring in psychology and biological sciences with a minor in chemistry. She joined the lab as a freshman to further study biological and neurological aspects of abnormal psychology within adolescence. She plans on attending a graduate school in pursuit of a Ph.D. in clinical psychology.
ANTONIA MARIEÂ GILES
Research Assistant
Antonia is a junior at the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Chemistry.  She joined this lab in pursuit of her interest in understanding how neuroscience and psychology intersect, as well as her interest in women's health.
KATHLEEN SCULLY
Research Coordinator
Kathleen graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Neuroscience, a minor in Chemistry, and a certificate in Conceptual Foundations of Medicine. Kathleen joined the lab in January 2018.  Her research interests include mood disorders in adolescents and teens. She is particularly interested in the development and treatment for depression, suicide, and anxiety. She hopes to pursue her PhD in Clinical Psychology.
M. MCLEAN SAMMON
Research Coordinator
McLean graduated from Oberlin College with a double major in Neuroscience and Psychology and a minor in Dance. Her research focuses on transdiagnostic clinical phenomena and affective neuroscience. She is particularly interested in how deficits in emotion regulation and executive control relate to psychopathology. She plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology to continue research, start clinical work, and ultimately teach future psychologists.