CENSL TEAM
Staff Directory
The CENSL Neuroimaging Core (CENSL-NC) is a group of academics, staff, and students led by Dr. Keedy. The work of CENSL-NC ranges from cognitive task development consultation and programming, training on practical aspects of data acquisition and analysis, or direct provision of analysis, data interpretation, and manuscript or grant proposal preparation.
Cognition & Emotion Neuroscience Lab (CENSL)
Our Approach
We focus on cognitive and emotional neural systems – and their overlap – in patients with psychiatric disorders and other conditions of interest to psychiatry, such as effects of substances of abuse or of developmental factors impacting risk for psychopathology. We utilizes highly sensitive neurophysiological and neurocognitive methods, such as fMRI, EEG, & eye tracking.
Our Mission
We want to better understand the neural mechanisms of psychotic disorders.
Our Vision
To improve current clinical practices and develop new treatment resources for patients with psychotic disorders.
Dr. Elliot S. Gershon
Principle Investigator
Dr. Gershon received his MD at Harvard University Medical School and completed his residency at Massachusetts Mental Health Center at Harvard Medical Center. His interests for forty years have included the neurobiology, genetics and treatment of mental disorders, particularly major depression and bipolar disorder.
Dr. Sarah Keedy
Principle investigator
Sarah Keedy received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. Her research interests include the neurocognitive abnormalities of psychotic disorders, effects of psychiatric medications on brain function, and defining the “severity” of hallucinations and hallucination pathophysiology.
Maddie Guzman
Research Coordinator
Maddie graduated from DePaul University and received her B.S. in Behavioral & Cognitive Neuroscience. She has a strong background in working in longitudinal studies. Her research interests are in examining the neuromechanisms of psychosis symptoms, in hopes to improve current clinical practices. Maddie plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Neuroscience in the future.
Sanjana Venkat
Research Assistant
Sanjana Venkat completed her Bachelors of Science in Psychology with a focus in neuroscience at the University of Georgia. She is interested in psychopathology and the neural bases of behavior and plans to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology.
Zhennuo Wu
research assistant
Zhennuo Wu completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a focus in Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience at the University of California, San Diego and Master of Science in computational social science at University of Chicago. She is interested in the underlying mechanisms under psychiatric and neurological diseases and plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Neuroscience.
Leona Kondic
Research Assistant
Leona Kondic completed her Bachelors of Science in Cognitive Science and Psychology at Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI. She is interested in psychopathology and the underlying neural bases of behavior. Her plans include pursuing a PhD in clinical psychology.
Isaac Vergara Toscano
RESEARCH ASSISTANT & NIH Prep scholar
Isaac Vergara Toscano graduated Santa Clara University with a B.S. in Neuroscience. He is a U Chicago PREP scholar and plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Neuroscience. His research interests include neuropharmacology, hallucination research, and clinical research.
Ivvy Hicks
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Ivvy Hicks is currently pursing her Bachelors in Science degree in Neuroscience from the University of Chicago. She is also on the pre-med track and plans to pursue medical school upon graduation in 2024. She is interested in further understanding psychiatric and neurological diseases and the treatment plan associated with them
Aashana Daru
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Aashana Daru is a current fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Chicago, pursuing a B.A. in Biological Sciences (specializing in Global & Public Health). She is on the pre-med track and aims to earn a dual MD/MPH upon graduating in 2024. She is interested in working with vulnerable populations, with a focus on the humanistic provision of care.
Alex Webb
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Alex is a first-year undergraduate studying neuroscience with pre-medical focus. He hopes to achieve a career in psychiatry and is interested in better understanding the human interactions behind the clinical field. He hopes to apply this knowledge towards fostering a more caring and empathetic attitude towards mental disability.
Alumni
Isabell Young &NIH Prep Scholar
research assistant
Peter Berryman
undergraduate research assistant