Faculty
FLAVIO FROHLICH, PH.D. – PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Flavio’s goal is to revolutionize how we treat psychiatric illnesses. His vision is that understanding cortical state dynamics will enable the development of novel non-invasive brain stimulation paradigms that directly target pathological network dynamics. Flavio is convinced that such rational design of neurotherapeutics will open the door for individualized, highly effective brain stimulation in psychiatry. Flavio directs the Carolina Center for Neurostimulation that offers numerous clinical trials of novel experimental treatments for depression and other mental illnesses.
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ANGIESZKA ZUBERER, PH.D. - RESEARCH ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
Agnieszka explores the cognitive and neural mechanisms that shape our attention and emotional engagement in the world. Agnieszka is fascinated by understanding what makes us more or less engaged than others and how these processes impact our well-being. Agnieszka’s particular interest lies in advancing closed-loop paradigms, where brain stimulation protocols are refined using real-time behavioral and pupilometric markers. With a focus on optimizing attention and affect regulation, Agnieszka aims to contribute to the ever-evolving research in cognitive psychiatry.
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Postdoctoral & Associated Scholars
MAGDALENDA CAMENZIND, PH.D. - POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR
Magdalena earned her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Bern in Switzerland, where she delved into the intricate world of brain science. Her passion revolves around unravelling the intricate web of interactions that occur between different brain areas—a captivating field known as network neuroscience. She finds great fascination in the transformative power of neurostimulation, which holds the potential to untangle and define the relevant brain regions and networks responsible for specific cognitive functions, most notably cognitive control. By exploring this area, Magdalena is actively paving the way for identifying promising targets for therapeutic neurostimulation application to treat cognitive impairment.
Beyond her academic pursuits, Magdalena finds inspiration in the natural wonders of North Carolina. Whether on foot or bicycle, she avidly explores the diverse flora and fauna of the region. Additionally, she channels her creativity into the creation of photo books, capturing and preserving the beauty she encounters along her journeys. |
ZACHARY FELDMAN, M.D. - SENIOR RESEARCH CLINICIAN
Dr. Zachary Feldman is a board-certified psychiatrist and an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina. He is a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and past-president of the North Carolina Psychiatric Association. Dr. Feldman graduated from the University of Virginia in biology before attending medical school at Duke University. He then completed residency in General Psychiatry and fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at UNC. Dr. Feldman practiced psychiatry in private practice and community settings for 11 years before returning to UNC to join the faculty in 2021. He aims to utilize his experience in clinical psychiatry to help direct the study of novel treatments through his work with the Carolina Center for Neurostimulation.
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MELANNI NANNI-ZEPEDA, PH.D. - POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR
Melanni earned her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Tubingen in Germany, specializing in the exploration of behavioral and pupillometric markers to elucidate the foundations of emotional processes. Her current research endeavors center on the real-time utilization of these markers, employing state-of-the-art techniques such as brain stimulation and neuroimaging with a paramount objective of enhancing treatments for emotional disorders. Outside of her academic pursuits, she derives fulfillment from artistic endeavors such as drawing, watching movies, dance, and recreational sports activities.
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JIMIN PARK, PH.D. - POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR
Jimin earned his Ph.D. in Electronic Engineering from Hanyang University in South Korea. He is focused on defining causal roles of neural oscillations during cognitive processing using brain stimulation and neuroimaging. He is also interested in the computational simulation of Transcranial Electrical Stimulation, using signal processing and artificial intelligence to analyze oscillatory signals. In his free time, he enjoys playing board/online games and watching/playing sports.
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SUSANNE RADTKE-SCHULLER, PH.D. - ASSOCIATE RESEARCH SCIENTIST
Susanne focuses on the question how neuroanatomical structure is linked to neurophysiological function and especially what is the 'hardware' underlying behavior and cognitive processing in the brain. She is convinced that this is essential to understand brain processes in healthy and pathological states.
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TOBIAS SCHWIPPEL, M.D. - POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR & STUDY DIRECTOR
Tobias received his medical doctor from the University of Tübingen, Germany. During his Psychiatry Residency in Tübingen, Tobias combined his clinical work with research and participated in brain stimulation studies in patients with alcohol use disorder, depression and schizophrenia. After board certification as psychiatrist and psychotherapist, Tobias moved to UNC to fully concentrate on neurophysiological research. He aims to investigate the relation between transdiagnostic symptoms and neural oscillations by means of non-invasive brain stimulation. His goal is the extension and combination of existing treatment tools for mental disorders. Tobias is the Director of Clinical Research at the Carolina Center for Neurostimulation. Outside of work, Tobias enjoys literature, political discussions and is joyfully struggling with yet another ball to juggle: his lack of rhythm in guitar playing and the perfect boardgame move.
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Graduate Students
CORINNE CARLTON-SMITH - CLINICAL INTERNSHIP GRADUATE STUDENT
Corinne is in the final year of her Clinical Science PhD program at Virginia Tech. Currently, she is on clinical internship at the UNC Chapel Hill School of Medicine in the Affective Neuroscience track. Corinne is interested in reward-related mechanisms as they relate to anhedonia within anxiety and depression. While on clinical internship, she conducts clinical assessments and interventions for the lab, and hopes to examine the effect of a single-day treatment for depression that combines psychotherapy and neurostimulation. In her free time, Corinne enjoys baking, reading, hiking, and hanging out with friends.
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GRACE ROSS - GRADUATE STUDENT
Research Staff
VERINA GUIRGUIS - STUDY COORDINATOR
Verina is a senior at UNC pursuing a B.S. in Neuroscience with a minor in Chemistry. As a study coordinator, she is interested in exploring novel treatment approaches to psychiatric illnesses, as well as how existing therapies can be leveraged in new ways. Outside of the lab, she is interested in addressing issues related to healthcare access and loves listening to audiobooks and playing Spikeball in her free time!
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SANVI KORSAPATHY - STUDY COORDINATOR
Sanvi is a senior at UNC-Chapel Hill and is pursuing a B.S. in Neuroscience with a minor in Advertising and Public Relations and a certificate in Health Communication. As a study coordinator, she is interested the relationship between neural oscillations and cognition, and with this research, she hopes to learn more about how modulating neural oscillations can treat those with psychiatric illnesses such as depression and anxiety. Along with conducting research, she is working to improve recruitment strategies for our human trials studies. Outside of the lab, Sanvi works on graphic design and publicity teams for various organizations at UNC and plays guitar in her free time!
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TIFFANY ONG - RESEARCH TECHNICIAN
Tiffany is a second year medical student at Wake Forest School of Medicine. As a research assistant, she is interested in delving more into the innovative treatments for psychiatric disorders, particularly for depression and generalized anxiety disorder. She hopes that participating in human trials studies will further excite her passion for psychiatry, a specialty she hopes to pursue for residency. Outside of lab, Tiffany enjoys playing tennis, traveling with her fiancé, and watching reality TV shows guilt-free.
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FRANCESCA PUPILLO - STUDY COORDINATOR
Francesca Pupillo graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a B.S. in Neuroscience with minors in Chemistry and Biology. As a research coordinator, she is interested in the role of regional neural oscillations and their relationship to emotional and cognitive functioning. Mainly, she is interested in modulating neural oscillations via non-invasive brain stimulation to improve clinical outcomes for patients with neuropsychiatric disorders. In her free time, Francesca enjoys running, reading, climbing, and spending time with friends and family.
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ZACHARY STEWART - CLINICAL RESEARCH SPECIALIST & LAB COORDINATOR
Zach received his BA in Psychology graduating summa cum laude from UNC Asheville and is the lab coordinator for Frohlich Lab. His research interests include substance use disorder, behavioral activation, the intersection of substance use disorder and PTSD and the exciting new possibilities of noninvasive brain stimulation for SUD. He also studies the role infection and inflammation play in neuropsychiatric illness as well as potential applications for noninvasive stimulation for the treatment of anxiety disorders. In his free time he enjoys film and digital photography, cooking, spending time with his spouse Christine and crushing Netflix.
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Undergraduate Research Assistants
MINA BAYRAKTAR - UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Mina is a first-year student at UNC Chapel Hill. She is majoring in Neuroscience and is on the pre-med track. As a research assistant, Mina is part of the ABBA project which combines transcranial alternating current stimulation with behavioral activation therapy. In her free time, she enjoys cross-stitching, going for nature walks, and learning new languages.
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MADELINE DEMOS - UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Maddie Demos is a first-year undergraduate at UNC pursuing a B.S in both Neuroscience and Psychology with a minor in Chemistry. As a research assistant, Maddie is passionate about mental health and the ways in which psychiatric treatment can evolve to better meet the needs of all people and meet them where they're at. Outside of the lab, she loves to dance, advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, and explore new coffee shops.
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PRIMA GURJAR - UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Prima Gurjar is a second-year undergraduate at UNC Chapel Hill. She is pursuing a B.S. in Neuroscience with minors in Medical Anthropology and Chemistry. As a research assistant, she is interested in studying new treatments for mental illnesses such as severe depression. Outside of the lab, she likes to dance and cook new recipes.
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SHREYA HARIKRISHNAN - UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Shreya Harikrishnan is a second-year undergraduate at UNC Chapel Hill pursuing a B.S. in Neuroscience and a B.A. in Medical Anthropology with a minor in Chemistry. As a research assistant, she is interested in the role neural networks play in relation to behavior and learning. She hopes to apply this knowledge to her additional research interest in neurodegenerative disorders. In her free time, Shreya likes to learn new musical instruments, travel, cook, and spend time with friends and family.
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WU LI - UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Wu is a third-year undergraduate at UNC Chapel Hill, pursuing a B.S. in Neuroscience and a B.A. in Advertising and Public Relations with a minor in Chemistry. As a research assistant, she is interested in the neural basis of psychiatric disorders, specifically major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. In addition, she is interested in studying how non-invasive methods can help with the treatments for psychiatric disorders. In her free time, she enjoys graphic design and photography!
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DAVID MAHAN - UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT
David Mahan is a third-year undergraduate student at UNC Chapel Hill. He is majoring in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Marine Science on a Pre-med track. As a research assistant, David is interested in further understanding and treating depression/anhedonia, especially through the use of tACS. Outside of the lab, he is a member of the UNC Club Ice Hockey team and enjoys spending time with friends and family.
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ABDULAZIZ NORBEKOV - UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Abdulaziz Norbekov is a third-year undergraduate student at UNC Chapel Hill. He is pursuing a B.S. in Neuroscience and Biology along with a minor in Chemistry. As a research assistant, he is interested in neural networks and their oscillations, specifically with their relation to behavior. In his free time, Abdulaziz like to spend time with friends and family, go to the gym, and eat food.
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KIRINA SHAH - UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Kirina Shah is a second-year undergraduate at UNC Chapel Hill. She is pursuing a B.S. in Neuroscience with minors in Medical Anthropology and Public Policy. Her research interests include degenerative neurological disease and exploring novel treatments for mental illnesses. In her free time, she likes to read and spend time with friends and family.
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CHRISTIAN SODANO - UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Christian is a second-year undergraduate at UNC pursuing a B.S. in Neuroscience and a minor in Physics. In the future, he aims to do research that will contribute to an increase in the number and efficacy of non-pharmacological treatments used in psychiatry. Christian believes these options will offer more personalized treatment plans and greater agency to psychiatric patients. To that end, he is interested in using neuroimaging and neurostimulation to explore the mechanisms behind effective behavioral therapies. In his free time, Christian enjoys coaching high school wrestlers, restoring thrifted shoes, and reading on his kindle.
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