Students

Zach Napora

Master’s Candidate

Mr. Napora received his BA in neuroscience from The College of Wooster in 2025, where he played on the men’s soccer team. His research focuses on Persistent Post-Concussion Syndrome. Following his master’s, he will pursue a PhD at Penn State.

 

Madeline McLaughlin

Master’s Candidate

Ms. McLaughlin received her BS in behavioral and cognitive neuroscience and a minor in Russian studies from the University of Florida in 2025. Her research focuses on the relationship between physical activity and neurodegeneration, aging, and traumatic brain injury recovery. Following her master’s, she will pursue a PhD at Penn State.

 

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Ayden Wood

Undergraduate Intern

 

Ayden is currently a senior within the College of Health and Human Development majoring in Biobehavioral Health, with minor concentrations in Neuroscience and Biology.  He has been involved in sports since the first time he could walk and played 5 sports over the course of his high school career until concussions told him otherwise. Due to this, his interest in concussions only grew, and now has been working in the lab for quite some time. Ayden hopes he can carry the knowledge and practical skills he learns in the laboratory over to graduate school programs, where he aims to dive deeper into neuroscience and the underlying cellular processes of neurodegenerative disease, such as FTLD and Alzheimer’s. 

Dylan Blumthal

Undergraduate Intern

 

Emily Ishler

Undergraduate Intern

 

Emily, a Schreyer Honors Scholar, is a junior majoring in Kinesiology with a Biology minor. She aspires to attend medical school and become a physician. She was drawn to the lab because of her interest in concussions and their neuropsychological effects on athletes. Through her work in the lab, she is excited to connect her academic studies with hands-on research experience. Emily intends to carry forward this knowledge into her future career in healthcare. 

 

Noa Korc

Undergraduate Intern

 

I’m currently majoring in Systems Neuroscience and plan to pursue a Master’s in Biomedical Engineering before heading to medical school. I’ve been a dancer my whole life, which has given me a firsthand look at how injuries can affect athletes, not just physically, but mentally too. That experience sparked my interest in sports-related injuries, especially concussions, and the technology used to diagnose and treat them. I joined the lab to be part of research that helps improve the lives of athletes dealing with these challenges. Outside the lab, you can usually find me dancing, going for a run, hiking, or at the gym. Staying active is a big part of who I am!