Lab Members
Karen Froud
Lab Director, Ph.D
Dr. Karen Froud is Associate Professor and Program Director of Neuroscience and Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. Her doctoral and post-doctoral work was conducted in theoretical linguistics and neurosciences at University College London and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and she has been a member of the faculty at Teachers College since 2003.
Dr. Froud has worked extensively with clinical populations from children with speech sound disorders to adults with severe neurological disabilities, and has provided consultation, clinical services, and professional training around the world. She provided consultation on the development of ecologically valid educational assessments for children in refugee camps in Jordan; delivered the first graduate-level trainings in cognitive neuropsychological assessment for speech-language pathologists in Sri Lanka; and continues to support clinical service provision and disability outreach for communities in rural Cambodia. She is also a certified Institutional Review Board (IRB) professional with expertise in research compliance and the ethical conduct of research with human participants in diverse communities.
Research in Dr. Froud’s lab uses brain imaging techniques to investigate questions about the neuroscience of language, learning, and cognitive processing across the lifespan, with an emphasis on multilingualism, literacy, speech, and language. Her work centers the importance of pedagogical and clinical applications for effective communication, language, and learning for all.
Chaille Maddox
Post-Doc, Ph.D.
Chaille is a post-doctoral researcher collecting additional data for her doctoral research using event related potentials to study different forms of reasoning. Chaille is also managing the research project with Professor George Bonanno for the lab.
Lisa Levinson
Researcher, PhD
Dr. Lisa Levinson is a lecturer in the Neuroscience & Education program and a research scientist who uses electroencephalography to eavesdrop on the brain. Her research is focused on studying the intersection between the brain and behavior as it relates to reading acquisition and the underlying causes of reading disability. Dr. Levinson has dedicated over a decade to working in the Neurocognitive of Language Lab at Teachers College, where she collaborates closely with Dr. Karen Froud, Dr. Chaille Maddox, Paul Smith, and a wonderful research team. She holds a Master of Science in Neuroscience and Education and a Ph.D. in Communications Sciences & Disorders, both awarded by Teachers College, Columbia University.
When she is not thinking about brains, Dr. Levinson loves to ski, play tennis, hike, visit the beach, dance, and spend time with family and friends. As she looks forward to 2024, Dr. Levinson's goals include dedicating more time to meditation, developing a new course, securing a grant, and enjoying the company of her first grandchild.
Paul Smith
Lab Manager
Paul Smith is the current lab manager in the Neurocognition of Language Lab, as well as a previous research assistant. A recent graduate of the Neuroscience and Education program, he is currently a second-year doctoral student in the Cognitive Science in Education program. His interests include the neurological underpinnings of speech and language, as well as the influence of preformed beliefs on processing of information. Paul can be seen around the College as an instructor for the Foundations of Neuroscience courses, and additionally teaches courses at Pratt Institute in statistics, visual perception, and neuroaesthetics.
Tim Mousseau
Research Assistant
Tim Mousseau is a first-year master's student in Neuroscience & Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, and a research assistant in the NCL Lab. Tim's background is in sexual violence prevention, having spent the last ten years helping higher education institutions design curricula and develop prevention campaigns for various undergraduate populations. He previously received a Bachelor's from the University of New Mexico in Organizational Communication and a Master's from Gonzaga in Organizational Leadership. During his time at Gonzaga, Tim studied how to incorporate creativity into formal organizational cultures to help people retain a sense of self. Tim is interested in learning more about the neural correlates of consciousness. In particular, he is fascinated by the role that the insula might play in formulations of self. He is also excited about the growing field of existential neuroscience. Outside of TC, Tim continues to assist clients in prevention work. He also writes children's books with his wife, Skylar, an illustrator.
Emma Ehrenzeller
Research Assistant
Emma (she/her)is a Certified Hypnotist, Certified Life Coach, and Neuroscience educator currently getting her Master’s in Neuroscience & Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. After living and working in Thailand and India, she created her hypnosis business to combine her passion for spirituality, her intrigue in brain science, and her love of helping others improve their mental health and overall happiness. She’s passionate about equipping her clients and community with practical, evidence-based mental health tools that tangibly move the needle on their symptoms and wellbeing.
Academically, she’s curious about topics like psychoneuroimmunology, emotional regulation, trauma interventions, and how neural oscillations correlate with different states of being. She spends her free time serving on the Teachers College Student Senate as Vice President, rewatching New Girl biannually, and exploring new neighborhoods in NYC.
Anna Silberman
Research Assistant
I am currently in my third year as a PhD student, specializing in Cognitive Science in Education. My research interests are centered on the interplay between language and mathematical acquisition, particularly from a neurodevelopmental perspective. I am particularly interested in how this relates to individuals with dyslexia, dyscalculia, and other learning disabilities. Prior to starting the doctoral program at Teachers College, I spent a decade as a researcher and program manager for the Whitaker Scholar Program in Developmental Neuropsychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center and the New York State Psychiatric Institute. After receiving my Master of Science degree in Neuroscience and Education from Columbia University, Teachers College, I went on to receive the federally-funded Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) Fellowship (2011), which provided me with invaluable training in the realm of disability research. I am looking forward to another exciting year helping out with the Neurocognition of Language Lab.
Ava Aimable
Research Assistant
Ava Aimable is a second-year undergraduate volunteer research assistant that the NCL, contributing her passion and enthusiasm to the team since the summer of 2023.Outside of the lab, Ava serves as a Teacher’s Assistant for the introductory course psychology course at Columbia College. In her free time, Ava enjoys learning American Sign Language (ASL) with the CU Sign club at Columbia which she is also the social-media manager for. In the future, Ava hopes to become a clinical psychologist to help others in her community.
Alanna Flowers
Administrative Assistant
Alanna Flowers is a first-year master’s student in Clinical Psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University. She is currently the administrative assistant for the NCL Lab. Alanna is also a research assistant for the New York State Psychiatric Institute and for the Culture, Stigma, and Psychosis Lab at Columbia University. She has a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. in English from Howard University. She is currently interested in using bio-behavioral cues to understand the impact of societal stigma on the mental health of marginalized communities. She aims to pursue research that investigates the factors that affect the health of marginalized populations and informs improved treatment plans while addressing the gaps in available health care. Outside of the lab she administers neuropsychological tests as a psychometrist. In her free time, she enjoys painting, writing, trying new restaurants, and spending time with friends.
Jialing Zeng
Research Assistant
Jialing Zeng is a Ph.D. student in Cognitive Science in Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. She is currently a research assistant in the Neurocognition of Language Lab; and also serves as a Senior Research Associate at the Institute for Learning Technologies. She is interested in attention and cognitive load monitoring using electroencephalography and eye-tracking, especially within the context of mathematical learning, and its application to the design and utilization of educational technology for enhancing learning.
Loyca Jean
Research Assistant
Loyca Jean is a sophomore at Barnard College studying Neuroscience and Behavior on the pre-medical track. She has been part of the NCL Lab as an undergraduate research assistant since the summer of 2023. She enjoys learning about fear and emotion, behavior and psychological stress, and neurodegenerative disorders. Loyca hopes to make the most of her undergraduate experience by learning new things in the hopes of becoming a physician in the future. Outside of the lab, she is part of several clubs at Columbia and Barnard and enjoys trying new recipes, listening to music, writing poetry, and playing volleyball with her friends.
Danielle Kipnis
Research Assistant
Danielle is a PhD student in Kinesiology at Teachers College, Columbia University with a research focus on movement for neurological disorders. She received an MA in Applied Exercise Physiology from Teachers College, Columbia University. She received her BS in Dance and English from Northwestern University. She is a yoga instructor and dancer who teaches group and private yoga classes, specializing in yoga for individuals with movement disorders and chronic pain. Her research also focuses on community collaboration to address disparities in healthcare.
Malik Bolden
Research Assistant
Malik is a first year student in the Neuroscience and Education Masters Program. He graduated with a BS in Psychology from Howard University. After graduating he spent two years teaching AP Biology at a high school in Brooklyn. His time in the classroom, resulted in his current interests of retooling educational practices in marginalized communities (with a basis in the neural correlates of learning), and reforming high school curriculum around STEM. Outside of the lab, Malik is one of the organization leaders of The Synapse @TC, Teachers College neuroscience education club. In his free time, Malik enjoys following professional sports, listening to new music and spending time with friends.
Aidan Hutchinson
Research Assistant
Aidan is a first-year student in the Cognitive Science in Education Masters Program at TC. He completed his undergraduate education at Haverford College, studying the neural correlates of mind wandering in young adults. Aidan joined the Neurocognition of Language Lab in 2024 as a volunteer research assistant. He is currently interested in using electroencephalography to study shifts in attentional deployment between internal and external stimuli, and the impacts of mood disorders and emotional regulation on attentional function.
Nora Samadi
Research Assistant
Nora Samadi is a senior at Barnard College studying Neuroscience and Behavior on the pre-med track. She is currently an undergraduate research assistant at the NCL Lab, and is interested in the process of language acquisition during development, particularly in multilingual individuals. She has enjoyed her experiences abroad working as an occupational therapy intern, and is looking forward to being a student teacher at Barnard’s Toddler Center in the fall. Outside of academics, Nora loves spending time with friends and family, contributing to her communities on Columbia and Barnard’s campuses, and exploring different areas of New York.
Currently Affiliated Lab Members
Sarah Bennett
Research Assistant
Sarah Bennett is a master’s student in Neuroscience & Education at Teachers College, Columbia university. She is currently working as a research assistant on the Digital Print Media Study at the NCL Lab. Sarah is also a research assistant at the Developmental Affective Neuroscience Lab at Columbia University and a research volunteer at New York State Psychiatric Institute. Coming to TC with a background in music and arts education, Sarah received her Bachelor’s degree from NYU in Percussion Performance with a minor in Social & Cultural Analysis. She is currently interested in the long-term physiological impacts of early-life stress and their neural correlates, particularly during adolescence. Sarah hopes to combine her interests in music education and neuroscience and pursue work that can help young people understand their brain and body’s response to trauma, in order to help facilitate healing and thriving. On campus at TC, she is so excited to be part of the leadership team of The Synapse, a student organization that is passionate about fostering community and making neuroscience research findings accessible to all who can benefit from it.
When not at TC, Sarah loves working at sunny coffee shops, going on long walks down the coasts of Manhattan, and enjoying meals, tunes, and movies with friends and loved ones.
Bonnie Yang
Research Assistant
Bonnie is a research assistant at the NCL lab. She is a master's student working towards a degree in Neuroscience and Education at Teachers College. Before starting at TC, she majored in Brain and Cognitive Sciences at the University of Rochester with a focus on neurobiology and neuropsychology and minored in clinical psychology. She was also a fencer at URFC and took photos at tournaments.
Girija Chatufale
Research Assistant
Girija Chatufale recently graduated with an M.S. in Neuroscience and Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. At the NCL Lab, she most recently served as a research coordinator on REVEAL: a study investigating the effects of gun violence exposure on attention and learning in young adults. Prior to joining TC, she received her B.S. in Cognitive Science and a minor in Neuroscience from UCLA, where she began exploring her interest in the intersection between neuroscience and educational practice. She currently works as a laboratory associate for Mind Hive at NYU, collaborating with scientists, teachers, students, and community members to promote scientific literacy in NYC middle-and high-school classrooms. She holds a specific research interest in understanding the effects of acute, psychological stress on learning and engagement in adolescent student populations, and hopes to pursue further research within this field in the future. Outside of academia, you can find her experimenting with coffee recipes, exploring new parks around the city, and enjoying time with her friends and family
Graduates of the Neuroscience & Education program with lab affiliation
Girija Chatufale (Neuroscience & Education, 2022–2023)
Huiyu Yang (Neuroscience & Education, 2021–2023)
Sarah Bennett (Neuroscience & Education, 2020–2023)
Former Research Assistants
Belen Azofra (Neuroscience & Education, 2022–2023)
Emily Mantaro (Neuroscience & Education, 2022–2023)
Girija Chatufale (Neuroscience & Education, 2022–2023)
Huiyu Yang (Neuroscience & Education, 2021–2023)
Kai Gilchrist (Neuroscience & Education, 2022–2023)
Sarah Bennett (Neuroscience & Education, 2020–2023)
Zeina Haidar (Neuroscience & Education, 2022–2023)
Luiza Neddermeyer van Krimpen Lodder (Neuroscience & Education, 2020–2022)
Ben Bravo (Neuroscience & Education, 2019–2021)
Huiling Liu (Neuroscience & Education, 2019–2021)
Melissa Coffel (Neuroscience & Education, 2020–2021)
SuWon Jung (Neuroscience & Education, 2019–2021)
Xingye Chen (Neuroscience & Education, 2019–2021)
Paul Smith (Neuroscience & Education, 2018–2020)
David Hargrove (Neuroscience & Education, 2018–2020)
Camila Hasbun-Taveras (Neuroscience & Education, 2017–2019)
Christina Wusinich (Neuroscience & Education, 2017–2019)
Deyrha Mills Borbon (Neuroscience & Education, 2017–2019)
Kyle Blidy (Neuroscience & Education, 2017–2019)
Neke Nsor (Neuroscience & Education, 2017–2019)
Sushma Narayan (Neuroscience & Education, 2016–2018)
Gaelen Hadlett (Neuroscience & Education, 2012–2016)
Felicidad Garcia (Speech-Language Pathology, 2010–2012)
Lisa Levinson (Neuroscience & Education, 2009–2012)
Laura McCarthy (Speech-Language Pathology, 2008–2010)
Christopher Lebron (Speech-Language Pathology, 2007–2009)
Fredrik Tunvall (Neuroscience & Education, 2007-2009)
Julia Csillag (Speech-Language Pathology, 2007–2009)
Adriana Calderon (Neuroscience & Education, 2006–2008)
John Aspromonte (Neuroscience & Education, 2006–2008)
Laura Sánchez (Neuroscience & Education, 2006–2008)
Melissa Randazzo (Speech–Language Pathology, 2006-2008)
Paula Garcia (Neuroscience & Education, 2005–2007)
Jessica Young (Speech-Language Pathology, 2003–2005)
Chuen Loy (Neuroscience & Education, 2023-2024)
Fang Jie (Behavior Neuroscience, 2023-2024)
Neurocognition of Language Lab Scholars: Dissertation Journey Alumni
Airey Lau (Sponsor, Communication Sciences & Disorders, 2013–2019)
Lisa M. Levinson (Communication Sciences & Disorders, 2012–2018)
Lauren Shuffrey (Communication Sciences & Disorders, 2013-2017)
Dayna Moya (Communication Sciences & Disorders, 2012–2016)
Felicidad Garcia (Communication Sciences & Disorders, 2012–2016)
Heather L. Green (Communication Sciences & Disorders, 2011–2016)
Melissa Randazzo Wagner (Communication Sciences & Disorders, 2011–2016)
Trey Avery (Communication Sciences & Disorders, 2012–2016)
Guannan Shen (Communication Sciences & Disorders, 2011–2015)
Paula Garcia (Speech-Language Pathology, 2006–2014)
Laura Sánchez (Speech-Language Pathology, 2008–2013)
Chaille Maddox (Cognitive Studies, 2008–2012)
Etoile LeBlanc (Speech-Language Pathology, 2010–2012)
Bernadette Sibuma (Instructional Technology & Media, 2004–2007)
Jessica Galgano (Speech-Language Pathology, 2003–2007)