Team

Martin obtained his PhD at Graz University of Technology, studying neural correlates of self-movement. Afterwards, he joined the basic neuroscience department at Campus Biotech in Geneva, Switzerland, to investigate intrinsic, spontaneous brain dynamics by combining intracranial and scalp electroencephalography. At UCLA, he aims at better understanding neural sequences related to movement trajectories and the formation of episodic knowledge by the aid of intracranial EEG and full body motion capture.

Marcia obtained her PhD from Sorbonne University in France. She then joined the Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience (Norway) to study spatial navigation in the context of normal and pathological aging using 7T MRI. At UCLA, she uses the RNS system to investigate the specialized neuronal networks within the medial temporal lobes responsible for integrating boundary and object cues within the cognitive representation of space.

Alba completed her PhD in 2025 at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, where she studied how emotion affects memory and how the medial temporal lobes process visual information. At Duke, she aims to study emotional memory and spatial navigation using intracranial recordings and deep brain stimulation, with the goal of advancing treatments for psychiatric disorders. She previously earned a BSc in Psychology from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and an MSc in Neuroscience from King’s College London.

Uros Topalovic, is a Post-doctoral Scholar at the Department of Neurosurgery. He obtained his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from University of Belgrade, Serbia, and his PhD in electrical and computer engineering from UCLA. His research is a blend of engineering and neuroscience, which includes neural signal processing, data analysis and neuromodulating systems hardware/embedded implementations.

Wenxuan Jiang is a postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Neurosurgery. She obtained her PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Southern California in 2023. At UCLA, Wenxuan aims to investigate the neuromodulatory effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation on memory functions in patients with mild cognitive impairment. She is also interested in combining experimental and computational methods to study hippocampal and cortical circuit dynamics underlying learning and memory.

Zidan completed her PhD at Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, where she studied cortico-basal ganglia interaction during movement timing in rodents. Previously, she obtained a MSc in neuroscience from University College London, a BSc in Biochemistry from University of Birmingham in UK, and Huazhong Agricultural University in China. Zidan is interested in learning and memory, and how they’re modulated during sleep.

Mikayla is a MD/PhD student in the UCLA Interdepartmental Program for Neuroscience. She earned a B.S. In Neuroscience from UCSC. She is interested in the neural mechanisms underlying human experiences, such as emotional memory, and psychiatric disorders, such as PTSD. Mikayla plans to leverage technology allowing remote iEEG and naturalistic memory capture to identify the neural patterns that occur as people with PTSD experience real emotional events in their lives.

Myra is a graduate student in the Neuroscience Interdepartmental PhD Program. Myra received a BA in Psychology with a minor in Biological Sciences from UCIrvine, where she investigated mnemonic discrimination ability and medial temporal lobe structural integrity in older adults. She is excited to investigate electrophysiological signals associated with reward processing using rich 3D VR environments under varied social and emotional contexts.

Yuchao is a PhD student at Duke. He completed his BA in cognitive science at Haverford College and his DPT at the MGH Institute. He studied aesthetics, stroke, and dystonia using fMRI and TMS previously. Yuchao is interested in how cortico-subcortical dynamics can inform pathophysiology and treatment in movement disorders. 

Daniel Batista is an Aeronautics simulation engineer, game developer, programmer, 3D animator, mocap technician and Kung Fu instructor. While getting his Master of Fine Arts at USC in Interactive Media & Games, he worked as a graduate research assistant in the Game Innovation Lab. He is passionate about using technology to address serious problems and turning complex tasks into something fun and entertaining.

Emi is a 3D modeler, texture, lighting artist, Dungeons and Dragons game master, and video game enthusiast. She obtained her B.F.A. in 3D animation from Pratt Institute, though she specializes in designing and creating immersive and photorealistic environments. She aims to use her technical skill and passion to make a difference in the lives of others.

Joel obtained his B.S.E. in Biomedical Engineering and Neuroscience at Duke University. His previous research involved utilizing fMRI, machine learning, and psychophysiology to decode the internal representations of arousal and valence in addition to categorical emotions. Joel is interested in using biomedical engineering to treat psychiatric disorders.

Mauricio is a biomedical engineer with experience in signal processing and data analysis.

During his M.Sc. in Biological Sciences, at Wright State University, his research focus was on the role of neuromodulation in respiratory networks. He then moved to Dr. Golshani’s lab at UCLA, where he aimed to identify mechanisms underlying dysfunctional neural-networks in models of autism and epilepsy. He is passionate about therapeutic effects of neuromodulation on neurophysiological conditions.

Sonja is a Research Associate at the Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. With a background in Biotechnology and Project Management, she is supporting all major research projects in the lab and interested in applying Virtual Reality to simulate Real World memory tasks.

Aaron completed his PhD in Neurobiology in 2026 at Duke University. His doctoral work focused on CRISPR-mediated knockdown of genes in mouse brain following administration of drugs of abuse. Combined with his undergraduate research in EEG and fMRI, Aaron is motivated to further our understanding of electrical underpinnings of psychiatric disorders.

Ebuka obtained his BS in Neuroscience at UCLA. His previous research involved utilizing optogenetics and miniscopes in mice to elucidate the neural underpinning of stress-potentiated habits.buka obtained his BS in Neuroscience at UCLA. His previous research involved utilizing optogenetics and miniscopes in mice to elucidate the neural underpinning of stress-potentiated habits.

Gabby obtained her B.S. in Neuroscience at UCLA. As an undergraduate student researcher in Dr. Kate Wassum’s lab, she investigated the neural correlates of habits and reward-related decision making in rodents. Gabby is interested in applying brain stimulation to the treatment of psychiatric disorders and cognitive deficits.

Jonny obtained her B.S. in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science at the University of Arizona with an emphasis in computation. While completing her degree, she worked in the Brain Imaging and TMS Lab studying cortical excitability, plasticity, and other early biomarkers of Alzheimer’s. Jonny is interested in applying neuroimaging and brain-stimulation to further understand neurological and psychiatric disorders for the development and improvement of therapeutic techniques.

James obtained his B.S.E in Biomedical Engineering from Duke University. His previous research focused on feature extraction from μECoG recordings and mapping brain function via MRI connectomics. He is interested in building AI-driven brain-computer interfaces to extend human life.

As an undergraduate researcher planning on majoring in Neuroscience at Duke, Judy investigates emotional memory.

She is interested in conducting further research that utilizes technology to advance accessible treatments for people with neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s.