Investigators

Kathryn Cullen, M.D. 

Dr. Cullen (she/her) is a Professor and Director of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Minnesota Medical School in Minneapolis. She received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Chicago. She completed medical school, residency training, and child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship training at the University of Minnesota. She also completed a research training fellowship in Neurobehavioral Development at the University of Minnesota. She has been on the faculty in the Department of Psychiatry since 2008. Dr. Cullen's research focuses on adolescent depression, self-injury, and suicide risk in young people. Her research methods include brain imaging and longitudinal studies, including clinical trials. Her scope of work has recently expanded to include a focus on creativity, mental health, and the brain in young people. Dr. Cullen's current work is funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Minnesota Arts Board.

Bonnie Klimes-Dougan, Ph.D, LP

Dr. Klimes-Dougan (she/her) is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Minnesota. She received a bachelor of science from Loma Linda University. She completed doctoral training in clinical psychology at Florida State University, completed her internship at Duke University and postdoctoral fellowship at the National Institutes of Mental Health. She was a faculty at the Catholic University of America before being hired by the University of Minnesota in 2004. Dr. Klimes-Dougan's research focuses on the stress system, considering risk and protective factors for distress, depression and despair in adolescents. 

Co-Investigators

Kristina Reigstad, PsyD, LP

Dr. Reigstad is a licensed child and adolescent psychologist and Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, at the University of Minnesota Medical School. She completed her doctoral degree at the University of St. Thomas, and completed her postdoctoral fellowship in clinical psychology and research in the Child and Adolescent Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program at the University of Minnesota Medical School. She has been on the faculty in the Department of Psychiatry since 2014. She has dedicated her career to team science and bridging the research to practice gap by improving clinical care and outcomes for adolescent depression and self-injurious behavior, maternal mental health, and for parents and families experiencing mental illness. She has focused on the development and evaluation of interventions for adolescent depression and self-injury, and improvement of the delivery of services for maternal mental health treatment, to ultimately aid in ameliorating the multigenerational impact of mental health disorders during sensitive periods of development (e.g., adolescence, during pregnancy/in-utero), and across the lifespan.

Kate Carosella

Kate (she/her/hers) is a graduate student in the Clinical Science and Psychopathology Research Doctoral Program. She graduated with a Bachelors of Science from Johns Hopkins University. She is interested in understanding the neural basis of maladaptive responses to stress such as self-injury and suicide. She hopes to elucidate how evolutionarily adaptive processes such as threat processing can go awry on the system neuroscience level and result in psychopathology. She loves baking, swimming, and cuddling her dog, Mozzarella!

Hopewell Hodges

Hopewell Hodges (she/her) is a PhD student in clinical and developmental psychology at the Institute for Child Development, after spending her BA and masters degree focusing on post-violence literature and collective resilience practices. In the long term, she hopes to partner with communities of diverse cultural backgrounds to design more effective and culturally appropriate trauma treatments that rely on locally effective resilience mechanisms. In addition to conducting assessments in the RAD Lab, Hopewell provides therapy to young children at the Behavioral Health Clinic for Families and the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain as a practicum trainee. She is mentored by Dr. Ann Masten and Dr. Saida Abdi.

Kirsten McKone

Kirsten McKone (she/her) is a postdoctoral fellow in the RAD Lab supported by a T32 training grant in developmental psychopathology at the Institute of Child Development. She completed her PhD in the joint clinical and developmental psychology program at the University of Pittsburgh, and her clinical internship on the child and adolescent track at Hennepin Healthcare in downtown Minneapolis. She is interested in dynamic emotion and regulatory processes in the development of psychopathology in adolescence. Long term, her goal is to build a career in developmental psychopathology research, teaching, and clinical practice that supports and harmonizes with a rich and fulfilling personal life with her husband, children, and extended family in the Twin Cities region.

Tori Papke

Tori (she/hers) a graduate student in the Clinical Science and Psychopathology Research Doctoral Program. She started in the lab as an undergraduate volunteer in 2019 and has since graduated from the University of Minnesota with a B.S. in 2021 and worked as a project coordinator for the NAC Study. She is particularly interested in studying stress in relation to development and psychopathological outcomes, such as suicidality and self-harm. 

Andrea Wiglesworth

Andrea is a graduate student in the Clinical Science and Psychopathology Research Doctoral Program. She is interested in the relationship between forms of stress (e.g. minority stress in Native American populations, chronic stressors such as poverty, and childhood maltreatment) and suicidal thoughts and behaviors in childhood and adolescence. She examines neurobiological and psychophysiological mechanisms that may be related to these constructs.

Marvin Yan

Marvin is a graduate student in the Clinical Science and Psychopathology Research Doctoral Program. Prior to joining the RAD Lab, he completed a BA in cognitive science at the University of California, Berkeley and a MA in psychology at San Diego State University. Broadly, Marvin's program of research is focused on understanding the neural mechanisms underlying suicidality using a variety of tools and techniques including neuroimaging, neuromodulation, casual modeling, and wearable devices. Outside of research, he spends most of his free time training for ultramarathons. 

Eyerusalem Abebaw

Eyerusalem Abebaw (she/her) is a Minnesota Inclusive Neuroscience Development Scholar in the RAD Lab and the Study Coordinator for the Imagination Central and Oromo Mental Health projects. She attended Macalester College, earning her B.A. in Neuroscience. Her research interests include using neuroimaging to study psychiatric disorders and the effects of creativity-based interventions on mental health. Outside of the lab, she enjoys traveling, running, and spending time in nature.

Zeynep Başgöze, Ph.D.

Zeynep (she/her/hers) is a Neuroimaging Research Scientist, working with Dr. Kathryn Cullen & Dr. Bonnie Klimes in the RAD Lab for almost four years. She received her BA degree from the Philosophy Department at the Boğaziçi University, Istanbul, Turkey. She completed her MSc and PhD in the Cognitive Sciences Department at the Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey. She worked as a postdoctoral fellow under the supervision of Dr. Emily Cooper in the Psychological and Brain Sciences Department at Dartmouth College, NH, USA, and in the Optometry School at the University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. She then worked as a Postdoctoral Associate under the supervision of Katie Cullen in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Department, University of Minnesota before she was promoted to a senior researcher position. Dr. Başgöze’s research focuses on adolescent non-suicidal self-injury, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and adolescent & adult Major Depression Disorder, as well as brain plasticity, visual adaptation, and binocular vision. She is specialized in designing and analyzing both fMRI and psychophysical experiments.

Shanze (Zay) Hayee

Zay is a study coordinator in the lab, primarily helping with the creativity studies (Imagination Central, Imagination Studio, and Creativity Camp) as well as the Native American Young Adult (NAYA) study. She earned her B.S. in Psychology in Spring of 2024 and will be applying to Clinical Psychology Ph.D. programs in Fall of 2024. Zay is interested in mental health interventions for underserved populations as well as community and family based approaches for developing interventions that promote well being. 

Biiwaabik Hunt

Biiwaabik Hunt (they/them) is Ho-Chunk, Ojibwe, and Oglala Lakota. They are a first year Minnesota Inclusive Neuroscience Development Scholar in the RAD Lab. They received a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Art History from Warren Wilson College. Their interests in neuroscience came about from learning about epigenetics and the resulting implications on health and wellbeing for Native communities. Their research interests include culturally-specific therapies and treatments for Native Americans and centering communities in research and healing processes. In their free time, they enjoy going to art galleries and walking around the lakes.

Aparna Nair

Aparna (she/her) is a research staff primarily involved in the BRIDGES and the TMS research studies in the RAD lab. She received her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Her research interests include cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying depressive disorders and personalized antidepressant treatments. 

Spencer Burris-Brown

Spencer (he/they) is currently a junior undergraduate student majoring in developmental psychology. In his work with the RAD Lab, he assists with administering cognitive tests, scoring questionnaires using RStudio, and is currently training to help with functional imaging. Aligning with his clinical interest of working with LGBTQ+ youth, he also conducts data analyses for the Sexual and Gender Minority study. After graduation, he plans on pursuing an MD and becoming a child/adolescent psychiatrist. Outside of the lab, Spencer is in an a capella group on campus, coaches middle and high school debate part-time, goes on hikes and nature walks, and spends lots of time with his shepherd/beagle puppy.

Curry Chang

Curry (he/him) is currently a junior undergraduate student from Taiwan majoring in psychology B.A with an intended minor in Sociology. He wants to pursue PhD in clinical psychology with a focus on teenager and adolescent mental health and suicidal prevention. To work with RAD Lab, he would like to get hands-on experience with research and functional machines such as fMRI. Besides academic work, he also enjoys playing basketball, tennis, traveling, volunteering, camping, and music production.

Ev Cho

Ev (he/they) is a Senior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Family Therapy. Previously, Ev has greatly enjoyed working with neurodiverse youth as a Clinical Psychology Intern and Group Therapy Co-facilitator. Their research interests center on the treatment of major depression in young people through culturally sensitive and experiential interventions. After graduation, they plan to pursue a PhD in Clinical or Counseling Psychology. Ev’s hobbies include running long distances, playing guitar, and spending time in nature. 

Freddy Gaskill 

Freddy Gaskill (he/they) is a postbaccalaureate volunteer who recently completed a B.A. in psychology with a neuroscience minor at UW-Eau Claire. His main research interests include suicide prevention and self-injury recovery, especially with members of the LGBTQ community and those who have experienced trauma. He is also interested in understanding the neuroscientific and cognitive domains that may also have an influence on these relationships. After gaining more research experience, he plans on pursuing a Ph.D. in clinical psychology to teach and conduct research on his interests. Freddy's personal interests involve fish tanks, reading, music, and drawing.

Annika Horne

Annika (she/her) is currently a junior undergraduate honors student pursuing a B.A. in Psychology and intended minors in Spanish Studies and Political Science. Working as a research assistant at the RAD Lab allows her to pursue her interests in societal and other external factors affecting mental health. After undergrad, her plan is to attend a PhD or PsyD psychology program. Outside of the lab, she enjoys her a cappella group, reading, finding new coffee shops, and spending time with friends.

Ari Martin

Ari (they/he) is a senior undergraduate student majoring in Psychology with a minor in Pharmacology and is interested in mental health adversities faced by the LGBTQ+ community, as they are often underrepresented in health care. In the summer of 2024, they traveled to Madrid, Spain to work with a remote sector of the RAD Lab and conducted research on the correlations between substance misuse and suicide risk for queer youth. After graduation, Ari plans to pursue a PharmD doctorate degree and develop a career in psychiatric pharmacy. Outside of their studies, Ari is passionate about leadership and music. They are the 67th Drum Major of the Pride of Minnesota Marching Band and play for a number of other ensembles within the School of Music as well.

Mitch Mueller

Mitch Mueller (he/him) is an incoming fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Biology (B.S.) currently on a pre-medical track with a strong inclination toward research. As part of the RADLab, Mitch is primarily focused on cognitive profiling and analyzing white matter tracts within the BRIDGES dataset, with aims to uncover the neurobiological mechanisms underlying NSSI and contribute to the development of targeted interventions. Long-term, Mitch aspires to pursue a career in medicine with a focus on psychiatry or neurology, integrating clinical practice with ongoing research to improve mental health outcomes. In his free time, Mitch serves as the president for NAMI On-Campus, an affiliate of the non-profit national organization (National Alliance on Mental Illness) dedicated to furthering mental health awareness among students.

Paityn Ness

Paityn Ness is currently a junior studying in the lab as a research assistant. She has interests in the fields of sports psychology, genetic counseling, and mental health studies. Paityn loves yoga, being outside, baking, and spending time with friends. Some long-term goals for Paityn are to go to graduate school and receive her Masters and possible PhD in psychology. 

Riddhi Suresh

Riddhi (she/her) is a sophomore studying psychology and computer science on the honors and pre-med track. Her interests include learning about the biology behind mental disorders as well as the influence of external factors on mental health. In her free time she enjoys music, cooking, and spending time with friends and family. After undergrad, she aims to attend medical school.

Trevor Swanson

Trevor (he/him) is a junior undergraduate pre-medical student majoring in psychology and working as a research assistant in the RAD lab. After he earns his bachelor’s degree, he plans on attending medical school and specializing in psychiatry. Through his work in the RAD lab, he aims to further the understanding of alternative treatments for teen depression. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, reading, meditating, playing the guitar, and spending time with loved ones.

Payton White

Payton (She/Her) is a second-year undergraduate honors student pursuing a BS in Psychology with a neuroscience minor. In the future, she wants to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology. Drawn to the clinical research done by RAD lab, she hopes to learn the neurobiological processes and long-term effects of anxiety and depression to find new ways of prevention in adolescence, as well as among the LGBTQIA+ community. Outside of RAD lab, she loves music, playing guitar, thrifting, trying new foods, and cheering on the Golden Gophers as a Gopher Football student assistant.