Lab Director
Jacklynn Fitzgerald, PhD
jacklynn.fitzgerald@marquette.edu
she/her/hers
Dr. Fitzgerald’s research seeks to uncover common neural “biomarkers” that track disruption in neurocircuitry and peripheral measures specific to emotion dysregulation. Linking this to clinical outcomes, the aim is to identify individual difference factors in this relationship to help clinicians understand what sets individuals on the path towards developing illness. Uncovering how stress and trauma “get under the skin” to lead to changes in neurocircuitry supporting emotion regulation and increased risk for onset of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a major emphasis of her work.
Trained as a neuroscientist, Dr. Fitzgerald integrates multiple methods for the study of human brain functioning, including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), psychophysiology, and electroencephalogram (EEG) recording. Dr. Fitzgerald received her PhD in Psychology (Behavioral Neuroscience) from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2017 and completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. She joined Marquette’s Department of Psychology as an Assistant Professor in 2019.
Graduate Students
Tristan Benjamin, MS
she/her/hers
Tristan is a graduate student in the clinical psychology program at Marquette University, currently on internship at the Oklahoma City VA. Her research interests focus on how childhood trauma impacts people physiologically and neurobiologically long term into adulthood. Particularly, she is interested in how trauma occurring in childhood can lead to unique biological differences that impact how people respond to their environment and stressors in adulthood. Before beginning graduate school at Marquette, Tristan earned her bachelor's degree in Neuroscience and Psychology from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, where she researched neurobiological correlates of drugs and addiction.
Jessie Jenson, MA (Visiting Graduate Student)
she/her/hers
Jessie is a graduate student in the doctoral program in clinical psychology at Fielding Graduate University, currently at internship at the University of Missouri. Her research interests focus on the neuropsychological and neurophysiological bases of mental health and behavior. Jessie is currently a Licensed Professional Counselor in Wisconsin. She received her master’s degree from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology and her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
Kaley Davis, MS
she/her/hers
Kaley is a 5th year graduate student in the clinical psychology doctoral program at Marquette University. Her research interests focus on the intersection between stress and environmental factors, and their influence on the development of emotion processing and its associated neural circuits in individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder. She is particularly interested in studying the underlying neural mechanisms of post-traumatic growth in traumatic injury survivors and the relationship with emotion regulation. Before starting the graduate program at Marquette and joining the TAN lab, Kaley received her master’s in clinical research methodology from Fordham University in 2020 and her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2015.
Kathryn Barber, MS
Katie is a 4th year graduate student in the clinical psychology doctoral program at Marquette University. Her research interests revolve around cognitive and emotional mechanisms that underlie obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders. She is particularly interested in neurocognitive characteristics of hair pulling disorder and skin picking disorder. Before starting at Marquette, Katie worked as a research assistant at Penn State University. She earned a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania (2022) and a bachelor’s in psychology from Penn State (2019).
Lead Undergraduate Research Assistant
Ashley Dirkmaat
Ashley is a senior at Marquette University studying Psychology. She has a strong interest in the interaction between neuroscience and social psychology. She has experience developing and working in a mixed methods lab studying intersectionality. She is excited to explore different lab topics in her remaining undergraduate years as she develops her field interest for graduate school.
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Maya Patel
Maya is a senior studying Psychology with a minor in neuroscience at Marquette University. She is passionate about studying the ways in which psychological disorders change and impact the brain. Last summer Maya had an internship working in a neuroscience lab at UIC and wants to further her knowledge on this topic in graduate school.
Téa Graham
Téa is a senior at Marquette University, pursuing a major in psychology and cognitive science. She is interested in studying how neural mechanisms impact brain function and influence psychological outcomes and emotional responses. She is also interested in exploring the relationship between brain processes and human behavior, and how these insights can be applied to improve mental health and emotional well-being. She plans to attend graduate school after her time at Marquette.
Brandon Huffman
Brandon is a senior at Marquette University, pursuing a double major in Biomedical Sciences and Psychology with a minor in Theology. Having served in the Navy from 2010-2022, he departed after 12 years of service to pursue college full-time. He is passionate about the mental health of veterans, veteran-specific trauma and its effect on the brain, and how to provide better psychological treatment for veterans. In the future, he plans on attending graduate school and ultimately work in behavioral health for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Esther Akinsanya
Esther is a junior double majoring in Psychology and Theatre, Arts. She is interested in how trauma changes the neuroplasticity of the brain and how that affects people, as well as creating an environment of resilience. In studying Psychology, she wants to be a clinical therapist.
McNair Scholar
Tashala Hubanks
Tashala is a sophomore at Marquette University, pursuing a degree in Biological Sciences with a minor in Psychology. As a first-generation college student, she is on the pre-med track and is passionate about exploring the effects of trauma on the brain, particularly within men and women. Tashala is currently a McNair Scholar, researching trauma's impact on the brain and its long-term effects. She is also fortunate to be mentored by Dr. Fitzgerald, whose guidance has been instrumental in her academic development. After graduation, Tashala plans to attend medical school to become a physician focused on trauma and mental health. She is eager to continue her research and contribute to improving the understanding and treatment of trauma-related conditions.
Lab Alum
Morgan Christoph (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2019-2021)
Veronica Cruz (Undergraduate Research Assistant and McNair Scholar, 2019-2021)
Kelly Dietrick (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2019-2021)
Hailey Begg (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2019-2021)
Claire Sheeran (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2019-2020): Claire is currently a graduate student in the MA Counseling Psychology program at Golden Gate University
Ana Cinch (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2020-2021): Ana is currently a graduate student in the Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program at Rush University in Chicago, IL.
Devi Jayan, PhD (graduate student, 2019-2021): Dr. Jayan is currently an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago
Kim Enrile (Lead Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2020-2021)
Keeley Hamill (Visiting Research Assistant, 2020-2021)
Boiana Pegau (Lead Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2020-2022)
Francesca Mancini (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2020-2022): Francesca is currently a nursing student, Marquette University
Jada Jacks (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2021-2022)
Jasmine Jacks (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2021-2022)
Maria Cecilia (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2021-2022): Maria is currently a medical student, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Jack Barrett (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2021-2022)
Annabella Salvo (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2021-2022)
Leona Kondic (Lead Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2021-2023 and Disciplinary Honors Student, 2023)
Aditii Wakhlu (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2021-2023)
Yara Hamadeh (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2022)
Juru “Jo” Okwaramoi (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2022-2023)
Arianna Cozzini (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2022-2023)
Nell Burgener (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2022-2023)
Sadaf Nasir (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2022-2023)
Calista Capaul (Lead Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2022-2024)
Mary Brown (Lead Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2022-2024
Baneen Al Saeedi (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2023-2024)
Emely Zavaleta Varela (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2023-2024 and McNair Scholar, 2024)
Abby Lechner (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2023-2024)
Riley Fisher (Post-bac Research Assistant, 2024)
Sylvia Fochesato (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2024)
Meghan Bennett, PhD (graduate student, 2020-2025): Dr. Bennett is currently a clinical psychology intern at Baylor College of Medicine and will start as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Milwaukee VA in Summer 2025
Ellie Thorstenson (Lead Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2023-2025 and Disciplinary Honors Student, 2025)
Josh Wilder (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2023-2025 and McNair Scholar, 2023)
Louis Zielinski (Lead Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2023-2025)
Rasmeen Kaur (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2024-2025)
Chloe Gomez (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2024-2025)
Maeve Carraher (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2024-2025)
Brigitte Lindell (Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2024-2025)
