Jacklynn Fitzgerald, PhD

jacklynn.fitzgerald@marquette.edu

Dr. Fitzgerald’s research focuses on identifying neural “biomarkers” that reflect disruptions in brain circuits and peripheral systems involved in emotion regulation with a focus on fear regulation. By linking these biomarkers to clinical outcomes, her work aims to pinpoint individual differences that shape vulnerability to mental illness. A central focus is uncovering how stress and trauma alters fear learning neurocircuitry, thereby heightening risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Trained as a neuroscientist, Dr. Fitzgerald integrates multiple methods for the study of human brain functioning, including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and psychophysiology. Dr. Fitzgerald received her PhD in Psychology (Behavioral Neuroscience) from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2017 and completed her postdoctoral fellowship in neuroscience at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. She joined Marquette’s Department of Psychology in 2019.

Louis Zielinski

Louis is a 2nd-year Applied Psychology Data Analytics student. His current research interests revolve around the temporal dynamics of PTSD, comorbidities,  and an individual's susceptibility. He seeks a developed understanding of protective factors against the effects of PTSD. Louis was previously a Lead Research Assistant in the TAN Lab before graduating from Marquette University (2025).  

Téa Graham

Téa is a 2nd-year Applied Psychology Data Analytics Masters student at Marquette University. She graduated with a Bachelors in psychology and cognitive science at Marquette in 2026. Long-term, Téa is interested in studying how neural mechanisms impact brain function and influence psychological outcomes and emotional responses. She is also interested in exploring the complex data underlying the relationship between brain processes and human behavior, and how these insights can be applied to improve mental health and emotional well-being.

Kaley Davis, MS

Kaley is a 6th 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 5th year graduate student in the clinical psychology doctoral program at Marquette University, currently on internship at Western Psychiatric Hospital. 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). 

Zoe Bair

Zoe is a 2nd year graduate student in the clinical psychology doctoral program at Marquette University. Her research interests center on identifying neurobiological markers of PTSD and dissociation.  She is particularly interested in understanding and reducing barriers to treatment efficacy. Prior to joining the TAN lab, Zoe received her bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology from Tufts University and worked as a research assistant at McLean Hospital.

Esther Akinsanya

Esther is a senior majoring in Psychology and Theatre and minoring in criminology and law studies. 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.

Paige Jansen

Paige is a senior pursuing a double major in psychology and criminology. She is interested in how emotional and cognitive processes are represented in the brain. Her academic interests lie at the intersection of neuroscience and behavior, with a long-term goal of exploring how neural pathways influence complex behaviors, including those relevant to criminality. She plans to attend graduate school to further explore the neural and psychological mechanisms behind criminal behavior to be able to assess and understand the minds of offenders.

Katlyn McVey

Katlyn is a senior studying psychology and hopes to obtain an ASL minor. Her passion is understanding how trauma can impact one's personality as well as how multifaceted the process of interpreting different emotions from facial expressions, body language and tone can be. Apart from Psychology, she is interested in becoming an ER Nurse and is working as an EMT to gain further experience in the field with patients. Her other interests are scuba diving, creating music, drawing and being part of the MU Taekwondo Club.

Grace Sviland (Disciplinary Honors in Psychology)

Grace is a senior at Marquette University, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience. Her passions lie in finding holistic approaches and understandings to emotional dysregulation as a result of trauma. This interest is due, in part, to her involvement in the Marquette Mentors Program, where she was paired with Dr. Mike Martin, the Psychology Executive at the Atlanta VA Health Care System, as her mentor. She plans on attending graduate school after her undergraduate studies to further her knowledge in the focus of clinical psychology and neuroscience.

Miranda Dobbs

Miranda is a senior studying psychology with a minor in interdisciplinary data science as an undergraduate at Marquette University. She is passionate about research that serves the community of Milwaukee, particularly regarding mental wellbeing. She hopes to continue these pursuits in graduate school.

Grace Stoming

Grace is a junior at Marquette University, pursuing a major in Psychology and a minor in Health Studies.  Interested in exploring all areas of psychological research, she is hoping to gain valuable insight through exposure to this lab.  She is motivated by a desire to help others in the area of mental health and is particularly drawn to faith-informed therapy and counseling approaches.  Grace plans to attend graduate school once she completes her undergraduate degree.

Paola Rodriguez Manriquez

Paola is a junior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Culture, Health, and Illness. She is interested in the neuropsychology path and plans to attend graduate school after graduating with her bachelors. Her research interests focus on trauma, particularly how trauma impacts brain functioning, family dynamics, and family roles. She is also interested in exploring how trauma can present differently across gender roles and identities, and how social and cultural factors shape these experiences.

Grace Thomack

Grace is a junior majoring in Cognitive Science and Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience. She is interested in how neurological dysfunctions, and mental disorders affect cognitive, emotional, and behavioral development during childhood. She plans to attend graduate school after earning her undergraduate degrees. 

Haiqa Bajwa (MU4Gold Scholar)

Haiqa is a Freshman at Marquette University majoring in Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Neuroscience. She's interested in understanding neurodegenerative diseases, how different environmental stressors can change the brain, and exploring computational neuroscience. She also loves writing poetry and finding any excuse to make others laugh.