
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR






RESEARCH SCIENTISTS
DAN KLEINMAN. Dan received his Ph.D. in Psychology and Cognitive Science at UC San Diego in 2013. At Haskins, his research focuses on using neural biomarkers (EEG and ERPs) to predict individual gains in reading, as part of a collaboration with schools that serve students with language-based learning difficulties. He is also involved in projects that use ERPs to study audiovisual integration in children with autism and in typically developing children. Before coming to Haskins, Dan’s research focused on language production – specifically, the process of deciding which word (and, for bilinguals, which language) to use next – and the many cognitive systems that interact to promote speech (central attention, executive control, implicit learning), topics he continues to study via external collaborations.
ASSOCIATE RESEARCH SCIENTISTS
NABIN KOIRALA. Nabin completed his PhD in neuroscience at the Johannes Gutenberg university, Mainz Germany in 2019. Currently he is working in Haskins Laboratories on the project “Imaging genetics in specific reading disabilities” focusing on analysis of multicenter structural neuroimaging data. The primary goal is to observe the microstructural and network alterations in cortical and subcortical level to characterize the neurological disorder and discover its link to the genetics.
Before his affair with neuroscience, he worked as an Engineer in Nepal before moving to Germany for his master’s degree in 2012. Among others he counts soccer, hiking, travelling and reading books as some of his interests. Find more details at https://nabinkoirala.com/
POSTDOCS
BRITTANY LEE. Brittany received her PhD in Language and Communicative Disorders from University of California, San Diego and San Diego State University in 2021. She uses EEG and ERPs to predict reading outcomes in children with and without neurodevelopmental disorders like dyslexia. In her previous research, she used EEG, ERPs, and eye tracking to study word processing in deaf readers. Brittany is also interested in translational science and has worked as both a speech-language pathologist and English teacher.
GRADUATE STUDENTS
MARTINA VILLA. Martina is a graduate student in the Developmental division of Psychology. Martina investigates reading (dis)abilities at multiple levels (from genes to behavior through the brain). She is interested in visual processing, attention, and in using machine learning techniques (e.g. RSA) to integrate multimodal neuroimaging data and explain the complex etiological pathways underling reading (dis)abilities. Martina earned a Bachelor in Communication and Psychology from University of Milano Bicocca (2015), and a MS in Clinical Psychology from the University of Bergamo (2017) and has previously worked in the Laboratorio Dislessia at the Scientific Institute E. Medea and in the Visual Attention Lab at UMass Boston.
KELLY MAHAFFY. Kelly is a graduate student in the Developmental Division of the Department of Psychological Sciences at UConn. Her main research interests center around reading comprehension and, particularly, better understanding the neurobiology and neurochemistry that underlie fluent reading comprehension. Kelly is especially interested in trying to link brain structure, function, and behavior as well as exploring a potential role for the Default Mode Network in reading comprehension. Prior to joining the lab, Kelly earned a MA in Literature with an emphasis on Cognitive Literary Theory, a BA in English and Linguistics with minors in Cognitive Science, Child Studies, and History, and was a k-12 teacher. She is at her happiest when she is working with children doing neuroimaging such as MRI.
RESEARCH ASSOCIATES
NIKOLE PARRILLA. Nikole earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Criminology from Florida State University. Prior to Haskins, she worked as a research assistant for Dr. Don Compton, where she tested and analyzed the use of cognates and false cognates for spelling, comprehension, and writing in bilingual college adults. She also tested to identify predictors of writing ability in basic adult education populations. Currently, she is working to coordinate collaborations with specialized schools for children with reading difficulties to find brain-behavior correlates for intervention efficacy using EEG and standardized behavioral assessments.
Undergraduate Research Assistants
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Katie Hooker
Katie Hooker is an Undergraduate Research Assistant working under Dr. Nicole Landi at the University of Connecticut. She is currently a Sophomore pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology with a minor in French. She is interested in studying the genetic factors underlying human traits and disorders, and she plans on obtaining a Ph.D. in genetics.
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Alyssa Sirisoukh
Alyssa Sirisoukh is an Undergraduate Research Assistant working under Dr. Nicole Landi at the University of Connecticut. She is currently a sophomore pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cell Biology. She is primarily interested in studying human genetics and methods of genome sequencing. Alyssa plans to pursue graduate school to obtain her Ph.D. in genetics while conducting research.
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Caroline Lynch
Caroline Lynch is currently a Freshman at the University of Connecticut, and is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology on the Honors track. She is an Undergraduate Research Assistant in the LandiLab, working within the School Projects. Caroline is primarily interested in studying neuroscience, as it relates to language acquisition and comprehension. She plans to attend graduate school, and eventually earn a Ph.D.
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Rhea Koyambreth
Rhea is an Undergraduate Research Assistant working under Dr. Nicole Landi at the University of Connecticut. She is currently a sophomore pursuing a Bachelor of Science dual degree in Psychology as well as Physiology and Neurobiology in the honors program. Her main interest lies studying neurochemistry and its relationship between gene, brain, and behavior using neuroimaging measures. Rhea plans on attending medical school where she hopes to continue research alongside medicine.
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Mokshitha Chimbili
is an Undergraduate Research Assistant working under Dr. Nicole Landi at the University of Connecticut. She is currently a sophomore pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cell Biology with a minor in Urban and Community Studies. Mokshitha is mainly interested in studying genetic analyses to understand more about human disorders. She plans on attending medical school and continuing research |
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Vera Raskina
is an Undergraduate Research Assistant working under Dr. Nicole Landi at the University of Connecticut. She is currently a senior pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cell Biology on the pre-med track. She is primarily interested in studying the intersection of signal transduction and neurological disorders and hopes to continue research through medical school. |
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Abby Petrsoric
Abby is an Undergraduate Research Assistant working under Dr. Nicole Landi at the University of Connecticut. She is a junior in the honors program pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychological Sciences with a minor in Molecular and Cell Biology. She is interested in neuroscience and is considering a career in medicine or research. |
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Amen Khan
is an Undergraduate Research Assistant in her sophomore year at the University of Connecticut. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology on a pre-medical track. Amen is currently interested in studying the different aspects and obstacles of language and literacy development in children, as well as event cognition.
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