Our Team
Aaron Kucyi, PhD
Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Drexel University
Pronouns: he/him
I joined Drexel University as Assistant Professor in fall 2022 as a Core Faculty Member of the Applied Cognitive & Brain Sciences Program. I received my PhD at the University of Toronto, where I used functional MRI to examine neural dynamics during mind-wandering and rumination in relation to pain perception. I was a postdoctoral fellow in neuroimaging at Harvard Medical School and then a Banting Fellow in cognitive intracranial electrophysiology at Stanford University. My research has been funded by the the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation (BBRF), and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Outside of the lab, I enjoy wandering in nature, snowboarding, and exploring Philadelphia.
e-mail | CV | google scholar | twitter | faculty page
Dave Braun, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Pronouns: he/him
I joined the Kucyi lab at Drexel in the fall of 2023. I received my PhD at Lehigh University where I blended methods from cognitive psychology and behavioral economics to study how the mind balances between costs and benefits when exerting effort. I was then a post doc at Lehigh University, where I applied my research interests in interdisciplinary spaces, such as human-computer interfaces and cyber-physical system security. I'm currently interested in using fMRI, EEG, and computational modeling techniques to study the dynamics of effort and spontaneous thought. Outside of the lab I enjoy baking bread, getting out in nature, dabbling with piano, and studying and practicing meditation.
Lotus Shareef-Trudeau, BA
PhD Student
Pronouns: she/her
I am a student in Drexel's hybrid Clinical Psychology PhD and Applied Cognitive and Brain Sciences program. I am involved in an ongoing study that examines EEG ability to measure anticorrelated activity between the default mode and dorsal attention networks using simultaneous EEG-fMRI. More broadly, I am interested in variability in spontaneous thought experience and how neuromodulation interventions may expand access to mental well-being. I received my BA in psychology and French and francophone studies at Swarthmore College. Outside of the lab, I enjoy creative writing and martial arts.
Janet Li, MSc
PhD Student
Pronouns: she/her
I am a student in Drexel’s hybrid Clinical Psychology PhD and Applied Cognitive and Brain Sciences program. My main project utilizes a novel form of a covert closed-loop connectomic neuromodulation/feedback technique and functional magnetic resonance imaging to test if individuals can regulate brain activity. We hope to uncover whether default mode network-dorsal attention network anticorrelation causes changes in attention or mind-wandering. I earned my MSc in Medical Science specializing in Neuroscience from the University of Toronto where I used psychophysical testing and imaging to look at brain-behaviour relationships between conditioned pain modulation capability and functional connectivity of the descending antinociceptive pathway. I also earned my HBSc from the University of Toronto double majoring in Neuroscience and Psychology. Outside of the lab, I enjoy figure skating, city walks, and sipping peppermint lattes.
Tiara Bounyarith, BA
Research Coordinator
Pronouns: she/her
I am a research coordinator involved in an ongoing project that uses real-time fMRI-triggered experience-sampling to investigate spontaneous brain activity. My research interests include the study of the neural correlates of maladaptive self-generated experiences (such as perseverative or repetitive-negative thinking), and their broader implications for the understanding of various mental disorders. I earned my BA in Psychology with a minor in Cognitive Neuroscience from Temple University, where I was previously a research coordinator in the Social and Affective Neuroscience Lab. Outside of the lab, I enjoy trying new coffee shops and hunting for unique pieces at thrift stores!
Swetha Rao, BS
Masters Student
Pronouns: she/her
I am a Masters Student in Drexel's intensive Medical Science program. I earned my BS in Psychology with minors in biology, neuroscience, and performing arts from Drexel University. As a previous undergraduate co-op student in the lab, I assisted with EEG and simultaneous EEG-fMRI studies that look at mind wandering/spontaneous thought. In general, I am interested in ties between neuroscience and psychology and observing neural connections that may be linked back to various facets of mental health. Outside of the lab, I enjoy photography and playing musical instruments.
Ben Barsky
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Pronouns: he/him
I am a Senior Undergraduate Research Assistant running participants for the lab’s behavioral studies looking at mind wandering and attentional control. I previously worked as a RA under Drexel’s Juvenile Justice Research and Reform Lab and my psychology interests include intrusive thoughts, OCD, and integrated/holistic approaches. Outside of the lab I enjoy music and writing.
Hiba Ettaleb
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Pronouns: she/her
I am a Senior Undergraduate Research Assistant running participants for the lab’s studies focused on mind-wandering and attention. My psychology interests include mood disorders, anxiety, and understanding how emotional states influence cognitive processes and behaviors. Outside of the lab, I enjoy reading and hiking when I can.
Sophia Escher
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Pronouns: she/her
I am a third-year student at Drexel University majoring in Psychology with a minor in neuroscience. I am working as a Research Assistant running one of the lab’s behavioral studies looking at mind wandering. I am especially interested in thoughts and perceptions, the connection between the brain and conscious thought, as well as somatic therapy. Outside of the lab I enjoy yoga and watching a good TV show or movie.