Meet the Team
Katalin Gothard, M.D./Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
kgothard@arizona.eduDownload CV
After medical school and postgraduate training in neurosurgery in Romania, Kati obtained her Ph.D. in Neuroscience in the laboratory of Bruce McNaughton (University of Arizona). She continued with a postdoc at UC Davis at the National Primate Research Center in the laboratory of David Amaral. In 2002, she returned to Tucson to establish her research lab at the College of Medicine. Her lab has pioneered neurophysiological studies of the amygdala in the context of naturalistic social and affective behaviors.
Kati loves classical music, jazz, flamenco, and geology. While her love for music and dance comes from formal training in classical ballet in Romania and flamenco in San Francisco, she is only an amateur in geology. Nevertheless, she is happily hammering at rocks in the spectacular rocky landscapes of Arizona.
Derek O’Neill
Laboratory Manager
doneill@arizona.eduDerek is certified as an LATG through AALAS and has a BS in zoology. When he joined the Gothard lab in 2019, he had 15 years of experience working in a neurophysiology lab and 20 years of experience working with animals in a research setting.
When he's not in the lab, he enjoys outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, kayaking, skiing and geocaching. He loves to travel as much as work will allow, has been to, and camped on, every continent except Antarctica. He keeps reptiles as pets and breeds Russian tortoises. He is also an ordained minister and officiated the wedding ceremony of a former lab member.
Alexis Morrison
Laboratory Coordinator
alexisann@arizona.eduAlexis graduated from the University of Arizona in 2019 with a B.S. in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, with a focus in Language and Communication Sciences. She returned to academia and research in 2022 by joining the Gothard lab to study animal behavior and its neurophysiological correlates. She is passionate about fostering the next generation of scientists and works closely with the lab's undergraduates.
With an ever-changing rainbow of hair colors, she spends her time outside of the lab watching true crime shows, playing indie video games, and giving all her spare attention to her cats and partner.
Alyssa Camp
Research Technician II
alyssacamp@arizona.eduAlyssa graduated from Auburn University in 2022 with a BS in Organismal Biology. She has previous experience in zoos, completing behavioral ethograms of squirrels. Alyssa spent some time as a dog groomer before moving to Tucson and returning to research. She is particularly interested in animal behavior (especially in birds and primates) and, weirdly, avian evolution. She plans to continue her education but is having a hard time committing to one field.
In her spare time, Alyssa enjoys being a homebody with her partner and five pets. She spends most of her time playing video games, reading, baking, and trying her hand at various crafty things.
Archer Bowrie
Doctoral Student - Neuroscience
aibowman@arizona.eduArcher is a graduate student in the Graduate Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program in Neuroscience. He obtained a B.S. in Neuroscience from New York University in 2017, followed by a three-year postbaccalaureate position at the National Institute of Mental Health in Washington, D.C. At the NIMH, he worked with Dr. Arash Afraz studying the visual system and behavior of nonhuman primates. He joined the Gothard Lab in 2021 with an interest in the circuitry underlying algorithmic behaviors of social and affective processing.
Outside of the lab, he spends time cooking, playing collaborative storytelling games with his friends and supportive partner, and giving his two cats lots of love.
Michael Cardenas
Doctoral Student - Neuroscience
mikecard9000@arizona.eduMichael completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Arizona while working in the Gothard lab. In 2020, he started as a graduate student in the Graduate Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program in Neuroscience and launched a study on autonomic control and social decision making.
Outside of work, you can find Michael kicking back with a few video games, completing little projects around his house or more likely, sampling the current offerings of the craft brew scene in Tucson. Michael also loves hiking, (good) food, and his extremely high energy dog, Chloe.
Gabe Neal
Undergraduate Research Assistant - NSCS
gneal@arizona.eduGabe is an undergraduate student majoring in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science. His interest in the underlying mechanisms of neurological conditions led him to join the Gothard Lab in May of 2023. He was accepted into the Undergraduate Biological Research Program (UBRP) in May 2024 to continue his research over the summer. After graduation, his hope is to continue studying Neuroscience in graduate school.
On the side, Gabe enjoys staying fit by participating in physical activities such as soccer, snowboarding, weight lifting, and more. He loves spending time with family and is constantly reading for pleasure.
Ryan Phong Le
Undergraduate Research Assistant - Physiology
ryanle@arizona.eduRyan is a senior majoring in Physiology with a minor in Music. He joined the Gothard Lab in the Spring of 2022 and is furthering work on the Tactile project. Ryan is currently applying to graduate schools to continue his work in research.
Gabriella Ames
Undergraduate Research Assistant-Veterinary Sciences
games@arizona.eduGabby is a pre-vet student majoring in Veterinary Science. She plans on continuing her education and applying to vet school. She joined the Gothard Lab in January of 2023 and assists with the Adolescent project.
Outside of school and work, Gabby enjoys immersing herself in the great outdoors by traveling, camping, and hiking. Driven by a passion for helping animals, Gabby also volunteers at the Tucson Wildlife Center as an animal caretaker, where she helps rehabilitate local wildlife. You may see her around campus as a preceptor for general chemistry or at various events for the VIDA club, where she serves as president.
Olivia Baumann
Undergraduate Research Assistant-Veterinary Sciences
oliviabaumann@arizona.eduOlivia is an undergraduate student majoring in Veterinary Sciences with a minor in Biochemistry. After graduation, she plans on applying to veterinary school to continue her passion of working with animals. She joined the Gothard Lab in January of 2023 and assists with the Adolescent project.
Outside of the lab, she works as a veterinary assistant at Briarcrest Veterinary Care Center and is involved with VIDA Volunteer club on campus. When not working, she enjoys reading and spending time with her three dogs.
Alijah Howard
Undergraduate Research Assistant-Veterinary Sciences
alijahmhoward@arizona.eduAlijah is a pre-vet student majoring in animal science with a minor in Spanish. She plans on continuing her education and applying to vet school to become a zoo veterinarian. She joined the Gothard Lab in December 2023 and is on the MaqFACs team working on video analysis while studying facial expressions.
Outside of the lab, she is a veterinary technician at Civano Animal Hospital and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. All her free time is spent on the couch eating her favorite foods and watching her favorite movies.
Alison Yaw
Undergraduate Research Assistant - Physiology
alisonyaw@arizona.eduAlison is a junior majoring in Physiology with a minor in Biochemistry. She is interested in neurophysiology and interoceptive responses which led her to join the Gothard lab in January 2024. She is currently a part of the MaqFACS/facial expressions team. Her post-undergrad plans include applying to medical school and continuing research.
Outside of the lab, Alison is a voracious reader, and an artist who loves to depict animals with paint.
Ava Pal
Undergraduate Research Assistant - NSCS
avapal@arizona.eduAva is a junior majoring in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science with a minor in Spanish. She joined the Gothard Lab in August of 2023 and is primarily involved with the Adolescent Project. She has an interest in emotional development and mental health which led her to join the Gothard Lab.
Ava was accepted into the Undergraduate Biological Research Program (UBRP) in May 2024 to continue her research over the summer.
Mackenzie Lynch
Undegraduate Research Assistant - NSCS
mhlynch@arizona.eduMackenzie is a junior majoring in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science with a minor in sociology. She joined the lab in May 2024, and has become lead undergrad on the hierarchy project. After graduating, she intends to go to graduate school to study neurodegenerative diseases.
Amanda Feng
Undergraduate Research Assistant - NSCS
amandafeng@arizona.eduAmanda is a junior majoring in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science with minors in Chinese and Criminology. She joined the Gothard Lab in May of 2024. Through the Gothard lab, she hopes to gain knowledge about decision-making and understanding MRI scans which led to her involvement in the Adolescent Project. After graduation, she hopes to attend graduate school abroad to continue studying neuroscience.
Mihir Shah
Undergraduate Research Assistant - NSCS
mihirshah24@arizona.eduMihir is an undergraduate student majoring in Neuroscience and Cognitive Sciences with a minor in Spanish and Emergency Medical Services. He joined the Gothard Lab in Summer 2024 due to his interest in neurobiology and social development along with neurological conditions based on it. He plans on continuing his education by going to medical school.
Amelia Goodwin
Undergraduate Research Assistant - Physiology
ameliagoodwin@arizona.eduAmelia is a Sophomore majoring in physiology and medical sciences with minors in biochemistry and Spanish. She joined the lab in September 2024, primarily working on the Hierarchy project, where she creates stimuli to analyze social behavior. After graduation, she plans on attending medical school to pursue global opportunities like Doctors Without Borders.
Outside of the lab, Amelia enjoys skiing, reading, and drinking matcha.
Jesse Katz
Undergraduate Research Assistant- Psychology
jkatz6@arizona.eduJesse is an undergraduate student majoring in psychology. His interests in understanding how social conditions affect decision-making and behavior led him to join the Gothard Lab in September 2024. He is primarily working on the Adolescent Project and aspires to build his knowledge about the effects of situational environments on mental processes during adolescence. He plans to attend graduate school to further study psychological sciences following undergrad education.
Outside of his academic and lab endeavors, Jesse loves to be active with his friends playing any and all sports and exploring new places through travel and culture. He also enjoys lifting weights, reading non-fiction, listening to any genre of music, and meditating. Jesse is an involved member of the Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity, where he actively holds a leadership role on the executive board.
Venkat Machavarapu
Undergraduate Research Assistant - Medicine
vmach000@arizona.eduVenkat is a freshman majoring in medicine. He joined the Gothard lab in October 2024 due to his interest in neurobiology and surgery. He is primarily working on the Interoception project. After graduation, he plans on attending medical school in hopes of being a surgeon.
Collaborators
Alumni
Post-Doctorates
Haiyin Chen
Kristof Laszlo
James Drew Solyst
Sebastien Ballesta
Anne Martin
Graduates
Kevin Spitler
Kelly Brooks
Christopher Laine
Clayton Mosher
Philip Putnam
JJ Morrow
Blake Seaton
Rose Andersen
Tess Champ
Seunghyun Lee
Blake Seaton
Rose Andersen
Tess Champ
Seunghyun Lee
Research Technicians
Emily Franklin
Kennya Garcia
Prisca Zimmerman
Lizzie Hillier
Undergraduates
Kaitlin Bianchi
Farid Ghamsari
Daniel Carrera
Cole Hoffer
Travis Wilder
Christine Tang
Alisa Ryan
Kevin Wood
Michelle Mangana-Mendoza
Deke Cisco
Dan Hill
Robert Gibboni
JohnMichael Jurgensen
Matt Stib
Kevan Farshad
Miranda Anderson
Jermey Oulton
Natalie Brill
Susma Ghimire
Gabby Lacy
Lorenzo Chavez
Jorge Arturo Bradic
Angela Tulk
Haley Moore
Keturah Ragland
Savannah Threatt
Berna Dennis
Natalia Magnusson
Tanusri Ganapathy
Cam Bolles
Nick Lingenfelter
Chan Lim
Sun Woo Kim
Nathalie Sotelo
Eli Rahamim
Anna Park
