People

Dania Javaid, B.S., Fulbright Graduate Student

Department of Educational Psychology – Doctoral Student – Independent Study

Fall 2024 – Present

Dania, a third-year, first-generation PhD student in the Department of Educational Psychology, specializing in Developmental and Learning Science. Originally from Kashmir, Pakistan, she is placed at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln through the Fulbright Program. Her research interests are exploring the impact of mindfulness and meditation on brain functioning (e.g., executive functioning, emotional regulation etc.) among educators. Recently, she completed the CHIME (Cultivating Healthy Intentional Mindful Educators) intervention training through Nebraska Extension, with plans to bring this initiative to Pakistan. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with herself by meditating and journaling and has participated in various meditation retreats to heal and transform herself. Dania’s vision is to help people heal and grow beyond clinical settings, inspired by her belief that “hurt people hurt people; healed people heal people.”

Sebastian Marin Hine, B.S., Fulbright Graduate Student

Department of Child, Youth and Family Studies – Doctoral Student – Independent Study

Fall 2024 – Present

Sebastian is a Colombian Fulbright scholar pursuing his PhD in Child Development/Early Childhood Education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His research interests include neurodevelopment, educational neuroscience, child development, cognitive development, neuroplasticity, and attachment behaviors. He obtained his first bachelor’s degree in Audiovisual Arts and his second in Psychology; he also has a master’s degree in education and a specialization in Neurodevelopment and Learning. In his free time, he enjoys reading, going to the movies, trying new food, listening to music, and traveling. For him, the brain is the most exciting thing in the world!

Cassidy Teuscher, B.S.

Speech-Language Pathology M.S. Student – Master Thesis Project

Spring 2024 – Current

Cassidy is a student in the Speech-Language Pathology M.S. program. She received her undergraduate degree from Utah State University. Dr. Wang is her M.S. thesis advisor. Currently, she is studying the multifaceted relationships among aging-related high frequency hearing decline, aging-related cognitive decline, and resting state functional connectivity using fMRI. In her free time Cassidy enjoys spending time with her husband and their dog, Cookie, running, and reading.

Julia Laing, B.S.

Department of Psychology – Doctoral Student – Thesis Project

Fall 2023 – Current

Julia is a fifth year Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student at UNL. Her research interests are primarily in investigating modifiable lifestyle factors (i.e., exercise and nutrition) that influence cognitive function. Additionally, she is interested in the biological underpinnings of eating behavior and its impacts on brain health. In her free time, Julia enjoys spending time with her husband and their three cats, traveling, and baking.

Luke is a freshman undergraduate student majoring in Nutrition, Exercise, and Health Science with a minor in Psychology on the Pre-Medicine Track. He is from Lincoln, Nebraska, and has lived here for most of his life. He came to UNL to embark on an academic and professional career in the medical field. He works as a Certified Nursing Assistant for a senior care center. In his free time, he likes to run, hang out with friends, and be outdoors.

Joanne is a freshman studying chemical engineering on the pre-med track and minoring in biochemistry, and She is from Hastings, NE. She wants to attend med school and become a neurosurgeon in the future! As of right now, she is involved in Engineers Without Borders, Society of Women Engineers, NU Meds, and VSA, but she is excited to explore other opportunities throughout her time at UNL.

Caden Anderjaska

Biological Sciences with a minor in Child, Youth, and Family Studies – UCARE Student

Fall 2023 – Current

Caden is a first-year undergraduate student majoring in Biological Sciences and minoring in Child, Youth, and Family Studies (CYAF), hoping to eventually become a neonatologist. He is from Hastings, Nebraska, but recently helped his mother move to Lincoln over the Summer of 2023. He is also involved in the Pre-Medicine Undergraduate Mentoring Program (PUMP) at UNL. When he is not working, he enjoys playing video games, playing with his dog Oakley, and spending time with his family. He is excited to gain new insight into the brain, specifically into neuroplasticity and resting state networks (RSNs) in children.

Lauren Winn

Department of Psychology – FYRE student

Fall 2024 – Current

Lauren is a freshmen undergraduate student majoring in Psychological Neuroscience on the Pre-Health track. She is originally from Pella, IA and graduated from a class of 57 people. Lauren chose to attend UNL for all the different research opportunities and is extremely excited to embark on Dr. Wang’s research this year! Her future plans include attending graduate school in Psychology and using her own research to earn a PhD. In her free time, Lauren enjoys running, playing piano, and getting coffee with friends. She is super excited about possible community outreach opportunities through volunteer work.

KayLei Svendsen

Department of Psychology – FYRE student

August 2024 – Current

KayLei is a first-year student majoring in (Clinical) Psychology, with a minor in English. She is a military brat and only child and has lived in 6 different states in the last 18 years. She came to Nebraska to live in my dad’s hometown and chose UNL because of the research opportunities and many adventures she could be a part of. In her free time, she likes to read, listen to music, call out-of-state friends, and be outdoors.

Danya Alderoubi

Department of Psychology – FYRE Student

Fall 2024 – Current

Danya is a first-year psychology major on the pre pa pathway.

Chen Liang

Psychology – Undergraduate Student Volunteer

March 2024 – Current

Chen is currently a sophomore student majoring in neuroscience. She is from China, Shan Xi Province, Xi’an City. She was transferred to UNL two years ago to start her new adventure. She used to work in the Objectification of Women (OWL) Lab in Lincoln, Nebraska as a voluntary RA. In her spare time, she likes to play badminton. Chen is definitely a dog person but unfortunately she is allergic to dog fur. Her current plan for the future is to go to graduate school to continue her interest in the research field of brain image.

Nick Kleinsasser

Software Engineering & Biochemistry – Undergraduate Student Worker

December 2023 – Current

Nick Kleinsasser is a junior at the University of Nebraska Lincoln, originally from Omaha, Nebraska, where he is pursuing degrees in Software Engineering and Biochemistry. With a keen interest in the intersection of technology and medicine, Nick is dedicated to exploring how software innovation can transform healthcare and medical research. Outside of his academic pursuits, Nick is an avid sports enthusiast, with a particular passion for soccer and football. His love for sports is matched by his curiosity for trying new activities, making his leisure time diverse and exciting. From traveling to different places to engaging in activities like hiking, rock climbing, and broomball, Nick loves to embrace a wide array of experiences.

Alec Kleinsasser

Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering – Undergraduate Student Worker

Fall 2024 – Current

Alec is a Sophomore at the University of Nebraska Lincoln, majoring in Chemical engineering, from Omaha, Nebraska.