Dr. Damoiseaux is an Associate Professor in the Institute of Gerontology and the Department of Psychology. Her main research goal is to understand the changes in brain function and cognition that accompany normal and abnormal aging. She is particularly interested in examining the influence of biological and cognitive predisposition on cognitive and brain network connectivity changes in healthy older adults. The primary approach Dr. Damoiseaux uses to study brain network connectivity is functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). In addition, she uses other neuroimaging techniques, such as structural MRI and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to study brain structure and structural brain connectivity.

Dr. Damoiseaux completed her Ph.D. in Cognitive Neuroscience at the VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam, the Netherlands in 2008 (advisors: Dr. Serge Rombouts and Dr. Philip Scheltens). She completed her undergraduate studies at Utrecht University in the Netherlands where she received her M.Sc. in Psychology in 2003. Before her assistant professorship at Wayne State, Dr. Damoiseaux worked at Stanford University as a postdoctoral research fellow in the Functional Imaging in Neuropsychiatric Disorders (FIND) Laboratory under PI Michael Greicius M.D.

Dr. Angeles Tepper is a Postdoctoral Fellow affiliated both with the Connect Lab in the Institute of Gerontology at Wayne State University, and with the Exercise Psychology Lab at Northeastern University. During her Ph.D., she specialized in MRI data analysis of psychotic patients. Inspired by her active lifestyle, Dr. Tepper then developed a strong interest in the relationship between physical activity and its effects on the brain and cognitive functions. Her research is now focused on the impacts of yoga, aerobic exercise, and stretching on neurocognitive performance in older adults. Dr. Tepper actively engages in neuroscience communication through her social media platform (@lacerebra), where she shares her enthusiasm for an active lifestyle and brain health.

Rachel is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in the Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience program. She received her B.A. with a triple concentration in Psychology, Sociology, and Criminal Studies from Salem College in May 2018. Prior to obtaining her M.A. in Psychology from Union College KY in August 2020, Rachel worked as a volunteer research assistant in Dr. Brittany Cassidy’s Social Cognition lab at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Her experience at this lab influenced her research interests, causing them to shift to the cognitive neuroscience of aging. Presently, during her time at the Connect Lab, Rachel aims to use Critical Race Theory and fMRI to explore the interplay of genetic (e.g. apolipoprotein E ε4 allele), cardiovascular (e.g. blood pressure), cognitive (e.g. episodic memory), and social determinant factors of health (e.g. socioeconomic position and status) with Black Americans who are cognitively impaired or unimpaired. Her long-term goals are to promote intersectional aging research that highlights underrepresented groups and to ultimately share gained knowledge through active community engagement.

Abubakar is currently a graduate student in the Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Program, with an interest in understanding how genetic diversity, sociodemographic factors, and lifestyle interventions influence brain health and aging. His current research focuses on the impact of yoga on white matter microstructure and its relationship with cognitive performance and biological markers of memory and inflammation. By incorporating advanced neuroimaging techniques, psychological assessments, and biomarker analysis, his work aims to uncover novel strategies to promote brain health and mitigate cognitive decline.

Abubakar received his B.S. and M.S. in Human Anatomy with concentration in Neuroscience at Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria, where he cultivated a deep passion for exploring how lifestyle interventions can impact the aging brain and longevity. With a background in human anatomy and neuroscience and a deep interest in aging and cognitive impairment, Abubakar strives to contribute to a deeper understanding of how integrative approaches can serve as preventative or therapeutic strategies for preserving cognitive health across diverse populations.

Jessica is a Research Associate for the Connect Lab primarily working on data quality, management and analysis for the SAY study, which is a randomized controlled trial investigating the effects of yoga and aerobic exercise interventions on cognition and on the structure and function of the brain. Jessica is interested in a wide variety of topics relating to cognition, but is especially passionate about the use of neuroimaging to investigate such questions. Her previous work has focused on the analysis of task fMRI data and modeling longitudinal changes in gray matter microstructure that occur during aging.

Jessica recently received her M.A. in Psychology through the Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience graduate program at Wayne State University. She also completed her undergraduate education at Wayne State University, where she earned a B.S. in Psychology in May of 2015. She first became involved with the Connect Lab as an undergraduate volunteer and then worked as a Lab Manager for the Connect Lab from July 2015 until August 2017. Through her recruitment efforts as Lab Manager, Jessica became involved in educational outreach at local senior centers and hopes to remain active in the community. Jessica is a firm believer in allowing data and evidence to guide decision-making and strives to one day use the scientific and statistical skills she learned throughout her graduate education to assist in the making of evidence-based changes in policy and practices.

Maryam is an undergraduate student at Wayne State University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience with a minor in psychology on a pre-medical track. Her interest in neuroscience led her to join Connect Lab as a research assistant with the hope of gaining experience working in a lab setting and ultimately learning more about the changes that happen within the brain with aging and how different factors play a role in those changes. She hopes to gain a better understanding of the research side of neuroscience before applying to and attending medical school after completing her bachelor’s.

Jonathan is a pre-med neuroscience major at Wayne State University and is interested in going into the field of neuroscience post-graduation in medical school. Jonathan joined the Connect Lab during the Fall 2024 semester to help advance his career goals while allowing him to gain valuable experience working in a lab on a psychology/neuroscience project. In the lab, he has been involved in doing quality checks of structural and functional MRI scans and making manual corrections to the white and gray matter segmentation of these scans. In addition, Jonathan has recently started working on an independent project focused on the effects of sleep quality (as measured by the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)) on cognition, and how interventions with yoga, aerobic exercise, or active stretching may affect this relationship over time. 

Chayse is a second-year undergraduate student pursuing a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience. Her primary research interests include neuroanatomical differences during critical developmental periods and neuron communication in mental decline. Through her work with the Connect Lab and future research experience, Chayse aims to gain a better understanding of how the brain operates and create interventions for individuals affected by neurological diseases. Ultimately, she aspires to become a clinical neuropsychologist.