Our Team
Our Staff
Our Study Research Coordinators
Hi, my name is Sydney!
I'll be the first person you talk to about the study, and I'll help schedule your study visits.
I can help answer any of your questions! Please contact me at sydney.messer@choa.org or 404-785-3932.
Sydney Messer Olson, Master of Social Work, LMSW | (she/her)
Use the arrows on my photo to see what my brain looks like through our MRI machine!
Ashante Thompson, Master of Social Work, LMSW (She/her)
Hello, my name is Ashante!
I'll be the first person you talk to about the study, and I'll help schedule your study visits.
I can help answer any of your questions! Please contact me at atho261@emory.edu or 404-785-6369
Our Behavior Technician
Auscia Williams, B.S., RBT | (she/her)
Use the arrows on my photo to see what my brain looks like through our MRI machine!
Hi, I'm Auscia!
I'm at mock scanner trainings to help you gain the skills and confidence to get into the real scanner!
Our Research Fellow
Hi, my name is Jamie!
I'll be helping out with your mock scanner training!
I'll also be helping you get into the scanner.
When you're getting your MRI scan, I'll be in the control room playing videos for you to watch while we take pictures of your brain!
Jamie Kortanek, B.A. | (they/them)
Use the arrows on my photo to see what my brain looks like through our MRI machine!
Our Research Assistants
Hely Patel (She/Her), BS in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology
Hi, my name is Hely!
I'll be helping out with your mock scanner training!
I'll also be helping you get into the scanner.
When you're getting your MRI scan, I'll either be in the room with you and your family, or I'll be in the control room playing videos for you to watch while we take pictures of your brain!
Jewel Okoronkwo (She/Her), BS in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology
Use the arrows on my photo to see what my brain looks like through our MRI machine!
Hi, my name is Jewel!
You might find me helping out with your mock scanner training!
I might also be helping you get into the scanner.
When you're getting your MRI scan, I'll either be in the room with you and your family, or I'll be in the control room playing videos for you to watch while we take pictures of your brain!
Our Study Psychometrist
Jennifer Hamel, MA | (she/her)
Hi, my name is Jennifer "Jen" Hamel!
I'll be working with you at your clinical assessment visit to complete some brain games!
I'll explain the process and format of the games so you can understand all the rules.
Our Research Project Coordinator
Sasha Greenspan, PhD. | (she/her)
Hi, my name is Sasha!
I'll be behind the scenes making sure the study runs smoothly!
Our Investigators
Benjamin Risk, Ph.D. | (he/him)
Sarah Shultz, Ph.D. | (she/her)
Hey, I'm Ben!
Hi, I'm Sarah!
We work behind the scenes designing the study. Ben studies statistical methods for motion correction, and Sarah does research on children's visual engagement while watching social videos.
