Alaina Pearce is an Assistant Research Professor in the Social Science Research Institute and the Center for Childhood Obesity Research. She received her PhD in psychology with a concentration in lifespan cognitive neuroscience from Georgetown University. At Georgetown she worked with Dr. Chandan Vaidya to examine neurocognitive functioning in pediatric obesity. She joined the lab as a postdoc to examine cognitive and eating behavior factors that confer either risk or resilience for overconsumption and pediatric obesity. Her work on the lab continues to focused on understanding neurocognitive processes that support eating behaviors and resiliency to pediatric obesity. Outside of the lab, Alaina enjoys camping, hiking, and gardening, and hanging out with her cats Oskar and Stella.

Bari Fuchs received her B.S in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology from Emory University in 2015 and is now a Ph.D. Candidate in Nutritional Sciences. Prior to joining the lab in 2017, she was a research assistant at the National Institute of Mental Health studying the effect of anxiety on reward processing and working memory. Her dissertation research aims to identify neurocognitive processes (e.g., decision-making processes, neural networks) that underlie children’s eating behaviors. Outside of the lab, Bari can be found training for weightlifting competitions or hanging out with her cats, Debbie and Susan.

Ben graduated from Penn State with a B.A. in Communication concentrating in Journalism in 2006.   After a long and enjoyable time in the local hospitality industry, Ben has switched his career path towards scientific research.  Now working as the research coordinator for the REACH Study, Ben is helping the lab answer questions about how advertising affects the brain and the eating behavior of children.  He is interested in ways to bring academic research further into the mainstream and to make a positive impact on his community.  He lives in State College with his wife, Allie.

Kyle received his B.S. from Penn State University in 2021 and is a dual-title Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences & Social and Behavioral Neuroscience. His research uses functional neuroimaging to understand children’s eating behaviors and food preferences. Outside of the lab, he enjoys watching movies, cooking and exploring State College.

Yashaswini specializes in predictive modeling and automation, with a focus on machine learning applications for childhood obesity and eating behaviors. Her expertise spans both shallow machine learning models for predictive analysis and deep learning systems for tasks like food identification and facial tracking using computer vision. Yashaswini’s research aims to improve intervention precision by leveraging advanced methods in automation, computer vision, and data-driven insights, contributing to a better understanding of childhood obesity and eating behaviors.

Rhea earned her bachelor’s degree in biotechnology and completed her MS in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. With a background as a research assistant, she’s adept at utilizing EEG techniques, evaluating skin carotenoids, and studying various aspects of human cognition. Currently, she is pursuing a doctoral degree in Nutritional Sciences with a keen interest in the Social and Behavioral Neuroscience dual title program. Her primary focus is on exploring the psychology of eating, investigating cognitive processes in feeding behavior and weight regulation from a neuroscience perspective. Beyond academia, Rhea enjoys engaging in discussions about fringe science and conspiracy theories. She also has a passion for dancing, singing, sketching, traveling, and maintaining an active lifestyle through gym workouts.

Marissa is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Chemistry and hoping to pursue a minor in Child Maltreatment and Advocacy Studies. She hopes to get her PhD. in chemistry and become a chemistry professor. She is currently a research assistant on the APPLE study and project REACH. She also helps in Dr. Pearce’s lab with BRAKE study. She got involved in the lab because of the PA Space Grant matching program in spring of 2022 and has continued to work in the lab since. Outside of the lab, she like to play tennis and piano, and read.

Sruthi is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Nutritional Sciences, with a minor in Health Policy and Administration. She is part of the Schreyer Honors College and will be completing her honors thesis in the lab. After graduating, Sruthi hopes to work in healthcare consulting and pursue a Master’s of Public Health. In the lab, she is a research assistant on the APPLE Study and the REACH Study. Outside of the lab, she enjoys traveling, playing pickleball, and baking.

Eliana Wong is an undergraduate student majoring in nutrition on the dietetics track and minoring in international agriculture. She is currently a research assistant on the REACH Study. After she graduates, she hopes to pursue a career in nutrition counseling. Outside of the lab, she enjoys her free time reading, going to coffee shops, listening to music and doing the daily NYT crossword.

My name is Alex. I am a third year from Long Island, New York. I am majoring in biological sciences and health professions with a minor in psych sci on the premedicine track. In my free time I enjoy spending time with friends, watching movies, and going to the gym. This year I am excited to work with the other REACH research assistants and try to head the data entry across the studies.

Emily is a second-year undergraduate student majoring in Biobehavioral Health. She is currently a research assistant on the REACH study. In the future, Emily hopes to continue working in the lab and eventually become an Occupational Therapist or Speech Pathologist. Outside the lab, she enjoys traveling, going on walks, and spending time with friends.

Ashmit Verma is an undergraduate student who is majoring in Biological Sciences and Health Professions. Ashmit is in his first semester working as a research assistant in REACH and Apple Study. Eventually, Ashmit wants to go to medical school and become a pedriatician. Outside of the lab, Ashmit enjoys to workout, play basketball, listen to music and travel.

Rachael is a fourth-year student from State College, PA, majoring in Nutritional Sciences on the Dietetics path. She is also dually enrolled in the B.S./MPS Nutritional Sciences Accelerated Master’s Program here at Penn State with hopes to become a Registered Dietitian. She will be completing her field experience in the lab this summer as a research assistant on the REACH and Apple study. Outside of the lab, she enjoys cooking, exercising, and traveling.

June LaRegina is a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Food Science. In the lab, she is a training research assistant and excited to expand her knowledge and incorporate it into her future job. She also works as a lab technician in the Sensory Evaluation Center. In the future, she hopes to work in sensory or product development. Outside of lab she enjoys traveling, hiking, the gym and painting.

Gaby is a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in chemistry. In the future, she hopes to attend medical school and continue exploring her interest in neuroscience. Outside of the lab, Gaby enjoys anything music-related; she loves to sing, perform, and play the violin.

Emma is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Biobehavioral Health. She is currently in training to be an RA for the REACH study. In the future, she hopes to attend PA school. Outside of the lab, Emma enjoys watching movies, going on walks, volunteering, and the occasional karaoke song with friends.