People - Aging Well Lab | The University of Texas at Dallas

Lab Director

Kendra Seaman
she/her

Dr. Seaman completed her BA in psychology and biology at the University of Kansas before joining Teach For America. After teaching in Oakland, CA and Washington, DC, she completed a Master’s and PhD at The Catholic University of America. She completed a postdoc in the Motivated Cognition and Aging Brain Lab with Gregory Samanez-Larkin (at Yale and Duke Universities) before joining the faculty at UT Dallas.

Dr. Seaman’s CV

PostDocToral Researcher

Colleen Frank
she/her

Colleen received her BA in Psychology from Butler University. She then went on to obtain her MS and PhD in Psychology (Cognition and Cognitive Neuroscience) at the University of Michigan working with Dr. Patricia Reuter-Lorenz. She is interested in emotional and cognitive mechanisms underlying decision making across various contexts and across adulthood.

Dr. Frank’s CV

Post-Bacc RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Sera Gonzalez
she/her

Sera graduated from UT Dallas with a BS in biology, adding to her BA in journalism from Stephen F. Austin State University. She is extending her time at the Aging Well Lab after being an undergraduate research assistant and working with Dr. Seaman on the Scientific Research Network on Decision Neuroscience and Aging (SRNDNA) initiative. Sera is excited to branch further into science communication and gain experience in the research process.

PhD Students

Galston Wong
he/him

Galston graduated from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore with a BA in Psychology and second major in Linguistics. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Cognition and Neuroscience at UT Dallas. Galston is interested in the cognitive and structural changes that occur during healthy aging, and the adaptive processes that follow with it. He is also interested in the study of cognitive engagement and preservation in older adults.

Lauren Hsien Lilly
she/her

Lauren has a BA in Physics from RPI and a MS in Computer Science from NJIT as well as a MA in Psychology from NYU. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Psychology with a focus on Social Decision Making and Cognitive Aging. Lauren is interested in understanding the cognitive and neural mechanisms through which social judgment and decision-making are formed and potentially preserved for older adults.

LuLu Eisenberg
she/her

LuLu graduated with a BS in Neuroscience from UT Austin as a Dean’s Honored Graduate. Directly after, she began pursuing her PhD in Cognition and Neuroscience at UT Dallas. LuLu is interested in understanding how our brains deceive us and ways to mitigate or circumvent the related effects. Specifically, through investigating cognitive biases and heuristics, human error and irrationality, and the difference between what is experienced and what can be measured. She is an avid proponent of scientific skepticism and a lover of fashion.

Master’s Students

Graduate RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Natalie L. Laguer Torres
she/her

Natalie is a UT Dallas graduate student majoring in Applied Cognition and Neuroscience, looking to join industry after having a base of research experience. She is interested in helping different age groups, from children to older adults, focusing on understanding their development and cognition, as well as encouraging diversity, and looks forward to expanding her knowledge in related fields through her peers, colleagues, and all her experiences at the Aging Well Lab.

Graduate RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Tess Abdi
she/her

Social Co-Chair
Tess received her Bachelor’s of Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania before entering the workforce for two years. After deciding to pivot to a field that has always interested her more, Tess is now a graduate student at UT Dallas pursuing her master’s in psychology. She is passionate about studying how social and emotional factors influence and impact decision making. She is thrilled to be a part of the Aging Well Lab.

Undergraduate Students

Research Assistant

Leora Hagi
she/her

Leora is a junior at UTD studying neuroscience. She plans to attend an M.D/Ph.D. program after her undergraduate studies and is very excited to be part of the Aging Well Lab.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Junaid Rasool
he/him

Junaid is a junior neuroscience student at UTD on the pre-med track. He plans on attending medical school to become a surgeon. He is interested in researching cognition and how it evolves over time to influence human perception and decision making. He is excited to be working with the team at the Aging Well Lab.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Hasan Sheikh
he/him

Social Co-Chair
Social Media Manager
Hasan is a sophomore majoring in Finance while on the pre-medical pathway. He looks forward to furthering his education by attending medical school following undergrad. He is excited to be part of the Aging Well Lab to expand his knowledge of the science of aging!

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Laiba Khan
she/her

Laiba is a junior at UTD studying Healthcare Studies on the pre-medical track. She plans on pursuing medical school to become an interventional cardiologist. She is curious to learn about how people’s minds and brains evolve as they age. She is thrilled to join the Aging Well Lab and offer my input on innovative ideas and notions.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Harini Chenchalavahi
her/she

Harini is a junior majoring in healthcare studies on the pre-med track. She hopes to attend medical school and pursue a career in the field of neurology or oncology. She is excited to learn more about scientific discovery and deepen her understanding of aging!

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Baqi Syed Abdul
he/him

Baqi is a sophomore psychology student at UTD on the pre-med track. He plans on attending medical school to become an orthopedic surgeon. Currently, he works as a medical scribe, PLTL leader for CHEM 1311 and 1312, and is EMT certified. He is thrilled to join the Aging Well Lab and deepen his understanding of aging!

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Alina Ali
she/her

Alina is currently a sophomore majoring in neuroscience on the pre-med track. She plans to attend medical school after she graduates. She is excited to be a part of the Aging Well Lab and broaden her knowledge behind how aging affects the brain!

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Stephanie Joseph
she/her

Stephanie is a junior healthcare studies major at UTD on the pre-med track. She hopes to continue her studies at medical school after graduating undergrad. She is so excited to join the Aging Well Lab and learn more about how the mind changes and evolves while aging.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Phillip George
he/him

Phillip is a senior at UTD majoring in Cognitive Science. He hopes to attend medical school after graduation and pursue a career as a physician. He is very excited to be a part of the Aging Well Lab.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Tinbit Yoseph
she/her

Tinbit is a junior at UTD studying biology on the pre-med track. She hopes to attend medical school and pursue a career in the field of obstetrics. She is very excited to be a part of the Aging Well Lab and learn about how aging affects the brain!

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Ji Yoon Heo
she/her

Ji Yoon is a transfer student from South Korea who transitioned from a career in engineering to psychology. With recent experience as a Registered Behavior Technician, she developed a strong interest in studying human behavior and improving the quality of people’s lives. Her studies in psychology and neuroscience have fueled her aspiration to become a psychologist and help others through science-based methods. She is excited to join the Aging Well Lab to explore the effects of aging in an era of increased human longevity.

rESEARCH ASSISTANT

Amelia Bradley
she/her

Amelia is a healthcare studies major on the pre-medical pathway. She hopes to attend medical school to pursue a career in trauma surgery, and is currently training to be a paramedic while completing her undergraduate studies. In joining the Aging Well Lab, she hopes to deepen her understanding of aging and the factors effecting health-span.

Kendra presenting her research on adult peer pressure during the Quenching Curiosity event at Northside Drafthouse.
Sometimes farewells are sad. Wishing you the best, Sharada
Spring 2022
Summer 2021
Celebrating Sharada’s years of dedication to the lab at Rodeo Goat 2023
Cidercade Lab Social May 2022
Trivia Night at the Center for Brain Health 2023
Fall 2019
The AWL Indie Band
Spring 2020
Trivia Night at the Center for Brain Health 2023
Cidercade Lab Social May 2022
Lab Zoom!
Lab Meeting with Flat Ellie! Fall 2022
Colleen at the Society for Neuroeconomics 2024 Conference in Portugal, where she is giving a poster presentation.