Staff

Tara Smyser is a Clinical Lab Manager in the Department of Psychiatry and has been a member of the Washington University Neonatal and Developmental Research Team since 2008. Tara earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering and her Master of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Iowa. As part of her work for the WUNDER team, Tara analyzes both neuroimaging and developmental assessment data in neonates and children in order to better understand the relationship between brain development and childhood outcomes. She also helps coordinate research across several WUNDER studies in order to help facilitate best practices for conducting human subjects research.

Mary is a Clinical Research Supervisor in the Department of Psychiatry. She oversees developmental testing for young children in several studies, coordinates the eLABE study and manages staff administering assessments, MRIs, EEGs, and eye tracking. Mary graduated from the University of Iowa and as a Biologist, focused on both basic and product-oriented research projects in Immunology and Infectious Disease at The University of Chicago and several pharmaceutical companies. She is an avid runner, mother of five and has her Early Childhood Credential from the American Montessori Society/Maryville University. She taught Montessori preschool and kindergarten and also adults in an accredited teacher education program (UMSL, Webster University). Mary is especially interested in parenting and early childhood development.

Jessica Perkins is a Clinical Research Supervisor with the WUNDER Lab. She has been a team member since 2012. As part of her work with the WUNDER Lab, she helps manage studies to support research staff and handles administrative lab responsibilities. 

Nicole joined the lab in 2021 after earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Cognitive Neuroscience, as well as Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from Washington University. She works on the HBCD Study as a Professional Rater II and administers the Bayley for several other studies in the lab. Her interests include exploring how traumatic life events can impact neurodevelopmental outcomes of those affected. In the future she is interested in pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology.

Michayla Ruscitti joined the WUNDER Lab in the Fall of 2019 after graduating from the University of Missouri – St Louis with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Her current role involves coordinating the CUDDEL Study, administration of Bayley Developmental Testing for young children during developmental assessments, and managing the behavioral coding of the Parent-Child Interaction tasks for the eLABE Study. Past experience with the WUNDER Lab includes data collection of newborn MRIs, toddler MRIs, prosocial behaviors, and EEG tasks.

Logan has been with the WUNDER Lab since June 2021. He works with participants and their families as they come in during multiple time points for the WUNDER Preemie study. Logan received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Southern Illinois University and his Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from University of Missouri – St. Louis.

Destinee joined the WUNDER lab in March 2021 after graduating from Washington University in St. Louis with her B.A. in Psychological and Brain Sciences, and minor in Children’s Studies. She has worked on eLABE and CUDDEL, and she currently co-coordinates the WUNDER Preemie Study. Her work includes data and IRB management, scheduling and helping at assessments and MRIs, and managing undergraduate students. She also helps with coding, transcribing, and managing data for Dr. Lean’s Maternal Mind-mindedness study. Outside of work, Destinee loves baking, listening to audiobooks, training for local races, and spending time with her husband and her dog.

Jordan Drake joined the lab in August 2021 after graduating from the University of Louisville with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Her work includes scheduling and administering assessments for the eLABE and CUDDEL studies, serving as EEG Processing Team Lead, and assisting in toddler MRI scans. Her research interests include examining early life factors and how they contribute to later psychosocial outcomes.

Sauren joined the lab in Spring 2022 after earning their BS degree in Computer Engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology. They have worked with our eLABE, CUDDEL, WUNDER, and HBCD studies to assist with MRI scans and database upkeep. He is currently the Project Manager for the HBCD study.

Megan (they/she) joined the lab in July 2024 as a Research Assistant for the PHH EEG study, which investigates early risk markers for epilepsy in very preterm infants. Their responsibilities include participant recruitment, scheduling, assisting with EEGs, and performing other administrative tasks for the study. They earned their Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Meredith College and spent two years as a Neurobehavioral Research Technician at Duke University. Their long-term goals include pursuing their PhD in Neuropsychology, with research interests in the neural basis of developmental and psychopathological disorders and the early-life risk markers for such disorders. In their spare time, Megan enjoys going on runs with their dog, wakeboarding, reading, and spending time with their nephew. 

Kristin (Kri) is a Certified Peer Specialist who currently works on the HBCD Study and at Barnes CARE Clinic. She has her  MAADC II (Missouri Associate Alcohol Drug Counselor II) and MARS (Medication Assisted Recovery Specialist) credentials and just received her CADC (Certified Alcohol and drug counselor) credential. She has worked with CARE for a few years with a former position at Gateway Foundation in the EPICC Program where she outreached clients suffering from opiate overdoses or severe withdrawal symptoms and needed hospital attention. She is very fond of participants in the CARE program needing Recovery Coach services because she remembers being in their same shoes. It’s extremely important to her that she works to give them a better experience then she had. Kri is a single mom of three and has a granddaughter who is her pride and joy! Her family has two pit bulls and a cat that thinks she is the boss! She is honored to be a part of such meaningful work in the WUNDER Lab and CARE Clinic!

Dima graduated from the University of St. Louis in 2023 with her Masters in Counseling with a license in K-12 School Counseling and with a Bachelor of Art in Psychology in 2013. She joined the eLabe study as a Professional Rater III in 2023 after working in various mental health roles in schools and hospitals across St. Louis. Dima’s role in the eLabe will consist of but is not limited to, administering assessments to children and mothers, coding, and providing mental health support and resources for those in need.

Liliana earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Saint Louis University in 2020 and has been with the lab since 2021. She works across several studies under Dr. Smyser and Dr. Rogers, and her responsibilities include processing EEG data and Parent-Child Interaction tasks, administering developmental assessments, testing biospecimens, scheduling and assisting with infant MRIs, and working with participants who need mental health support or resources. Coming from a background in mental health, she is interested in translating research into clinical and community practices.

Jillian Wilson (she/ they) is a Professional Rater II in the Department of Psychiatry in the eLABE study. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychological Sciences with a minor in Philosophy from Webster University in Saint Louis. Her professional interests include studying the neurological and behavioral effects of racial trauma, as well as neurodegenerative diseases and their impact on autobiographical memory. In the future, she will pursue a PhD in Neuropsychology or Cognitive Psychology researching these topics in depth. In her spare time, she enjoys painting and reading, along with spending time with loved ones and trying new things.

Jackson has been a Professional Rater II in the WUNDER lab since 2023. He got his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at Saint Louis University in 2020. Before coming to the lab, he worked as an Registered Behavior Technician in a pediatric clinic for children with autism. As part of the WUNDER team, Jackson administers developmental testing for both the WUNDER study and the HBCD study.

Litzy Flores graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies. The main studies she works on are the HBCD and CUDDEL studies. Her responsibilities include administering developmental assessments and Parent Child Interactions, scheduling, collecting biospecimens, and assisting on EEG’s. Future interests include getting a PhD in Child Psychology with a focus in Play Therapy. In her free time, she enjoys reading, learning music, and exploring different nature preserves!

Sally, a graduate of St. Louis University with a BS in Health Sciences (Premed) has been an part of the HBCD study since July 2023. Her role encompasses participant recruitment and taking charge of administering pivotal study visits, which involve a range of tasks such as collecting biospecimens, conducting surveys, and orchestrating developmental tasks. Additionally, Sally contributes to the PHH-EEG study, which advances the understanding of epilepsy in preterm infants. Beyond her research commitments, Sally finds joy in traveling, cooking, and spending quality time with family and friends. Looking ahead, Sally aspired to attend medical school and is aiming to leverage her lab experiences for future clinical excellence.

Sam graduated from the University of Missouri – Columbia in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Social Justice. Prior to joining the WUNDER lab in August 2023, she worked extensively with young children in a variety of personal and professional settings, including schools, daycares, and private families. As a Professional Rater II for the eLABE study, her responsibilities include scheduling, administering behavioral and emotional assessments, collecting biospecimens, and assisting with MRI scans on child participants. In the future, Sam hopes to pursue an advanced degree and explore research topics in Abnormal and Forensic Psychology.

Karen Lukas is a Clinical Research Specialist in the Department of Psychiatry and has been a member of the Washington University Neonatal Development Research Lab since 2007. Karen has her Masters in Nursing Education and is a certified nurse specializing in caring for neonates in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit. Karen’s most important role in the lab is being present at baby’s MRI visit. Karen’s familiarity and expertise caring for babies allows us to safely and effectively obtain the quality images that are needed to help us understand early brain development.

Rich graduated from Barnes School of Radiology Technology and began working in diagnostic radiology at Barnes Hospital in 1994. Rich then moved into research at Washington University School of Medicine in 1999. He currently works for the Department of Psychiatry and Department of Radiology and helps several other departments. Rich is responsible for conducting MRI scans for eLABE participants.

Madison Gardner is a Neuro Imaging Research Technician in the Department of Neurology and joined the Washington University and Developmental Research Lab in June of 2022.  Madison earned her B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE). After this, she earned her M.A. in Clinical Psychology from SIUE. Her research interests include the emotion regulation, mindfulness, and the effects of digital device use and social media on mental health. Madison hopes to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology in the near future

Dimitrios Alexopoulos is a Data Analyst in the Department of Neurology who specializes in the management, archiving and analysis of data acquired using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). His research focus is primarily on using advanced neuroimaging techniques to better understand brain development in infants born prematurely. Mr. Alexopoulos earned a Master of Science degree from Washington University in St. Louis.

Jeanette Kenley is a programmer in the Department of Neurology and a member of the Washington University Neonatal and Developmental Research Team since 2010.  Jeanette earned her Bachelors of Electrical Engineering from the University of Missouri St. Louis – Washington University Joint Engineering Program. Jeanette’s areas of interest include neonatal, child, and young adult resting state functional connectivity and how various computer applications and clinical research can help shape future diagnosis and treatments. As part of her work in the WUNDER team, Jeanette develops and executes processing codes to analyze resting state functional connectivity and diffusion weighted imaging data.

Aidan joined the lab in late 2021 and works mainly on processing lab data.

David Loseille is a Programmer in the lab and joined in August of 2021. David earned his Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science from Saint Louis University. His position includes processing neuroimaging data in neonates and toddlers.

Mia Ruppel is a Programmer Analyst in the Department of Neurology, having joined the lab in June of 2024. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering with minors in Physics and Computational Neuroscience from the University of Missouri in Columbia. Mia also completed her Master’s in Biological Engineering at the same institution, focusing her thesis on synthesized MRI data generation and image reconstruction. In her current role, she is primarily involved in data processing and analysis for the eLABE study.