Justin Riddle, PhD
Principal Investigator
Justin is passionate to make discoveries on the nature of the human mind. He has a fascination for how the prefrontal cortex represents abstract information and controls our thoughts to seek higher-order goals. His research utilizes complementary tools with high temporal precision (EEG) and high spatial precision (fMRI). In order to move beyond correlation-based science, Justin uses magnetic and electric stimulation (TMS & tACS) to investigate the causal role of neural oscillations in higher-order cognition. Justin is committed to effective mentorship and maintaining a supportive lab environment. In his spare time, Justin maintains a YouTube channel that explores theories of consciousness and has proposed the Nested Observer Windows (NOW) Model for hierarchical consciousness.
Timothy McDermott, PhD
Postdoctoral Scholar
Tim received his PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Tulsa and the Laureate Institute for Brain Research. He completed his pre-doctoral internship at McLean Hospital on the PTSD Track, and a post-doctoral fellowship at the Grady Trauma Project/Emory University. He is a licensed psychologist specializing in psychotherapy for adults with depression, anxiety, and PTSD. His research uses neuroscience methods to guide novel approaches to treatment, including brain stimulation as an augmentation strategy. He is currently interested in studying novel treatments for anhedonia. He has prior experience with M/EEG, fMRI, rtfMRI-nf, tDCS, and temporal interference.
Colin Bowyer, PhD
Postdoctoral Scholar
Colin is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the Medical University of South Carolina Department of Psychiatry. Colin is co-mentored by Dr. Lisa McTeague and Dr. Justin Riddle under an NIMH T32 training grant. Colin’s graduate training focused on psychophysiological indices of reward sensitivity and how deficits in reward sensitivity contribute to common forms of psychopathology. Colin’s ongoing training at MUSC focuses on multilevel analyses of psychophysiology (i.e., trial-level and longitudinal change), reward sensitivity in post stroke apathy, and transcranial magnetic brain stimulation.
Maria E. Fini
Research Faculty
Maria has earned her bachelor’s degree and PhD in biomedical engineering. Prior to pursuing her doctorate, Maria worked clinically in neurosurgery as an electrophysiologist. She left the operating room with a deep curiosity for consciousness. Her research experience includes electrical (tDCS/ tACS/ MEP/ CCEP) and ultrasonic (tFUS) brain stimulation, EEG, EcOG, as well as various physiological measures such as skin conductance, heart rate, temperature, and behavioral paradigms. Maria is particularly interested in the interaction between mind and matter. She has studied meditation and mindfulness extensively, both professionally and through personal practice. Her work is driven by a passion to explore beyond our current knowledge of the mind, wellbeing, and the human capacity to heal and regenerate.
Madeline Carlson
Cognitive Neuroscience Graduate Student
Maddie is a first year PhD student in the Psychology program at Florida State University. She graduated from the University of Iowa with a B.S. in Neuroscience. Prior to graduate school, Maddie contributed to research on inhibitory control and worked on longitudinal studies examining risk factors for alcohol use and abuse. Currently, she is interested in researching the intersection of reward processing and hierarchical control and how processing of rewards impacts these hierarchical processes in both typical and atypical populations. Maddie is interested in using EEG to investigate underlying oscillatory dynamics and leveraging noninvasive brain stimulation techniques, including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), to probe and potentially modulate these systems, with the long-term goal of informing viable treatments for cognitive and affective dysfunction.
Dylan (Wu) Li
Neuroscience Graduate Student
Dylan is a second-year Ph.D. student in the Neuroscience program at Florida State University. She graduated with honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, earning a double major in Neuroscience and Media & Journalism. Her current research focuses on how neural oscillations support hierarchical cognitive control, using non‑invasive brain stimulation to probe causal mechanisms. Broadly, she aims to understand the neural bases of psychiatric disorders and develop novel oscillation‑based interventions. Dylan is passionate about exploring brain function through oscillatory dynamics and translating these insights into innovative therapeutic strategies.
Brooke Schwartzman
Cognitive Neuroscience Graduate Student
Brooke is a first-year year PhD student in Cognitive Neuroscience. She received her BS in Psychological and Brain Sciences from the University of California, Santa Barbara. While at UCSB, she worked in Drs. Jonathan Schooler’s and Regina Lapate’s labs. For her post-bacc, she assisted Dr. Amishi Jha at University of Miami to examine how mindfulness meditation improves attentional performance. In the Riddle Lab, Brooke will investigate how mind wandering dynamics contribute to attentional lapses and their neural basis using EEG and brain stimulation.
Jake Tear
Neuroscience Graduate Student
Jake is a first year PhD student in Neuroscience in the Riddle lab. He is interested in improving the utility of brain activity measures for precision psychiatry, which includes: understanding inter- and intra-individual variability in electrophysiological data, multi-modal approaches, dynamical systems approaches, and other neural data science tools (e.g. graph theory). He also hosts large concerts/events and is often found on a skate-, surf-, or snow-board.
Zhaohan Wu
Clinical Psychology Graduate Student
Zhaohan is a clinical psychology PhD student at FSU. He is interested in the role neural oscillations play in psychopathologies, especially anxiety-related disorders. He is also interested in how to modulate neural oscillations with new techniques (e.g. tACS, TMS) and thus alleviate patients’ symptoms.
Zoe Steelman
Lab Manager
Zoe graduated from Florida State University with a B.S. in Cell and Molecular Neuroscience. She completed her undergraduate thesis on social judgment in subdimensions of Social Anxiety Disorder. Her research interests center on novel treatment mechanisms for affective disorders — with a particular focus on non-invasive brain stimulation methods — as well as the role of reward processing in Major Depressive Disorder. She is pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology.
Shyam Dhulashia
Research Affiliate
Shyam graduated from the University of Florida with a B.S. in Psychology. His work in the Riddle Lab investigates the neural mechanisms of altered states of consciousness during advanced meditation retreats. Shyam volunteers with non-profit organizations to apply spiritual practices, such as meditation and psychedelics, into standard models of healthcare. He is now pursuing a M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Central Florida, aspiring to open a private counseling practice.
Riddle Lab Undergraduate Researchers
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Alberto Alonso
Alberto is a sophomore at Florida State University pursuing a dual degree in Molecular Neuroscience and Exercise Physiology on the pre-med track. He is passionate about understanding how brain activity and physiological processes interact to influence human performance and health. Alberto aspires to attend medical school and is particularly interested in cardiology and neuroscience. In his free time, he enjoys going to the gym, staying active, and continuously working toward personal and academic growth.
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Eliana Arroyo
Eliana is a second-year Behavioral Neuroscience and Public Health major from Miami, FL. Her interests include the underlying mechanisms of neurological and psychiatric disorders, investigating alternative treatments for them, and understanding how biological alterations in the brain play a role in behavior and personality. Through her dual degree, she aims to approach medicine from a broader perspective and help bridge the gap between policy and patient care. After graduation, she aspires to go to medical school to become a neurologist and continue contributing to ongoing research.
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Ashley Basile
Ashley Basile is a junior at Florida State University majoring in Public Health and minoring in Chemistry. She is passionate about scientific research, healthcare innovation, and understanding the biological mechanisms that shape human health. Her interests include neuroscience, psychology, and pursuing a future career in medicine.
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Bridget Black
Bridget is a junior studying exercise physiology and psychology, with hopes to attend medical school to pursue a career in physical medicine & rehabilitation. She is interested in non-pharmacological interventions for treating psychiatric disorders, and specifically the impact of nutrition on symptoms. Originally from Merritt Island, Florida, she enjoys spending her free time outdoors, whether hiking, running, or at the beach.
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Morgan Brown
Morgan is a senior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Computer Science, originally from Boca Raton, Florida. Her research interests center on uncovering the neural mechanisms underlying psychiatric disorders, with a particular focus on major depressive disorder. She is especially passionate about the therapeutic potential of non-invasive brain stimulation in treating mental health conditions. Additionally, as an Honors in the Major student in Dr. Sarah Brown’s ASPIRE Lab, Morgan is currently investigating the role of negative urgency in high-risk suicide populations using EEG. Looking ahead, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Neuroscience.
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Brileyann Eldridge
Brileyann (Brie) is a fourth-year Behavioral Neuroscience major and Chemistry minor from Inverness, FL on a pre-medical track. She is interested in how brain structure and neural networks/activity influence cognitive conditions and psychiatric disorders, especially ADHD, Depression, Anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Borderline Personality Disorder.
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Mia Hill
Mia is a third-year Psychology major and Italian minor from Navarre, Florida. With hopes of pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology, she is interested in the understanding and possible treatments for psychiatric disorders like major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. In her free time, Mia enjoys baking, watching and reading horror media, and exploring nature with friends.
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Hunter Kilbourn
Hunter is a 4th year Psychology major and Biology minor from Sopchoppy, FL. His research interests center on understanding how functional connectivity and neural network dynamics influence intellectual disabilities. He intends to earn a PhD in Neuroscience and build a career in research.
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Abby LaRosa
Abby is a second-year pre-medical student at Florida State University, majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience with a minor in Chemistry. She is particularly interested in surgery, chemistry, and clinical psychology, and hopes to combine these interests in her future career in medicine. Born and raised in Miami, Florida, she enjoys spending her free time at the beach, reading scientific literature, playing soccer, and playing the guitar.
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Danny Lang
Danny is a second-year Pre-Med Behavioral Neuroscience Major and Presidential Scholar from Miami, FL. Danny aspires to attend medical school and has special interests in cardiology and dermatology. Danny’s research interests focus on cognitive neuroscience and clinical psychology. In his free time, he enjoys playing guitar, going to the gym, playing pickleball, building legos, and spending time with friends.
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Rebecca Lococo
Rebecca is a third-year Honors student majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience on a pre-PA track. Her research interests are rooted in finding effective interventions that can be utilized as treatment for psychiatric disorders in medical settings. Outside of the lab, Rebecca enjoys engaging with nature, hanging out with friends, dance, and volunteering in the neurology/neurosurgery unit at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital.
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Faith Lohne
Faith is a recent graduate with a dual degree in psychology and biology. She is interested in how brain activity differs in those suffering with psychiatric illnesses, and how those differences can give rise to more personalized treatment plans. In her free time she loves baking, playing piano, and volunteering with Second Harvest.
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Aura Marks-Shafton
Aura is a recent graduate of Florida State University with a B.S. Behavioral Neuroscience. She is from Sarasota and is also a graduate of the FSU Honors Program. She is passionate about understanding how diet can be used to support and heal the brain. In her free time, Aura enjoys cooking and spending time outdoors. She plans to continue pursuing research focused on the therapeutic potential of nutrition in brain health.
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Victoria Montalvo
Vicky is a Florida State University undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Cell and Molecular Neuroscience with a minor in Chemistry on the pre-med track within the Honors Program. She is interested in studying neurodegenerative disorders like ALS and Parkinsons Disease and potential therapeutic applications for such. After graduating, she plans to take a gap year before pursuing an MD or MD/PhD to work in neurology or a similar field.
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Cara Mortimer
Cara is a first year Cell and Molecular Neuroscience major in the Honors program at FSU. She intends to attend medical school and is interested in surgery and pediatrics. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym and volunteering at TMH.
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NG Njok
Nigel-Ginola (NG) is a sophomore Behavioral Neuroscience major from Palm Coast, Florida. He is interested in the underlying biological mechanisms for mental and psychological disorders. Additionally, he is curious about how to develop specific, tailored mental health treatments for individuals. Following undergrad, he hopes to continue expanding his knowledge within psychological health through pursuing a PhD program in clinical psychology or an M.D. program for psychiatry.
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Hannah Swota
Hannah is a third-year student at Florida State University majoring in Cell and Molecular Neuroscience, with minors in Philosophy and Chemistry. Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, she aspires to attend medical school and has a special interest in surgery, neonatology, and bioethics. In her free time, she enjoys creating art, making coffee, spending time at the beach, playing soccer, and volunteering with Champs Chance and the Alzheimer’s clinic.
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Sydney Walsh
Sydney is a second-year Behavioral Neuroscience major. She is interested in studying abnormal psychology, specifically causes of mood and personality disorders. She plans to pursue a PhD and work in either lab research or behavioral analysis.
Lab Alumni
Lauren Jackson (Lab Manager 2023-2025)