Head NERD
Laura Morett, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Dr. Morett is an Assistant Professor of Educational Neuroscience and Psychology at the University of Alabama. Dr. Morett uses research approaches from cognitive neuroscience, educational psychology, and developmental science to investigate how the neurobiological organization of language develops and how it contributes to learning, with a particular focus on gesture and its relationship to speech. Dr. Morett has been named a Rising Star by the Association for Psychological Science, is a Fellow of the Psychonomic Society, and is the recipient of the Nellie Rose McCrory Excellence in Research award from the UA College of Education. Dr. Morett's research is currently funded by a CAREER award from the National Science Foundation and has also been funded by the US Department of Defense, the National Institutes of Health, and the journal Language Learning. In her free time, Dr. Morett enjoys cooking and eating, traveling, eco-tourism, hiking, water sports, and spending quality time with her husband, friends, and family, including the lab mascots.
Email: First initial last name @ ua.edu
Download CV
Laura Morett, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Dr. Morett is an Assistant Professor of Educational Neuroscience and Psychology at the University of Alabama. Dr. Morett uses research approaches from cognitive neuroscience, educational psychology, and developmental science to investigate how the neurobiological organization of language develops and how it contributes to learning, with a particular focus on gesture and its relationship to speech. Dr. Morett has been named a Rising Star by the Association for Psychological Science, is a Fellow of the Psychonomic Society, and is the recipient of the Nellie Rose McCrory Excellence in Research award from the UA College of Education. Dr. Morett's research is currently funded by a CAREER award from the National Science Foundation and has also been funded by the US Department of Defense, the National Institutes of Health, and the journal Language Learning. In her free time, Dr. Morett enjoys cooking and eating, traveling, eco-tourism, hiking, water sports, and spending quality time with her husband, friends, and family, including the lab mascots.
Email: First initial last name @ ua.edu
Download CV
Graduate NERDs
Sarah Hughes Berheim, B.A.
Ph.D. Student
Sarah is a fourth-year Ph.D. student in the Educational Neuroscience concentration of the Educational Psychology program. She is the recipient of a Graduate Council Fellowship, a Taube Fellowship, received honorable mention for the NSF GRFP, and was recognized in 2022 as the “Most Outstanding Graduate Student” in the Educational Psychology program. Her interests include utilizing neuroimaging to study the brain structure and function of children with reading disabilities. She is hopeful that further investigation of these brain patterns will be helpful in constructing effective intervention strategies for struggling readers.
Cailee Nelson, B.A.
Ph.D. Student
Cailee is a fourth-year Ph.D. student in the Educational Neuroscience concentration of the Educational Psychology program and is excited to be a part of the University of Alabama community. She is the recipient of a Graduate Council Fellowship, a Dean's Fellowship for summer research, and was recognized in 2022 as the “Most Outstanding Graduate Student” in the Educational Psychology program. Her research interests revolve around learning and motivation and the neural correlates that are involved in special populations. Specifically, she is interested in investigating children with autism and the neural mechanisms involved in their learning process. Outside of research, Cailee loves to spend time with friends and family, drink coffee, play volleyball and, of course, catch up on her Netflix shows when time allows.
Cailee Nelson, B.A.
Ph.D. Student
Cailee is a fourth-year Ph.D. student in the Educational Neuroscience concentration of the Educational Psychology program and is excited to be a part of the University of Alabama community. She is the recipient of a Graduate Council Fellowship, a Dean's Fellowship for summer research, and was recognized in 2022 as the “Most Outstanding Graduate Student” in the Educational Psychology program. Her research interests revolve around learning and motivation and the neural correlates that are involved in special populations. Specifically, she is interested in investigating children with autism and the neural mechanisms involved in their learning process. Outside of research, Cailee loves to spend time with friends and family, drink coffee, play volleyball and, of course, catch up on her Netflix shows when time allows.
Jake Feiler, M.S.
Ph.D. Student
Jake is a fourth-year Ph.D. student in the Educational Neuroscience concentration of the Educational Psychology program (co-advisor: Jason Scofield). He is the recipient of a Graduate Council Fellowship, several Dean’s Summer Research Fellowships, and was recognized in 2020 as the “Most Outstanding Graduate Student” in the Educational Psychology program. Prior to coming to UA, Jake received a master’s degree in anatomy from the University of Colorado School of Medicine, where his research utilized functional magnetic resonance imaging to study severe worry in adolescents. Specifically, he looked at how worry might impact behavioral inhibition and threat vigilance. Jake’s current research examines the impacts of embodied learning on understanding spatial concepts in scientific domains. He hopes to continue this research as he begins work on his dissertation. In his free time, Jake likes to ski back home in Colorado and spend time with family and friends.
Jake Feiler, M.S.
Ph.D. Student
Jake is a fourth-year Ph.D. student in the Educational Neuroscience concentration of the Educational Psychology program (co-advisor: Jason Scofield). He is the recipient of a Graduate Council Fellowship, several Dean’s Summer Research Fellowships, and was recognized in 2020 as the “Most Outstanding Graduate Student” in the Educational Psychology program. Prior to coming to UA, Jake received a master’s degree in anatomy from the University of Colorado School of Medicine, where his research utilized functional magnetic resonance imaging to study severe worry in adolescents. Specifically, he looked at how worry might impact behavioral inhibition and threat vigilance. Jake’s current research examines the impacts of embodied learning on understanding spatial concepts in scientific domains. He hopes to continue this research as he begins work on his dissertation. In his free time, Jake likes to ski back home in Colorado and spend time with family and friends.
Affiliated Graduate NERDs
Emmy Bray
Affiliated Ph.D. Student, UA Developmental Psychology
Emmy is a first year Ph.D. student in the developmental psychology program at UA. As an undergraduate, she was a research assistant in the NERD Lab, a member of the Honors College, and worked as an AmeriCorps VISTA to create robotics programs in underserved communities to increase access to STEM education. Emmy is specifically curious about how an individuals’ socioeconomic status impacts their cognitive development. In her free time, Emmy enjoys spending time with her cats and dogs, reading outside, and playing Catan with her friends.
Emmy Bray
Affiliated Ph.D. Student, UA Developmental Psychology
Emmy is a first year Ph.D. student in the developmental psychology program at UA. As an undergraduate, she was a research assistant in the NERD Lab, a member of the Honors College, and worked as an AmeriCorps VISTA to create robotics programs in underserved communities to increase access to STEM education. Emmy is specifically curious about how an individuals’ socioeconomic status impacts their cognitive development. In her free time, Emmy enjoys spending time with her cats and dogs, reading outside, and playing Catan with her friends.
Mat Cieśla
Fulbright Core US Fellow, Poland
Mathew (Mat) Cieśla completed a self-designed major in Psycholinguistics with a minor in German. His research interests lie in second language acquisition and its application to communication disorder therapies as well as the effects of aging on second language processing. Mat has conducted research internships at the Jülich Research Center and the University of Köln, in Germany. He is the recipient of the Suzanne Younger Award for Research Excellence, the Levitetz Internship Scholarship, an URCA conference award in the social sciences, and the Randall Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award. Mat enjoys traveling, learning languages (speaking English, German, & Polish), and is active in shark conservation efforts.
Undergraduate NERDs
Shelby Ballard
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Shelby is a junior majoring in educational neuroscience and minoring in psychology. She is a member of First Fellows, Beat Auburn Beat Hunger, and is involved with One Hope Church. Shelby is most interested in how educational neuroscience and psychology research can have an impact on schools and overall learning. After graduation, Shelby hopes to obtain a Ph.D. in educational psychology with a concentration in educational neuroscience. In her free time, Shelby enjoys spending time with her family, her friends, and her dog.
Shelby Ballard
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Shelby is a junior majoring in educational neuroscience and minoring in psychology. She is a member of First Fellows, Beat Auburn Beat Hunger, and is involved with One Hope Church. Shelby is most interested in how educational neuroscience and psychology research can have an impact on schools and overall learning. After graduation, Shelby hopes to obtain a Ph.D. in educational psychology with a concentration in educational neuroscience. In her free time, Shelby enjoys spending time with her family, her friends, and her dog.
Nate Bischof
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Nate is a junior majoring in educational neuroscience. He is interested in improving the current K-12 education system using a child-centric approach based on scientific research about the most efficient ways for children to learn and be taught. After he graduates, he plans to continue his education in some capacity within the educational neuroscience postgraduate program. In his free time, he enjoys going to Crimson Tide basketball games, watching sports and TV shows, and playing video games with his friends.
Nate Bischof
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Nate is a junior majoring in educational neuroscience. He is interested in improving the current K-12 education system using a child-centric approach based on scientific research about the most efficient ways for children to learn and be taught. After he graduates, he plans to continue his education in some capacity within the educational neuroscience postgraduate program. In his free time, he enjoys going to Crimson Tide basketball games, watching sports and TV shows, and playing video games with his friends.
Kat Brockmann
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Kat is a junior majoring in educational neuroscience. She is especially interested in youth development and the best teaching methods for teaching children physical and dietary health. Her goals in the future are to go to medical school and hopefully work in a pediatric field. She is very involved with her church and UKirk campus ministries. She is very excited to be part of the NERD Lab team and cannot wait to see where it will take her!
Kat Brockmann
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Kat is a junior majoring in educational neuroscience. She is especially interested in youth development and the best teaching methods for teaching children physical and dietary health. Her goals in the future are to go to medical school and hopefully work in a pediatric field. She is very involved with her church and UKirk campus ministries. She is very excited to be part of the NERD Lab team and cannot wait to see where it will take her!
Taryn Geiger
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Taryn Geiger is a junior studying Psychology and Biology on the pre-medical track. She is a member of the University Honors College, and a recipient of various scholarships from the University of Alabama and outside organizations. Across campus, she is involved with Project Health, the Student Government Association, Beat Auburn Beat Hunger, and various other organizations while also volunteering with local and national health partners. After graduation, Taryn plans to attend medical school to pursue a career as a pediatric surgeon. She is particularly interested in language acquisition and gesture production through various outlets of communication and how these change over time. In her free time, Taryn enjoys spending time with friends and family, exploring new areas, and volunteering within the community.
Taryn Geiger
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Taryn Geiger is a junior studying Psychology and Biology on the pre-medical track. She is a member of the University Honors College, and a recipient of various scholarships from the University of Alabama and outside organizations. Across campus, she is involved with Project Health, the Student Government Association, Beat Auburn Beat Hunger, and various other organizations while also volunteering with local and national health partners. After graduation, Taryn plans to attend medical school to pursue a career as a pediatric surgeon. She is particularly interested in language acquisition and gesture production through various outlets of communication and how these change over time. In her free time, Taryn enjoys spending time with friends and family, exploring new areas, and volunteering within the community.
Ashton Haiman
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Ashton is a junior majoring in biology with a minor in chemistry and on the pre-med track. She is a member of the Honors College and recipient of the University's Presidential Scholarship. She is also involved with Project Health on campus, Alpha Omega Epsilon (a sorority for women in STEM), and volunteers at the local hospital, DCH. Ashton is specifically interested in how a child's environment impacts their neural development and in turn effects their personalities as they grow. After graduating, Ashton plans to attend medical school and practice medicine within the pediatric field. In her free time, Ashton enjoys spending time with friends and family, watching movies/TV shows, napping, and reading.
Ashton Haiman
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Ashton is a junior majoring in biology with a minor in chemistry and on the pre-med track. She is a member of the Honors College and recipient of the University's Presidential Scholarship. She is also involved with Project Health on campus, Alpha Omega Epsilon (a sorority for women in STEM), and volunteers at the local hospital, DCH. Ashton is specifically interested in how a child's environment impacts their neural development and in turn effects their personalities as they grow. After graduating, Ashton plans to attend medical school and practice medicine within the pediatric field. In her free time, Ashton enjoys spending time with friends and family, watching movies/TV shows, napping, and reading.
AJ Oliff
Undergraduate Research Assistant
AJ is a junior majoring in communicative disorders with a minor in neuroscience. He is a recipient of the presidential scholarship and various other scholarships from the University of Alabama and outside organizations. He is specifically interested in the Neural Substrates of Contextual Vocabulary Comprehension, and how the study of language acquisition may be used in the rehabilitation of those diagnosed with aphasia. AJ has spent time volunteering for Al’s Pals, and Habitat for Humanity, and has served as the community service chairman of his fraternity and the undergraduate philanthropy chairman of the University of Alabama National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association. After graduation, AJ hopes to pursue a masters in speech language pathology and a Ph.D. in educational psychology with a concentration in educational neuroscience. In his free time, AJ enjoys reading, playing music, practicing carpentry, and playing games with friends.
AJ Oliff
Undergraduate Research Assistant
AJ is a junior majoring in communicative disorders with a minor in neuroscience. He is a recipient of the presidential scholarship and various other scholarships from the University of Alabama and outside organizations. He is specifically interested in the Neural Substrates of Contextual Vocabulary Comprehension, and how the study of language acquisition may be used in the rehabilitation of those diagnosed with aphasia. AJ has spent time volunteering for Al’s Pals, and Habitat for Humanity, and has served as the community service chairman of his fraternity and the undergraduate philanthropy chairman of the University of Alabama National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association. After graduation, AJ hopes to pursue a masters in speech language pathology and a Ph.D. in educational psychology with a concentration in educational neuroscience. In his free time, AJ enjoys reading, playing music, practicing carpentry, and playing games with friends.
Marshall "Ty" Martin
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Ty is a sophomore majoring in biology, with minors in interdisciplinary studies of medicine and mathematics. He is a member of the Honors College and the McCollough Institute for Pre-Medical Scholars. After obtaining his undergraduate degree, he currently plans to attend medical school to become a specialist, but is undecided on exactly which specialty. Over the summer, he worked as a technician under an ophthalmologist, and hopes to return for another summer to sit for the Certified Ophthalmic Assistant Examination. Within neuroscience, he is particularly interested in the development of analytical ability in humans, especially regarding games of skill. In his free time, Ty enjoys playing guitar, studying chess, and eating good food.
Marshall "Ty" Martin
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Ty is a sophomore majoring in biology, with minors in interdisciplinary studies of medicine and mathematics. He is a member of the Honors College and the McCollough Institute for Pre-Medical Scholars. After obtaining his undergraduate degree, he currently plans to attend medical school to become a specialist, but is undecided on exactly which specialty. Over the summer, he worked as a technician under an ophthalmologist, and hopes to return for another summer to sit for the Certified Ophthalmic Assistant Examination. Within neuroscience, he is particularly interested in the development of analytical ability in humans, especially regarding games of skill. In his free time, Ty enjoys playing guitar, studying chess, and eating good food.
Macy Schelp
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Macy is a sophomore studying educational neuroscience with a minor in biology. Following undergrad, she plans to attend medical school to pursue a career in women’s health. A member of the Honors College, Macy works with Engage Tuscaloosa, participating in an effort to increase literacy in Tuscaloosa county. Beyond academia, she is a member of the University’s track and cross-country team.
Macy Schelp
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Macy is a sophomore studying educational neuroscience with a minor in biology. Following undergrad, she plans to attend medical school to pursue a career in women’s health. A member of the Honors College, Macy works with Engage Tuscaloosa, participating in an effort to increase literacy in Tuscaloosa county. Beyond academia, she is a member of the University’s track and cross-country team.
Gracie Springer
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Gracie is a senior majoring in educational neuroscience. She is a member of the Honors College and a recipient of the University’s Presidential Scholarship. Gracie is particularly interested in language acquisition and the relationship between between gesture and speech to better improve learning methods in the classroom. After graduating, Gracie plans to pursue a Master's and Ph.D. in Educational Neuroscience, as well. In her free time, Gracie enjoys gardening, hiking, and being outside.
Gracie Springer
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Gracie is a senior majoring in educational neuroscience. She is a member of the Honors College and a recipient of the University’s Presidential Scholarship. Gracie is particularly interested in language acquisition and the relationship between between gesture and speech to better improve learning methods in the classroom. After graduating, Gracie plans to pursue a Master's and Ph.D. in Educational Neuroscience, as well. In her free time, Gracie enjoys gardening, hiking, and being outside.
NERD Mascots
Oreo and Cookie
Lab Mascots (Current)
Oreo and Cookie investigate the development of feline vocalizations, with a particular focus on situations in which caregiver input is impoverished. Their research is revealing the importance of mimicry of peer vocalizations, particularly when this mimicry is reciprocal and when it refers to identifiable contexts such as feeding and affection.
When not conducting research, Oreo and Cookie enjoy cuddling together and with humans, sipping milk, trying new (human) foods, eating houseplants, climbing on human and cat furniture, watching TV, chasing fruit flies, playing with lasers, and pretending they're invisible.
Marshmallow
Lab Mascot (2016-2021, in memoriam)
Marshmallow investigated the neural bases of affect and prosody in human speech, with a particular focus on their utility as predictors of positive and negative reinforcement. His research showed that these paralinguistic cues are reliable predictors of reinforcement type, and he used this data to construct a Bayesian model of reward prediction.
When not conducting research, Marshmallow enjoyed napping, cuddling (on his own terms), checking out new boxes, play biting, catnip, running water, eating creamy human foods, chirping at birds, chasing geckos, and playing with flopping fish and laser toys. His contributions to the lab were invaluable and are dearly missed.
Licorice
Lab Mascot (2012-2019, in memoriam)
Licorice investigated the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying human responses to feline vocalizations with a particular focus on the speech-action interface. Her research was seminal in demonstrating affective alignment between feline and human vocalizations as well as feline and human actions, particularly with respect to positive reinforcement. Notably, her work generalized this model of alignment beyond feline-owner dyads to feline-human groups.
When not conducting research, Licorice enjoyed playing with stuffed toys, purring, meowing, grooming, cuddling, being petted, being talked (and sung) to, and eating canned food and treats. Her contributions to the lab were invaluable and are dearly missed.
NERD Collaborators
Alumni
Carlee Brandon
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Carlee majored in psychology and minored in biology. Her research interests include the impact of socialization on the development of children with autism and addressing racial disparities in healthcare and medicine. She plans to attend medical school and hopes to practice as a pediatric oncologist. In her free time, she enjoys books, plants, and spending time with her family, friends, and rescue dog Kenya.
Carlee Brandon
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Carlee majored in psychology and minored in biology. Her research interests include the impact of socialization on the development of children with autism and addressing racial disparities in healthcare and medicine. She plans to attend medical school and hopes to practice as a pediatric oncologist. In her free time, she enjoys books, plants, and spending time with her family, friends, and rescue dog Kenya.
Raymond Bulger
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Raymond majored in psychology and minoring in neuroscience. He was a member of the Emerging Scholars program, tutored through the Collegiate 100 and Academics in Motion programs, and was an ROTC cadet. Raymond applied his experience using basic neuroscience techniques and working with children in research and tutoring to conduct developmental cognitive neuroscience research in the NERD Lab.
Current position: Post-graduation officer training, Armed Forces
Raymond Bulger
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Raymond majored in psychology and minoring in neuroscience. He was a member of the Emerging Scholars program, tutored through the Collegiate 100 and Academics in Motion programs, and was an ROTC cadet. Raymond applied his experience using basic neuroscience techniques and working with children in research and tutoring to conduct developmental cognitive neuroscience research in the NERD Lab.
Current position: Post-graduation officer training, Armed Forces
Maggie Doheny
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Maggie majored in psychology and minoring in neuroscience. She was a member of the Honors College and a recipient of the UA Illinois and Polish Falcon Scholarships. Maggie is fascinated by how cognitive neuroscience methods such as EEG and fNIRS can be used to illuminate everyday cognitive processes such as learning, memory, and language processing.
Current position: Ph.D. student, Human Factors and Cognitive Psychology, University of Central Florida
Maggie Doheny
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Maggie majored in psychology and minoring in neuroscience. She was a member of the Honors College and a recipient of the UA Illinois and Polish Falcon Scholarships. Maggie is fascinated by how cognitive neuroscience methods such as EEG and fNIRS can be used to illuminate everyday cognitive processes such as learning, memory, and language processing.
Current position: Ph.D. student, Human Factors and Cognitive Psychology, University of Central Florida
Maggie Paul
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Maggie majored in psychology and minored in addiction and recovery studies. She was a member of the Honors College and a recipient of the UA Collegiate Scholarship. Maggie is particularly interested in behavioral neuroscience and is applying her knowledge from the NERD Lab to help improve treatment methods for substance use disorders.
Current position: Ph.D. student, Clinical Psychology, St. Louis University
Maggie Paul
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Maggie majored in psychology and minored in addiction and recovery studies. She was a member of the Honors College and a recipient of the UA Collegiate Scholarship. Maggie is particularly interested in behavioral neuroscience and is applying her knowledge from the NERD Lab to help improve treatment methods for substance use disorders.
Current position: Ph.D. student, Clinical Psychology, St. Louis University
Maddy Armstrong
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Maddy is a senior majoring in psychology with minors in biology and neuroscience. She is a recipient of the UA Presidential Scholarship and has worked with UADM and B+ on campus. Maddy is particularly interested in how different neuroscience techniques can illuminate the differences in neurobiology throughout childhood development and cognition. After graduating, Maddy hopes to attend graduate school to become a genetic counselor. Outside of the lab, Maddy enjoys spending time with family and friends, working out, and always exploring new coffee shops and restaurants.
Current position: Genetic Counselor Assistant, Spectrum Health, Grand Rapids, MI
Maddy Armstrong
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Maddy is a senior majoring in psychology with minors in biology and neuroscience. She is a recipient of the UA Presidential Scholarship and has worked with UADM and B+ on campus. Maddy is particularly interested in how different neuroscience techniques can illuminate the differences in neurobiology throughout childhood development and cognition. After graduating, Maddy hopes to attend graduate school to become a genetic counselor. Outside of the lab, Maddy enjoys spending time with family and friends, working out, and always exploring new coffee shops and restaurants.
Current position: Genetic Counselor Assistant, Spectrum Health, Grand Rapids, MI
