Graduate Students
Cohley Acenowr, M.S. | CV
Doctoral Student (joined 2021)
Cohley graduated from the State University of New York at Binghamton in 2019 with a B.A. in Psychology and English, and a minor in Forensic Health. She then worked for two years as a research assistant and Lab Coordinator for the Binghamton Anxiety Clinic. Cohley’s research interests center around obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, and better understanding and defining the perceptual experiences of those who endorse “not just right” feelings. She is currently working on a project to examine response inhibition deficits in these individuals.
Bryce Arseneau, M.S. | CV
Doctoral Student (joined 2020)
Bryce graduated from the University of Wisconsin– Oshkosh in 2015 with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Neuroscience. For the next two years, he worked as a behavioral specialist at a level 5 foster home, and then for three years as an associate research specialist at the University of Wisconsin– Madison. Bryce is interested in researching cognitive deficits manifested through the obsessive-compulsive spectrum and anxiety disorders, and how these deficits are mediated by functional abnormalities within the brain.
Maryam Ayazi, M.A. | CV
Doctoral Student (joined 2017)
Maryam graduated from Shahid Beheshti University (SBU), Tehran, Iran with a B.A. in psychology. She earned her M.A in Psychology with a minor in special education from the University of Tehran (UT), Iran. She joined the lab in Fall 2019. Maryam is interested in studying the neurocognitive and neurophysiological aspects of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and OC symptoms by using ERP studies, to help with understanding the response inhibition and conflict monitoring in these groups.
Zachary Gemelli, B.A. | CV
Doctoral Student (joined 2023)
Zac graduated from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in 2020 with a B.A. in Psychology. He then worked for just under three years as a clinical research assistant in the Neuropsychology department at Rhode Island Hospital. Zac is interested in exploring neurocognitive and electrophysiological indices that may predict treatment response in anxiety disorders.
Yourim Kim, M.A. | CV
Doctoral Student (joined 2020)
Yourim graduated from Sogang University in South Korea with both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in psychology. For the following two years, she worked at CECLAB as a researcher and investigated neurocognitive components related to psychological symptoms. Her research interests center on information processing bias and its modification in anxiety disorders. Furthermore, she is interested in examining neurocognitive factors that might predict treatment response in those disorders.
Minjee Kook, B.A. | CV
Doctoral Student (joined 2023)
Minjee graduated from the Johns Hopkins University with a B.A in Psychology and Cognitive Science. After then, she worked as a research coordinator and lab manager at Baylor College of Medicine. Minjee is interested in examining the underlying factors/processes of OCD and developing computerized interventions with the goal of improving the efficacy of and access to evidence-based treatment for OCD.
Catie Rast, B.A. | CV
Doctoral Student (joined 2024)
Catie graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2022 with a B.A. in Psychology and Neuroscience. After graduating, she worked as a research coordinator and lab manager in the Storch Lab at Baylor College of Medicine. Catie’s research interests center around obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, particularly in developing accessible interventions for these disorders through a mechanistic approach.
Katie Barber, M.S. | CV
Visiting Doctoral Student (joined 2024)
Katie is a third-year clinical psychology doctoral student at Marquette University and joined the ADL as a visiting graduate student in 2024. Katie graduated from Penn State University in 2019 with a bachelor’s in psychology. She then worked as a research assistant at Penn State and earned a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling in 2022. Katie’s research interests revolve around cognitive and emotional factors that underlie obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders. She is particularly interested in the neuropsychology of hair pulling disorder (trichotillomania) and skin picking disorder.
Project Coordinators
Halle Berres, B.A. | CV
Project Coordinator & Lab Manager (joined 2021)
Halle graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in December 2022 with a B.A. in Psychology and minors in Information Science and Technology and Spanish. She has been a member of the Anxiety Disorders Laboratory since the fall of 2021. During her undergraduate studies, she worked for the lab as a research assistant, transitioning to the role of a full-time project coordinator following her graduation. She took over the role of ADL Lab Manager in Spring 2024. Halle’s research interests include the neurocognitive aspects of anxiety disorders, with utilization and development of advancing technology to better understand and treat affected individuals.
Henry Berger, B.A. | CV
Project Coordinator (joined 2022)
Henry graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee in May 2024 with a BA in Psychology, minor in Sociology, and a Quantitative Social Data Analysis certificate. He started with the Anxiety Disorders Lab in 2022 as an undergraduate research assistant and transitioned to project coordinator upon graduation. Experiences in the lab are preparing him for continuing education in a graduate program in psychology. Henry’s main interests are anxiety, emotion, personality pathology, and data analytics.
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Hailey Choi
I am an undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, pursuing a Bachelor of International Studies with a minor in Psychology. After I graduate, I plan to further my education and obtain a Master of Arts in International Affairs. I work as a research assistant in VFT and ABMSP, where my primary duties involve conducting informed consent meetings with participants, gathering data through interviews, and scheduling participants for training assessments. My experience in the Anxiety Disorders lab has allowed me to develop essential research skills, including data analysis and laboratory techniques.
Heather Wachal
I am an undergraduate student at UW-Milwaukee pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology. I am striving for a career in psychopathology research after graduation. I am currently a research assistant on the RITNT project. Working in the Anxiety Disorders Lab is giving me valuable hands-on experience which is helping me to narrow my focus and clarify my specific career goals.
Matthew Forman
I am a fourth year undergraduate student at UWM after having transferred from WashU and UW-Madison, and I am currently a neuroscience major in the College of Letters and Sciences. My role in the Anxiety Disorders Lab is as a research assistant who primarily focuses on helping edit and analyze EEG data as it relates to response inhibition in OCD. My research experience in the lab will help me prepare for a clinical psychology Ph.D program with the hopes of eventually becoming a researcher and clinical psychologist focused on OCD and anxiety disorders.
Ace Worske
I am an undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin– Milwaukee in my junior year. I am pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Sociology minor. Post-graduation, I plan to attend graduate school for industrial–organization psychology with a specification in team development and will obtain a minor in business. Becoming a research assistant has allowed for a greater understanding of the psychology field along with improvement in my communication and interviewing skills that I will no doubt need in the future.
Ellie Voge
I am an undergraduate student in my freshman year at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. I’m currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. After graduation, I plan to attend graduate school working to become a therapist. I’m currently a research assistant working on the cognitive bias modification for thought-action-fusion study, and I hope to be a part of more studies in the future. Being a part of the Anxiety Disorders Lab has allowed me to develop my research skills and engage in hands-on learning surrounding psychology.
Anna Reihl
I am an undergraduate student in my freshman year at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. After I graduate, I hope to continue my education at graduate school and pursue a career working with children. I’m currently a research assistant on the CBM for thought-action-fusion study. Being involved with the Anxiety Disorders Lab has allowed me to gain hands-on experience and grow vital research skills to help me shape my future career.
Hossein Khatibi
I am a fourth-year undergraduate student at UW-Milwaukee pursing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology whilst in the Pre-PA program with a double minor in Japanese and Biological Sciences. After graduating, I plan on obtaining my master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies in order to begin my career as a PA. As a research assistant for the PROCEED study I aid in EEG data collection, and I look forward to taking on more responsibilities in the near future. Working in the Anxiety Disorders Lab has given me the opportunity to grow my interpersonal skills and gain an understanding of research processes that lead to the insight necessary to create effective therapeutic treatments.
Pilar Flores
I am an undergraduate student in my sophomore year at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Communication. After graduation, I plan to attend graduate school and work to become a forensic psychologist. I am currently a research assistant working on the cognitive inhibition deficits related to common psychopathology study. Being a part of the Anxiety Disorders Lab prepares me for graduate school and allows me to learn and understand research processes and skills.
Zoe Luri
Zoe is an undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Following her undergraduate studies, she intends to pursue a graduate program leading to a master’s or doctorate in Clinical Psychology. At the Anxiety Disorders Lab (ADL), she serves as a research assistant, where her primary responsibilities include conducting informed consent meetings with participants, collecting and analyzing data, and scheduling participants for assessments. Zoe’s experience at the Anxiety Disorders Lab will enhance her research skills and provide her with the necessary preparation for graduate school in her field.
John (JP) Balseiro
I’m a sophomore undergraduate student at UW-Milwaukee pursuing Psychology and a minor in Philosophy. I plan on eventually obtaining a master’s degree in Psychopharmacology or Clinical Psychopathology, in hopes of conducting research. My interests include Schizophrenia and Dementia, and I’m assisting in the Attention EEG Study. The Anxiety Disorders Lab is preparing me for graduate school and my future career by giving me opportunities to learn how research is conducted.
Andrew Jones
I am an undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with a minor in Philosophy. After graduating, I plan to further my education by obtaining a doctoral degree in Clinical or Experimental Psychology. I am a research assistant helping with the RITNT project. My involvement with the Anxiety Disorders Lab is preparing me to conduct research through my graduate studies, and providing me with knowledge and skills applicable to my life and career goals.
Seneca Bree
I am an undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. I am currently a research assistant where I’ve been focused on auditing projects, but I’m also interested in getting some hands-on experience with research. I currently work for a company that provides Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy for children with autism. After graduation, I hope to attend graduate school and become a therapist.
Putri Noor Areesya Binti Rizarr Annuar
I am currently a junior undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, pursuing my bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Science with a focus in Medical Laboratory Science. After graduation, I plan to work as a Medical Laboratory Scientist in hospital settings, where I can apply my skills in clinical diagnostics and laboratory techniques. In addition to my coursework, I am a research assistant in the Anxiety Disorder Lab, where I contribute to studies exploring neurocognitive and electrophysiological markers that may predict treatment responses in individuals with anxiety disorders. This role not only aligns with my personal interests in neurocognitive research but also helps me gain hands-on experience with data analysis and research methodologies, preparing me for my future career in both laboratory science and research.
Iman Hafeez
I am an undergraduate student at UW-Milwaukee in my junior year, pursuing a Bachelor’s in Psychology. After graduation, I hope to obtain a doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Currently, I am a research assistant in the CBM for thought-action-fusion study. Being a part of the Anxiety Disorders Lab has helped me to expand my knowledge regarding research and develop the skills I would need as a future clinician.
Sean Leggett
I am a transfer student from MATC, where I completed the first two of my four years to work on obtaining a BA, Majoring in Psychology and Minoring in Counseling. My passion for the field of Psychology comes from my own past with Mental Health struggles, and pushes me to help others. After graduation, I plan on attending Graduate School and becoming a Therapist, with no specific licensure in mind. I currently work as a Research Assistant in a study on Social Anxiety, where I conduct interviews on participants and collect data. My experience at the Anxiety Disorders Lab will prepare me for Graduate studies, broadening my knowledge in Psychology and showing me the world of research.
Madeleine (Mad) Erickson
I am a junior undergraduate student at UW-Milwaukee; my major is in Psychology (B.S) and I am one of the research assistants in the ADL for the PROCEED EEG study. I love school, and my primary goal is to stay in school for the rest of my life. After graduating from UWM, I aim to obtain a PhD in Cognitive Science, and eventually become a teaching professor at a university. My research interests are in Cognitive Neuroscience, specifically in studying consciousness as it directly correlates to neurological processes. Working as a lab assistant strengthens my foundation in achieving my academic goals by providing hands-on experience in psychological research.
Lab Director
Han-Joo Lee, Ph.D. | Faculty Page | CV
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Email: leehj@uwm.edu
Office: 414-229-5858