Lab Members | SPAN Lab

Graduate Students

Jenna Devine

Jenna joined the lab in 2024 as a doctoral student in the Clinical Science area in the Department of Psychology. Prior to coming to Virginia Tech, she graduated from the University of Houston with a B.S. in Psychology. Her research interests are centered on understanding the underlying associations between neurological, cognitive, and affective mechanisms that contribute to the etiology and course of psychopathology in adolescents.

Outside of the lab, she loves hiking, painting, and going to concerts

Phone: (540) 231-0522

Email: jjonesdevine@vt.edu

Garrett Hosterman

Garrett is a second-year doctoral student in the Clinical Science area of the Psychology program. He graduated from Ohio State University in May 2022 with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Philosophy. His primary research interests are in the neural correlates of transdiagnostic psychopathology, with a specfic interest in trauma and adversity.

Beyond the professional life, he's an avid football fan, rock climber, bird watcher, and CD collector

Phone: (540) 231-0525

Email: ghosterman10@vt.edu

Lab Manager

Jolee Sloss

Jolee (she/her) is the lab manager for the SPAN lab. She graduated from Virginia Tech in December 2022 with her B.S. in Psychology and Human Development. Her research interests include the relationships between family relationships, brain development, and the etiology and varying intensities of psychopathology.

Outside of the lab, Jolee enjoys trying new foods, traveling, playing video games, and spending time with friends.

Phone: (540) 835-7023

Email: joleesloss@vt.edu

Undergraduate Research Assistants

Liviya Anderson

Liviya is a junior at Virginia Tech, pursuing a double major in Psychology and Philosophy. She has a strong interest in abnormal psychology and is particularly passionate about exploring the underlying mechanisms of psychopathology. Liviya aspires to earn a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and aims to conduct research that advances the understanding and treatment of mental illness.

Outside of the lab, Liviya enjoys creative expression through the arts such as photography and painting.

Mila Santsaver-Jones

Mila is currently a junior double majoring in Cognitive Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychology with a minor in Adaptive Brain and Behavior. Her research interests include neuroimaging and its application to psychopathology and neuroplasticity. She aspires to advance her academic career through a PhD in Clinical Psychology and pursue a career in academia.

Outside of the lab, she enjoys traveling, playing guitar, baking, and hanging out with friends.

Ela Crothers

Ela is currently a third-year student at Virginia Tech majoring in Psychology and minoring in Adaptive Brain and Behavior. Her research interests include psychopathology and the connection between illnesses of the brain and body. She is interested in obtaining a Clinical Psychology Ph.D. and later pursuing a career as a clinical psychologist.

Outside of the lab, Ela enjoys hobbies such as cooking, reading, baking, traveling, art, and spending time with friends and family.

Amritha Vure

Amritha is a sophomore at Virginia Tech, and she is pursuing a double major in Psychology and Criminology. She has a particular interest in Psychopathology and exploring the causes behind psychopathological conditions. Amritha aims to earn a Masters and/or Ph.D. in Criminology and hopes to be a part of a Behavior Analysis Unit within federal law enforcement.

Outside of the lab, Amritha enjoys reading, listening to music, and baking.

Aadi Yalamanchilli

Aadi is currently a junior at Virginia Tech majoring in Biochemistry with a minor in Adaptive Brain & Behavior. His interests in research include understanding how neural dynamics contribute to learning, cognition, and psychopathology across psychiatric and neurological conditions. He is particularly interested in how brain activity during sleep relates to various symptoms and recovery in disorders such as PTSD and Parkinson’s disease.

Outside the lab, he enjoys going on walks, cooking, watching movies, and spending time with friends.

Alexandra Probst

Alexandra is a junior double majoring in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychology. Her research interests focus on the cellular and molecular relationships between technology use, particularly phone addiction, burnout, and human neuroticism.She plans to pursue a master’s degree in Cell and Molecular Neuroscience before entering medical school through a military program, with the goal of becoming a physician.

Outside of coursework and research, she enjoys spending time with friends and cooking.

Lili Woods

Lili is a senior majoring in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience with minors in Public Health and Psychology. She is interested in learning how a deeper understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive processes can lead to more effective treatments for neurological and psychiatric disorders. She hopes to become a Clinical Neuropsychologist, where she can contribute to research on brain-behavior relationships while also treating patients with cognitive impairments resulting from these disorders.

Outside of the lab, Lili is an amateur film critic, loves playing the piano, and enjoys hiking with friends.

Lab Alumni

Oluwatoni Ikhile

Toni (she/her) graduated from Virginia Tech with a major in Psychology, minoring in History. Her research interests include abnormal psychology and psychopathology. She is interested in obtaining a clinical psychology PhD and pursuing a career in academia.

Helen Le

Helen graduated from Virginia Tech with a major in Psychology. In the future, she hopes to expand psychological research for underserved and underrepresented populations. She hopes to expand psychological research for underserved and underrepresented populations.

Morgan Doss

Morgan graduated from Virginia Tech with a major in Psychology, minoring in Adaptive Brain and Behavior. Her research interests include the psychological impact of trauma on children and predictive risk factors for the development of psychopathology in children and adolescents. She hopes to further her education by obtaining an MSW in Clinical Social Work and work as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

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Christine Mai

Christine graduated from Virginia Tech with a major in psychology and minor in disability studies. Her research interests include psychopathology and developmental psychology. She is interested in working with children with disabilities.

Blake Graham

Blake is a Virginia Tech graduate in Psychology and Criminology. His research interests center around psychopathology and exploring the social, neurological, and cognitive bases for mental health disorders. In the future, he is interested in working in a clinical setting and exploring further education in clinical or forensic psychology.

Josie Dennis

Josie is a Virginia Tech graduate in Psychology and Human Development, with a minor in Adaptive Brain and Behavior. Her interests include abnormal psychology and the psychological impact of trauma on children. In the future, she hopes to further her education in developmental psychology and work as a child psychologist.

Bailey Vaughn

Bailey is a graduate of Virginia Tech in Psychology. His research interests include abnormal and developmental psychology and the utilization of neuroimaging techniques. He aspires to advance his academic journey through a PhD in Clinical Psychology, while engaging in both research and counseling.

Erika Strobel

Erika is a Virginia Tech graduate in Psychology with a minor in Adaptive Brain and Behavior. Her research interests include learning about the process of neuroimaging and how it is translated to understanding psychopathology. In the future, she hopes to further her education in developmental psychology and one day work as a child psychologist.

Cameron Cheeks

Cameron Cheeks is a Virginia Tech graduate in Psychology. He aims to become a clinical psychologist in the future. His interests include pushing research further to improve mental health and break down barriers between ethnic groups.

Mattison Homard

Mattison is a Virginia Tech graduate in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, with minors in Psychology and Adaptive Brain and Behavior. Her research interests include abnormal psychology and psychopathology. She aspires to advance her education through a PhD in clinical psychology.

Melanie Brown

Melanie (she/her) graduated from Virginia Tech with a major in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychology, minoring in Adaptive Brain and Behavior. Her research interests include exploring the link between brain and behavior, as well as neuroimaging studies.

Lab Director