Our Team

Principal Investigators

Alan N. Simmons, Ph.D.

Research Scientist, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System
Director, fMRI Research Core, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System
Professor of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego

Education and Professional Experience
Dr. Simmons received his B.A. degree in Psychology from the University of California at San Diego and his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology. After completing a predoctoral internship in clinical neuropsychology at Oak Forest Hospital in Illinois, he joined the laboratories of Professors Murray Stein and Martin Paulus as a postdoctoral fellow. Dr. Simmons is the Associate Chief of Functional Neuroimaging for the Center of Excellence in Stress and Mental Health at the San Diego VA Healthcare System.

Research Focus
Dr. Simmons' research focuses on neuroimaging of emotional systems such as anticipatory and affective appraisal. He has conducted studies on posttraumatic stress disorders, trait anxiety, neuropsychopharmacology, and depression. Dr. Simmons is collaborating with other investigators on the study of pain processing, traumatic brain injury, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and eating disorders. In addition, he is working on novel computational models for imaging analysis. Dr. Simmons has received early career funding from the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Affective Disorders (NARSAD) and from the U.S. Department of Defense.
Andrea D. Spadoni, Ph.D.

Research Scientist, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego

Education and Professional Experience
Dr. Spadoni earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, with an emphasis in neuropsychology, from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and San Diego State University Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology. After completing her APA Division 40 approved predoctoral internship at the New Mexico VA Healthcare System and the University of New Mexico, she returned to UCSD as a postdoctoral fellow working with Dr. Alan Simmons (CESAMH Neuroscience Research Investigator) and Dr. Susan Tapert (Psychology Service Chief at VA San Diego Healthcare System; VASDHS). Dr. Spadoni is currently a Research Health Science Specialist at the VASDHS and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at UCSD.

Research Focus
Dr. Spadoni uses functional neuroimaging techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate the neural mechanisms driving the development and maintenance of comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol use disorders and their empirically supported treatments. She is also interested in the direct and interactive effects of affective disorders and substance abuse on neurocognition and affective processing.
Jessica Bomyea, Ph.D.

Research Scientist, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego

Education and Professional Experience
Dr. Bomyea is a research scientist in the Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental health, working in the Stress and Neuroimaging Lab with Dr. Alan Simmons and the TBI Cognitive Rehabilitation Clinic with Dr. Amy Jak. Dr. Bomyea received her doctoral degree from the SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in clinical psychology. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at the VA Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center and a postdoctoral fellowship at UCSD with Drs. Ariel Lang and Murray Stein.

Research Focus
Dr. Bomyea’s research seeks to understand the link between aspects of cognitive functioning (e.g., cognitive biases, executive functioning) and PTSD. In addition, she studies novel interventions for PTSD with the goals of translating cognitive science principles to new treatment approaches and delineating the processes of change during treatment. She is currently examining the neurobiological characteristics of individuals with PTSD and/or TBI, and the efficacy and neural substrates of cognitive interventions for PTSD.
Katia Harlé, Ph.D.

Research Health Scientist, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System
Associate Professor, University of California San Diego, Department of Psychiatry

Education and Professional Experience
Dr. Harlé completed her B.Sc. in Physics and Electric Engineering at the “Institut National des Sciences Appliquées” in Toulouse, France. She went on to complete a Masters in Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Arizona, where she also earned her Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology under the mentorship of Drs. Alan Sanfey and John Allen. After completing her APA Division 40 approved predoctoral internship at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS), she joined the UCSD Department of Psychiatry as a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Martin Paulus. Dr. Harlé is currently an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at UCSD.

Research Focus
Dr. Harlé’s research uses a combination of computational modeling, brain imaging, and neuropsychological methods to study affective processing, learning, and decision-making in individuals with psychiatric illness such as depression, PTSD, and substance abuse. Dr. Harlé’s research aims to help provide a mechanistic rationale for developing interventions aimed at improving individuals’ response to psychiatric treatments and to develop more precise predictors of treatment response for these individuals. Dr. Harlé’s research has been funded by Department of Veterans Affairs, the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation (BBRF), the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), and by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
Daniel M. Stout, Ph.D.

Research Health Scientist | VA San Diego Healthcare System

Assistant Professor | Department of Psychiatry | University of California San Diego

Education and Professional Experience

Dr. Stout received his bachelor's and master's degree from North Dakota State University and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2016. He completed his pre-doctoral internship at the UCSD/VA Psychology Internship Program and then a post-doctoral fellowship from the Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health at the VA San Diego Healthcare System and the University of California San Diego Department of Psychiatry. Dr. Stout is currently a VA Research Health Scientist funded through a VA Career Development Award and is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at UCSD.

Research Focus

Dr. Stout’s general research interest is in the cognitive and affective neuroscience of anxiety and stress-related disorders. Using a multi-modal approach (psychophysiology, ERPs, MRI, fNIRS), Dr. Stout investigates the mechanisms associated with exaggerated and prolonged threat processing, avoidance, and appetitive learning. Another aim of his work is to apply multivariate analytic techniques to integrate multi-modal measures for biotyping and treatment prediction. Dr. Stout’s goal is to apply this work to the creation of novel interventions targeting the critical mechanisms characteristic of anxiety and stress-related disorders — enhancing the development of individualized treatments and improving therapeutic outcomes.
Ruth Klaming, Ph.D.

Research Health Scientist | VA San Diego Healthcare System

Assistant Professor | Department of Psychiatry | University of California San Diego

Education and Professional Experience

Dr. Klaming received her Ph.D. from the Vrije University Amsterdam (The Netherlands), with a focus on memory function and the hippocampus from neuropsychological and neuroimaging perspectives. She subsequently completed a T32 postdoctoral fellowship, funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), under the mentorship of Dr. Andrea Spadoni and Dr. Sonya Norman. During her postdoctoral training, Dr. Klaming focused on the neural and clinical correlates of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Veterans using structural MRI, neuropsychological data, and treatment outcomes. Dr. Klaming is currently a Research Health Science Specialist at the VASDHS and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at UC San Diego.

Research Focus

Dr. Klaming is interested in utilizing novel neuromodulation techniques to develop new treatments for alcohol addiction and to understand underlying neural mechanisms. Her current work focuses on evaluating the feasibility and efficacy of using noninvasive vagal nerve stimulation for the treatment of protracted alcohol withdrawal. Dr. Klaming is also interested in understanding structural and functional brain abnormalities underlying comorbid AUD and PTSD.

Founding Members & Collaborators

Scott C. Matthews, M.D.

Staff Psychiatrist, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System
Associate Professor of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego

After receiving his M.D. from UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Dr. Matthews completed his internship and residency in psychiatry at the University of California San Diego (UCSD), and was Chief Resident at UCSD Outpatient Psychiatric Services in his final year of residency. He then completed formal research training in functional brain imaging in UCSD’s NIH-funded Fellowship in Biological Psychiatry and Neuroscience. Dr. Matthews is currently Assistant Professor of Psychiatry in Residence at UCSD, Lead Psychiatrist on the Polytrauma Support Clinic Team at Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS), Director of the VASDHS Special Fellowship in Advanced Psychiatry, and former Chief of the Consultation-Liaison Division of the Psychiatry Service at VASDHS. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, an active member of the American Psychosomatic Society (APS), former Co-Chair of the APS Program Committee, and current member of the Editorial Board of Journal of Affective Disorders. In addition to his research and clinical duties, Dr. Matthews is actively involved in teaching residents and medical students.

Dr. Matthews has used neuroimaging methods to increase understanding of the structural and functional neural correlates of normal and abnormal cognitive and emotional processing. He has published several papers indicating that major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with dysregulated activity of brain systems involved in processing and regulating emotion. His current research program, which is funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP), focuses on using structural and functional neuroimaging in veterans exposed to combat in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom to identify how blasts disrupt brain structure and function and increase risk of MDD.
I-Wei Shu, MD PhD

Staff Psychiatrist, Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health

Dr. Shu received his PhD in Neurosciences from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City in 2004 and his MD from University of California Davis School of Medicine in 2006. He completed his psychiatry residency at University of California San Diego (UCSD) in 2010. He is a board-certified psychiatrist with a special interest in the neurobiology of anxious and depressive symptoms, especially in patients coping with stressful or traumatic events. Dr. Shu’s current studies involve developing EEG biomarkers that can objectively monitor and predict the course of PTSD symptoms, including response to treatment.

Before joining UC San Diego Health in 2014, Dr. Shu was a staff psychiatrist at the Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System and on the psychiatric consult staff for UC San Diego Jacobs Medical Center and San Diego Hospice. He has also served as a member of San Diego Psychiatric Society's Ethics Committee.
Irina A. Strigo, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego

Dr. Strigo joined our faculty in 2007 after completing a joint post-doctoral fellowship with the UCSD Department of Psychiatry and the Barrow Neurological Institute Atkinson Pain Research Laboratory in Phoenix, Arizona. She received her Ph.D. and B.Sc. in Physiology from McGill University in Montreal, Canada. The Canadian Institute of Health Research funded her doctoral studies, which entailed psychophysical, pharmacological and fMRI analysis of visceral and cutaneous pain in humans.

Dr. Strigo uses psychophysical and brain imaging approaches to study experimental pain perception in various psychiatric disorders, such as Major Depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Eating Disorders and Traumatic Brain Injury. The long-term goal of this research is to understand the mechanisms leading to co-morbidities between chronic pain and psychiatric conditions. Her research is funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and National Alliance for Research in Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD).

Predoctoral Fellows

Christopher Fong, M.A.

SDSU/UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology
Predoctoral Fellow T32 NIAAA

Mr. Fong is a predoctoral student in the SDSU/UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology in the neuropsychology track. He is funded by a T32 National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism award, mentored by Dr. Andrea Spadoni.

Mr. Fong's research interest are in neuroimaging of alcohol use disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder. Specifically, his work is focused on investigating the neural substrates of alcohol cue reactivity in treatment seeking veterans with concurrent alcohol and trauma-related diagnoses. Additionally, Mr. Fong is interested in the development of computerized behavioral and neuropsychological tasks.

Graduate Students

Morgan Caudle

SDSU/UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology

Morgan Caudle is a predoctoral student in the SDSU/UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology in the Experimental Psychopathology Track, mentored by Dr. Jessica Bomyea.
Morgan is broadly interested in the research and development of novel evidence-based treatments and utilizing neuroimaging to further our understanding of the neural correlates of treatment outcome. She is particularly interested in computerized interventions focused on improving executive functioning and reducing clinical symptoms.

Research Coordinators

Alyxandra Bartolovich

Research Psychology Technician, VA San Diego Healthcare System

858-552-8585 x3352

Aly graduated from the University of California, San Diego in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Psychology and minors in Chicanx and Latinx Studies and Health Care -Social Issues. As an undergraduate, she worked in a research lab studying anxiety and depression treatment. Aly is interested in exploring factors that impact treatment outcomes among adults diagnosed with anxiety disorders. Her goal is to pursue a Clinical Psychology PhD.
Shivani Vasanth

Research Psychology Technician, VA San Diego Healthcare System

858-552-8585 x2872
Eshika Mehta

Research Psychology Technician, VA San Diego Healthcare System

858-552-8585 x2511

Eshika received her Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Science specializing in Neuroscience and a Psychology minor from the University of California, San Diego in 2023. As an undergrad, she worked as a Behavior Technician for children with autism and volunteered in two labs studying neural networks and treatments for mental health. Her current research focus involves exploring different forms of neuromodulation and non-invasive treatments for psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and PTSD. She is now a Psychology Technician at the San Diego VA Health Care System in the Stress and Neuroimaging Lab. In the near future, she hopes to pursue a PhD in Clinical Neuropsychology!
Sara Northup

Research Psychology Technician, VA San Diego Healthcare System

858-552-8585 x2872

Sara earned her Bachelor of Science in Clinical Psychology from the University of California, San Diego. As an undergraduate, she worked in the Stress and Neuroimaging Lab on a project that aims to improve symptoms of alcohol use disorder; Additionally, Sara worked in the Neurocognition of Stress, Trauma, and Anxiety Recovery Lab on a cognitive intervention for symptoms related to PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Sara intends to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, focusing on new treatments and diagnostic modalities for addiction and mental health disorders.
Ivan Lagunas

Research Psychology Technician, VA San Diego Healthcare System

858-552-8585 x2521

Ivan received his Bachelor of Science in Clinical Psychology from the University of California San Diego in 2023. During his undergraduate studies Ivan volunteered at the Developmental Neuroscience lab looking at dyadic joint attention in infants at high risk of developing Autism Spectrum Disorder. He also volunteered at the Positive Emotions and Anxiety Research Lab for a year post-bachelor's degree aiding in their Cannabidiol & Social Anxiety study as well as their Amplification of Positivity study. Ivan hopes to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology, focusing on resilience factors and the development of Anxiety & Depression in children pre-adolescence.

Volunteers

Isabella Craig
Hi, I’m Isabella! I graduated from UC Santa Cruz in 2024 with a bachelors in Psychology. I joined SNL in October of 2024 to gain hands-on clinical research experience. I currently work on our computer based cognitive training program study on alcohol use disorder. Outside of the lab I enjoy long boarding, swimming, and hiking. In the future I plan to obtain my PhD in clinical psychology.
Daniel Nechodom
Sydney McDonald
Hello! My name is Sydney. I am a current 4th-year student at UCSD, majoring in clinical psychology. I joined the SNL lab in August 2024, with the goal of gaining hands-on experience in a lab setting. The majority of my work in the lab involves data entry, chart review, and conducting treatment sessions for AAT. When I’m not bothering the coordinators at the lab, I enjoy trying all different types of food, struggling at creative writing, or rewatching dramas for the fifteenth time. In the future, I hope to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology, with the goal of eventually teaching these topics at the university level. If that falls through, I hope to stay in psychology or psychiatry research, as so far, I’ve found it very rewarding!
Yareli Loera
Hii! My name is Yareli, and I’m a fourth year at UC San Diego majoring in Psychology w/ a specialization in Human Health and a minor in Biology! I joined SNL in January 2025 to further gain experience in clinical research. I currently work on our neuro-computational predictors of treatment responsiveness in trauma exposed veterans study. Outside of the lab I enjoy reading, trying new coffee spots, and hiking! In the future I plan to attend a Physician Assistant program and work in the ICU with newborns!
Vy Nguyen
Hi! My name is Vy, and I graduated from UCSD in 2022 with a degree in Neurobiology and a minor in Psychology. I joined the SNL Lab in January 2025 because I’m interested in how techniques like EEG and MRI, along with new approaches such as neuromodulation, can help us better understand the brain and improve treatments for mood disorders. I also work as a TMS neurotechnician in a private practice clinic, where I administer TMS and electrical stimulation treatments and record and analyze EEG data. In my free time, I love exploring new cafes and restaurants, making matcha, cooking, roller skating, hiking, petting cats, and enjoying live music. In the future, I hope to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology and contribute to developing more personalized and effective approaches to mental health treatment.
Raghad Aljenabi
Hey! I am Raghad Aljenabi, a current MPH student at UCSD, and RA at the SNL lab. I have a B.S. in Social Psych from UCSD and am an aspiring clinical psychologist. My research interests include trauma and stress impacts on brain reconfiguration, as well as developmental disorders such as Autism. Outside the lab, I love going on hikes, trying new coffee shops, and traveling!
Jamie Lee
Hi! My name is Jamie, and I’m a third-year Human Biology major on the pre-med track. I joined the Stress and Neuroimaging Lab in 2025 to gain firsthand experience working with patients and to explore the field of psychiatry. After spending the summer of my sophomore year working with elderly veteran patients at a nursing home, I became especially interested in understanding how PTSD affects veterans, and the lab has gifted me the chance to dive deeper into that and so much more. I currently serve as a Volunteer Research Assistant on the Neuro-CPT study. Outside of the lab, I love reading, hiking, spending time with friends, and discovering new food spots around town. After graduating from UCSD, I plan to attend medical school and pursue my goal of becoming a surgeon.
Kyla Jennette
Hi! My name is Kyla, and I am a third-year student at UC San Diego majoring in Sociology on the pre-med track. I joined the Stress and Neuroimaging Lab in January of 2025 to gain research experience, interact with participants, and learn more about the nature of various disorders with the goal of improvement. I am currently working on the non-invasive vagal nerve stimulation study to help improve outcomes for Veterans with alcohol use disorder. In the lab, I am responsible for contacting potential participants for recruitment purposes, helping with data entry and organization of study information, as well as assisting with MRI scans on various studies. Outside of the lab, I enjoy going to the beach, trying new restaurants, and spending time with my friends. In the future, I plan to pursue a career in medicine, with the hope of attending medical school and becoming a practicing physician.
Sharon Lee
Hello! My name is Sharon Lee and I am an incoming 4th year Clinical Psychology student at UC San Diego. I joined the Stress & Neuroimaging Lab in January 2025 to gain more hands-on research experience within the field of Clinical Psychology and get a deeper understanding of assessing and treating stress and anxiety disorders. Outside of the lab I love going to the beach with friends, checking out new cafes, and watching movies. In the future, I hope to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology and either go into research or become a Clinical Psychologist!