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Principal Investigator

Dr. Elizabeth Andersen, PhD

Dr. Andersen’s research bridges endocrinology, psychiatry, and neuroscience approaches to construct a comprehensive model of female adolescent depression. Her NIMH Career Development Award (K01) study investigates the role of sex hormones in regulating frontal cognitive control, cortisol stress reactivity, and interpersonal factors associated with depression in peripubertal girls. With additional support from the Foundation of Hope, Dr. Andersen extends the scope of her K01 study to investigate the impact of peripubertal estradiol flux on circadian rhythm dysregulation (melatonin and cortisol) and sleep pattern irregularity as mechanisms relevant to the pathophysiology of depression. This multimodal, dimensional research provides insight into the neurophysiological mechanisms that make the pubertal transition a unique window of vulnerability for affective illness in adolescent girls. In addition to her research, Dr. Andersen is passionate about providing mentorship, support, and research opportunities for young women to gain confidence in pursuing careers in science.

 

Full-Time Staff

Kayla Jensen

Kayla graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2020 with a B.S. in Biology and minors in Chemistry and Neuroscience. She is Study Coordinator for the EVOLVE and AMPT Studies, which investigate the neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying various mood symptoms during puberty. In her free time, Kayla enjoys reading, painting, and playing sports.

 

Sierra Lewis

Sierra graduated with her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Japanese in 2023 at UNC-Chapel Hill. She worked for the SHARRP lab as an RA during her junior and senior year of university and went on to work full-time for the NERD Lab upon her graduation in 2023. She is Study Coordinator for the WISE Study under the PIs, Dr. Susan Girdler and Dr. Elizabeth Andersen, which evaluates how estrogen and irritability during the menopause transition interact together. They aim to discover both how the biological changes during perimenopause influence mood changes, and how those mood changes can be influenced in turn. In her free time, Sierra enjoys spending time with friends, trying out new recipes, reading, and traveling.

 

Lindsey Cunnane 

Lindsey graduated from East Carolina University in December of 2021 with a B.A. in Psychology and a Science minor. She is the study coordinator for the Teen Cycle Study under the PI, Dr. Susan Girdler, in the Stress, Health, and Reproductive Research Program (SHARRP) lab. Their research focuses on understanding how hormone fluctuations during the menstrual cycle influence mood and other emotional experiences for adolescent females. They hope to better understand whether hormones and stressful experiences impact depression, suicidal thinking, or self-harm. In her free time, she enjoys going to the dog park and walking her dog Jasmine, exploring new places to eat in the area, reading, and taking care of her plants.

 

Kamara Morrow, MS, CRC

Kammie graduated with her B.S. in Psychology with minors in Biology and Justice Systems in 2018 at Truman State University. She later went on to complete her M.S. in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling in 2021 at UNC-Chapel Hill. She has worked as a Rehabilitation Counselor and later joined the SHARRP lab, working on the Teen Cycle Study under PI, Dr. Susan Girdler. She enjoys her ability to use her prior experiences in her current work while also fine-tuning her research skills in order to best serve vulnerable populations. In her spare time, she likes to take her two dogs, Layla and Pocket, on walks and is always looking to channel her creativity through various forms of expression.

 

Undergraduate Research Assistants

 

Natalie Deeb

Natalie is an undergraduate student majoring in Neuroscience in the Class of 2026 at UNC Chapel Hill. She was motivated to join this lab because of her combined research interests in psychiatry and neurophysiology and the opportunity for ongoing mentorship. She is particularly interested in the biopsychosocial approach to stress responses in adolescent and teen girls. In her free time, she likes to spend time with family and friends, play the piano, and read.

 

Ainsley Donath

Ainsley is an undergraduate student in the Class of 2024 at UNC Chapel Hill, where she is majoring in Biology and minoring in Chemistry. She joined this lab due to her interest in the influence of hormones on health and stress. In her free time, Ainsley loves to dance.

 

Lana Farah

Lana is an undergraduate student in the Class of 2027 at UNC-Chapel Hill, where she is majoring in Nursing with a minor in Medical Anthropology. She is interested in how hormone cycles affect women during their teen years and until post-menopause. As a research assistant, she hopes to learn more about the impact of hormones at different stages of life. In her free time, Lana enjoys figure skating, drawing, and being with family.

 

Jenny Hong

Jenny is an undergraduate student in the Class of 2025 at UNC Chapel Hill, where she is majoring in Neuroscience. She joined this lab due to her interest in pursuing a career in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She is especially passionate about exploring inequities in the field of psychiatry, as well as in medicine in general. She hopes to be able to study this topic as a research assistant, and use that knowledge to better serve those experiencing psychiatric illnesses. In her free time, Jenny enjoys playing piano and listening to Taylor Swift.

 

Angela Ndocaj

Angela, an undergraduate student in the Class of 2027 at UNC Chapel Hill, is pursuing majors in Neuroscience and Psychology alongside a minor in Chemistry. She joined this lab driven by her curiosity about the fusion of neuroscience and psychology. Additionally, Angela harbors a fascination with the scientific exploration of teenage hormones, examining their biological, psychological, and social impacts. Outside academia, she finds joy in weightlifting and exercising at the gym.

 

Nitya Yerraguntla

Nitya is an undergraduate student in the Class of 2025 at UNC Chapel Hill, where she is majoring in Biology and minoring in Chemistry. She joined this lab because she was interested in studying the intersection between neuroscience and psychology, as well as how the mind and brain work together to shape our lives. In addition, she is passionate about exploring the various factors, such as stress, that can affect women during puberty and alter their growth and development. In her free time, Nitya enjoys being outdoors, hiking, exploring new restaurants and coffee shops, reading, and spending time with family and friends.