Ashante Thompson, Master of Social Work, LMSW (She/her)
I’m the study coordinator, which means I help guide you and your family through everything we’ll be doing together in the Brain Study. I’ll be one of the first people you meet, and I’m here to explain what to expect, answer any questions you have, and help you feel comfortable from the very beginning.
I’ll walk you through the schedule for the day, show you around, and make sure you know what’s coming next whether it’s filling out forms, doing some fun activities, or getting ready for the MRI practice. I’m here to support you and your family every step of the way!
I can help answer any of your questions! Please contact me at atho261@emory.edu or 404-785-6369.
I’m a research assistant, which means I help out with the brain study you’re part of. One of the things I’ll be doing is helping you get ready by practicing the MRI with you first kind of like a test run so you know exactly what it’s like. When it’s time for the real MRI, I help with running the machine that takes detailed pictures of your brain.
I’m here to support you, answer any questions, and make sure you feel calm and ready for each step!
I’m one of the research assistants on the team, and I’ll be helping you during your visit. First, we’ll do a practice session together to help you get used to the MRI. I’ll walk you through everything so it feels familiar. During the real MRI, I help run the machine that takes really cool pictures of your brain in action.
I’ll be with you to guide you, help you feel comfortable, and make sure things go smoothly the whole time!
Use the arrows on my photo to see what my brain looks like through our MRI machine!
I'm at mock scanner trainings to help you gain the skills and confidence to get into the real scanner!
I am Donald J. Cohen Fellows in Developmental Social Neuroscience at Marcus Autism Center/Emory University.
You may catch me assisting with eye tracking data collection at our MRI scanner!
Jennifer Hamel, MA | (she/her)
I'll be working with you at your clinical assessment visit to complete some brain games!
I'll explain the process and format of the games so you can understand all the rules.
I’m the research project coordinator, which means I help make sure everything in the Brain Study runs smoothly. I work with the whole team from the team members running the MRI to the folks leading activities to make sure you and your family have a great experience.
You might see me at different points during your visit, checking in, helping answer questions, and making sure everyone has what they need. I'm here to support you, help you feel prepared, and make sure your visit goes as smoothly as possible!
Need to contact me? Please feel free to reach out at sydney.danielle.olson@emory.edu
Sydney Messer Olson, Master of Social Work, LMSW | (she/her)
Use the arrows on my photo to see what my brain looks like through our MRI machine!
We work behind the scenes designing the study. Ben studies statistical methods for motion correction, and Sarah does research on children's visual engagement while watching social videos.
During my time in the study, I helped kids learn our mock MRI and operated the scanner to take brain pictures!
I am heading off to school to get my degree as an occupational therapist!
Use the arrows on my photo to see what my brain looks like through our MRI machine!
Sasha Greenspan, PhD. | (she/her)
I used to work behind the scenes making sure the study runs smoothly!
Now I work at Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, MD as a Program Administrator for the Dr. James A. Ferguson RISE Fellowship.
Hely Patel (She/Her), BS in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology
During my time in the study, I helped kids learn our mock MRI and operated the scanner to take brain pictures!
I will be heading off to medical school!
Jewel Okoronkwo (She/Her), BS in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology
Use the arrows on my photo to see what my brain looks like through our MRI machine!
During my time in the study, I helped kids learn our mock MRI and operated the scanner to take brain pictures!
I will be heading off to medical school!