The Ware Brain Lab is taking graduate students at the University of Utah Department of Psychology as of August 2025.

GRADUATE STUDENTS: THE ATL CHAPTER

Michael Alexander Lee, MA

Michael Alexander Lee (“Alex”) is pursing a Clinical Psychology PhD in the Neuropsychology program, and started his doctoral training in Dr. Ashley Ware’s lab in August 2022. He is originally from Columbus, OH and received his Master’s degree in Psychology at University of Dayton, where he investigated the relationship between psychological processes and olfactory function. Before pursuing his doctorate, he also worked as a research contractor at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base looking at trust processes in team- and technology-based contexts. 

Alex’s current research focuses on neurocognitive and neurobiological outcomes and their relationship in concussion. He is particularly interested in data-driven analytic and muldimodal MRI fusion techniques. Outside of work, Alex enjoys designing and playing tabletop games, strength training, and enjoying the local Atlanta restaurant scene. 

Tricia Resnick, MS

Tricia Resnick (nee Stefancin) is pursuing a PhD in the Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Program, and started her doctoral training in August 2023. She is co-advised by Drs. Ashley Ware and Vince Calhoun. Tricia received her Bachelor’s in Psychology from Mercyhurst University and her Masters in Cognitive Neuroscience and Human Neuroimaging from the University of Sheffield, where her thesis explored the functional localization of ego depletion and impulse control.

Prior to attending GSU, Tricia worked as a research assistant and lab manager at the Ohio State University in the lab of Dr. Zeynep Saygin, where she investigated the consequences of the first season of tackle football on the developing brain. Her current research investigates the long term functional outcomes of mild traumatic brain injury in the developing brain and relationships with the underlying structural connectome. Tricia spends her time outside the lab knitting and baking.

Evie Bledniak

Evie Bledniak is pursing a Clinical Psychology PhD in the Neuropsychology program, and started her doctoral training in Dr. Ashley Ware’s lab in August 2023. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience at Georgia State University. After graduating, Evie worked as a research assistant as part of the Reading Research Team at the Center for Advanced Brain Imaging (CABI) investigating the effects of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) on the reading network and the use of TMS as a treatment for persistent dyslexia. 

Evie is interested in understanding the neurobiology and psychosocial factors that underlie verbal deficits and other congnitive deficits in language disorders. Her Master’s thesis examines change in brain function following TMS intervention. In her free time, Evie enjoys illustrating, sewing, and Polish folk dancing. 

Nishta Amin

Nishta Amin is pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology in the Neuropsychology program, and started her doctoral training in the Ware Brain Lab in August 2024. Nishta is originally from Mumbai, India. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience at Macalester College in the Twin Cities, Minnesota. After graduating, Nishta worked as a Research Assistant at Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore. Maryland as part of the Brain Injury Clinical Research Center. She worked on research studies examining recovery trajectories in children post-concussion and anoxic brain injury.

Nishta is interested in investigating neural correlates of cognitive and motor performance following traumatic brain injury and how these might inform risk for repeat injuries. She is also interested in social determinants of outcomes after brain injury. In her free time, Nishta enjoys painting, pilates, cooking, and exploring vintage thrift stores.

Emily Blunt

Emily Blunt is pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology in the Neuropsychology program, and started her doctoral training in the Ware Brain Lab in August 2024. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Skidmore College, where she double majored in Neuroscience and Psychology. After graduating, Emily worked as a Clinical Research Coordinator at the Brain Injury Research Center of Mount Sinai under Dr. Kristen Dams-O’Connor, investigating the short- and long-term consequences of complicated-mild to severe traumatic brain injury.

Emily’s current research explores the long-term, cumulative effects of repetitive head impacts by examining functional outcomes and their neural correlates. She is also interested in how biopsychosocial factors influence trajectories of recovery. In her free time, Emily enjoys hiking with her dog, camping, and horseback riding.