{"id":221,"date":"2025-01-09T14:52:05","date_gmt":"2025-01-09T22:52:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/brave\/?page_id=221"},"modified":"2026-08-03T16:51:34","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T23:51:34","slug":"current-members","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/brave\/current-members\/","title":{"rendered":"Current Members"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n \n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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\n Dr. Emilio Valadez\n <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
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Principal Investigator<\/em><\/p>\n

evaladez@usc.edu<\/a><\/p>\n

I am currently an Assistant Professor of Psychology at USC. I received my PhD in Clinical Science from the University of Delaware in 2019 under the mentorship of Dr. Bob Simons, having completed my pre-doctoral clinical internship at the Charleston Consortium Psychology Internship Program. I went on to work as a postdoctoral fellow with Drs. Nathan Fox (University of Maryland) and Daniel Pine (National Institute of Mental Health) before coming to USC. My fascination with mental health risk started with the notion of the brain as a computer — and how that computer may sometimes go awry, leading to mental health problems. Naturally, I was disappointed to learn that humans are more complex than computers! This disappointment turned to curiosity about the ways we differ. Our work in the BRAVE lab focuses on understanding some of these differences: our brains develop slowly, two people with the same early risk factor can have completely different outcomes (“multifinality”), and different types of risk factors can have similar impacts on our development (“equifinality”). Outside of the lab, you might find me rucking<\/a> or building computers for PC gaming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n\n \n \n \n

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\n Elisa Macera\n <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
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Clinical Science PhD Student<\/em><\/p>\n

macera@usc.edu<\/a><\/p>\n

Elisa is a Clinical Science PhD student in the BRAVE lab. In 2022, Elisa graduated from the University of Delaware with a B.A in Psychology. Prior to beginning graduate school, Elisa worked as a research assistant for the Developmental Brain Imaging Lab at Oregon Health & Sciences University, and as a research associate for the Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-Up Lab at the University of Delaware. She is interested in how alterations in neurobiological development mediate the impact of early life factors, such as early adversity, on adolescent internalizing symptoms. Outside of the lab, Elisa enjoys many hobbies, such stained glass making, crocheting, knitting, playing piano, and horseback riding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n\n \n \n \n

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\n Gabriella Vavala\n <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
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Clinical Science PhD Student<\/em><\/p>\n

vavala@usc.edu<\/a><\/p>\n

Gabriella is a Clinical Science PhD student in the BRAVE Lab. She graduated with a B.A. in Sociology from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master of Public Health from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Prior to joining the BRAVE Lab, she served as a researcher coordinator for the HEALthy Brain and Child Development study and managed Dr. Darby Saxbe\u2019s NeuroEndocrinology of Social Ties (NEST) Lab. Gabriella is broadly interested in identifying the emotional and biological mechanisms linking early life adversity to poor mental and physical health outcomes. In her free time, she enjoys going to the beach with friends and hiking with her dog.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n\n \n \n \n

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\n Julia Yi\n <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
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Graduate Student<\/em><\/p>\n

jiaheyi@usc.edu<\/a><\/p>\n

Julia is a M.S. student in Applied Data Science at the Viterbi School of Engineering. She recently graduated from New York University with a B.A. in Psychology, Data Science, and Philosophy. Julia\u2019s research interests bridges computational modeling and clinical science, specifically centering on belief updating and attentional dynamics in unpredictable\/uncertain environments. Outside the lab, Julia enjoys playing badminton, practicing archery, and hiking on sunny days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n\n \n \n \n

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\n Marie Lassaigne\n <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
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Lab Manager<\/em><\/p>\n

lassaign@usc.edu<\/a><\/p>\n

Marie is an M.S. student in Neuroimaging and Informatics at USC interested in using neuroscientific methods to better understand developmental psychopathology and the factors that place children at risk or support resilience. She is particularly motivated by research that can contribute to earlier, more tailored interventions for youth. Outside of the lab, she spends much of her free time baking and hiking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n\n \n \n \n

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\n Sarita Raghunath\n <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
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Research Coordinator<\/em><\/p>\n

saritara@usc.edu<\/a><\/p>\n

Sarita graduated from UC San Diego with a BS in Cognitive Science, specializing in Machine Learning and Neural Computation. Her prior work has ranged from studying neural characteristics of decision making and language learning to growth trajectories of subcortical areas in developmental populations. She is interested in how early childhood experiences can map to later cognitive outcomes. In her free time, Sarita likes to explore restaurants in LA and watch the sunset!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n\n \n \n \n

\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \"sarita\n\n \n \n \n \n\n<\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n
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\n Sarah Liu\n <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
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Undergraduate Researcher<\/em><\/p>\n

sliu1616@usc.edu<\/a><\/p>\n

Sarah is a sophomore at USC majoring in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. She is passionate about improving health outcomes through prevention, education, and community-based approaches to wellness. Sarah is particularly interested in the factors that influence mental and physical health across the lifespan, such as anxiety and adversity, and hopes to contribute to research that promotes healthier communities for children and future generations. Through her involvement with the BRAVE Lab, she hopes to explore how early-life experiences can shape long-term health and well-being. In her free time, she enjoys going to the beach\/pool, shopping, listening to music, and finding new food spots to try.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n\n \n \n \n

\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \"bby\/adultpic\"\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n<\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n
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\n Grace Crotty\n <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
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Undergraduate Researcher<\/em><\/p>\n

gcrotty@usc.edu<\/a><\/p>\n

Grace is a sophomore at USC, majoring in psychology with a minor in forensics and criminality. She is interested in how adverse childhood experiences shape the development of mental health disorders, particularly anxiety, and is especially fascinated by the ripple effects these early experiences can have over time. She is passionate about understanding these patterns and contributing to research that supports earlier intervention and better outcomes for children impacted by trauma. In her free time, Grace enjoys trying new matcha spots with friends, relaxing at the beach, thrifting, going to CorePower, and listening to music!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n\n \n \n \n

\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n<\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n
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\n Emilia Krishtall\n <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
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Undergraduate Researcher<\/em><\/p>\n

ekrishta@usc.edu<\/a><\/p>\n

Emilia is a current B.A. student studying Psychology. Her research interests focus on attachment styles, especially anxious attachment and how they shape personality and behavior in children, as well as separation anxiety, including early risk factors and preventative treatments. Outside of research, she enjoys Disney movie marathons and theater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n\n \n \n \n

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