Meet Our Members
Scroll down to meet our graduate students, study coordinators, and undergraduate research assistants!
Graduate Students
Melis Cakar, (she/her)
Melis is a Ph.D. candidate at the SCAN lab and is co-mentored by Dr. Mirella Dapretto at UCLA. She received her BA in Neuroscience with a minor in French from Pomona College and started her doctoral studies at UCLA in Fall 2019. Melis integrates functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) methods to investigate the neurobiological mechanisms that underlie sensory over-responsivity in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Her dissertation focuses on the role of the cerebellum in ASD in particular. In addition to research, Melis is passionate about science communication and outreach. Outside of the lab, Melis enjoys spending time with her friends, reading her book at a nearby café, surfing, and illustrating.
Amy Than, (she/her)
Amy Than is a PhD student in the UCLA Neuroscience Interdepartmental Program. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Physiology and Neuroscience from UC San Diego. She has done clinical research at the California Smokers' Helpline and behavioral neuroscience research at the Scripps Research Institute where she became interested in how the brain perceives and interacts with the world. At the SCAN lab, Amy is working with Dr. Green to study the neural mechanisms of sensory processing, the developmental trajectories of social versus sensory reactivity, and the dynamic networks that regulate sensory over-responsivity in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Siobhan Glynn, (she/her)
Siobhan is a Ph.D. student in UCLA’s Psychology Department, specializing in Developmental Psychology and minoring in Quantitative Psychology. She received her B.A. in Psychology from Bryn Mawr College in 2017 and later worked as a behavioral analysis therapist as well as a research network coordinator in Boston. Siobhan is currently interested in how children and adolescents learn and recognize emotions, especially for those who may have divergent experiences processing emotions or sensory information, like youth with ASD or exposure to early adversity. Through her research, she aims to identify mechanisms that help explain social versus sensory reactivity and attention through a combination of behavioral, physiological, and neuroimaging methods. In her free time, she enjoys singing, thrifting and antiquing, bachata dancing with her friends, and playing with her cats, Salem and Zonie.
Study Coordinators
Urvi Shah, (she/her)
Urvi Shah is a Staff Research Associate at the SCAN Lab. She graduated from UCLA with a degree in Cognitive Science with a Specialization in Computing. Urvi is currently helping co-lead a longitudinal study looking at sensory processing development in youth and co-coordinating two interventional studies for individuals with sensory processing difficulties. Outside of the lab, Urvi enjoys playing guitar, watching movies, and finding new board games to play!
Apurva Chaturvedi, (she/her)
Apurva Chaturvedi is a Staff Research Associate at the SCAN Lab. She graduated from UCLA with a degree in Psychobiology with a minor in Visual and Performing Arts Education. Along with Urvi, she is currently helping co-lead a longitudinal study looking at sensory processing development in youth and co-coordinating two interventional studies for individuals with sensory processing difficulties. Outside of the lab, Apurva enjoys painting, exploring Los Angeles, and listening to podcasts.
Katie Wong
Katie Wong is a Staff Research Associate at the SCAN lab. She graduated from UCLA with two degrees- one in Psychology and the other in Political Science. Along with Urvi and Apurva, she is currently helping co-lead a longitudinal study looking at sensory processing development in youth and co-coordinating two interventional studies for individuals with sensory processing difficulties. Outside of the lab, Katie enjoys going on long runs, exploring LA with her friends, and spending time with her dogs.
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Karrin Evans, (she/her), Neuroscience, Class of 2025
Karrin is interested in autism, educational interventions, and language acquisition in neurodivergent children.
Pallavi Badri, (she/her) Psychobiology, Class of 2026
Pallavi Badri is a second-year undergraduate student majoring in Psychobiology. Her research interests include neuroimaging, working with kids, and gender differences in neurodevelopmental disorders.
Shreyas Mytri, (he/him) Neuroscience, Class of 2025
Shreyas is interested in research involving autism spectrum disorder with a focus on intervention and education to help autistic individuals understand their disability.
Anna Kuang, (she/her), Psychology, Class of 2026
Anna is interested in research on the sensory processing aspect in autism spectrum disorder. She is also fascinated by the genetic and neurological components underlying schizophrenia, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. In her free time, Anna enjoys acting, watching movies, and reading science fiction.
Eunice Castro, (she/her) English and Neuroscience, Class of 2023
Eunice Castro is a UCLA alumna. She graduated in the class of 2023 with a double degree in English and Neuroscience. She currently works for an elementary school as a tutor while applying to medical school. Her research interests focus on brain development and learning and memory.
Ani Lessley, (she/her) Psychology, Class of 2024
Ani is interested in dissemination and effectiveness research for treatments of OCD and Anxiety in teens. Additionally, she is interested in the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on social development.