Meet the Lab

In BADSS Lab, we believe that great science starts with passionate people. We are a collaborative group of investigators and scientists-in-training united by curiosity, discovery, and mentorship. Meet the members of our team below.

Principal Investigator

Benjamin Sachs

BA: Boston University, Boston, MA
PhD: UC San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA
Postdoctoral Fellow: Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC

Research: View Research Focus on Homepage for More Research Profile…
Undergraduate Student

Anastasia Orel

Joined 2024

BA: Psychology, Villanova University, Villanova, PA (Expected 2027)

Research: In the lab, I’ve worked on projects examining the effects of early life and adult stress on hippocampal neurogenesis, as well as the effects of fluoxetine and stress.

Fun facts:

• Hobbies: I enjoy painting, going hiking with friends, and reading.
Undergraduate Student

Anthony Virone

Joined 2024

BSc: Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience, Villanova University, Villanova, PA (Expected 2028)

Research: The various studies that I am involved in examine the susceptibility of stress-induced behavioral effects in mice following an array of different stimuli.
Undergraduate Student

Caroline Deneen

Joined 2024

BSc: Psychology, Villanova University, Villanova, PA (Expected 2026)

Research: I am interested in the neural and behavioral effects of antidepressant exposure and their implications on stress susceptibility.

Fun facts:

• Hobbies: Walks with my dog, pickleball, piano, and cooking!
Undergraduate Student

Chloe Fong

Joined 2025

BSc: Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience, Villanova University, Villanova, PA (Expected 2028)

Research: I have done neurogenesis work with Dr. Sachs, and my independent research focuses on the effects of stress and sleep deprivation on cognition in relation to lack of exercise.

Fun facts:

• Hobbies: Badminton, Ice skating, writing/reading poetry, and painting
• Go-to café order: A matcha latte or a fruity drink
• If I wasn’t a scientist, I’d be a photographer or painter
Undergraduate Student

Corey McCall

Joined 2024

BSc: Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience (Honors), Villanova University, Villanova, PA (Expected 2027)

Research: I am interested in examining how depressant drugs affect the behavior of mouse models. 

Fun facts:

• Hobbies: Karaoke
Undergraduate Student

Elizabeth Doetzer

Joined 2024

BSc: Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, Villanova University, Villanova, PA (Expected 2028)

Research: Interested in the impact of stress on gut-brain connection/neurogenesis and serotonylation projects!
Undergraduate Student

Jack Griffith

Joined 2026

BSc: Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience, Villanova University, Villanova, PA (Expected 2027)

Research: I am interested in investigating neurobiological activity in live animals to better understand neurodegenerative diseases.

Fun facts:

• Hobbies: Golfing, Travel, Watching Chelsea FC, and playing with my goldendoodle Bella.
• Go-to café order: Iced vanilla latte
• If I wasn’t a scientist, I’d be a professional soccer coach!
Undergraduate Student

John Cwik

Joined 2024

BSc: Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience, Villanova University, Villanova, PA (Expected 2027)

Research: Alterations in histone serotonylation induced by brain serotonin-deficient mice exposed to antidepressants.

Fun facts:

• Hobbies: Basketball; spending time at the beach
Undergraduate Student

Kaitlyn Leicht

Joined 2025

BSc: Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience and Biology, Villanova University, Villanova, PA (Expected 2027)

Research: My research examines how early-life stress increases depression-like behaviors and alters dentate gyrus neurogenesis in mice.
Undergraduate Student

Marlene Ulrike Blanke

Joined 2025

BSc: Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience, Villanova University, Villanova, PA (Expected 2027)

Research: I am interested in understanding how genetic, environmental, and nutritional factors, such as stress, diet, and neurochemical vulnerability, interact to shape brain–behavior relationships underlying psychiatric and substance use disorders.

Fun facts:

• Hobbies: Member of the varsity swimming and diving team
Graduate Student

Olivia Bereza

Joined 2025

BA: Stockton University, Galloway, NJ

MS: Psychology, Villanova University, Villanova, PA (Expected 2027)

Research: I’m interested in the psychological, biological and epigenetic mechanisms of cognition, behavior, and environmental adaptation in human and rodent models.

Fun facts:

• Hobbies: Long walks, listening to a Robert Sapolsky podcast, and grocery shopping at Trader Joes!
• Go-to café order: Iced almond milk latte
• If I wasn’t a scientist, I’d be a forensic profiler
Graduate Student

Su bin An

Joined 2025
BS: Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
MS: Psychological and Brain Sciences, Villanova University, Villanova, PA (Expected 2027)
Research: I’m interested in the psychological and neurobiological mechanisms of stress and how it affects the behavior and the brain of mice. 

Fun facts:

• Hobbies: Baking cookies!
• Go-to café order: Iced americano with extra ice
• If I wasn’t a scientist, I’d be an interior designer 
Undergraduate Student

Thomas Bork

Joined 2024

BSc: Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience, Villanova University, Villanova, PA (Expected 2027)

Research: Stress-induced behavioral changes in brain serotonin–deficient mice.

Fun facts:

• Hobbies: Playing soccer and reading
• Go-to café order: Mocha Latte
• If I wasn’t a scientist, I’d be a theologian

Lab Alumni

Our alumni have moved on to exciting roles in science, healthcare, and beyond. We invite all former members to stay connected and share their latest updates.

Leah McNabb
(2017)
Rachel Rivera
(2017)
Taylor Brown
(2017)