LAB ASSOCIATE
BRUCE H. FRIEDMAN, PH.D.
Faculty, Department of Psychology
Faculty, Biological Psychology
Director, Mind-Body Lab
Background:
• 1992 Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology
Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
• 1989 M.S. in Experimental Psychology
Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
• 1985 B.A. in Psychology
Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
Office: 221 Williams Hall
Phone: 1-540-231-9611
Email: bhfriedm@vt.edu
Research Interests
Psychophysiology
Anxiety, stress, emotion, trauma, personality
Autonomic Nervous System
Heart rate variability analysis
Mind-Body Interactions & Health
Academic Genealogy
Academic Courses
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Emotion, Stress, & Health
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Polyvagal Theory
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Biopsychology of Emotion
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Psychophysiology
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Physiological Psychology
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History and Systems
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Intro to Neuroscience of Behavior
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Psychology of Personality
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Stress and Trauma
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Emotion Regulation
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Office: 251 Williams Hall
Email: smcclafferty@vt.edu
Shane R. McClafferty, B.S.
Ph.D. Student, Dept. of Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience and Biopsychology
Background:
• 2022 - 2023 Senior Research Specialist; Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, Blacksburg VA
• 2022 B.S. in Psychology, Minor in General Biology; Radford University, Radford VA
Research Interests
Emotional dimensions
Understanding personality through emotion
Measuring emotion through psychophysiology
Using psychophysiology to measure emotion to measure personality
Using PPG and wearable devices
Xinzhu Chai, B.S.
Ph.D. Student, Dept. of Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience and Biopsychology
Background:
• 2021 - 2025: B.S. in Quantitative Psychology; University of California, Davis
Office: 255 Williams Hall
Email: xzchai@vt.edu
Research Interests
Emotion regulation
Using wearable devices to measure psychophysiology
Breathing technique as an intervention for emotion regulation
Stress response in different context
VISITING GRADUATE STUDENT
Office: 253 Williams Hall
Email: francesca.cotardo@unito.it
Francesca Cotardo, M.S.
Visiting Ph.D. Student, Experimental Medicine and Therapy, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Italy
Background:
• 2017–2019: Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology, University of Turin
• 2014–2017: Bachelor’s Degree in Psychological Sciences and Techniques, University of Turin
Research Interests
Psychotraumatology and post-traumatic stress
Psychotherapy processes and outcomes in real-world clinical settings
Emotional processes and individual differences in health-related contexts
Autonomic nervous system in the mind–body relationship
Psycho-oncology in palliative and end-of-life care
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Priya Mittal
Priya Mittal is a senior with a dual degree in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychology. Her research interests include severe psychopathology, health psychology, autonomic nervous system, and emotion. In the lab, she is currently working on a poster presentation for the Society for Psychophysiological Research in Halifax, Canada. She hopes to gain experience in presenting at conferences and continuing to work on her scientific writing through the manuscript she is a co-author on. After graduation, she plans to pursue a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) and become a licensed clinical psychologist. Outside of research, she enjoys making jewelry, watching shows, and hanging out with my friends.
Email: priyam23@vt.edu
Lauren Jones
Lauren Jones is a sophomore double-majoring in Psychology and Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience. Her research interests include autonomic nervous system functioning and physiological responses to stress and anxiety. In the lab, she is currently a research assistant and hopes to gain experience in data collection and interpreting psychophysiological response data. After graduation, she plans to attend medical school. Outside of research, she enjoys scuba diving and hanging out with friends and family.
Email: laurennjones1@vt.edu
Rhea Kataria
Rhea Kataria is a Junior majoring in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience with a minor in Data and Decisions. Her research interests include stress and physiological responses. In the lab, she assists with VR-based stress experiments and multimodal physiological data collection. She hopes to gain further experience in experimental research methods, and understanding the relationship between stress, physiology, and behavior. After graduation, she plans to attend a graduate program in genetic counseling. Outside of research, she enjoys building Legos and going to concerts.
Email: rheakataria@vt.edu
Joelle Lee
Joelle Lee is a sophomore majoring in Neuroscience on the pre-medical track at Virginia Tech. Her research interests center around the intersection of psychology and neuroscience, particularly how stress and mental health conditions, such as ADHD, anxiety, and depression, influence physiological processes and overall well-being. Having lived in East Asia for seven years, she is also interested in how cultural backgrounds and social environments shape individuals' experiences with health and healthcare. After graduation, she aspires to attend medical school and pursue a career in medicine, with a particular interest in pediatric care. Outside of research, she enjoys singing and hanging out with friends.
Email: joellejiyun07@vt.edu
Alair Irwin
Alair Irwin is a senior at Virginia Tech pursuing a double major in Clinical Neuroscience and Psychology. His research interests include the neurobiological and neurochemical mechanisms underlying psychiatric disorders, treatment approaches, and the relationship between the brain and mental health. As a research assistant, he hopes to develop stronger research skills, gain additional hands-on research experience, and deepen his understanding of the mind-body connection. After graduation, Alair plans to attend medical school and pursue a career in psychiatry. Outside of research, he enjoys fitness, hands-on projects, and spending time with friends and family.
Email: alairi@vt.edu
Olivia Scaglione
Olivia Scaglione is a sophomore majoring in Psychology at Virginia Tech with a minor in Adaptive Brain and Behavior. Her research interests include ADHD, integrative health, and psychoneuroendocrinology, especially how stress, hormones, and mental health affect the body. In the Mind-Body Lab, she hopes to gain hands-on research experience and learn more about how physical responses relate to behavior and emotion. After graduation, Olivia hopes to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology. Outside of research, she enjoys working out, spending time with friends and family, and being at the beach.
Email: oliviascags@vt.edu
LAB ALUMNI
Lily Seah PhD 2025
Alex Faunce PhD 2023
Postdoctoral Associate,Virginia Tech School of Neuroscience
Heather Kissel, PhD 2022
Postdoctoral Fellow, Northern Kentucky University, Psychological Science
Brittany Nackley, PhD 2022
Blacksburg, VA
Alisa Huskey, PhD 2020
Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Arizona Department of Psychology
Shara Grant, PhD 2018
Postdoctoral Fellow, National Institution of Health (NIH)
Emma Condy, PhD 2018
Assistant Professor of Psychology, Hofstra University
Xiao Yang, PhD 2017
Assistant Professor, Old Dominion University, Department of Psychology
Derek Spangler, PhD 2016
Assistant Professor, Penn State University, Department of Biobehavioral Health
Jared McGinley, PhD 2015
Associate Professor of Psychology, Towson University
Ben Allen, PhD 2012
Assistant Professor of Psychology, The University of Kansas
Tom Pardikes, PhD 2010
President and CEO, GameSense Sports, Denver CO
Li Wan, PhD 2006
Researcher, Anhui Medical University, China
Israel Christie, PhD 2005
Baylor College of Medicine, Section in the Department of Medicine and VA Health Services Research & Development Center of Innovation
Liz Vella, PhD 2004
Professor of Psychology, University of Southern Maine
Aimee Santucci, PhD 2003
Clinical Research Scientist at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital