Research Staff
Shanna Mliner, MEd
Program Director
Shanna Mliner joined the CNS Lab in 2026 as Program Director, after conducting research in the Institute of Child Development for more than 27 years. She earned a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education/Special Education and a Bachelor’s degree in Child Psychology from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Shanna also holds dual state teaching licenses in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education, bringing together a knowledge base in child development and early education/intervention with extensive experience in research protocol design and study oversight in a variety of laboratory, community, and clinical settings, including large-scale and multi-site projects. Outside of work, Shanna enjoys attending hockey, football, and baseball games with her husband and two teenage sons, gardening, and traveling with her friends and family.
Kris Gorman, PhD
Program Manager
Kris completed her Bachelor of Arts at Pomona College in Claremont, CA where she majored in Linguistics and Cognitive Science, before earning her Master of Arts and PhD in Brain and Cognitive Sciences from the University of Rochester in Rochester, NY. Since 2013, Kris has worked in varying staff leadership roles in education and research settings at the University of Minnesota, including managing a large-scale clinical trial in the School of Nursing. She joined the CNS Lab as Program Manager in 2025 where she provides operational leadership and oversight for studies in the lab. Outside of work, Kris enjoys getting outside her family, building community in her South Minneapolis neighborhood, and obsessing then moving on from various crafting projects.
Desirae Rambeck, MA
Psychometrist & Clinical Training Supervisor
Desirae Rambeck, MA, is a Research Project Specialist in the CNS Lab and a part of the Measurement and Human Phenotyping Core (MAP Core) at MIDB. In addition, Desirae is the Fragile X Clinic Coordinator; the Fragile X Clinic at the University of MN participates in collaborative research and clinical efforts on fragile X across the US through the Fragile X Clinical and Research Consortium. Desirae received her Bachelor of Arts at Hamline University where she studied psychology and sociology, before receiving her Master of Arts in Educational Psychology at the University of Minnesota. Desirae has 14 years of experience working with children and adults in clinic and research settings, where she specialized in autism assessment and evaluation of patients with fragile X associated disorders. When Desirae is not working, she enjoys traveling with her family, playing with her two dogs and going to concerts.
Lana Hantzsch
Lab Coordinator
Lana completed her Bachelor of Science at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, where she studied Neurobiology, Psychology, and Music Performance. Lana joined the CNS Lab as in 2021, and has worked on the Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum Infant Study, Early Academic Skills Development study, and Infant Brain Imaging Study. She is also currently pursing a Masters in Public Health in Health Data Science. Previously, she has worked as a research assistant at UW-Madison's Center for Healthy Minds and as the lab manager for the Waisman Center's Speech Motor Neuroscience Group. Outside of her work, Lana loves to make music, play volleyball, and plan her next hiking trip.
Charlie Nazarian
Data Manager
Charlie graduated from University of Minnesota in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Economics. Charlie joined the CNS Lab's data and software team in 2023 as a student, and moved into full time position in the summer of 2024 as a data manager. His research interests lie in medical informatics and bioinformatics. Outside of work, Charlie spends his time playing and coaching soccer, skiing, and staying active. He also enjoys all types of music and does photography around the Twin Cities.
Emerald Peterson
Data Manager
Emerald graduated from University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and English and a minor in Physics. Emerald joined the CNS Lab as a Data Manager in 2026. Prior to joining the CNS Lab, she worked as a software engineer and a technology support specialist. Outside of work, Emerald spends her time reading, viewing small worlds in her microscope, playing saxophone, taking care of her plants, and running with her dogs.
Bao Moua
Recruitment Manager
Bao Moua joined the CNS Lab in 2026 as Recruitment Manager. She completed her Bachelors of Science degree in Child Psychology from the University of Minnesota. Prior to her current role, Bao spent 17 years at the Institute of Child Development where she provided administrative and project management support for longitudinal adoption research studies, including the International Adoption Project and many other studies examining stress and development in children conducted in community and clinic settings. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, attending concerts, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. Bao is also a parent to a young adult non-verbal autistic son.
Logan Caola, MS
Project Manager
Logan Caola joined the CNS Lab in 2026 as a Project Manager. He earned his Master of Science in Psychology Research from Lancaster University in England, after completing his Bachelor of Science with a minor in Neuroscience at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Prior to his current role, Logan gained extensive experience at the University of Minnesota within the Wilson and BLOOM Labs. His previous research focused on non-invasive brain stimulation treatments for treatment-resistant depression and addiction medicine. Notably, through his work with the BLOOM Lab in conjunction with the Adoption Medicine Clinic, Logan helped identify diagnostic profiles for various prenatal substance exposures. Outside of the lab, Logan is an active member of the Minnesota Master Gardener program, where he volunteers with local Ramsey County gardens and writes articles translating research into practical advice for community gardeners. He enjoys video and board games, spending time with his family, and exploring anything in the horror genre. You may also catch a glimpse of his two cats, Nova and Nimbus, during his remote meetings.
Tasha Ostendorf, MS
Project Manager
Tasha joined the CNS lab in 2026 as a Project Manager. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychological Sciences from Gustavus Adolphus College and a Master's degree in Justice Studies from Arizona State University. Her research has focused on the relationship between evidence-based health care and federal/state health policy, gender and racial bias in scientific research, patient outcomes, and event-related potentials. In her free time, she enjoys live music, long distance running, watching movies with her husband, and playing with her dog Bennie.
Samantha Smalley
Project Coordinator
Sam recently graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science in Developmental Psychology and a minor in Integrative Neuroscience. Sam joined the CNS Lab in 2022 as a project coordinator for the Population Phenoscreening study, and now coordinates the IBIS LENA language project. She is particularly interested in social and emotional development, as well as co-regulation in infants and toddlers. She is currently pursuing her Master in Social Work at UMN. Outside of her work, Sam loves to cook, watch nature documentaries, and plan her next road trip.
Maya Dosembet
Project Coordinator
Maya joined the CNS Lab in 2025 as the Project Coordinator for the Infant Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Study. In 2022, she earned her Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of Iowa, where she also worked in the Boes Lab on neuroimaging and noninvasive brain stimulation research. She later served as the fNIRS coordinator at the Center of Disabilities and Development at the University of Iowa, focusing on early brain development and the emergence of reading and language disorders in infants born with oral clefts. Outside the lab, Maya loves learning new languages, scaling rock walls, experimenting in the kitchen, traveling, and capturing moments through her camera. On quieter days, she unwinds with reruns of The Office or Monk.
Hannah Lundblad
Project Coordinator
Hannah graduated from Macalester College in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience and minors in Biology, Psychology, and French. Hannah joined the CNS Lab in February 2023 and works closely with Dr. Catherine Burrows. Hannah is the Research Coordinator for the Pediatric Neuropsychology Clinic Database project and for the Early Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Females project in collaboration with Children’s Minnesota. Additionally, Hannah assists with research tasks for the Early Development in Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum project. Outside of her work, Hannah loves to play pickleball, explore coffee shops in the Twin Cities, and travel to new places.
Julia Dumcum
Project Coordinator
Julia graduated from the University of California, San Diego in 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience and a minor in Cognitive Science. She joined the CNS Lab in 2026 as a research coordinator. Previously, she was an undergraduate research assistant at the UC San Diego CARE Program, where she worked on neuroimaging and early psychosis research. She also served as an undergraduate research assistant at the Graves Neuroimmunology Group, where she contributed to a published systematic review on pediatric autoimmune encephalitis. Outside of the lab, Julia enjoys crocheting, reading, making jewelry, and exploring new restaurants and cafes.
Lexy Miles
Research Coordinator
Lexy recently graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Arts in Developmental Psychology and Spanish Studies and a minor in Psychology. She joined the CNS Lab in 2025 as a research coordinator for the Infant Brain Imaging Study. Lexy also works as a research professional in the Minnesota Investigators of Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Group studying childhood adrenoleukodystrophy. She previously worked as a research assistant in the Cognitive Development and Neuroimaging Lab at the UMN Institute of Child Development, where she wrote her honors thesis on the impact of bilingualism on executive function measures for young adults. In her free time, Lexy enjoys reading, playing board games, and exploring the Twin Cities with friends.
Nick Yamasaki
Research Coordinator
Nick Yamasaki joined the CNS lab in 2024 as an MRI Baby Monitor. He is currently working as a Research Coordinator in the lab while completing a Bachelors of Science in Psychology with minors in Integrative Neuroscience and Developmental Psychology. Before coming to the lab, he worked with children in Early Childhood Education, as a dance instructor, and childcare assistant at a shelter. Outside of work, Nick loves knitting, hiking, and playing with his cat, Bobbi.
Ricardo Vazquez Montero
Research Staff
Ricardo graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in Developmental Psychology and minors in Neuroscience and Psychology. He joined the CNS Lab in 2026 as a research professional in the Infant Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Study. He also works in the Center for Developmental NeuroImaging’s Precision Imaging of Plasticity (PIP) Study. He previously worked as an undergrad research assistant at the Minnesota Center for Twin and Family Research, primarily in the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study. Ricardo plans to attend graduate school in the future and is interested in studying the development of psychopathology in children and adolescents. Outside of work, Ricardo enjoys going to live music events, doing puzzles, playing board games, and video editing.
Emily Hollerich
Senior Psychometrist
Emily Hollerich joined the CNS Lab in 2026 as a Senior Psychometrist. Emily also serves as the research coordinator for the Positive Behavior Program at the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and minor in Family Studies from Bethel University. Prior to her current role, Emily spent 18 years working as a Lead Psychometrist assessing children in the Autism Spectrum and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Clinic at the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain. When Emily is not working, she enjoys watching football and spending time with her husband and daughter.
Tricia Saxler
Neuroimaging Specialist
Tricia Saxler joined the CNS Lab in 2026 as Neuroimaging Specialist, bringing decades of experience working with young children in research and early childhood education capacities, now putting her lifelong baby-whispering soporiphic effect to scientific use in infant and toddler MRI studies. Between years spent teaching in Montessori schools, she earned a Master’s degree in Mind, Brain, and Education followed by a Doctorate in Human Development from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, while doing cognitive neuroscience research at MIT. Her research focused on typical and atypical self-regulation, language, and literacy development. Outside of work, Tricia enjoys photography, nature walks, dabbling in pretty much any handcraft, visiting her two grown children, traveling, and hanging out with her pups and family.