Leadership
Meet Our Leadership Team
Damien Fair, PA-C, PhD
Positions
- Redleaf Endowed Director, Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain
- Professor, Institute of Child Development, College of Education and Human Development
- Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Medical School
Summary of Current Research
My laboratory focuses on mechanisms and principles that underlie the developing brain. The majority of this work uses functional MRI and resting state functional connectivity MRI to assess typical and atypical populations. A second focus has become testing the feasibility of using various functional and structural MRI techniques in translational studies of developmental neuropsychiatric disorders (e.g., attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and autism). We are exploring ways to better characterize individual patients with these psychopathologies to help guide future diagnostic, therapeutic and genetic studies.
Julia Moser, PhD
Positions
Summary of Current Research
I joined the lab in September 2021 after my PhD in Neural and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Tübingen in Germany. Prior to my PhD, I received a B.S in Psychology from the University of Konstanz and a M.S. in Neural and Behavioral Sciences from the University of Tübingen’s International Max Planck Research School. During my time in Tübingen, my research focused on the development of cognitive abilities during the last trimester of pregnancy and shortly after birth. Here in Minnesota I will continue investigating very early brain development by looking at the development of functional connectivity networks in infants in their first weeks and months of life. In addition to my interest for the development of brains, I am interested in the development of our scientific field. As a member of the Flux Society’s Diversity Committee and founding member of the Neuro Chapter of the Tübingen Open Science Initiative I try to contribute towards inclusivity and openness.
Kimberly Weldon, PhD
Positions
- Project Manager
Summary of Current Research
I joined MIDB and DCAN Labs (now CDNI) as a Project Manager in early 2022, where I use my background in ultra-high field MRI, cognitive neuroscience, and behavioral psychophysics to manage and consult on research studies. I am originally from Atlanta, Georgia, where I studied Psychology at Georgia Tech. In 2016, I completed my PhD in Cognitive Science at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia. I moved to Minnesota in 2016 and furthered my neuroimaging skills and knowledge base as a postdoc and a staff research scientist at the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research. I enjoy the wide variety of research projects I am involved with and helping junior scientists gain confidence and independence as researchers. Outside of work I enjoy hiking, traveling, playing piano, and spending time with my family.
Lucille A. Moore, PhD
Positions
- Project Manager
Summary of Current Research
I joined the lab in early 2019 as a fellow with ORCCAMIND (Oregon Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Neurological Disorders) after receiving my PhD in neuroscience at the Vollum Institute at OHSU. During my PhD I used in vitro electrophysiology to elucidate auditory brainstem microcircuits in a mouse model. I have since shifted towards data science and clinical research with the goal of making more immediate impact on both human health and the system of academic research. As such, my research program in CDNI explores the potential for mindfulness-based intervention adapted for pregnant women to alter developing fetal brain systems via reduced stress in the mother. My role in this project is to (1) develop the processing and analytic pipelines necessary for efficient and novel analysis of infant brain imaging and (2) analyze affected maternal and infant brain systems in tandem.
Outside of lab, I am passionate about creating a more equitable scientific and global community and deconstructing power dynamics created by ownership of information. To this end, I work as an open science advocate to promote open practices in research. I am also dedicated to making science and society more racially equitable. I therefore serve as a data coordinator for the Alliance for Visible Diversity in Science to promote recruitment, retention, and support of graduate students from historically underrepresented backgrounds in graduate programs at OHSU.
Kristina Hufnagle
Positions
- Clinical Manager
Summary of current research
After graduating from University of Minnesota Rochester with a B.S. in Health Sciences, I served one year with Minnesota Reading Corps. I then joined the DCAN Lab in 2020 as a Research Assistant. I’m currently working on a study that uses fMRI techniques to learn more about pediatric neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. My goal is to provide more equitable and accessible resources and clinical interventions to families based on our current research. I am passionate about working with children and young adults of all abilities and inspiring young minds in the process. I’m undecided on which graduate programs I would like to pursue in the future, but I know that I will always be called to work with medically complex kids and their families.