Research Staff

Thomas Madison

Research Professional, DCAN Labs

About Me

I joined the DCAN Lab in early 2019 as a volunteer with the rodent models team. In my current work I assist with pipeline development, data processing, and functional connectivity analysis of multi-echo functional MRI data. I’m interested in how our lab can integrate MRI with other neuroimaging modalities to model brain development in both animals and humans. I have a B.S. in Computer Science from Portland State University.


Kristina Hufnagle

Research Professional, DCAN Labs

About Me

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.


Audrey Houghton

Research Professional, DCAN Labs

About Me

I am a Research Professional at the DCAN Labs focused on managing neuroimaging data processing, storage, and transfer for large-scale datasets like HCP-D, ABCD, ABIDE, and BCP and mentoring people throughout the lab and the neuroimaging community on data techniques, including optimizing your SLURM queue within a High-Performance Computing system. I have project managed and worked as a developer on software like CABINET and BIBSnet. I joined the lab in January 2021. In 2017, I graduated from the University of Montana with a B.A. in Physics and a minor in Mathematics.


Paul Reiners

Research Professional, DCAN Labs

AboUT Me

I joined DCAN Lab in 2020 as a Research Professional on the computing team. I have experience in math, algorithms, computer programming, machine learning, and deep learning.  I have an M.S. in Applied Mathematics (Theory of Computation) from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an M.S. in Computer Science from Iowa State University.  Outside of work I enjoy practicing the piano and electric bass.


Barry Tikalsky

Research Professional, DCAN Labs

About Me

Barry is a full stack developer at DCAN Labs. He supports research by creating and refining tools that make our studies accessible and connected. Major projects include a crowdsource quality control app, a collaboration with Turing Medical, and databasing with LORIS.

Barry has a BS in Physics from the University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire and a certificate of Data Analytics and Visualization from the University of Minnesota.

Outside of work Barry spends time organizing soccer matches and singing in choir.


Jacob Lundquist

Research Professional, DCAN Labs

About me

I joined the DCAN Lab in March of 2022 as a Research Professional. I primarily work on neuroimaging data processing and management for various studies, and have recently been utilizing machine learning techniques to analyze fMRI images. I previously received a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in May of 2021 with majors in Physics and Neurobiology. At UW-Madison, I worked in the Educational Neuroscience Lab and assisted on research projects that focused on structures and properties of the brain that can inform the improvement of educational practices. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with family and friends, and finding new, fun ways to exercise.


Natalie Kern

Research Professional, DCAN Labs

About me

I joined the DCAN lab in 2022 while doing directed research, and accepted a position in 2023 as a Research Assistant after graduating from the University of Minnesota with a B.S. in Neuroscience. I’m currently working on a study that uses fMRI techniques to learn more about pediatric neurodevelopmental disorders. My goal is to continue my work with medically complex kids in the future as a Pediatrician. 


Begim Fayzullobekova

Research Professional, DCAN Labs

About me

I joined the DCAN Lab team in 2023 and am working as a Research Professional. My background includes a BA in Sociology from the American University of Central Asia. I hold certifications in both Python programming and data analytics. I am passionate about using my skills and knowledge to contribute to the cutting-edge work at MIDB, and I am excited to be part of this dynamic and innovative team.


rae McCollum

Research Professional, DCAN Labs

About me

I joined DCAN Lab as a research professional in 2023 after graduating from the University of Minnesota with a Neuroscience degree. I am working on data processing for infant studies and some minor software development. I am hoping to branch out from my neuroscience education and focus more on data processing and analysis along with software development. Eventually I would like to go back to school to get more formal education in data/computer science. Outside of work, I am often hanging with friends and traveling. 


Ellie Chaouch

Research Professional, DCAN Labs

About me

Leveraging my educational background in Psychology and Computer Information Systems, coupled with my practical experience as a behavioral therapist, I became a part of the DCAN Lab in Fall of 2023. My passion lies in contributing to impactful research in ASD and ADHD. I am currently working on a study that uses fMRI techniques to learn more about pediatric neurodevelopmental disorders.


Allison Corlett

Research Professional

About me

I graduated from Carleton College in 2021 with a B.A. in psychology and neuroscience. I spent the majority of my undergraduate years working in behavioral neuroscience research with Dr. Sarah Meerts and supporting public health outreach in rural Minnesota. Upon graduation, I worked in a pediatric neurodevelopment lab at the University of Minnesota focusing on ASD and functional movement disorders. I joined DCAN in 2023 under the supervision of Drs. Steve Nelson and Brenden Tervo-Clemmens. I am interested in conducting multidisciplinary research related to neurodevelopmental disorders, perinatal health, and biomarkers for elevated disease burden. I hope to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology where I can combine these interests to understand the consequences of childhood adverse events on neurodevelopmental and psychosocial outcomes in youth. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time outdoors, volunteering with the Boys and Girls Club Free Arts Program, and finding the best cold brew in the Twin Cities. 


Nickolas Barth

Research Professional

About me

I joined the lab in late 2022 after graduating from the University of Minnesota with a BS in Developmental Psychology. In my role as a research assistant, I engage with study participants to acquire behavioral, cognitive, and neuroimaging data for the currently recruiting studies.


Gracie Grimsrud

Research Professional

About me

I joined the DCAN labs as an undergraduate student during my first semester of college in the fall of 2020. I spent this time working on projects related to Big Data analytical approaches, neurodevelopmental disorders, and Precision Functional Mapping. Throughout undergrad, I also spent time working for Mayo Clinic’s InSciEd Out program, volunteering with the College of Biological Sciences community outreach program, and volunteering at Hennepin County Medical Center. I graduated summa cum laude from the University of Minnesota in May 2023. I began my role as a Research Professional II under the supervision of Dr. Steve Nelson in June 2023. I am interested in pursuing graduate school to learn more about neurodevelopment, the functional organization of the brain, and how differences in functional connections may contribute to developmental trajectories, clinical outcomes, and identification of optimal intervention.


Kody DeGolier

Research Associate

About me

 I am a research associate working under Oscar on brain wide association studies. In addition to projects relating to BWAS I work alongside others to help with statistical analysis and programming refinement. I graduated from the University of Minnesota with a MS in Biostatistics in July 2023.


Greg Conan

Research Professional

About me

I graduated with a B.S. in Cognitive Science from George Fox University in 2019. I write scripts in Python and other languages to process and analyze neuroimaging data for the DCAN Lab, and have assisted with a variety of projects. I aim to produce clear, user-friendly, and standardized code for neuroimaging research. My academic interests also include bioethics; in August 2019, I published an essay in the Journal of Medical Ethics.


Chris Madden

Research Professional

About me

I joined the DCAN lab in 2023 under the supervision of Dr. Brenden Tervo-Clemmens. I graduated with a B.A. in psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where I conducted research on moral and religious psychology. My primary research interests are addiction, suicidality, and psychiatric comorbidity. I am eager to explore these areas of research using tools from cognitive neuroscience, genetics, and advanced quantitative methods. I plan to eventually pursue a PhD in clinical psychology. Outside of work, I spend my time hiking, producing music, and looking for underrated restaurants.


Rachel Richards

Research Professional

About me

I joined the DCAN lab as a research professional in 2023. I graduated with a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Penn State University, with the goal of working in neuroscience research. I worked in the U of M Department of Lab Medicine and Pathology as a research professional prior to joining the DCAN team.