Bonny Donzella, Senior Research Fellow
Bonny Donzella is a Senior Research Fellow in the Gunnar Laboratory, and is actively involved in the International Adoption Project. She earned a Masters degree from the State University of New York at Albany, and was trained in psychophysiological techniques and the study of emotion at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Since 1995, Bonny has worked with Dr. Megan Gunnar on studies of the physiology of stress regulation and temperament.
Shanna Mliner, Senior Research Manager
Shanna Mliner has worked on research projects in the Gunnar Laboratory since 1998. She earned a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special Education and a bachelor’s degree in Child Psychology from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Shanna also holds Minnesota teaching licenses in both Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education.
Bao Moua, Principal Lab Tech
Bao Moua started in the Gunnar Lab as an undergraduate research assistant in 2005. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Child Psychology from the University of Minnesota. Besides working on many different research projects, she is responsible for maintaining the Minnesota International Adoption Project Registry and has taken the role of the undergraduate student coordinator for the lab.
Nikola Tsakonas, Research Associate
Nikola Tsakonas is a Staff Research Associate in the Gunnar Laboratory working on the online Trier (TSST-OL) and the MISTIC Social Buffering studies in collaboration with Dr. Kathleen Thomas as well as the CardioHealth study. She graduated from the University of Minnesota in May of 2020 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology as well as minors in Neuroscience and Philosophy. She spent her undergraduate years working as a research assistant with Dr. Kathleen Thomas and Dr. Sylia Wilson. In the future, she hopes to further her education and enroll in a graduate program.
Zachary Miller, Research Associate
Zach Miller is a staff researcher who began working in the Gunnar Lab in 2019. He earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. He currently works on the Social Buffering grant studies, which are investigating how social buffers affect children’s endocrine and neurological responses to stress. Zach is also a staff member of the Thomas Lab, where he has worked since 2017.
Lily Michaud, Research Associate
Lillian Michaud is a staff research associate who started in the Gunnar Lab as an undergraduate research assistant in 2021. She graduated from Macalester College in May of 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Neuroscience as well as minors in Psychology, Biology, and Chemistry. She currently works on the Social Buffering grant studies.
Annika Knutson, Research Associate
Annika Knutson is a staff researcher working on the Cardiovascular Health study. She graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a minor in Integrative Neuroscience in May of 2023. As an undergraduate student she worked on the ARMOR Project at the Minneapolis VA under Dr. Melissa Polusny. Annika plans to pursue a graduate degree in Counseling Psychology.