Team

Faculty

FLAVIO FROHLICH, PH.D. – PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Flavio’s goal is to revolutionize how we treat psychiatric illnesses. His vision is that understanding cortical state dynamics will enable the development of novel non-invasive brain stimulation paradigms that directly target pathological network dynamics. Flavio is convinced that such rational design of neurotherapeutics will open the door for individualized, highly effective brain stimulation in psychiatry. Flavio directs the Carolina Center for Neurostimulation that offers numerous clinical trials of novel experimental treatments for depression and other mental illnesses.

ANGIESZKA ZUBERER, PH.D. - ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

Agnieszka explores the cognitive and neural mechanisms that shape our attention and emotional engagement in the world. Agnieszka is fascinated by understanding what makes us more or less engaged than others and how these processes impact our well-being. Agnieszka’s particular interest lies in advancing closed-loop paradigms, where brain stimulation protocols are refined using real-time behavioral and pupilometric markers. With a focus on optimizing attention and affect regulation, Agnieszka aims to contribute to the ever-evolving research in cognitive psychiatry.

Postdoctoral & Associated Scholars

ZACHARY FELDMAN, M.D. - SENIOR RESEARCH CLINICIAN

Dr. Zachary Feldman is a board-certified psychiatrist and an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina. He is a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and past-president of the North Carolina Psychiatric Association. Dr. Feldman graduated from the University of Virginia in biology before attending medical school at Duke University. He then completed residency in General Psychiatry and fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at UNC. Dr. Feldman practiced psychiatry in private practice and community settings for 11 years before returning to UNC to join the faculty in 2021. He aims to utilize his experience in clinical psychiatry to help direct the study of novel treatments through his work with the Carolina Center for Neurostimulation.

KRISTIN KADUK, PH.D - VISITING SCHOLAR

Kristin joined UNC-Chapel Hill as a visiting postdoctoral scholar interested in body-brain interactions and neural mechanisms to improve mental well-being. She is excited to explore neural oscillations to advance treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders. Kristin is a postdoctoral researcher at the Tübinger Center for Mental Health, Germany, specializing in translational psychiatry for two years. Her research focuses on body signals and innovative therapeutic interventions, including vagus nerve stimulation. During her doctoral studies at the German Primate Center, Kristin explored the role of the pulvinar in spatial perceptual decision-making and body signals, contributing to a deeper understanding of thalamic functions. Outside the lab, she enjoys cooking, practicing yoga, and embarking on multi-day hiking trips.

MELANNI NANNI-ZEPEDA, PH.D - POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR

Melanni earned her PhD in Neuroscience at the University of Tubingen in Germany, specializing in the exploration of behavioral and pupillometric markers to elucidate the foundations of emotional processes. Her current research endeavors center on the real-time utilization of these markers, employing state-of-the-art techniques such as brain stimulation and neuroimaging with a paramount objective of enhancing treatments for emotional disorders. Outside of her academic pursuits, she derives fulfillment from artistic endeavors such as drawing, watching movies, dance, and recreational sports activities.

SUSANNE RADTKE-SCHULLER, PH.D. - ASSOCIATE RESEARCH SCIENTIST

Susanne focuses on the question how neuroanatomical structure is linked to neurophysiological function and especially what is the 'hardware' underlying behavior and cognitive processing in the brain. She is convinced that this is essential to understand brain processes in healthy and pathological states.

ATHENA STEIN, PH.D. - POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR

Athena received her PhD from the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. During her PhD, she investigated the novel use of non-invasive neurostimulation to improve attention in children with acquired brain injury. In particular, she investigated personalised treatment targets using brain connectivity measured from source-reconstructed high-density electroencephalography (HD-EEG), and developed an at-home neurostimulation clinical trial to improve attention in this population. Athena is now interested in furthering understanding of personalised application of neurostimulation in psychiatric populations. Outside of research, she also has experience in commercialisation, as well as science communication in regional and rural Australian schools. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, running, and spending time outdoors.

Graduate Students

SKYE NAPOLITANO - CLINICAL INTERNSHIP GRADUATE STUDENT

Skye is completing her doctoral internship at UNC School of Medicine on the Affective Science track. This internship is in fulfillment of her final year of training to earn her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Purdue University. Skye's program of research focuses on understanding how individuals manage their emotional experiences, with particular interest in why and how this management breaks down (e.g., emotion dysregulation) and how to best intervene on harmful processes that maintain impairment in mood, anxiety, and personality disorders using multimethod (e.g., laboratory, psychophysiological, and intensive longitudinal) data collection and analysis. As part of her work in the Frohlich Lab, she is conducting clinical assessments and brief psychotherapeutic interventions and training in neurostimulation techniques for anxiety and depressive disorders. Outside of internship responsibilities, she enjoys hiking, weightlifting, and reading.

GRACE ROSS - GRADUATE STUDENT

Grace graduated from Oregon State University with an Honors B.S in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, where she was apart of a healthy aging research lab. Grace left Oregon for North Carolina, to pursue a PhD in Neuroscience from UNC-Chapel Hill. Grace came to Chapel Hill interested in understanding how neural circuitry and brain organization can explain human behavior in the context of human disease. She is now thrilled for the opportunity to study the brain through the lens of neural oscillations with the ultimate goal of developing effective therapeutics for neuropsychiatric disorders.

Research Staff

SAVANNAH FINGER - STUDY COORDINATOR

Savannah graduated summa cum laude with a BA in Psychology and Art from UNC Asheville. She has worked closely with communities with intellectual/developmental disabilities and behavioral health conditions through care management. As a study coordinator, she is dedicated to contributing to the development of innovative treatments for psychiatric illnesses. Outside of the lab, she enjoys creating art, gardening, and baking.

GENESIS GARCIA - STUDY COORDINATOR

Genesis is a recent graduate from UNC-Chapel Hill with a bachelor’s in Biology and a Minor in Neuroscience. As a study coordinator, she is interested in exploring the applications of neurostimulation in treating psychiatric and neurological disorders. At the Frohlich Lab, she will be working on the GAD study, specifically investigating the use of an at-home brain stimulation device for treating anxiety in young adults. Outside of the lab, she enjoys traveling, reading and trying new foods!

ZACHARY STEWART - CLINICAL RESEARCH SPECIALIST & LAB COORDINATOR

Zach received his BA in Psychology graduating summa cum laude from UNC Asheville and is a clinical research specialist and the Lab Coordinator for Frohlich Lab. Zach has previous experience leading/managing complex randomized controlled trials investigating anxiety, depression, substance use disorder, psychotherapeutic interventions and novel brain stimulation interventions. He is passionate about the potential noninvasive brain stimulation has for improving the lives of individuals living with a wide range of neuropsychiatric diagnoses. In his free time he enjoys film and digital photography, cooking, spending time with his spouse Christine and crushing Netflix.

Undergraduate Research Assistants

AVA ASTILLA - UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Ava is a second-year student at UNC Chapel Hill. She is majoring in Biology with minors in Economics and Chemistry. As a research assistant, she is interested in learning about the physiology of the nervous system and is excited to gain hands-on experience with brain stimulation. In her free time, she enjoys going on walks, trying new restaurants, and going to the beach.

MINA BAYRAKTAR - UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Mina is a junior at UNC Chapel Hill. She is majoring in Neuroscience, on the pre-med track. As a research assistant, Mina is part of the Hyperscanning Study, studying interbrain synchronization in the therapist-client dyad during psychotherapy. In her free time, she enjoys cross-stitching, going for nature walks, and learning new languages.

SHRIYA DESAI - UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Shriya is a third-year Neuroscience major at UNC on the pre-med track with a deep passion for patient care and mental health advocacy. She will be involved in the transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) clinical trials and is thrilled to contribute to this innovative field—a dream inspired by her understanding of the challenges in current psychiatric care. Recognizing the limitations of traditional drug treatments for depression, including their adverse side effects, Shriya is dedicated to exploring alternative therapies that can transform mental health care. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym, hanging out with friends, drawing and painting, and discovering new coffee spots.

ELLIE FLOEGEL - UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Ellie is a senior at UNC Chapel Hill, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience. She is interested in exploring the therapeutic potential of neurostimulation in treating psychiatric illness and is excited to be working on the PandA-tACS study at Frohlich Lab. In her free time, she enjoys finding new coffee shops, spending time with family and friends, and running!

KATE KILLIAN - UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Kate is second-year undergraduate at UNC Chapel Hill. She is majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Chemistry. As a research assistant, she is interested in the role that neural networks play in psychiatric disorders and hopes to be a part of furthering psychiatric treatments. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, trying new foods, cooking, and traveling.

ADITYA KRISHNAN - UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Aditya is a first-year undergraduate student at UNC Chapel Hill who is majoring in Neuroscience. As a research assistant, Aditya is part of the Hyperscanning Study, which deals mainly with electroencephalography being conducted to learn more about interpersonal synchronization between therapists and clients with mild to moderate depression. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with friends and family, going to national parks and visiting new places.

ALEX MONTANO - UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Alex is a second year student at UNC-Chapel Hill studying Neuroscience and Spanish for the medical professions on a pre-health track. He is interested in understanding and learning about the neural bases that drive behavior and feelings, and is currently working on the Hyperscanning project investigating interbrain synchrony between therapist and client! In his free time he likse to stay active by lifting and running frequently, playing golf, and spending time with friends outside of class.

MADELINE REAMES - UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Madeline is a second-year undergraduate student at UNC Chapel hill. She is double majoring in Biology and Neuroscience with a minor in English. As a research assistant, Madeline is part of the preclinical animal research in ferrets and is excited by the possibility of using noninvasive stimulation as an alternative treatment for previously treatment-resistant psychiatric disorder. In her free time she enjoys crocheting, playing clarinet with the Marching Tar Heels, cheering on UNC and Washington D.C. sports teams, and spending time with friends.

SWARUP SHARMA - UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Swarup is a third-year undergraduate student at UNC Chapel Hill majoring in Biology with minors in Philosophy and Medical Anthropology. As a research assistant, he is interested in novel, non-invasive treatments for people with mental health issues and will be involved with transcranial alternating current stimulation clinical trials for people with major depressive disorder. In his free time, he likes to play chess, exercise, and watch movies with his friends.

SOUMYA SHENOY - UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Soumya is a first year undergraduate at UNC Chapel Hill. She is majoring in Neuroscience and Data Science on the pre-medicine track. As an undergraduate research assistant she will be involved in the transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) clinical trials. She is interested in learning more about the role of neural structures in degenerative brain disorders. In her free time she likes hiking, reading, and spending time with friends.

AKSHADA SUBRAMANIYAN - UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Akshada is a first-year undergraduate student at UNC majoring in Neuroscience on the pre-med track. She is passionate about neurostimulation and its potential to transform clinical treatments for neurological disorders through non-invasive solutions. She will be involved in the transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) clinical trials and is excited to explore the potential of these treatments. In her free time, Akshada enjoys dancing, reading, and going out with friends!

FREDRE'ONI TERRADO - UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Fredre’Oni is a second-year Morehead-Cain undergraduate student at UNC Chapel Hill, double majoring in Psychology and Information Science with a minor in Entrepreneurship. She is aspiring to become a clinical psychologist. She has worked in various labs from biology to developmental psychology. She is thrilled to be part of a clinical psychology lab where she can dive into non-invasive treatments and contribute to clinical research. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, hiking, photography, and planning events for her family and friends.

TANVI VUYYURU - UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Tanvi is a first-year undergraduate student at UNC Chapel Hill, majoring in Neuroscience on the pre-med track. With a deep interest in understanding the brain, Tanvi has prior experience in wet lab research, exploring the brain on a cellular level. She is now excited to broaden her perspective by investigating the brain’s network dynamics and contributing to clinical research. As a research assistant, Tanvi looks forward to participating in the lab’s clinical trial exploring the use of personalized non-invasive brain stimulation to treat neurological disorders. In her free time, she enjoys playing the guitar, painting, and spending time with friends.

ZIHENG WANG - UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Ziheng is a senior at UNC-Chapel Hill studying computer science. He is interested in understanding the brain in general, particularly by studying memory and learning. He is currently working on the closed loop tACs attention control project. In his free time he likes to walk, travel, and read books.