Principal Investigator
Caitlin A. Orsini, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology and Neurology, University of Texas at Austin
Dr. Orsini received her Bachelor’s of Science from Washington College, majoring in Psychology with a concentration in Behavioral Neuroscience. She subsequently attended graduate school at the University of Michigan and was trained under the supervision of Dr. Stephen Maren. After receiving a PhD in Psychology (with a focus on Biopsychology), Dr. Orsini began a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Florida with Drs. Barry Setlow and Jennifer Bizon. She completed her postdoctoral training in 2019 and joined the Department of Psychology and the Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research as an Assistant Professor in September 2019.
Dr. Orsini’s research seeks to understand the neurobiological and hormonal mechanisms underlying cost/benefit decision making and how the compromise of such processes may contribute to maladaptive choice behavior associated with substance use disorder. The overarching goal of this research is to develop and advance therapeutic strategies to improve pathological decision making and executive functioning and, ultimately, prevent continued substance use and promote abstinence.
Aside from her love of the brain, Dr. Orsini enjoys running, reading and painting.
Trainees
Leah Truckenbrod, PhD, University of Texas at Austin
Leah is a postdoctoral fellow in the Orsini Lab. She received her PhD from UT Austin’s Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program. Her research focuses on sex differences and hormonal regulation of decision making and addiction. When she is not in the lab, you can find Leah on a long walk with her dog, Willy.
Alexa-Rae Wheeler, BS, University of Florida
Alexa is a PhD candidate in the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program at UT Austin. Her research focuses on the neurobiology of decision making underlying addiction. Specifically, she is interested in how individual differences in cognition relate to vulnerability for developing opioid use disorder. Outside of neuroscience, Alexa also weight lifts and enjoys outdoor activities in Austin.
Payton Kahanek, BS, Texas A&M University
Payton is a PhD student in the Pharmacology and Toxicology program at UT Austin. Her research delves into the intricate relationship between traumatic stress and decision-making, particularly in the context of substance usedisorders. She also explores the underlying neurocircuitry driving these phenomena. Beyond her academic pursuits, Payton enjoys paddle boarding, sewing, and spoiling her cat, Craig.
Zorana Opachich, BS, Arizona State University
Staff
Megan Kelly, BS, Lab Manager and Technician
Allison Lau, BS, Technician
Allison received her Bachelor’s degree in neuroscience at UT Austin. She is currently working as a research technician in the Orsini lab, supervising much of our optogenetic studies. Broadly, Allison is interested in researching behavioral neuroscience as well as the neurobiology behind neurological and mental disorders. When not in the lab, she enjoys crocheting, baking, and playing board games with friends.
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Hannah Cutright
Sydney Tu
Anagha Natarajan
Katie Kitto
Nicki Kheradbin
Pooneh Rahimi
Zain Zeitouni
Ariba Badarpura
Ethan Eanes
Jewel Marie Parrel
Mira Rejendra Bhakta
Samyak Girish
Taydem Ligon
Vincent Nguyen
Former Lab Members
- April Sunyoung Ju, undergraduate; Currently in medical school at Baylor College of Medicine
- Nadia Carlos, undergraduate
- Isabel Csitkovits, undergraduate
- Emily Zoorob, undergraduate; Currently in medical school at Texas Tech
- Isabel Tseng, undergraduate
- Marion Mochache, undergraduate
- Kathy Tran, undergraduate
- Giselle Pedraza, undergraduate
- Merrick Garner, technician; Currently in medical school at McGovern School of Medicine
- Erin Brill, undergraduate; Currently pursuing PhD in Neuroscience at Texas A&M
- Allison Greer, undergraduate
- Emily Cooper, technician
- Adrian Boehnke, undergraduate; Currently in medical school at Baylor College of Medicine
- Megan Thomas, undergraduate; Currently in medical school at Long School of Medicine
- Kyra Gruenberger, undergraduate
- Xixi Jia, undergraduate
- Stephanie Root, undergraduate
Interested in joining our lab? Fill out this form