Dr. Hooker received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Northwestern University in 2002. She completed her clinical training at the VA Northern California and then worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow and later a Research Professor in the Neuroscience Institute at the University of California at Berkeley. In 2007, Dr. Hooker joined the Psychology Department at Harvard University as a faculty member. In 2015, Christine joined Rush University Medical Center as the Stanley G. Harris Family Professor of Psychiatry. Her research uses functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to investigate neural mechanisms that facilitate social functioning in healthy adults and patients with schizophrenia disorder. Her work has been supported by the National Institute of Health, the MIND Institute, and the National Association for Research in Schizophrenia and Depression.

Dr. Haut received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities in 2010. She completed her clinical training at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience at UCLA and then worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow at Yale University and a visiting assistant professor at Williams College. Her research involves using multimodal neuroimaging techniques including fMRI and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to investigate structural and functional connectivity brain abnormalities that contribute to the risk for and onset of psychotic disorders as well as how these abnormalities contribute to cognitive deficits, such as impaired working and episodic memory, in individuals with schizophrenia. Kristen’s clinical interests include psychodiagnostic and neuropsychological assessment, cognitive-behavioral therapy and social skills training. A Chicagoland native, Kristen is enjoying spending time with her family and getting reacquainted with the city’s food, music and yoga.

Victoria received her MA in clinical psychology from Roosevelt University in 2019. In addition to working in the SNaP lab, Victoria is also a licensed counselor and has worked in various settings including hospitals, a group practice, and community mental health providing individual and group therapy and community support prior to joining Rush. Her areas of clinical interest include anxiety, depression, and stress management in young adults. She hopes to use her experience to better support those who are living with mental illness. In her free time, Victoria enjoys spending time with friends, family, and her pets. 

Briana received her BA in psychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago in May 2017. Prior to graduating, she did research investigating the prevalence of trauma in individuals with schizotypal personality traits. She is currently a doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology program at UIC. Briana’s research interests include understanding how stressors, trauma, environmental and cultural factors impact social functioning and the development of individuals at risk for psychosis. In addition, she is also interested in how brain structures are affected by adverse life events. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, cooking, and watching movies.

Savannah received her B.S. in psychology from Arizona State University in 2015. She then went on to the National Institutes of Health's Post-Baccalaureate IRTA program, where she worked with Dr. Leslie Ungerleider in the Laboratory of Brain and Cognition. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate in clinical psychology at the University of Illinois at Chicago, advised by Dr. Hooker. Her research interests center on emotion processing and social cognition deficits across the psychosis spectrum. For her dissertation, she is using the UIC-created smartphone app, BiAffect, alongside ecological momentary assessment of daily positive and negative life events in euthymic bipolar disorder (BD). This project aims to characterize the influence of daily life events, mood instability, and smartphone keystroke dynamics in BD, to help identify potential predictors of relapse. 

Rebecca received her B.S. in psychology from Michigan State University in 2020. Before joining the SNaP Lab, she was a research assistant in multiple labs where she investigated recidivism in juvenile offenders, and the effects of economic abuse. Generally, her research interest includes creating digital/online mental health interventions in hopes of making these services more accessible to individuals who need them. When she’s not in the lab, Rebecca enjoys watching movies, going on walks in the city, and creating new coffee drinks.

Matthew graduated from Lawrence University in June 2020 with majors in psychology and music and a minor in neuroscience. After graduating, he became a Research Assistant at Rush NeuroBehavioral Center in Skokie, IL and more recently joined the SNaP Lab downtown. In the SNaP Lab, he assists with multiple projects studying cognitive training for individuals with mental health disorders, with a focus on monitoring training progress for study participants. He is interested in how cognitive and emotional factors contribute to both psychopathology and well-being, and how emotion regulation strategies can benefit all individuals across development and allow for personal growth. He is also a musician who plays and writes music in various genres (e.g., jazz, rock, hip-hop, etc.), and is eager to become involved in Chicago’s music scene and collaborate with other musicians.  

Shaheer is a Junior and is currently working towards a degree in Biomedical Engineering with a concentration in Cell and Tissue Engineering at the University of Illinois Chicago. He is a pre-med student who joined SNAP Lab back in February 2021 in hopes of gaining exposure in clinical research. His objective in this lab is to help enhance the lives of those who encounter mental illness, and his interests lie in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and those who have a high risk of developing this illness. Furthermore, he intends on starting a research project soon on these individuals and presenting a poster at the UIC symposium in 2022. Not to mention, he has completed his safety training for MRI Testing at Northwestern University Department of Radiology. In his free time, Shaheer loves to explore new restaurants, spend time with his family, and travel.   

Emily is a fourth-year student at Loyola University of Chicago double majoring in Psychology and Software Engineering. She joined the SNaP lab in the summer of 2022 and is looking forward to continue exploring her research interests. In her free time, she loves traveling and exploring Chicago.

Abby is a senior at The University of Illinois at Chicago and will receive her BA in Applied Psychology with a minor in Sociology in May 2024. Abby has more than five years of direct clinical experience in various healthcare settings, one of which includes here at RUSH in The Diagnostic Services Department. She started in the SNaP Lab in January with hopes to gain more clinical research experience. In her spare time, Abby likes to spend time with family, traveling, and trying new restaurants in Chicago. 

Mia is a Sophomore in the Honors College at the University of Illinois at Chicago, currently working towards a BS in Neuroscience with minors in Spanish and German. She is a pre-med student who aspires to become a psychiatrist in the future. Before joining the SNaP Lab, she worked at the HeLPP Lab at UIC, where she helped with research focused on the social functioning of non-clinical individuals with schizotypal personality traits. Mia joined the SNaP Lab in January of 2024 in hopes of getting more experience with the clinical side of psychology research. Her research interests include symptom management in individuals with severe, under-researched mental health conditions, and the effect of misdiagnosis on an individual's self-image and behavior. In her free time, she enjoys doing art, listening to podcasts, and attending concerts.

Vanessa previously received her Associate in Arts from College of DuPage in May of 2021. She is currently an undergraduate student at the University of Illinois at Chicago and will receive a BA in Applied Psychology with a minor in Sociology in May of 2023. She was a Psi Beta member and is a Psi Chi member. She started in the SNaP lab in June of 2022 with the goal of gaining research experience and knowledge. She’s planning on applying to Clinical Psychology PhD programs soon. In her free time Vanessa enjoys exploring the city with her friends and spoiling her cat.

Adamari is a senior at the University of Illinois Chicago and will receive her BA in Applied Psychology and Sociology in May of 2024. She began her involvement in research at the UIC Department of Psychiatry FAMLab in Fall of 2022 and found that she genuinely enjoyed participating in research. She then joined the SNaP lab Fall of 2023 in hopes to further involve herself in research, gain more experience, and understand her own research identity and interests. She will be applying to Clinical Psychology Ph.D programs this cycle. In her free time, Adamari enjoys watching movies, shopping, trying out different foods, and listening to music/going to concerts. 

Joseph is a junior at UIC on a pre-med path currently pursuing a BS in Neuroscience. He is interested in everything brain related. He joined the SNaP lab with the hopes of gaining research experience and learning more about bipolar disorder. Beyond academics, Joseph spends his free time playing disc golf, reading, cooking, and trying out Chicago's best restaurants. Always open to recommendations, he's on a mission to savor all of the city's diverse culinary offerings.

Nyssa is a senior at the University of Illinois at Chicago, majoring in Applied Psychology and minoring in Biology. She started in the SNaP lab in January of 2022 and hopes to gain clinical research experience while learning about mental health. In her spare time, Nyssa loves to play music with her band and try out new restaurants in Chicago.

Amtul is a senior at the University of Illinois at Chicago, majoring in Applied Psychology and minoring in Business Administration. She started at the SNaP lab in the summer of 2023 as part of the Applied Psychology internship requirement. Amtul wants to explore clinical research in depth before she graduates in December 2023. She is always looking for new podcasts, whether psychology-related or true crime; recommend some of your favorite ones!

Alisha is a senior at the University of Illinois at Chicago working towards a Bachelors of Science in Public Health. She joined SNaP lab in hopes of gaining insight into clinical research and CHR patients. She is interested in learning ways to prevent adverse health outcomes for those experiencing mental health issues. Her current hobbies include trying new ramen places, reading and hanging out with friends.

Mark received his B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Penn State University in 2019. He is an M.D. candidate at Rush Medical College and joined the SNaP Lab in Spring 2023. Prior to matriculating at Rush, he was a research assistant in a radiological chemistry and biology lab at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where he was involved in development of molecular imaging probes for neurodegenerative diseases. He’s excited to be involved in the SNaP Lab’s studies of cognitive training programs and is particularly interested in associated structural and functional brain MRI changes. When not doing medical student things, Mark loves to cheer on his Nittany Lions, try new bourbons, and go for runs along Lake Michigan.

Oliver's hobbies include napping, going for walks, and playing at the dog park. He is an expert in tennis balls and has a special interest in chasing his feline sister. Oliver loves all humans and 4-legged friends. When she's not sleeping, Ella can be found loudly asking her humans for food or chewing on cords. She has a big attitude, but loves a good belly rub and to snuggle, although she'll never admit it to you.

Maeve is a 5 month old bundle of energy and love. Her current hobbies include demanding belly rubs, people watching, and collecting every stick that she can find.

Abbie enjoys playing fetch and hanging out at the dog beach. She is obsessed with cats and chasing squirrels. Abbie is currently working towards her dream of becoming a therapy dog.  

Pudgey might be 15 years old but he still gets around. He loves long walks and car rides. He might be a bit shy but this handsome fella is as kind and cuddly as they come. In his free time, he enjoys a good meal and finding the best place for naps. 

Peep

Peep is a yellow parrotlet who likes to chirp and explore the Wronski household. She’ll often use lamps, the TV, and picture frames as perch spots. Her favorite foods include fruit and cheerios.

Leo is an 8 year old British short-hair who loves cuddles. His hobbies include watching TV, hiding his toys, running as fast as he can at 3AM, and stealing morsels of people food.