Keely Muscatell, PHD
Keely A. Muscatell is a social neuroscientist whose research focuses on elucidating the neurobiological mechanisms that link the social environment and health. Her work is highly interdisciplinary, as she employs theory and methods from social psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and psychoneuroimmunology. Keely’s dissertation explored the neural processes that are engaged when we experience social stress, and how those neural systems link with stress-induced changes in pro-inflammatory cytokine activity and gene expression. She has also examined how social status affects neural processes related to understanding others and perceiving threat in the environment. As an RWJF Health & Society Scholar, Keely will investigate how other social-environmental factors, such as experiencing discrimination or being of low socioeconomic status, are represented by the brain and translated into physiological changes that affect health. She will explore the neural mechanisms by which biobehavioral risk factors affect disease progression and quality of life in breast and ovarian cancer. Keely received her Ph.D. in Psychology from UCLA in June 2013, an MA in Psychology from UCLA in 2009, and a BA in Psychology and Spanish from the University of Oregon in 2006. When not in the lab, Keely can be found reading Dave Eggers, visiting microbreweries with family at home in the Pacific Northwest, or watching college football.
Emma Armstrong-Carter, Lab Manager
Emma Armstrong-Carter graduated in 2016 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research interests focus on child and adolescent development, and the social and cognitive conditions that underlie human experiences. She is the primary research coordinator for Dr. Muscatell and Dr. Cohen. She hopes to pursue a graduate degree in developmental psychology and become a professor. In her free time Emma pets cats, draws, plays piano, hikes and goes boating and fishing.
Hasan Mustafic, Research Assistant
Hasan Mustafic is a senior majoring in psychology and minoring in film. His primary interest is in coping responses to stress, and how it relates more broadly to depression. Hasan likes to spend his free time playing soccer, watching movies, or going to concerts.
LILLIAN DILLARD, Research Assistant
Lillian Dillard is a junior majoring in Biology and Psychology with a Spanish for the Medical Professions minor. She is interested in how the mechanism by which the brain processes stress effects the body’s immune response, as well as how society’s perception of long term caregivers impacts the support systems and services offered to these caregivers. For fun Lillian enjoys exploring libraries, reading, dancing poorly, and trying new foods at local restaurants.
LILLIAN DILLARD, RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Lillian Dillard is a junior majoring in Biology and Psychology with a Spanish for the Medical Professions minor. She is interested in how the mechanism by which the brain processes stress effects the body’s immune response, as well as how society’s perception of long term caregivers impacts the support systems and services offered to these caregivers. For fun Lillian enjoys exploring libraries, reading, dancing poorly, and trying new foods at local restaurants.