People
Dr. Timothy Jarome, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator/Associate Professor
Tim received his B.A. in Psychology from Kent State University in 2006 and then received his M.S. and Ph.D. in Behavioral Neuroscience from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2010 and 2013, studying the role of the ubiquitin-proteasome system in memory formation under the guidance of Dr. Fred Helmstetter. Following this, he trained as a postdoc under Dr. Farah Lubin at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he began to study epigenetic mechanisms of memory formation. Tim joined the faculty at Virginia Tech in 2018 and is currently an Associate Professor in the School of Animal Sciences, Core Faculty in the School of Neuroscience and the Co-Director for the Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) graduate program.
Morgan Patrick, B.S.
Graduate Student
Morgan is a Third-Year Neuroscience Doctoral student. She currently holds a B.S. degree in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology and a minor in Music with a concentration in Jazz Studies from Emory University. Morgan's research interests broadly include sex-differences in traumatic brain injuries, trauma, memory and cognition, and behavior. In her spare time, she can be found playing music/attending music concerts, traveling, going to sports games, doing CrossFit, running, indoor climbing, hiking, watching movies and playing DND with her friends.
Shannon Kincaid, B.S.
Graduate Student
Shannon is a Second-year Ph.D. student at the school of Animal Sciences and has a B.S. degree in Human Nutrition, Food and Exercise from Virginia Tech. She is interested in researching epigenetic mechanisms and their differences between the sexes during fear memory formation. During her time outside of the lab she enjoys spending time with her daughters, working on simple hobbies, or can be found landscaping her yard.
Meagan Turner, B.S.
Graduate Student
Meagan is a Ph.D. student in the School of Animal Sciences studying the molecular mechanisms of age-related memory decline. She earned her B.S. in Animal and Poultry Sciences from Virginia Tech. During her undergraduate career, she performed research in bovine reproductive physiology using models in vitro. In her free time, she enjoys participating in the Clay Target Team, reading, and watching psychological thriller/horror films.
Yeeun Bae, B.S.
Graduate Student
Yeeun is a third-year Ph.D. student at the School of Animal Sciences. She received a B.S. degree in Biology from Gordon College. Her research focuses on the influence of post-translational modifications on neuroinflammation and its implications in neurological disorders.
Phillip Gwin, B.S.
Graduate Student
Phill is a first year Neuroscience PhD student. He holds a B.S. in Biology from Northwest Nazarene University and has completed two years of research in a Biophysics PhD program at The University of Denver before transferring to Virginia Tech. Phillips research interests include PTSD, traumatic brain injury, aging, and memory. Outside of the lab, you might find him riding his bike, running, hiking, or playing board games with friends.
Jennifer Abraham
Undergraduate Researcher
Jennifer is an undergraduate senior majoring in Clinical Neuroscience. She is interested in understanding memory formation and how it changes with the aging brain. She’s worked as a CNA, a clinical technician in urgent care, and an aide in home health, all in service of the aging, rural population. On campus, she’s the President of Synapse at VT, an organization working to provide social support to those with TBI. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her friends and family, trying new food, and hanging out with her friends in the lab.
Adam Cummings
Undergraduate Researcher
Adam is currently a Junior majoring in Clinical Neuroscience with a minor in Biological Sciences here at Virginia Tech. Throughout his time in the lab, Adam has grown interested in the possible sex differences that underlie the mechanisms of hunger and weight gain. In his free time, Adam can be found at every Virginia Tech football and basketball game, hanging out with his friends, watching movies, and going to the gym.
Jean Setenet
PREP Student
Jean is a PREP scholar rotating in the Jarome lab. He graduated from Ursinus College with a Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience. Jean is broadly interested in studying brain development and the importance of synaptic plasticity in brain functions such as learning. Outside of the lab, Jean enjoys journaling, reading, and playing sports.
Olivia Ball
Undergraduate Researcher
Olivia is senior studying Animal and Poultry Sciences. She is on the Pre-Vet track with an emphasis in Companion and Lab animals. In her free time Olivia enjoys going to the gym, listening to music, and baking. She also volunteers at the animal shelter and the YMCA for Meals on Main.
Abby Alisesky
Undergraduate Researcher
Abby is a second-year Clinical Neuroscience major with a minor in Visual Arts and Society at Virginia Tech. Abby is interested in researching sex differences in the brain and is passionate reducing sex bias in research studies. She hopes to go into a women's health profession in the future. Outside of the lab and classroom, Abby enjoys volunteering at the animal shelter, going to VT basketball games, and painting.
Gitali Bhanot
Undergraduate Researcher
Gitali is a sophomore majoring in Clinical Neuroscience and minoring in Spanish. She is interested in exploring how sex differences contribute to fear memory formation. On campus, Gitali is the Marketing Manager of Synapse at Virginia Tech– a club devoted to promoting traumatic brain injury awareness– and Treasurer of the VT Chapter of the American Medical Students Association. In her free time, she enjoys painting, journaling, and exploring new music.
Rilee Anderson
Undergraduate Researcher
Rilee is an undergraduate senior from Havre de Grace, Maryland majoring in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience. She joined the Jarome lab because of her interest in PTSD and the cell and molecular aspects of memory formation! She is studying to attend medical school in the future with a hopeful career path in pediatric neurology. Rilee is also involved in other clubs and organizations on campus including the Contemporary Dance Ensemble where she serves as the New Member Director, Zeta Tau Alpha, VT Rec Sports, and a new member of Nu Rho Psi.
Sachin Gandhi
Undergraduate Researcher
Sachin is an undergraduate honors student at Virginia Tech University majoring in Clinical Neuroscience with a minor in Adaptive Brain & Behavior. He decided to major in the diverse field of neuroscience to better understand the “why” and “how” of human behavior. He works as a hospice volunteer for home health and volunteers in the ER department at LewisGale. For fun Sachin likes traveling, nature hikes, and playing sports and music.
Anne Bauer
Lab Manager
Anne grew up in northeast Ohio and spent 15 years working as an accounting assistant and then office manager for large national companies in Wisconsin and Alabama. When she came to Virginia Tech in 2018, Anne first worked as a human resource associate before transitioning to a lab manager where she now oversees budgeting, scheduling, personnel training and other day-to-day functions of the lab. In her free time, Anne enjoys volunteering at the humane society, traveling, and working out.
Natalie Preveza, B.S.
Lab Technician
Natalie is a recent graduate from Union College in Schenectady, NY with a B.S degree in Neuroscience and a minor in Chemistry. Natalie is interested in understanding more about the epigenetic mechanisms of learning and memory in the brain. When she's not in the lab, Natalie enjoys playing the trumpet, watching/playing ice hockey, drawing, reading, traveling, doing the wordle, and hanging out with friends.