The Morey lab has many talented contributors with strengths in diverse fields including psychiatry, neuroimaging, clinical neuroscience, biomedical engineering, computer science, psychology, as well as cognitive, affective, and social neuroscience.
Principal Investigator
Dr. Rajendra Morey is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Duke University School of Medicine, Director of the Neuroimaging Core of the VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness, Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), staff psychiatrist at the Durham VA Medical Center, and core faculty in the Duke-UNC Brain Imaging and Analysis Center (BIAC).
Dr. Morey received a B.S. in Computer Engineering and an M.S. in Computer Science from Case Western Reserve University, and a M.D. degree from Hahnemann University (now Drexel University) School of Medicine in 1997. After completing residency training in general psychiatry at the University of New Mexico and an NIMH extramural research fellowship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with Drs. Jeffrey Lieberman and Aysenil Belger, he started at Duke and the Durham VA. Dr. Morey co- leads the PTSD Neuroimaging Working Group in the PGC and ENIGMA where he has formulated a roadmap to identify replicable genetic associations and new insights into the biological underpinnings of PTSD at a scope that is unprecedented in the field of traumatic stress. These efforts have triggered a renewed impetus and a sharpened focus on investigating structural and functional brain differences, their genetic determinants, environmental modulators, and investigating the genetic vulnerability to the effects of trauma and the onset of PTSD.
Current research interests include: elucidating how PTSD symptoms alter the balance of prefrontal-limbic signaling during tasks of executive function, emotional distraction, symptom provocation, and memory function, leading to novel insights regarding the neural circuits associated with cognitive and emotional deficits in PTSD; developing a diagnostic approach for TBI using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) that can be applied at the single subject level; and assessing the merits of competing neuroimaging methodologies for structural MRI morphometry and volumetry.
Dr. Morey’s favorite movie: Whale Rider
Connect with Dr. Morey:
rajendra.morey@duke.edu
– Google Scholar
– Mentorship History
Collaborators
Dr. Kevin LaBar, Ph.D. is Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Duke University. Dr. LaBar’s research emphasis is on the cognitive neuroscience of emotional learning and memory with particular focus on the role of the amygdala and hippocampus in fear-dependent learning. Drs. LaBar and Morey have collaborated for the past 5 years on several fMRI studies of veterans with PTSD, focusing on the imbalance of prefrontal-limbic signaling during tasks of executive function, emotional distraction, symptom provocation, and memory. Dr. Morey has published several manuscripts with Dr. LaBar and is embarking on a new phase of collaboration to determine whether fear generalization in PTSD can come under stimulus control to restore balance in the relevant fronto limbic pathways.
– Visit Dr. LaBar’s Website
Dr. Stephen Simons, Ph.D. is a Principal Scientist in the applied sciences division of Teledyne Scientific & Imaging in Durham, North Carolina. His primary research interests are in the fields of neurotechnology, systems neuroscience, and computational neuroscience. Dr. Simons has over fifteen years of experience in electrophysiology and neuroimaging methods, as well as in computational models of neural processing and algorithm development for complex signal analysis. Dr. Simons and his team are collaborating on and have developed an at home stimulation mechanism for the current study Clinical Outcomes for TBI and Suicidality in U.S. Veterans using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS).
Dr. Robert Turner, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical Research and Leadership at The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences and holds a position as a Research Scientist in the Center for Biobehavioral Health Disparities Research at Duke University. Dr. Turner is an author, researcher, and former NFL player committed to serving his communities. He is a co-investigator on the current study identifying psychosocial and neurocognitive risk and protective factors, accelerated cognitive aging & mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) among former NCAA Division I and former NFL athletes.
– Visit Dr. Turner’s Website
Dr. Johnathan Weiner, M.D. is Senior Staff Psychiatrist at the Durham VA. He received his M.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed his psychiatry residence at Duke University. His is also a board certified Forensic Psychiatrist. He has been with the Durham VA Medical Center since 1992. His clinical expertise includes the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Chronic Mental Illness, and Addiction Medicine. He is a principal supervisor for training Duke psychiatry residents rotating in the outpatient Mental Health Clinic. His research interests include structural MRI morphometry and volumetry, fMRI, and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of PTSD and TBI.
Dr. Gregory McCarthy, Ph.D. is Professor of Psychology and Director of the Human Neuroscience Laboratory at Yale University. He was the founding director of both the Mid-Atlantic MIRECC and the Duke-UNC BIAC. Dr. McCarthy is an international authority in MRI and fMRI methodology and its application to anxiety disorders and depression. He was the Dr. Morey’s K23 mentor prior to joining Yale University three years ago, but has maintained a formal relationship with the Mid-Atlantic MIRECC Neuroimaging Lab. Drs. Morey and McCarthy worked together closely after the founding of the MIRECC, where they spearheaded the formation of the MIRECC Registry. Dr. McCarthy is a senior consulting member of the MIRECC Neuroimaging Lab, providing ongoing guidance and long-term vision. He has worked closely with the Morey lab for over six years and co-authored numerous publications in PTSD and neuroimaging methods.
– Visit Dr. McCarthy’s Website
Dr. Delin Sun, Ph.D. completed his B.S. degree in Applied Physics and his Ph.D. in Biophysics at The University of Science and Technology of China. Following this, he underwent post-doctoral training at The Department of Psychology, The University of Hong Kong, and the School of Medicine, Duke University.
Currently, Dr. Sun is a Senior Research Scientist specializing in the use of machine learning, statistical models, and network-graph analytics. He utilizes software such as Matlab, R, and Python to explore the structural and functional mechanisms of human behaviors in the brain. His work involves analyzing extensive MEGA datasets, which include tens of thousands of brain voxels per individual across thousands of individuals, including clinical patients with mental disorders such as Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), Depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Smoking, and Internet Addiction. For more information on the tools and codes developed by Dr. Sun, please visit his GitHub page (https://github.com/sundelinustc).
Dr. Sun has made significant contributions to his field, with over 30 academic journal articles, 2 book chapters, and more than 30 conference speeches/posters to his name. His work, which can be found on his Google Scholar profile, has been cited over 1,300 times (h-index: 20, i10-index: 30). In addition, he serves as a guest associate editor for 3 journals and a review editor for 5 journals, and has edited and reviewed more than 300 manuscripts submitted to academic journals.
In addition, he serves as a guest associate editor for 3 journals and a review editor for 5 journals, and has edited and reviewed more than 300 manuscripts submitted to academic journals. For more information on the publication records of Dr. Sun, please visit his Google Scholar page (https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=5LfHq64AAAAJ&hl=en).
Delin’s favorite movie: Forrest Gump
Connect with Dr.Sun:
ds366@duke.edu
Data Analysts
Courtney Haswell, M.S. is an analyst/programmer at the Duke-UNC Brain Imaging and Analysis Center. She received a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering with a minor in Physics from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a M.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University. Her thesis described the acquisition of internal models of motor control in children with autism and was published in Nature Neuroscience. As part of a graduate student medical device design team, her work on a portable negative pressure ventilation device contributed to the development of a novel method of electronically stimulating the phrenic nerve in emergency situations (patent pending). Previous research includes motor learning, autism, spectral analysis of speech signals, and biomechanics. Courtney is a member of Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her three kids, being outdoors hiking and biking, and exercising.
Connect with Courtney:
courtney.haswell@duke.edu
Graduate Students
Alexandra Dwulit, B.S, M.S. is from upstate New York and received her BS in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Minor in Neuroscience from the University of Rochester, while following a pre-medical track. She proceeded to get her MS in Behavioral Biology at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, looking at effects of sleep deprivation on behavior, cognition and neurogenesis of song learning in zebra finches. She did subsequent research on epigenetics and neurodegeneration in non-human primates at UC Davis. She is now pursuing her PhD in Comparative Biomedical Science at NC State, concentration in Neuroscience, in the lab of Dr. Matthew Breen with a co-mentorship with Dr. Morey at Duke. She is using neuroimaging and genetics tools to better understand the evolutionary underpinnings of PTSD and anxiety in humans and dogs. In her free time she loves fostering retriever mixes and playing and teaching tennis, as well as hiking, various nature crafts and traveling.
Alexandra’s Favorite Movie: Alpha
Connect with Alexandra:
alexandra.dwulit@duke.edu
Ahmed Hussain, B.S. is a research assistant in the Morey Lab. He graduated from Duke University with a B.S. in Biology and a Pharmacology concentration, a minor in Neuroscience, and a minor in Chemistry. At Duke, he completed the pre-medical track and worked under Dr. Corinne Linardic to study Rhabdomyosarcoma, a soft tissue cancer. He also worked under Dr. Abou-Donia to study the neurotoxicological effects of Glyphosate, a widely-adopted herbicide. Ahmed is currently transitioning to the field of neural engineering and is very interested in investigating the potential of brain stimulation devices including temporally interfering fields as alternative treatment options for psychiatric and neurological disorders.
Ahmed’s favorite movie: Christopher Robin
Connect with Ahmed:
ahmed.hussain1@duke.edu
Nicholas “Nick” Steele, B.S. is a research assistant in the Morey Lab. He graduated with a B.S. in Cognitive Neuroscience from Colorado State University. During his undergraduate training, he studied the impact of early life stress and institutional rearing on brain development while working in Dr. Emily Merz lab. Nick aims to use neuroimaging, network analyses, and machine learning to investigate the foundations of affective processing in the human brain to help uncover the neural basis of emotions and psychiatric mood disorders.
Nick’s favorite movie: Primer
Connect with Nick:
nicholas.steele@duke.edu
LeeAnne Tunstall B.S. is a research assistant in the Morey Lab. She graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with a B.S in Psychology and two minors in Disability Studies and Adaptive Brain and Behavior. At Virginia Tech, LeeAnne was a part of a research team that involved recovery effort after adult and childhood trauma. Following the REAACT Team, she was a research assistant in a lab that conducted research with alcohol in couples health. Currently, LeeAnne is interested in how the use of counseling and neuroimaging can work together to better understand PTSD and substance use across communities. Outside of the lab, LeeAnne loves to cook.
LeeAnne’s favorite movie: Christopher Robin
Connect with LeeAnne:
leeanne.tunstall@duke.edu
Jenna Beakas, B.A. is a research assistant in the Morey Lab. She graduated with a B.A. in Biochemistry on a pre-medicine track from Malone University. As an undergraduate, she interned at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in the lab of Drs. Charles Vorhees and Michael Williams studying how mutations and environmental agents lead to neurological and cognitive disorders, specifically ADHD. While in school, Jenna also worked under Dr. Kathryn Huisinga to investigate human metabolic enzyme malate dehydrogenase and completed an honors thesis on alternative treatment options for anxiety disorders. Following graduation, Jenna worked in addiction treatment and scribed in the emergency department. She now coordinates the Indblast study and assists with the Athlete Brain Health and Black Men’s Brain Health studies. Following her time in the lab, Jenna aims to receive her medical degree to practice primary care through the functional medicine lens. Outside of her academic interests, Jenna was a previous NCAA cross country and track athlete and continues to enjoy strength training, exploring parks, trying new coffee shops and traveling!
Jenna’s favorite movie: Interstellar
Connect with Jenna:
jenna.beakas@duke.edu
Undergraduate Students
Leonel Rangel Jimenez is a rising senior at Duke University graduating in 2025. He is currently enrolled in the Pratt School of Engineering with the intent to complete his major in Biomedical Engineering (BME). This past 2024 Spring semester marks his second full semester back at Duke after a break during the 2022-2023 school year. Whether it involved learning about modern imaging modalities, developing a benchtop cardiac pacemaker, discussing the ethics of brain organoids, or delving into the wide impact Selena Quintanilla’s (the “Queen of Tejano Music”) life has had on the Latinx community decades after her tragic death in 1995, Leo has made the most of his return to formal academic spaces. In the Morey lab, Leo aims to restart his work on temporally interfering fields, while helping with various minor tasks wherever it is needed. Outside of school, Leo enjoys learning new cooking recipes with his partner and loves anything that lets him tinker, such as 3D printing and wood burning.
Leo’s favorite movie: Selena(1997)
Connect with Leo:
leonel.rangel.jimenez@duke.edu
Courage Ndalama is a current sophomore at Duke University. She’s majoring in Psychology and Global Health with a minor in Education. She has always loved to read and write. In her free time, she also loves trying out new recipes or going to fun restaurants with her friends. She is also an avid thrifter! In the future, she hopes to pursue a PhD in psychology and work with children. In the past she has done research on perimenopause and neonatal outcomes.
Connect with Courage:
courage.ndalama@duke.edu
Amelia Costello is a current senior at Duke University, studying Neuroscience with a minor in Chemistry. Prior to joining the Morey Lab, she worked under Dr. Christina Meade to study the influence of HIV infection and substance use on white matter reorganization. Outside of the lab, she works as an EMT for the Vance County Fire Department and as a peer tutor for Biochemistry. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career that combines clinical care in the Emergency Department with research on the underlying causes of substance use and other psychiatric disorders. When she’s not working, she loves to climb, read, go on road trips, and have her friends over for pancakes!
Amelia’s favorite movie: Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Connect with Amelia:
amelia.costello@duke.edu
Riya Menon goes to UNC Chapel Hill (Class of 2028) majoring in Neuroscience with the future goal of working in healthcare and with children. One of her hobbies include coaching high school women’s wrestling. She is currently interested in neuroimaging research, having done Alzheimer’s research in the past.
Riya’s favorite movie: Mamma Mia
Connect with Riya:
riya.menon@duke.edu
Hannah Gedion is a current Junior at Duke University, and is a neuroscience major on the pre-med track. She previously worked in the Disney Neurobiology Lab for two years followed by a semester as part of the Reconstructive Surgery in Palestine Bass Connections Team at Duke. Her background is mostly in wet lab procedure, and she is excited to be expanding her skillsets in the Morey Lab. In the future, she would like to pursue a dual MD/PhD degree and work as a pediatric neurosurgeon. Outside of the lab, she is involved in club basketball and is a coach locally. She also plays golf and has fun singing with her acapella group.
Hannah’s favorite movie: Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
Connect with Hannah:
hannah.gedion@duke.edu
Lab Alumni
- Christine “Lexi” Baird
- Clinical Psychology PhD student at Pennsylvania State University
- Ashley Huggins, PhD
- Brandy S. Martinez, PhD
- Sarah Laskowitz
- Madeline Eckhardt
- Amanda Watts
- Karan Desai
- Molly Monsour
Medical Student at University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine
- Emily Clarke-Rubright, M.A.
- Heather Bouchard
Clinical Psychology Graduate Student at University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Center for Brain, Biology and Behavior
- Mary Nicole Buckley
Clinical Research Associate in the Affective Neuroscience and Developmental Psychopathology Lab at University of Pittsburgh
- Ashley Clausen, Ph.D.
Staff Health Psychologist at the Kansas City VA Medical Center
- Rachel Phillips
Graduate student in Clinical Psychology at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Viraj Adduru
- Aurelio Falconi
Medical Student at Wake Forest School of Medicine - Gopalkumar Rakesh
Post-doctoral Fellow at the University of Kentucky - Arnav Pondicherry, M.D.
Resident Physician at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center - Clare Kehoe
- Loreanne Oh
Medical Student at U-Pittsburgh - Chelsea Swanson
Masters Student at UNC Chapel-Hill - Sarah Lancaster
- Andrea Gold, Ph.D.
Psychologist at the Pediatric Anxiety Research Center at Bradley Hospital - Shannon Beall, M.S.W., L.C.S.W.
Outpatient Therapist at Hope Services - Cassidy Fox
- Vanessa Brown
Graduate Student in Psychology - Avani Vora
Management and Business Administration Student at the University of Iowa - Jasmeet Pannu Hayes, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology at The Ohio State University - Soyee Li
Research Coordinator at Henry Jackson Foundation - Jessica Nasser
Doctoral Student at Case Western Reserve University - Elizabeth Selgrade, M.S.P.O., C.O., L.O.
Certified Orthotist at Children’s at Meridian Mark and Children’s at Duluth - Srishti Seth
Doctoral Student at Catholic University - Christopher Petty
Systems Programmer at Duke-UNC BIAC - Debra Cooper, Ph.D.
Science Policy Fellow at California Council on Science and Technology
