Staff

Dr. Brandon L. Alderman

Dr. Alderman has established a patient-oriented research program to study how exercise and other behavioral interventions can be used to enhance physiological, neurocognitive, and psychological resilience. His research program incorporates psychophysiological and cognitive neuroscience techniques, including event-related potentials (ERPs) and impedance cardiography, to better understand acute and chronic adaptations to exercise and how knowledge of these adaptations can be applied to intervention development. The ultimate goal is to better understand how exercise and/or physical activity may improve emotional reactivity and cognitive function among at-risk patient populations.

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Luke Poole

Luke is a Ph.D. student who studies relations between lifestyle behaviors and cognitive control using electroencephalography (EEG). His current research investigates relations between co-occurring health behaviors and inhibitory control and the influence of physical activity on cognitive and emotional processes across the lifespan. Luke seeks to clarify the clinical utility of physical activity for cognitive and emotional well-being with age. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, weightlifting, and gardening.

Jonathon Borque 

Jon is a Ph.D. student studying Kinesiology and Applied Physiology. His research interest revolves around behavior change and exercise/physical activity as a treatment for depression. Exercise has been found to be a free and effective treatment. However, people with depression struggle to adopt/adhere to exercise programs. He would like to find an effective behavior change strategy to help people with depression exercise and get better. During his downtime, some of his hobbies include weightlifting, jiu-jitsu, and hiking.

Aman Dhruve 

Aman is a senior majoring in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. His research interests involve the effects of exercise/physical activity on the cardiovascular system in relation to substance abuse and mental illness. He plans on attending medical school following graduation while continuing to pursue his research interests here at the lab. Some of his hobbies are reading, swimming, and playing the guitar.

Carly Snarksi 

Carly graduated from Rutgers this past spring (May '23) with a degree in Cell Biology and Neuroscience. She is returning this upcoming fall to use her extra year of eligibility and play a 5th season of field hockey at Rutgers. Carly enjoys learning about the research in the lab, especially projects relating to the effects of exercise on the brain and body. In her free time, Carly enjoys playing sports, watching ice hockey, and doing jigsaw puzzles. Carly is planning on applying to DPT school with the hopes of becoming a licensed physical therapist. 

Rylee K. Sant'Angelo 

Rylee is a junior majoring in Exercise Science with a minor in Psychology. Her research interests are focused on the benefits of exercise / physical activity for individuals with neurological disorders. Rylee's goals post-graduation include obtaining a doctorate in Occupational Therapy. Formally a DIII soccer player, Rylee is now a member of the Rutgers soccer club. She also enjoys teaching kids how to play soccer and about the importance of physical activity.

Priscilla Ampofo

Priscilla graduated from Temple University in 2021 with a BS in Health Professions. She enjoys getting first-hand experience with research in the lab and learning about the interplay between physical, emotional, & mental health. Priscilla is planning on applying to PA school in hopes of practicing as a certified Physician Assistant. Some of her hobbies include knitting and playing violin. 

Sophie Wilkinson

Sophie is a recent graduate from Rutgers University with a BA in Cell Biology and Neuroscience. She is currently pursuing an MPH through the Rutgers School of Biomedical and Health Sciences. Her research interests include social and physical factors which affect neurological and cardiovascular health. Sophie’s post-grad goals involve obtaining her Ph.D. in behavioral neuroscience with hopes of contributing to social science research. Sophie is also involved with the Rutgers Cheer Team and tutors elementary-aged kids.