As the Regulatory Operations Manager, Becky Devine is responsible for overseeing and managing regulatory compliance at the HAARC Center.  With over 20 years of clinical research experience, Becky has a strong background in clinical research operations and clinical research program management.  In her role, she works closely with research teams to ensure that clinical research conducted at the Center adheres to both local and federal guidelines and follows all relevant policies, procedures, and standards

Beata Samelko holds a Master of Science degree in Biotechnology from Rush University. She began her career as a researcher in the Orthopedic department at Rush University Medical Center. In this role, she gained valuable experience in research administration. After nearly 8 years with the Orthopedic Surgery department, Beata was promoted to the position of manager and transferred to the Nephrology department. Throughout her career, Beata’s main focus has been on research administration, but she has also actively engaged in bench research and contributed to various scientific publications. After spending over 14 years at Rush University, Beata decided to join the Research Administration team at Northwestern University. In her role, she managed research portfolios, both pre and post-award, as well as clinical trials at the Mesulam Center. As of February 1, she has joined the HAARC Center at the University of Chicago as Grants and Contracts Administrator.

Phyllis Timpo holds a Master’s degree and leads initiatives to diversify research cohorts within the HAARC Center, bringing over 15 years of dedicated advocacy and experience to her work. Phyllis is committed to increasing representation in clinical research and promoting health equity for underserved populations. Her extensive background includes work that bridges communities and healthcare systems, enabling greater access to research participation. Phyllis is passionate about the HAARC Center’s mission and is inspired daily by the opportunity to influence positive change in the field of Alzheimer’s research. 

Hanna Clem holds a Bachelor’s degree in Strategic Communications and a Master’s degree in Digital Content Strategy from the University of Kansas, as well as a certificate in Social Media Strategy from the same institution. As the Communications Coordinator at the HAARC Center, she supports community engagement efforts, builds awareness of the Center’s initiatives, and helps plan and execute both large- and small-scale events hosted by the HAARC Center. Her favorite part of working at the HAARC Center is showcasing the incredible work her colleagues do with participants and highlighting their strides toward improving the future of dementia care and research. She feels privileged to contribute to a mission that directly impacts individuals and families navigating Alzheimer’s and related challenges.

Rhiana Schafer earned her B.A. in Cognitive Science and Neurobiology from UC Berkeley and holds a Data Science Certificate from Northwestern University. As the Database Manager at the HAARC Center, she maintains and creates complex data infrastructure across various research projects, coordinating data requests for both internal and external use, and ensuring high data quality through regular monitoring. Initially working under Dr. Rogalski shortly after her undergraduate studies, Rhiana was introduced to the research environment and quickly became involved in data infrastructure improvements. This experience inspired her to deepen her understanding of research data processes, leading her to complete Northwestern’s Data Science Certificate Program. After a position at the University of California, San Francisco, she returned to the HAARC Center, where she enjoys the opportunity to engage in diverse projects, participate in high-quality science, and serve the research participants who make their work possible. 

Siobhan holds a B.S. in Psychology from The Ohio State University and an M.S. in Applied Data Science from the University of Chicago. As a data scientist at the HAARC Center, she employs statistical and machine learning techniques to analyze brain images and other data sources, uncovering insights about aging and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. Her work focuses on understanding how the brain changes over time, with the aim of informing improved diagnostic and intervention strategies. Siobhan’s prior experience includes coordinating neurological studies, spanning aging research and clinical trials. Witnessing the real-world impact of scientific discoveries on health outcomes inspired her to dive deeper into innovative approaches for addressing neurological disorders. She values the flexibility in her role, allowing her to explore aging from fresh perspectives and develop creative solutions. Siobhan is especially excited by the potential for HAARC’s research to drive innovations that positively impact people across the spectrum of aging. 

Maria holds a PhD in Psychology and Neuroscience from the University of Colorado and a BS in Psychology from DePaul University. As a data scientist on the Neuroimaging team at the HAARC Center, she contributes to pipelines and analyses across multiple research studies, including a task-based fMRI study aimed at understanding the neural underpinnings of SuperAging. She also builds visualizations for neuropsychological data. Before joining the HAARC Center, Maria worked in both academia—at Boston Children’s Hospital and Northwestern University—and in the EdTech industry, where she led research and evaluation studies. Her previous work focused on brain and cognitive development in childhood, and she is excited to now contribute to research that examines these processes later in the lifespan. 

Stella Wang has a background rooted in healthcare, focusing on research and health equity. She currently works closely with Rhiana on various projects at the HAARC Center, contributing to the center’s mission through her educational and professional experiences. Stella finds her role at the HAARC Center incredibly rewarding as it allows her to engage in projects that make a meaningful impact on patient care and community health. 

Chandler J. Zolliecoffer, Ph.D., is a clinical neuropsychology post-doctoral fellow at the University of Chicago Medicine. At the HAARC Center, Chandler provides neuropsychological consultation for the UChicago SuperAging study and contributes to community engagement initiatives and recruitment efforts. She earned her Ph.D. in clinical psychology with a specialization in neuropsychology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and completed a doctoral internship/residency in clinical neuropsychology at the University of California San Diego. She has a lifelong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, values she actively centers in her research, clinical practice, and personal life, which align closely with the HAARC Center’s mission. Chandler finds great fulfillment in developing meaningful connections with community members, prospective participants, and SuperAgers.

Ollie Fegter received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Brigham Young University, followed by a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. She is currently a doctoral student in Clinical Psychology (Neuropsychology) at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, working under the guidance of Dr. Emily Rogalski. Ollie is committed to studying neurodegenerative diseases with a specific focus on Alzheimer’s research and enjoys collaborating with the HAARC Center’s interdisciplinary team. 

Matt Bona holds a Master’s in Public Health (M.P.H) and serves as the Operations Manager for the Communication Bridge Program at the HAARC Center. In this role, he manages daily logistics, streamlines resource use, and ensures protocol adherence, focusing on maintaining timelines, enhancing data processes, regulatory compliance, staff support, and participant coordination to keep the trial running smoothly. Matt’s career has been centered around clinical trial management and research operations, particularly in NIA-sponsored trials where he developed expertise in site management, staff oversight, and protocol adherence. His role allows him to apply his experience in optimizing clinical trial logistics and fostering effective participant engagement. Matt is inspired by the collaborative spirit of the HAARC team and its commitment to translating research into real-world solutions, aiming to improve the health and resilience of individuals and communities affected by aging and dementia. 

Emily Cummings is a licensed speech-language pathologist at the HAARC Center, where she serves as a clinical research speech pathologist. She has extensive clinical experience across various healthcare settings, bringing invaluable expertise to her role in the center’s research-focused work. Emily is passionate about the HAARC Center’s dedication to advancing Alzheimer’s and dementia care through innovative research, and she finds meaning in contributing to such a significant cause. For Emily, the HAARC Center’s commitment to improving the lives of patients and their families is the most rewarding part of her role. 

Emily Kaderabek earned her B.S. in Neuroscience with minors in Hispanic Studies and Medical Humanities from Boston College. As a Clinical Research Coordinator for the Communication Bridge study at the HAARC Center, she plays a key role in participant recruitment and screening, assisting participants throughout the onboarding process and addressing study-related questions. Emily discovered her passion for healthy aging and ADRD research while serving older adult populations during the COVID-19 pandemic, later working as a research assistant on the New England Centenarian Study at Boston University. In her current role, Emily values the opportunity to work closely with participants and enhance her clinical skills as she prepares for medical school. She is grateful for the HAARC Center’s dedication to community outreach and enjoys connecting with prospective participants at local events. 

Sydney Branson is a licensed speech-language pathologist serving as a clinical research speech pathologist at the HAARC Center. With a rich background spanning the healthcare continuum, Sydney has honed her skills in providing compassionate and evidence-based care to her patients. Her experience across different healthcare settings allows her to bring a well-rounded perspective to the center’s initiatives. Sydney is most fulfilled by the fantastic team at the HAARC Center and values the collaborative environment that encourages professional growth and shared goals in research and patient care. 

Roshnee Burma is a Licensed Social Worker with a Master’s in Applied Clinical Psychology and a Master’s in Public Health Social Work. At the HAARC Center, she supports individuals and families living with dementia by providing psychosocial support and helping families navigate the challenges associated with the diagnosis. Over recent years, Roshnee has worked with various national and international organizations to provide quality, patient-centered care, contributing to programs that support families through both therapeutic and non-therapeutic interventions. She values the opportunity to help families maintain connection as they navigate the complexities of dementia. 

Kianna Hearns holds a B.S. in Neuroscience and an M.A. in Clinical Psychology. As a Clinical Research Coordinator at the HAARC Center, she leads participant visits, administers neuropsychological tests, and trains staff, ensuring accurate and reliable data collection. Kianna also represents the research program at outreach and recruitment events to connect with potential participants and raise awareness about the HAARC Center’s studies. Her experience as a psychometrist during her master’s program, where she administered neuropsychological tests to older adults, sparked her interest in contributing to research that promotes healthy aging. Kianna finds the most fulfillment in engaging with participants and hearing their life stories, motivated by the knowledge that the study’s findings could support healthier cognitive aging. 

Hannah Peirce holds a Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics and Cognitive Science and is the Research Project Manager and team lead for the SuperAging Research Initiative at the HAARC Center. She oversees the multi-site study from the coordinating site level, supporting both the broader study and local University of Chicago site operations. Hannah began her research career studying linguistic changes in Alzheimer’s disease and has spent the last several years managing interdisciplinary research studies in both social science and clinical research. She finds great joy in supporting the incredible SuperAgers and learning from their unique stories and experiences. 

Hannah Whitmore holds a B.S. in Biology with a minor in General Psychology and coordinates participant visits for the SuperAging Research Initiative at the HAARC Center. She organizes participants’ journeys throughout the study, beginning with initial screening visits and continuing through enrollment and follow-up. With five years of experience in patient-facing positions, Hannah previously coordinated clinical trials for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, where she developed a keen interest in cognitive neurology. She finds it incredibly fulfilling to work closely with SuperAgers, not only learning from their contributions to research on healthy aging and Alzheimer’s but also getting to know their inspiring life stories. 

Miles Breese is a Research Coordinator at the HAARC Center, supporting the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). He holds an undergraduate degree in Biology and a Master’s in Public Health from Indiana University. Miles values the relationships he builds with both his colleagues and study participants, enjoying the opportunity to hear about their lives and what draws them to research. He takes pride in working in a field critically needed to address the growing population of individuals living with or caring for people with dementia.