People

Modified

October 2, 2026

Important

The Brain and Behavioral Dynamics Lab, part of the Psychology Department at Penn State, is looking for research assistants to study brain development in infants, children, and adolescents for Fall 2026.

You can earn research project (PSY 494) credit or work study funds, and learn video, computer, and communication skills. Prior research experience and computer skills are a plus, but aren’t required. We are especially interested in students who have morning availability, computer skills, or are interested in developing skills in advertising, marketing, or public relations. You may apply by completing an application. At least a TWO semester commitment is required.

Lab Director

Rick O. Gilmore is Professor of Psychology, a Huck Institute of the Life Sciences faculty member, and an Associate of the Institute for Cyberscience. He earned his bachelor’s degree magna cum laude in Cognitive Science from Brown University, and master’s and doctoral degrees in Psychology from Carnegie Mellon University where he participated in the Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition (CNBC) training program in cognitive neuroscience. Gilmore’s research focuses on the development of visual perception and memory. He is particularly interested in the development of brain networks that enable perceivers to extract information about the layout of the environment, the shape of objects, and the speed and direction of self-movement from patterns of visual motion called optic flow. Gilmore is also keenly interested in developing tools and practices that make scientific research more open, transparent, and reproducible. He is co-founder and Co-Director of the Databrary.org data library, and is co-PI on the Play & Learning Across a Year (PLAY) Project. From 2008 to 2014, Gilmore served as the founding Director of Human Imaging at Penn State’s Social, Life, and Engineering Sciences Imaging Center (SLEIC). He has won the College of the Liberal Arts tenure-line faculty teaching award, leads the Open Data in Developmental Science (ODDS) initiative for the Penn State Child Study Center, and has had support for his research from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation.

Gilmore has served as president of the Centre Region Bicycle Coalition, the Acoustic Brew Concert Series, and the State College Community Theatre. An active radio amateur or ham (callsign W3TM), he is member of the Board of Directors of the Nittany Amateur Radio Club and served as the faculty adviser and K3CR license trustee for the Penn State Amateur Radio Club from 2018-2023.

Contact Information

114 Moore Building
Department of Psychology
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 16801
814-865-3664, voice
814-863-7002, fax

rogilmore AT-SIGN psu DOT edu

Meeting scheduler

Current Staff

Andrea Seisler, Lab Manager

Andrea R. Seisler is the Laboratory Manager of the Brain and Behavioral Dynamics Laboratory directed by Dr. Rick O. Gilmore and the Support and Authorizations Specialist at Databrary. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from The Catholic University of America. During her graduate studies, she was a recipient of the Clare Booth Luce Fellowship award.

She completed MRI based neuroscience and orthopedics research while working at The National Institutes of Health from 2001-2007. After moving to State College, she served as an IRB Compliance Coordinator for the Human Research Protection Program at Penn State and then moved on in 2009 to manage the Human Electrophysiology Facility located at the Social, Life, and Enginineering Sciences Imaging Center through 2014.

She is active in Scouts BSA as a Committee Member in Troop 245, an Executive Board Member of the Juniata Valley Council, Scouting America serving as the Council Training Committee Chair. She completed her Wood Badge leadership training course in September 2020 and participated on Wood Badge staff as a Troop Guide (2022) and Scribe (2025). She has been the Assistant Scoutmaster of Administration for National Youth Leadership Training 2021-2025 on multiple courses. She joined the Order of the Arrow in Fall 2024. In addition she enjoys dancing ballet as well as teaching preschoolers and adults at Dance Academy.

Contact Information

503 Moore Building
Department of Psychology
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 16802
ars17 AT-SIGN psu DOT edu

Faith Bennett, Undergraduate Research Assistant

Faith Bennett is an undergraduate student at The Pennsylvania State University. She will graduate in May 2027 with a Bachelor of Science in Life Science Psychology. In the future, she plans to attend graduate school and earn at least a master’s degree or a PsyD. Her academic interests have been cognitive, forensic, and abnormal psychology, and she hopes to find a job that combines all of them. Currently, she is a member of the Brain and Behavioral Dynamics Lab and did previous work in The Emotion Development Lab. Outside of her academic commitments, she enjoys going to the gym, traveling, and cooking.

Kristina Cobb, Undergraduate Research Assistant

Rebecca Drexler, Undergraduate Research Assistant

Sarah Lee, Undergraduate Research Assistant

Anika Mahadevan, Undergraduate Research Assistant

Anika Mahadevan is a 3rd year undergraduate at The Pennsylvania State University. She is working towards a degree in both psychology and biology. In the future she aspires to attend medical school to become a radiologist. Currently she is a member of the Brain and Behavioral Dynamics Lab and the Emotional Development Lab at Penn State. These research opportunities allow her to further her interest in neuroscience and child development. She is also involved in the chemistry department as a learning assistant for general chemistry. In her free time, she enjoys trying new food, traveling, and being outdoors.

Kassandra Marin, Undergraduate Research Assistant

Kassandra Marin is an undergraduate student at The Pennsylvania State University, aiming to graduate with a degree in Psychology with a focus on neuroscience and a minor in Spanish, with the Class of 2028. She plans to pursue further studies in neuropsychology, either through a PsyD or PhD, with the goal of becoming a neuropsychologist. Her academic interests center around cognitive processes and brain dysfunction. Currently, Kassandra works as an undergraduate assistant in the Brain and Behavioral Dynamics Lab. Outside of her studies, she enjoys figure skating, painting, and hiking.

Hayden Richardson, Undergraduate Research Assistant

Hiya Shah, Undergraduate Research Assistant

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