Paul Glimcher, PhD

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Kenway Louie, MD PhD

My research revolves around the neural computations that underlie learning and decision-making. In particular, I am interested in neural coding - how the activities of populations of neurons represent and process the variables that guide the behavior of the organism. Current research centers on how reward, value, and choice intersect in time-discounted decision-making. Away from the lab, my thoughts drift to mountaintops, open highways, and days by the sea.

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Hannah Zimmermann, M.A.

Lab Manager, Senior Research Coordinator

I attended Fordham University where I received my B.S. in Psychology in 2017. I soon after obtained a job at a Psychiatric Crisis Residential Treatment center as a Mental Health Counselor working with patients with severe substance use disorder and mental health diagnoses. My passion for helping people and the field of psychology grew stronger and I received my M.A. in Clinical Psychology from New York University in 2021. My research interests have ranged from those of Neuropsychology to Psychology and Decision Making. At the Glimcher Lab I run the SOAR (Smartphones for Opiate Addiction Recovery) Clinical Trial for those suffering from Opioid Use Disorder. I plan to eventually go for my Psy.D. in psychology and counseling and have my own practice. In my free time I love cooking, interior design, and writing fiction works.

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Yessica Alcantara, B.A.

Executive Assistant to Paul W. Glimcher

I graduated from Skidmore College in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Anthropology with a focus on Medical Anthropology. After college, I began working at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center as an office coordinator where I managed the clinical and research practices of two colorectal oncologists. In 2021, I moved on to an Administrative Assistant role supporting the Chief of Geriatrics, Dr. Beatriz Korc-Grodzicki. In this role I helped run the Cancer and Aging Interdisciplinary Team (CAIT) Clinic which provided geriatric assessments to patients 65 and older before starting a chemotherapy or radiation regimen. In July 2023, I joined the Neuroscience Institute as the executive assistant to the chair, Dr. Paul Glimcher. I currently provide administrative support to Dr. Glimcher and his lab.

Ryan Walters, B.A.

Senior Research Coordinator

I obtained my B.A. from Hofstra University in 2009. I’ve worked extensively on many clinical trials, most recently at Columbia University Division of Gynecologic Specialty Surgery for the last 5 years. I am currently managing a project here at the Glimcher Lab focused on PTSD and examining the neural effects of those of Stellate Ganglion Block Therapy diagnosed. I am interested in designing and optimizing clinical research tools to enable scientists to answer their fundamental questions.

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Ana Varela, MPH

Senior Research Coordinator

I received my B.S in Public Health at Johnson & Wales University in 2021, soon after I went on and obtained my MPH in Epidemiology from New York University in 2023. While in graduate school I started my research assistant intern position with NYU Langone Health where I assisted with the RADxUP and the FIESTA II studies. I am interested on research in the impact of SUDs among children in the foster care system, as well as mental health disparities among underrepresented populations. In the future I plan on obtaining my DrPH. I am currently an Associate Research Coordinator for a clinical trials study that examines the effects of the Stellate Ganglion Block procedure in people diagnosed with PTSD. What interested me about this job is the amount of people we get to help with this study. Working in the Glimcher Lab feels like I am part of a family and everyone is always ready to help if I ever have any questions.

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Dongni Yan, M.A.

Associate Research Coordinator

I graduated from Southwest University with Pharmaceutical Science background, there I assisted with projects on chronic stress, neural pain, stress-sleep correlation, and PTSD biomarkers. My graduate studies in Clinical Psychology at New York University further fueled my passion, with projects centering on mild cognitive impairment, depression, and SUDs. Now I'm interested in innovative mental health treatments. Here at Glimcher lab, I work on a clinical trials study that examines the effects of the Stellate Ganglion Block procedure in people with PTSD. Beyond research, you'll find me embracing nature's beauty and devouring captivating books.

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Shreya Sinha, M.S.

Research Associate, Computer Scientist

I graduated with a Master’s in Computer Science from Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, NYU. My Master’s thesis focused on Dementia subtype classification using MRI 3D data modeling leveraging Few-Shot and Contrastive Learning techniques. I am interested in exploring the interconnection between the extensive domains of Neuroscience and CS. At Glimcher lab, I am working on diverse projects that include modeling human choices to see how varying input stimulus distributions impact them, modeling the curse of choices using real-world scenarios, etc. to understand the intricate interplay of computational and neural processes underlying human decision-making. Outside of my work in the lab, I find joy in reading, exploring the city, traveling to new places, watching anime, and relishing good food.

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Bo Shen, Ph.D.

Modeling and functional imaging are the two keywords that I would associate myself with in the Glimcher lab. I obtained my Ph.D. degree in psychology from Peking University, during which I have quite a lot of experience regarding social decision-making and social emotions. In the current stage, my research focuses on fundamental value-based decision-making and value representation. I am building a circuit model with different neuronal types to explain the mechanism of neural value coding and choice behavior observed across species. Functional imaging will be used to investigate the neural mechanism of value coding and choice in healthy human brains. Outside of the lab, you will find me on the trails of running, hiking, and photographing.

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Vered Kurtz-David, Ph.D.

My research is focused on understanding the computational and neural mechanisms of human decision-making. My current work includes two main projects: (1) Understanding the cognitive tradeoffs of bounded rationality in strategic choice. (2) Studying how reward-encoding mechanisms are shaped by the distribution of input stimuli. Before joining the Glimcher lab, I completed my PhD under the mentorship of Prof. Dino Levy at Tel Aviv University, where I studied neural mechanisms of irrational choice behavior. My PhD dissertation has won the Society for Neuroeconomics’ Best Dissertation Award, and my current work is supported by Tel Aviv University’s President postdoctoral fellowship and by an independent grant from the Israeli Science Foundation.I am an avid foodie, love the arts or just exploring the history of NYC. However, to be honest, I spend most of my free time with my daughter Yael (3.5) and my husband Yaniv at the various playgrounds and parks of the Upper West Side.

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Aysu Secmen, Ph.D.

I received my Ph.D. in Mathematics from Texas A&M University, and my undergrad in Mathematics from Bogazici University. After 19 years of work experience in quantitative trading and research in Wall Street, I am currently a postdoc in Glimcher Lab while simultaneously pursuing my M.A in Psychology at NYU, in the Cognition, Perception and Neuroscience track. My research interest is understanding decision-making in addiction, with a focus on quantifying the risk factors that predispose an individual to transition from occasional opioid use to opioid use disorder. Outside of the lab, I am a hiking and mountaineering enthusiast. I enjoy hiking in remote corners of the world with my family, climbing to the top of the mountains, and pushing myself out of my comfort zone.

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Stefan Bucher, Ph.D.

Visiting Postdoc at NYU. Primary affiliation: Postdoc in the group of Peter Dayan at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics and the University of Tübingen.

I am an economist and behavioral decision scientist studying the causes and consequences of choice behavior that is seemingly irrational, but efficient given constraints on information processing. My research has used methods from economic theory, behavioral experiments, and computational neuroscience, with a particular emphasis on information-theoretic models.

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Eve (Zih-Yun) Yan, Ph.D.

I am interested in studying how people make choices in an uncertain world and how our affective states affect our decision-making. My current study focuses on capturing the relationship between people’s risk preferences and their everyday life experiences. In my spare time, I enjoy exploring the city, listening to music, and playing sports.

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Wan-Yu Shih, Ph.D.

I am interested in value coding and learning in decision-making, especially how context affects choice behavior. I obtained my Ph.D. in Neuroscience from National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, during which I worked with Dr. Shih-Wei Wu and our collaborators using Stereo-electroencephalogrphy (SEEG) to investigate temporal context effect in value representation. Outside of lab, I am a fan of musicals and living theatre.

Aadith Vittala

I'm a current MD/PhD student at NYU, and I graduated from Rice University with a BS in Physics and BA in Biochemistry. My research interests include computational neuroscience and psychiatry. In the Glimcher lab, I work on a project studying decision making in patients with depression. Outside of lab, I like to read sci-fi novels, play the piano, and search for the tastiest falafel in the city.

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Duc Nguyen

I’m a current PhD student in the CNS program at NYU. I am interested in studying about individual differences in decision making when facing the same situation. Currently, I am working with other people in the lab on a project to build a circuit model to explain the mechanism of neural values coding and choice behavior. Outside of work, I enjoy watching and playing sports (mainly soccer).

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Lexin Avery Liang

I am a PhD student in psychology at NYU, and I received my Bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Sydney. My current research aims at using strategic games to investigate gender dynamics in decision-making, with a focus on understanding the challenges faced by women in organizational settings. Outside of academia, I enjoy photography and knitting.

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Paige Miller

I am currently studying at New York University for a B.S. in neural science, set to graduate in May 2025. I began research in my first year, working as a research assistant for the Cognition and Brain (CAB) in the Psychopathology Lab, working with those with severe and persistent schizophrenia and type II bipolar disorder. I have been a research assistant for the Developmental Cognition and Neuroimaging lab, working on prenatal methamphetamine exposure clinical study, and the ADD/ADHD neuroimaging study. My primary interests include neuropsychology and psychiatry. I am in the process of working on my honors thesis in the Glimcher lab and currently assist Hannah on SOAR.

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