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The Team

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Principal Investigator

Suzanne Nolan, PhD

Suzanne earned her Bachelor's degree at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She went on to complete her doctorate in Psychology and Neuroscience at Baylor University as well as a postdoctoral fellowship at Vanderbilt University under Dr. Cody Siciliano. She is currently an Assistant Professor at Illinois State University in the School of Biological Sciences.

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Jacinda Shoot

Jacinda is a first-year Ph.D. student in the Neuroscience and Physiology Program at Illinois State University. She received her B.S. in Molecular and Cellular Biology from Illinois State University and her M.S. in Biology from Eastern Illinois University. She joined the Nolan Lab to investigate neurological diseases such as addiction. Outside of the lab, Jacinda enjoys powerlifting, going to concerts, and hosting game nights.

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Tara Geyer

Tara is a first-year Master student in the Neuroscience and Physiology Program at Illinois State University. She received Her B.S. in Biology from Illinois State University. She joined the Nolan Lab to investigate how circadian rhythms influence dopamine signaling. Outside of lab, Tara enjoys astronomy, reading, and spending time in nature.

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Laura Brucker

Laura is a fourth-year undergraduate in the School of Biological Sciences on the pre-med track, majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology. She joined the Nolan Lab to investigate neural ensemble dynamics in the rhesus macaque dorsolateral prefrontal cortex using calcium imaging. In her free time, she enjoys swimming, doing crafts, and propagating her plants.

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Abbey Miner

Abbey is a first-year undergraduate on the pre-med track, majoring in Biology - Physiology, Neuroscience, and Behavior. She joined the Nolan Lab to investigate how biological and environmental factors influence neuronal morphology. On campus, Abbey is involved in the ISU Women’s Rugby Club and is a member of the Biological Sciences Student Association. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with friends, playing guitar, and being outdoors.

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Kennedy Joe

Kennedy is first-year undergraduate on the pre-med track in Illinois State University, majoring in Chemistry. She joined the Nolan lab to investigate how developing brain circuits shape domain and influence decision making, especially during adolescence. On campus, Kennedy is a member of the Honors Program as well as the IS-U Scholars Program. In her free time, she enjoys going on walks, listening to music, and Starbucks.

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Nicholas Wertman

Nicholas is first-year undergraduate in the School of Biological Sciences, majoring in Conservation Biology. He joined the Nolan Lab to investigate how behavioral consequences influence dopaminergic signaling. On campus Nicholas is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and is involved in the marching band and Salt Church. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with friends and family, and being active outdoors.

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Matt Bjorklund

Matt is a first year undergraduate in the Mennonite College of Nursing, majoring in Nursing. He joined the lab to investigate Striatal dopamine across the lifespan. On campus Matt is involved in Tau Kappa Epsilon, Mu-Upsilon chapter and the ISU Pickle Ball Club. In his free time, he enjoys  working out, hanging out with friends, and going on walks.

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Logan Martinson

Logan is a fourth-year undergraduate at Illinois State University , majoring in Computer Science. He joined the Nolan Lab to investigate latent cognitive strategies in mice during operant conditioning tasks, building a custom Generalized Linear Hidden Markov Model (GLM-HMM) pipeline to track longitudinal learning trajectories and compare cognitive flexibility across development. In his free time, he enjoys building and researching complex systems in unknown domains. 

We are hiring!

We are looking for talented and motivated undergraduate and graduate students to join our group:

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For graduate students:

 The School of Biological Sciences at Illinois State University provides funding for graduate students through both research and teaching assistantships. More information on the department, application procedure and requirements can be found at the following links: 

Neuroscience and Physiology Master's Program

Neuroscience and Physiology Doctoral Program

​​​If you are interested in joining the lab in one of these programs, please email Dr. Nolan at sonolan@ilstu.edu with your current CV and a cover letter explaining your previous research experience and interest in working in the lab.

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For undergraduate students:

If you are interested in joining our team, please send your CV or resume to nolan.lab2025@gmail.com

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