My name is Janishi Hightower, and I am entering the HDFS graduate program in the Fall of 2026. I am a former educator with additional certification in early intervention for children from birth through age five. I also previously ran a business designing and creating developmentally informed learning materials for infants and toddlers. Through these experiences, I became increasingly interested in understanding developmental trajectories and the ways life experiences shape them across the life course. I am particularly interested in how adverse experiences, such as poverty and chronic stress, can impact neural and physiological development and, in turn, shape life outcomes. Using fNIRS, I hope to explore the parent-child relationship and the potential buffering effects positive parent-child interactions may have for children experiencing chronic stress. Outside of my academic interests, I enjoy spending time with my husband and three children, hiking, visiting the panhandle, and exploring restaurants and shows in Atlanta.

I am a first-year graduate student in the Human Development and Family Science program at Auburn University. My research interests include computational neuroimaging, theoretical statistics, and methodology development, with a secondary interest in astrophysics. I previously worked as a student therapist and brought three years of clinical experience to my dynamic research background. In my free time, I like to watch scary movies, paint, play video games, and go hiking. I plan to adopt a bunny in the future.

My name is Cala Walker, and I am a Junior majoring in Biomedical Sciences on the Pre-Dental track from Birmingham, Alabama. I am interested in psychology and neuroscience, particularly how brain activity influences behavior, perception, and decision-making. Through my involvement in the CONNECT Lab, I have been able to explore these interests through hands-on research, strengthening my appreciation for evidence-based science and the connection between cognition and behavior. In the future, I plan to attend dental school and pursue a career in dentistry. Outside of academics and research, I enjoy working out and spending time with friends and family.

I am a Biomedical Sciences major at Auburn University from Trussville, Alabama, currently pursuing the Pre-Anesthesiologist Assistant track. My academic interests focus on neuroscience, human physiology, and the relationship between brain activity and behavior. As part of the research team, I work on projects using fNIRS to study how different activities, emotions, and thought processes influence brain activity. Our team aims to gain a deeper understanding of how specific mental states and behaviors trigger neural responses. Outside of academics and research, I enjoy going to the gym, reading, watching sports, and spending time with friends.

My name is Andrew Battenberg, and I was raised in Enterprise, Alabama. I am majoring in Biomedical Sciences on the Pre-Dental track. My classes have given me a strong background in biology and chemistry, and they have helped grow my interest in how the human body works. I am especially interested in neuroscience and how the brain controls what we think, feel, and see. In our research, we use fNIRS to study brain activity — measuring changes in blood oxygen levels while someone is doing a task to see which parts of the brain are active. In my life, I have learned that we know only what we perceive. On a personal level, I love to travel, swim at the beach, and experience new cultures.

I am a junior at Auburn University studying Biomedical Sciences in the College of Sciences and Mathematics on the pre-dental track. Originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, I plan to attend dental school after completing my undergraduate studies. As an undergraduate researcher in CONNECT Lab, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of how brain development, behavior, and environmental contexts interact to shape human development. Outside of academics and research, I enjoy spending time with my friends, going to the beach, and traveling.

I am a junior at Auburn University from Atlanta, Georgia, studying Psychology with a special interest in Artificial Intelligence and Industrial-Organizational (I/O) Psychology. I plan to complete a master's degree in I/O Psychology at Auburn and am excited to work in CONNECT Lab as an undergraduate research assistant to learn more about brain function and decision-making through fNIRS technology. I intend to apply my research experience to I/O Psychology by exploring education and workplace dynamics while gaining a deeper understanding of human development. I look forward to gaining new experiences that will support my future career in I/O Psychology.