Meet the Team

  • Dr. Kristin Scaplen

    Principal Investigator

    Dr. Scaplen is an Assistant Professor of Neuroscience at Bryant University and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Neuroscience at Brown University. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology and Psychology from the University of Connecticut. She received her PhD in Neuroscience from Brown University.

  • Erika Cortez

    Research Assistant

    Erika graduated from Rhode Island College with a Bachelor of Science in Biology in May of 2022. She joined the Scaplen lab soon after graduation. Erika is involved in a number of projects, but is particularly interested in neural circuits important for consolidation of alcohol reward memories.

  • Katelyn Caldarone `24

    Undergraduate

    Katelyn is a Psychology major Information Systems minor who joined the lab in 2021. She participated in RI-INBRE SURF program in 2022 and 2023. Katelyn is currently investigating neural circuits important for alcohol associated locomotor activity and applying to Neuroscience graduate programs.

  • Ramsha Gul `25

    Undergraduate

    Ramsha is a Biology major, Psychology concentrator, a Business Administration minor, and a member of the Honors program. She joined the lab in 2021 and participated in RI-INBRE SURF program in 2022 and 2023. Ramsha is currently investigating neural circuits important alcohol consumption.

  • Elisabeth Hartzfeld `25

    Undergraduate

    Elisabeth is a Biology major, Psychology concentrator, a Business Administration minor, and a member of the Honors Program. Elisabeth joined the lab in 2021. She participated in RI-INBRE SURF program in 2022 and 2023 and is currently investigating neural circuits important for alcohol associated memories.

  • Gabrielle Martino `24

    Undergraduate

    Gabi is a Health Sciences major and Management minor who joined the lab in 2023. She is also a member of the Bryant University Row team. Gabi participated in RI-INBRE SURF program in 2023 and is currently investigating neural circuits important for alcohol associated memories.

  • Teagan Alexander `24

    Undergraduate

    Teagan is a Biology major, Psychology concentrator, and a Management Minor. He is also a member of the Bryant University Lacrosse team. Teagan participated in RI-INBRE SURF program in 2023 and is currently investigating neural circuits important for alcohol associated memories.

  • Lotte Guitnik `24

    Undergraduate

    Lotte is a Psychology major, Biology concentrator, and a Management minor. She is also a member of the Bryant University Field Hockey team and the Honors program. She joined the lab in 2021 and is currently investigating neural circuits important for alcohol associated memories.

  • Hannah Reedy `25

    Undergraduate

    Hannah is a Biology and Psychology major who recently joined the lab and is excited to get started!

  • Paula Perez `25

    Undergraduate

    Paula in a Psychology major, Human Resources and Economics minor who recently joined the lab in the Fall of 2023. She is getting experience working with flies as a model organism before starting her own project.

Scaplen Lab presenting their research at local, regional, and international conferences

Katelyn Caldarone presents at SFN 2022

Scaplen Lab attends at NEURON Conference 2022

Scaplen Lab attends at NEURON Conference 2022

Taryn Rauff presents at SURS Conference 2022

Scaplen lab presents at SURS Conference 2023. Left to Right: Teagan Alexander, Katelyn Caldarone, Gabi Martino, Michael Zajac, Ramsha, Gul, and Elisabeth Hartzfeld.

Katelyn Caldarone presents at SFN 2023

Erika Cortez presents at SFN 2023

Scaplen lab at SURS Conference 2023

Katelyn Caldarone and Kristin Scaplen attend SFN 2022

Taryn Rauff presents at SURS 2021

Scaplen Lab attends SURS Conference 2022

Taryn wins Poster Presentation Award at NEURON Conference 2022

Elisabeth Hartzfeld and Ramsha Gul present at SURS Conference 2022

Katelyn Caldarone wins FUN Travel Award for Research Excellence 2023

Lab Alumni

  • Tanner Alexander `24 Biology: Tanner completed a Psychology Directed Study in the Fall of 2023. He intends to apply to medical school soon after graduation.

  • Taryn Rauff `23 Biology, Taryn joined the lab in the summer of 2021. She participated in RI-INBRE SURF program 2021 and 2022 and is currently applying to graduate school.

  • Michael Zajac `24 Rhode Island College Physics, RI-INBRE SURF program 2023.

  • Thi Mai Anh Nguyễn `22 Psychology, RI-INBRE SURF program 2021

  • Sam Pollack `23 Math, RI-INBRE SURF program 2021.