Brandon Zielinski, MD, PhD
Principal Investigator
Hello, my name is Brandon A. Zielinski, MD, PhD. I am the chief of pediatric neurology at the UF College of Medicine. I care for pediatric patients with seizure, stroke, and traumatic brain injury among other neurological conditions. I am also a UF AI initiative scholar and my research interests include both basic as well as clinical/translational neuroscience. I study structure-function relationships in developing brain networks, both in health and neurological disorders affecting children, with a particular focus in autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions. I am passionate about contributing to a patient-centered clinical care service model for neurodevelopmental disorders including autism, and expanding the Division of Pediatric Neurology to meet the needs of children and families throughout the state of Florida and beyond. In my free time I enjoy any and all outdoor activities, exploring the natural world with my family, and getting outside of my comfort zone.
Faculty and Staff
Anna Farmer, PhD
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Anna is interested in the neurobiology underlying restricted, repetitive behavior and other symptoms of autism and neurodevelopmental disorders. She is also interested in how the environment influences behavior and neurodevelopment in humans and animals. Anna’s graduate research used MRI imaging techniques to determine how environmental enrichment alters the brain to reduce restricted, repetitive behavior in a translational animal model. Her current work focuses on the relationship between functional and structural neurocircuitry differences and symptom expression in children with autism. In her spare time, Anna enjoys spending time with her children, baking, hiking, kayaking, and nature-based travel.
Rea Romero, PhD
Lead Assessment Psychologist
Rea earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology at Palo Alto University. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship in pediatric neuropsychology in the Division of Pediatric Clinical Neuroscience at the University of Minnesota (U of MN). She also received fellowship training in the U of MN Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities Program. At UF, she is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the College of Medicine. She is a neuropsychologist specializing in autism and neurodevelopmental conditions and culturally-responsive assessment and intervention. For fun, she enjoys traveling with her family, exploring different cuisines, and going Karaoke.
Constantina Gelep, PsyD
Assessment Psychologist
Dr. Constantina (Dina) Gelep is a licensed Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychologist. She earned her Master’s (M.S.) and Doctorate (Psy.D.) degrees in Clinical Psychology at Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Gelep has trained specifically in working with children diagnosed with ASD, ADHD, other-related neurodevelopmental disorders, anxiety, and trauma. She feels passionate about creating an accepting and compassionate environment to help facilitate the growth and exploration of a child/adolescent’s development. Dr. Gelep has been trained to conduct evidence-based and comprehensive psychological, developmental, and diagnostic evaluations for early childhood through emerging adulthood. She provides psychotherapeutic services to youth facing challenges such as ADHD, learning differences, behavior concerns, anxiety, and those working through transitional periods. Dr. Gelep completed her post-doctoral fellowship at UF Springhill 2 with the Department of Psychiatry and her pre-doctoral internship in clinical psychology at Nova Southeastern University’s Psychology Services Center, with a specialization in the child and adolescent traumatic stress program. In her free time she enjoys caring for her cat, traveling, reading and spending time with her friends and family.
Grace Callahan, BS
Research Coordinator
Grace graduated from the University of Florida with her Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology in May of 2024. Shortly after graduating, Grace discovered her passion for advocacy for mental health in youth through interning at a non-profit clinic that provides case management, consultation, assessment, and therapy services to youth in the child welfare system and their families. Grace was a mental health technician in Nashville, Tennessee before coming back to the University of Florida to become the Research Coordinator for the DNNL. She has observed and administered psychological assessments and surveys under the supervision of a psychologist and psychiatrist and provided care for individuals with depressive disorders. Across two different research environments, Grace has studied perception, attention, and consciousness as well as the brain-bases behind internalizing symptoms. She is passionate about integrating research and interventions in her future career, as she hopes to earn her PhD in Clinical Psychology. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outside, reading, writing, and traveling to visit family and friends.
Brooke Barnard, BA
Research Assistant
Brooke Barnard is a 2024 graduate from Florida Atlantic University with a Bachelor of Arts in Health Science with a focus on Behavioral and Mental Health. Prior to graduating, she participated in research covering topics such as visual memory and perception through working as a research intern in the clinical and academic setting. Upon moving to Gainesville, she interned at a clinical psychology office, where she observed the administration of various assessments for adults and children, which helped develop her passion for the field of Neuropsychology.
Her research interests are in aging, including the increased risk of traumatic brain injury and how that plays a role in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases in older populations. In the future, she plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology with a focus on Neuropsychology to study these topics and eventually work as a clinical neuropsychologist. In her free time, she loves to watch movies, knit, crochet, sew, and other crafty hobbies.
Undergraduate Students
Aniruth Venkedesh
Hi, my name is Aniruth and I am a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Florida majoring in pre-professional biology on a pre-med track. My specific research interest involves the intersection of computer science and neuroscience while also applying mathematical principles and models. In my free time, I like running, exploring, and spending time with friends!
Lauren McNaught
Hi! My name is Lauren McNaught, and I’m a fourth-year Psychology major with a focus on Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience, currently on the pre-med track. My research interests lie in understanding how different brain structures collaborate to perform tasks and uncovering the shared deficiencies or symptoms across various neurobiological disorders. In my future career as a medical professional, I aspire to leverage my expertise and experiences to improve the lives of others. Outside of academics, I enjoy playing the piano, exploring new places through travel, and indulging in the creative art of crochet!
Bridget Lowder
Hello, my name is Bridget Lowder and I am a second-year undergraduate student at the University of Florida majoring in mechanical engineering and minoring in biomechanics on a pre-health track. My main research interest is learning more about brain development differences in those with neurological disorders. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, running, and baking!
Covadonga Martinez de Sarasa
Hi! I’m Covadonga Martinez de Sarasa, a fourth-year Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience major with a Minor in Health Sciences and a Certificate in Music in Medicine. My academic pursuits are driven by a strong interest in understanding the intricate relationship between brain structure and function, particularly within the context of neurodevelopmental disorders. I am eager to contribute to the valuable research conducted at DNNL and gain firsthand experience in this field. Ultimately, I aspire to leverage this knowledge to make a meaningful impact as a future healthcare professional. Beyond academics, I find joy in cooking, musical theater, and cherished moments with friends and family.
Eve Hage
Hi, my name is Eve Hage! I am a third-year undergraduate student on the pre-med track pursuing a major in Applied Physiology & Kinesiology and a minor in Spanish. My specific research interests include exploring structural covariance techniques and assisting with data collection. Outside of the lab, I enjoy running, playing soccer, and cooking.
Sofia Peralta
Hello, my name is Sofia Peralta, and I am a third-year Pre-Professional Biology major on a pre-medical track at the University of Florida. My main research focus is neurodevelopmental disorders, and I have a particular interest in autism. I am especially fascinated by the abnormal cortical development of individuals with autism and would like to understand better how this affects their behavior and interaction styles. My main goal in pursuing research in this field is to apply the knowledge that I gain through interacting with patients and understanding the complexity of human behavior in my future practice as a medical professional. When I am not devoting myself to academics, I enjoy cooking, solving jigsaw puzzles, and spending time with my friends and family.
Melanie Riggs
Hello, my name is Melanie Riggs, and I am a second-year undergraduate student in biomedical engineering on the pre-med track. My main research interest is understanding differences in the physical neurological development of those with neurological disorders and how this affects their day-to-day lives. Outside of research, I enjoy playing guitar, baking, and spending time with friends and family!