Anxiety is part of growing up.
We're working to understand it better.
PRISM: Psychiatric Research in Internalizing Symptoms and Sensory Maturation.
Dr. E. Kale Edmiston
Associate Professor
UMass Chan Medical School
Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Dr. Edmiston is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at UMass Chan Medical School, where he leads a research program studying how the developing brain and body shape anxiety in children and teens. He trained in systems neuroscience at Vanderbilt University, completed his postdoctoral training at the University of Pittsburgh, and has spent the past decade and a half studying how the brain's visual system contributes to mood and anxiety disorders.
Why I Do This Work
Part of growing up is learning what situations are safe, and what situations are threatening. We do this by taking in sensory information from our environment, like a new person or an angry face, and by relying on internal signals like our heart beat.
I got interested in this work because early in my career, I discovered that these sensory systems do more than many people assumed they could, and that these systems can change over time. I think sensory processes have been overlooked in anxiety, and for some people, treatments that focus on them may work better.
PRISM Lab Mission Statement
To conduct rigorous neuroscientific research in service of families affected by mood and anxiety disorders in a supportive and collaborative environment.
Lab Members
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Harmony Singh
Current Member
Pronouns: She/Her
Position in our lab: Research Coordinator
Research interest: Attachment theory and psychopathology in children
Career aspiration: Clinical Psychologist/Professor
Favorite brain region: Amygdala
Hobbies: Dancing, music festivals, weight-lifting, reading, and trying new restaurants!
What is your favorite thing about being a scientist:
I love being a researcher because curiosity is part of the job! I get to challenge my own assumptions, explore concepts that are new to me, and contribute to research that has the potential to improve the lives of children and their families.
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Surya Sindhu Govindu
Current Member
Pronouns: She/Her
Position in our lab: Research Data Specialist
Degree: M.S. in Computer Science (Clark University)
Research interest: I'm interested in AI, healthcare, and using data to solve real-world problems that can improve patient care and medical research.
Career aspiration: To build a career at the intersection of AI and healthcare, where I can contribute to research that makes a real difference in people's lives.
Hobbies: Reading, traveling, trying new foods, and photography.
What is your favorite thing about being a scientist? I love that every project is an opportunity to learn something new. It's exciting to work on problems that could eventually help us better understand while collaborating with people who are passionate about making a difference.
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Shruthin Madhari
Current Member
Pronouns: He/Him
Degree: M.S. in Regulatory Affairs
Research interest: Clinical research, regulatory affairs, clinical trial operations, and improving the development and evaluation of healthcare interventions
Career aspiration: To build a career at the intersection of clinical research, regulatory science, and healthcare, contributing to the development of safe and effective therapies
Favorite brain region: Prefrontal cortex - I’m fascinated by its role in decision-making, cognition, and emotional regulation.
Hobbies: Traveling, exploring new places, photography, and spending time with friends and family
What is your favorite thing about being a scientist: The opportunity to continuously learn, ask meaningful questions, and contribute to research that can ultimately improve patient care.
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Paloma
Alum
Pronouns: She/Her
Position in our lab: Former undergraduate research assistant
Degree: Bachelor’s in Neuroscience from University of Pittsburgh
Research interest: OCD and compulsive psychiatric disorders (from undergrad), reproductive and LGBTQ+ health outcomes in developing Latin American communities
Current position (please include program and school): Regulatory coordinator at Georgetown’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, and about to start my Master’s in Global Health here as well!
Career aspiration: Working in the global health field to help improve health outcomes and expand access to care for queer and Latin communities, either through policy, advocacy, or research!
Favorite brain region: The Striatum (unforgettable thanks to my senior thesis)
Hobbies: Playing volleyball, reading fantasy books, playing games on my Switch, finding new Spanish music/reggaeton to listen to, watching women’s soccer (GO SPIRIT), obsessing over my cat Ivy:)
What is your favorite thing about being a scientist: Although I’m not patient-facing, opening clinical cancer trials at Georgetown really feels like I’m making a difference and directly impacting people’s lives! It’s also really interesting seeing the “behind the scenes” of what it takes to conduct clinical research safely and ethically.
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Tiffany J. Nhan
Alum
Pronouns: She/They
Positionin our lab: Clinical Research Coordinator
Degree: B.A in Psychology & Sociology with a Minor in Women and Gender Studies, Master in Social Work
ResearchInterest: Positive youth development and civic engagement, ethnic-racial identity and critical consciousness development, cross cultural solidarity and prosocial action
Currentposition: PhD Student at University at Buffalo's School of Social Work
Careeraspiration: Community-based researcher
Favoritebrainregion: Prefrontal Cortex
Hobbies: Dancing, pottery, walking, yoga
What is your favorite thing...: Growing up I was often told that I asked a lot of questions and now I get to make a career out of it! I often leave research projects with even more questions than answers, but I find so much excitement in that. I love being a part of community-based research projects and working with community members to translate their everyday experiences into research that centers empowerment and advocacy.
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Connor Bell
Alum
Pronouns: He/Him
Position in our Lab: Research Data Specialist II
Degree: BA in Computer Science, MS in Biomedical Engineering (In progress)
ResearchInterest: Healthcare Technology and Biotechnology
Career Aspiration: Building tools and systems for doctors, researchers, and healthcare professionals
Favorite Brain Region: The Frontal Lobe
Hobbies: D&D Gamemaster, Board/Card games, Sailing, Snowboarding, PC Gaming, Reading, Playing Guitar
What is your favorite thing:
I love to share my expertise and fluency with technology, and I love feeling like I am serving an important piece of society by helping healthcare professionals take better care of their patients.
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Jilliena
2026 Summer EXCEL-UP Intern
I take mentorship seriously and believe that good mentorship is tailored to the individual’s needs. I also believe scientific rigor and empathy go hand in hand.
I strive to create a lab culture that is founded on direct communication and mutual respect, where everyone contributes their expertise and feels valued.
Interested in joining our lab?