Principal Investigator:
CHARLOTTE A. BOETTIGER*, PhD
*Pronunciation: [bä-‘ti-gər]
\ä\ as o in mop
\i\ as i in hit
\ər\ as ur/er in further
PhD: University of California, San Francisco (Neuroscience)
BA: University of California, Berkeley (Integrative Biology)
FACULTY MEMBER OF:
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Dr. Boettiger accepts graduate students through the UNC Dept. of Psychology and Neuroscience Behavioral & Integrative Neuroscience Program, and the UNC School of Medicine Neuroscience Curriculum but is unlikely to accept new students for Fall of 2025.
Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply for a 2 year position via the Carolina Postdoctoral Program for Faculty Diversity.
Please contact for information regarding postdoctoral and undergraduate research opportunities.
E-MAIL: CAB@UNC.EDU
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Postdoctoral fellowS:
Elena Vidrascu, Ph.D.
PhD: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Behavioral and Integrative Neuroscience)
MA: Wake Forest University (Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology)
BS: Bucknell University (Neuroscience)
E-mail: elena91@live.unc.edu
Elena’s research consists of data-driven secondary analysis of a recently finished 5-year study investigating neurocognitive differences between adults with and without a history of adolescent binge drinking. She uses MatLab and clpipe to process and analyze fMRI data prior to probing the relationships between excitatory/inhibitory balance in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, functional connectivity, task-basked brain activity, and deficits in behavioral flexibility (using the RDAB and HABIT tasks).
Aside from research, Elena enjoys playing tennis, reading, board games, and spending time with her husband Tanner, cat Maple, and dog Ella.
Georgia Kirkpatrick, Ph.D.
PhD: University of Wyoming (Biomedical Sciences w/emphasis in Neuro)
BS: University of Wyoming (Psychology w/concentration in cognition)
E-mail: georgia.kirkpatrick@wsu.edu
Georgia’s work focuses on exploring the behavioral and physiological mechanisms linked to alcohol use in (both during periods of critical development and current use) that contribute to altered decision making and individual risk of experiencing blackout with an emphasis on translational science. She uses resting state EEG to explore the relationship between the prefrontal cortex and the primary motor cortex as well as immunohistochemistry to probe the mechanistic underpinnings of adolescent alcohol exposure in the basal forebrain and prefrontal cortex.
In her off time, Georgia enjoys blues and belly dancing, hiking, creating art, swimming, live music, paddleboarding, and spending time with her family, friends, and cat Lunatic.
Graduate Students:
Jillian Battista, M.A.
Graduate student in the Behavioral & Integrative Neuroscience program
BS: Penn State University (Biobehavioral Health)
MA: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Psychology)
E-mail: jillian.battista@unc.edu
Jillian’s research is focused on exploring the behavioral and physiological mechanisms linking alcohol use (both currently and in adolescence) to accelerated brain aging using machine learning and structural MRI brain images. She uses computational methods, such as brainageR, which is executed through Longleaf and implemented in R. She is also the wet lab safety supervisor for the CAB Lab.
Outside of research, Jillian enjoys spending time with friends, running, hiking, and relaxing with her cat, Roo.
Grace Elliott, M.A.
Graduate student in the Behavioral & Integrative Neuroscience program
BS: Boston College (Psychology)
MA: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Psychology)
E-mail: gelliott@unc.edu
Gracie’s work focuses on identifying the factors that contribute to an individual’s risk of experiencing alcohol-induced blackouts. She uses resting-state EEG and non-invasive neurostimulation to explore the relationship between neurophysiology, alcohol use, and history of alcohol-induced blackout.
Outside of the lab, Gracie’s interests include running, reality television, trivia, and her cat Mindy.
Pari Dhayagude, B.S.
Graduate student in the Behavioral & Integrative Neuroscience program
BS: University of California, Davis (Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior)
E-mail: pdhaya@unc.edu
Pari’s research focuses on using neuroimaging techniques (MRI) to investigate the relationship between alcohol use, aging, and impulsive behavior. She is also working on a multi-visit study using fMRI, EEG, and tACS to investigate frontal E/I signaling in mediating the relationship between alcohol use and behavioral inflexibility.
In her free time, you can find her on a hike, reading a good book, or baking dessert.
Ehi Okojie, B.S.
Graduate student in the Behavioral & Integrative Neuroscience program
BS: The Ohio State University (Psychology)
E-mail: okojieehi@gmail.com
Ehi is interested in using neuroimaging techniques to further understand the relationship between substance use disorders and aspects of executive functioning and goal-oriented behavior. He would like to contribute to the scientific literature in a way that informs better treatment for those with substance use disorders and also helps us better understand/improve executive functioning in all people.
In his free time Ehi likes to play basketball, workout, explore the area, and learn new things.
Undergraduate Research Assistants:
Celine Locklear
Saakshi Patel
Ellie Thomas