The Breit Lab Team
Current Members
Principle Investigator
Dr. Kristen Breit
I started this lab because I wanted to continue my independent research program examining the effects of prenatal drug exposures on brain and behavioral development. I am particularly interested in the effects of poly-drug consumption during pregnancy, particularly with the use of electronic cigarettes. I worked at Disneyland in the character department during college, and I still love all Disney history. I also paint, cross-stitch, and listen to podcasts in my spare time.
Graduate Research Assistants
Carley Cirafesi
M.S. Psychology: General
I’ve been working with Dr. Sweet since Spring 2021 in his mouse lab. I was the head research assistant for the reaching task in wild-type vs. LRRK2 (a gene associated with Parkinson’s Disease) mice and learned about his collaborate project with Dr. Breit. I was so interested in the project, I decided to apply for the masters program in psychology to join! Currently, I am interested in biopsychology and neuroscience research, specifically in drug effects and addiction. I would love to apply to PhD programs within the next 2 years and work in a research facility and/or become a professor. A fun fact about me is that I have a cat named Beef :)
Zoë Campanella
M.A. Psychology: General
My goal is to specialize in substance abuse, so being a part of this lab and its research will advance my understanding of the prolonged effects of such drugs. I’m primarily interested in researching the effects of illicit substances on individuals mental health, such as cannabis and psychedelics. With enough research and medical supervision, I believe there can be positive therapeutic effects of these substances. My main career goal is to work with individuals suffering from substance abuse and to eventually research illicit drugs for treatment purposes. I work full time at a treatment center where we give transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to treat depression, and we recently began offering a form of ketamine treatment known as spravato. A fun fact about me is that I recently registered my cat as an emotional support animal and take her to work with me at least once a week.
Arielle Lightbourne
M.S. Psychology: General
I joined the Breit Lab to get more hands-on research experience in biopsychology specifically in a pre-clinical setting. Previously, I was an undergraduate research assistant in the Mood and Cognition Lab at Temple University.
Currently, my research interests include addiction and the developmental and behavioral effects in the brain as well as treatment. I hope to apply for PhD programs in the next few years, long term I would love to be back in the classroom teaching as a professor. Outside of the lab I love to run, play with my dog and listen to podcasts!
Brielle Turano
Psy.D. Clinical Psychology
I joined the Breit lab because of my interest in the relationship between the biological processes of the brain and mental health disorders. My undergraduate neuroscience degree and my experience working in an alcohol and drug recovery center through my master’s program is what led me to want to know more about this relationship. I am specifically interested in how substances affect the brain and the symptoms that present as a result of this. My future goals are to become a certified neuropsychologist where I can use neuropsychological measures to gain and understanding of a person’s cognitive functioning following long-term substance abuse, TBIs or concussions. In my free time I am either working out at the gym with my fiancé or cuddling with my dog watching The Real Housewives.
Shannon O'Loughlin M.S. Clinical Psychology, Psy.D. Clinical Psychology
I am a current doctoral student in WCU's Clinical Psychology, Psy.D. program and working as a Graduate Assistant in the Breit Lab. My past research experience has been examining cognition post-recovery from a concussion in human participants. I am currently interested in how drugs interact with cell function (voltage, metabolism, inflammation, and synaptic communication) in individuals with mental health symptoms. A fun fact about me is I have a black cat named Splat!
Nicholas Reynolds M.S. Psychology: General
I joined the Breit Lab after meeting Dr. Breit and a few peers who were already in the lab during my first semester at West Chester. Everyone was very kind and welcoming and I was looking for an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in research, so here I am. I’m currently a graduate student in the Master’s of General Psychology program and I studied Sport Management during my undergrad years at NC State. My goal is to pursue a PhD in Sport Psychology after my master’s and eventually work with elite athletes, both clinically and in research. Outside of school I enjoy rooting for our local sports teams and traveling, and one fun fact about me is my family owns an ice cream store!
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Gianna Parrish
B.S. Cell & Molecular Biology
I joined the Breit Lab eager to learn more about biopsychology, gaining hands-on experience with a great team and being involved in the very thing that, no matter how small, allows medicine and science to continually evolve and advance. I am passionate about bridging the gap between clinical practice and scientific inquiry; I personally see research as a way to integrate research findings with medical knowledge, something that ultimately benefits us all. In the future, I hope to pursue an MD/PhD and become a physician scientist for Doctors Without Borders. When I'm not in the lab or studying, I enjoy going on walks and listening to podcasts.
Sydney Newman
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B.S. Psychology
I joined the Breit lab in the spring of 2023 to gain research experience for graduate school, and to better understand my research interests. My research interests include biological and health psychology, neuroscience, and the genetic/epigenetic/anatomy and physiological aspects of biology. One fun fact about me is that I am the secretary of the Bowling and Psychology Clubs here at WCU!
Sarah Weber
B.S. Psychology
I joined the Breit Lab because I wanted real-world, hands on experience working with animals prior to graduate school. I also believe that drugs research is crucial for education and destigmatization. My research interests include behavioral research and how personality influences development. I want to become a therapist. A fun fact about me is that I love to paint.
Megan Bailey
B.S. Psychology
I joined the Breit Lab because I want to gain more knowledge in biopsychology and animal psychology! I am a current senior at West Chester and am a psychology major with a contemplative studies minor. I believe that drug research is extremely important for ending stigmatization around drug abuse. I am president of the psychology club at West Chester and want to get more hands-on with the psychology department here. My future goals are to go into an I/O psychology master's program. A fun fact about me is that I love crystals!
Ilyas Muqbel
B.S. Psychology
I joined the Breit Lab in the Fall of 2023 as I wanted to gain research experience and working on live animals was very intriguing to me. Some of my research interests include neuroscience, brain development, and biology. My career goals would be to go into grad school for a MD/PhD and join in a clinical environment, whether it be in research or surgery. A fun fact about me is that I have played the clarinet for 10 years.
Kylie Wooden
B.S. Psychology
I learned about the Breit Lab while taking biopsych with Dr. Breit my second semester. I read up on the lab website and social media she had posted and found out what the lab was all about. I liked the idea of getting hands on experience working with animals, and my interests lie in development, so I decided to begin my experience in research in the Breit lab. A fun fact about me is that I have a large collection of instruments.
Amy Kost
B.S. Psychology
Hi, my name is Amy Kost. I am a sophomore Psychology student with a minor in Human Resource Management. I joined the Breit Lab because I thought it would be a good experience for learning and that it would open my horizons to new topics I wouldn't have been able to explore as in-depth elsewhere. My research interests are epigenetics, drugs and behavior, relationships and attachment/development, and the log-term effects of trauma on the brain. In the futurre, I hoep to be able to become an LMFT and use the knowledge I have attaied to assit future clients. A fun fact about me is that I am a small group coordinator for the CHAARG club here on campus.
Hope Rice
B.S. Psychology
I joined the Breit Lab to gain research experience and further my education in both Psychology and Neuroscience. I find research like this to be crucial in understanding how drugs affect both behavior and brain function. Outside of the lab, I am a junior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Chemistry. Additionally, I am enrolled in the Pre-Medical program with the intent to pursue further education towards a career in Psychiatry following my Bachelor's degree. A fun fact about me is that I took classical piano lessons for over ten years!
Ella Jackson
B.S. Psychology
I heard about the lab when talking with my advisor. I was particularly interested in Dr. Breit’s lab after I took a Drugs and the Brain class with her. I wanted to gain more research experience in my undergraduate study, and the idea of working with drug effects on rats sounded interesting to me. Some of my personal research interests include psychopharmacology, effects of trauma on development, and biopsychology. A fun fact about me is that I do colorguard for the university and I’m involved in an off-campus group called Mainline Independent.
Volunteers
Kyle Pruss
B.S. Psychology
I joined the Breit Lab in order to get hands on experience in biopsych research and animal research. I also joined in order to get more experience within data collection and analysis. My research interests are those within brain development changes due to trauma or drug interference. My career goals include going into medicine as a physician or physician assistant or to be a clinical psychologist. A fun fact about myself is that I am a competitive power-lifter.