As Lab Manager and Junior Research Scientist, Ninette has conducted over 150 low-intensity focused ultrasound brain stimulations, 400+ EEG and peripheral outfitting sessions, and administered 500+ behavioral assessments. She also contributes to study preparation, data collection, data analysis, and manuscript preparation for lab-wide studies. Ninette is aspiring to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, and aims to become a Clinical Neuropsychologist specializing in cognitive decline and memory disorders. Her ultimate goal is to unlock the brain’s potential and develop effective therapies for cognitive and memory enhancement.
Undergraduate
UCLA, B.S. Cognitive Science with a specialization in computing, 2021
Representative Publications
-
- Simonian, N., Johnson, M., Lynch, C., Wang, G., Kumaravel, V., Kuhn, T., Schoeller, F., Reggente, N. (2024) Contrasting Cognitive, Behavioral, and Physiological Responses to Breathwork vs. Naturalistic Stimuli in Reflective Chamber and VR Headset Environments. [Article]
- Cain, J, Brandmeyer, T., Sanguinetti, J., Simonian, N., Reggente, N. (2024) Towards enhancing meditation with focused ultrasound neuromodulation in expert Vipassana meditators. [Article]
- Cain, J., Simonian, N., Reggente, N. (2024) Towards Focused Ultrasound Stimulation for Enhancing Meditation: A Study on the State-Dependent Effects between Novices and Experienced Practitioners. [Article]
- Reggente, N., Kothe, C., Brandmeyer, T., Hanada, G., Simonian, N., Mullen, S., Mullen, T. (2024) Decoding Depth of Meditation: EEG Insights from Expert Vipassana Practioners. Biological Psychiatry [Article]
- Johnson, M. A., Simonian, N., & Nicco Reggente. (2024). Lightening the mind with audiovisual stimulation as an accessible alternative to breath-focused meditation for mood and cognitive enhancement. Scientific Reports [Article]
- Frohlich, J., Simonian, N., Hanada, G., Kothe, C., Reggente, N. (2023) Neural entrainment induced by periodic audiovisual stimulation: A large-sample EEG study. [Article]
- Zheng, Z. S., Simonian, N., Wang, J., Rosario, E. (2024) Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation improves long COVID symptoms in female cohort: a pilot study. Frontiers in Neurology. [Article]
Skills
Project Management
EEG setup
Low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) setup
Your ideal research study
My ideal research is in translational science; specifically, studying clinical psychology and neuroscience to assess cognitive function, diagnose disorders, recommend targeted treatments, collaborate on rehabilitation, and conduct research utilizing new technology and approaches. I am particularly interested in studying cognitive decline and memory disorders.
What drew you to consciousness
The core premise regarding consciousness, taught in most of my cognition courses, was that it is difficult to “objectively” research, and consciousness research is a field with many open-ended questions. I liked the idea that interdisciplinary studies, from neuroscience, psychology, philosophy, and more, can come together to further understand what consciousness is. I am specifically interested in the mind-body connection – how the mind can heal the body and vice versa – and learning more about the mechanisms in which they interact.
Hobbies
Being active – practicing yoga, playing tennis, and hiking with my dog.
Being creative – painting, crafting beautifully organized Spotify playlists, watching Architectural Digest videos, and scrapbooking.
