Ninette Simonian
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Ninette Simonian
Research Consultant
ninette@advancedconsciousness.org
Ninette is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at The Ohio State University under Ruchika Prakash, Ph.D. In the Clinical Neuroscience Lab, she is working on an NIH-funded clinical trial examining an internet-based mind-body intervention for older adults with subjective cognitive complaints. She aims to study the intersection of technology and meditation, with the goal of optimizing benefits for cognitive health and supporting prevention strategies in healthy adults and adults at risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
Her time at IACS as a Lab Manager and Junior Research Scientist — where she conducted over 150 low-intensity focused ultrasound brain stimulations, 400+ EEG and peripheral outfitting sessions, and administered 500+ behavioral assessments — contributed to her decision to pursue clinical science. She collaborated on study preparation, data collection, data analysis, and manuscript preparation for over 7 studies at IACS on audiovisual technology, anxiolytic interventions, meditation research, and more.
Undergraduate
UCLA, B.S. Cognitive Science with a specialization in computing, 2021
Representative Publications
Simonian, N., Reggente, N. (2026) Beyond the Testing Room: Virtual Reality as a Paradigmatic Solution to Ecological Validity Deficits in Neuropsychological Memory Assessment. Virtual World (Special Issue: Contemporary Developments in Mixed, Augmented, and Virtual Reality: Implications for Teaching and Learning). https://doi.org/10.3390/virtualworlds5010007
- Simonian, N., Johnson, M., Lynch, C., Wang, G., Kumaravel, V., Kuhn, T., Schoeller, F., Reggente, N. (2025) Contrasting Cognitive, Behavioral, and Physiological Responses to Breathwork vs. Naturalistic Stimuli in Reflective Chamber and VR Headset Environment. PLOS Mental Health. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmen.0000269
- Johnson, M., Simonian, N., Reggente, N. (2024) Lightening the Mind with Audiovisual Stimulation as an Accessible Alternative to Breath-Focused Meditation for Mood and Cognitive Enhancement. Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-75943-8
- 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. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2024.1393371
Skills
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 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.
Contact Via Email
info@xyz.com
