Lab Members
Ashlee Loughan, PhD, MEd
Associate Professor, VCU Department of Neurology, Division of Neuro-Oncology
Director, LiveNOW Lab
Dr. Loughan is a clinical neuropsychologist in the Division of Neuro-oncology, an Associate Professor of Neurology, and an Associate Member of the Cancer Prevention and Control Program at Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center. She received her PhD from Walden University and completed her clinical residency at Goodwill Rehabilitation Center (Portland Maine) and her 2-year post-doctoral fellowship at Walton Rehabilitation Hospital (Augusta Georgia); both with specializations in neuropsychology. Dr. Loughan is dedicated to a career of improving quality of life during the brain cancer experience. She specializes in maintaining cognitive capability and supporting mental health while navigating challenging cancer treatments. Dr. Loughan is a member of the Global Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM) Program (based at the University of Toronto, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre) and became the first CALM certified therapist in the United States. She is also an active member of the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology Cooperative Group and the co-chair of the Palliative Care Research Committee for the International Psycho-Oncology Society. Dr. Loughan’s research interests focus on the assessment, understanding, and effective treatment of existential distress among individuals with brain tumor.
Sarah Braun, PhD, LCP
Assistant Professor, VCU Department of Neurology, Division of Neuro-Oncology
Assistant Director, LiveNOW Lab
Dr. Braun is a clinical neuropsychologist and Assistant Professor of Neurology in the Division of Neuro-Oncology. She completed her PhD in clinical psychology at VCU, her clinical residency in neuropsychology at the Medical University of South Carolina and the Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and a neuropsychological fellowship at VCU, Department of Neurology, Division of Neuro-Oncology, with a specialization in the neuropsychology of brain tumors. Her research aims to improve diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of mild neurocognitive disorder in cancer patients. She is particularly interested in the development and investigation of behavioral interventions (e.g., mindfulness, neuropsychological rehabilitation) to improve neurocognitive and health outcomes in brain tumor patients.
Autumn Lanoye, PhD, LCP
Assistant Professor, VCU School of Public Health, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Assistant Director, LiveNOW Lab
Dr. Lanoye is a licensed clinical psychologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at VCU's School of Public Health. She received her PhD in clinical psychology from VCU and completed her clinical residency at the West Virginia University Health Sciences Center. Her research interests include health behavior interventions and the effects of physical activity on cognitive functioning in cancer populations.
Amber Fox, BS
Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student
Amber Fox is a clinical psychology doctoral student at Virginia Commonwealth University. She recently began her first year of clinical practicum at Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center's Neuro-Oncology division under the supervision of Dr. Ashlee Loughan, conducting neuropsychological assessments. Her research interests include culturally-informed mental health treatment in integrated care settings.
Christopher Kleva, MA
Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student
Christopher Kleva is a clinical psychology doctoral student at Virginia Commonwealth University. Currently, he is completing a one-year clinical externship conducting neuropsychological assessments at Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center's Neuro-Oncology division under the supervision of Dr. Ashlee Loughan. Broadly, his research interests involve the classification of psychopathology and clinician cognition. He is also interested in how provider-patient relationships affect the well-being of patients with primary brain tumors.
Giuliana Zarrella
Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student
Giuliana Zarrella is a clinical psychology doctoral student at Virginia Commonwealth University. She is mentored by Drs. Bruce Rybarczyk, Ashlee Loughan, and Sarah Braun. Her background and research interests focus on the cognitive and behavioral consequences of cancer, including both brain tumors and non-central nervous system cancers. She is also interested in quality of life outcomes in neuro-oncology patients.
Brighton Payne
Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student
Brighton Payne is a clinical psychology doctoral student at Virginia Commonwealth University, where she is mentored by Dr. Sarah Braun. Her research interests center on cognition, particularly how it is impacted by various brain injuries and diseases. She is dedicated to discovering and developing effective methods for cognitive rehabilitation to enhance the quality of life for affected individuals.
Karly Derrigo, MS
Counseling Psychology Doctoral Student
Karly Derrigo is a doctoral student in Counseling Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University under the mentorship of Dr. Suzanne Mazzeo. She holds a Master of Science in Psychology from Drexel University. Her research focuses on the psychological mechanisms underlying eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and body dysmorphia. She is also interested in the role of fear in shaping psychological and physical health outcomes.
Mary H. Bridgman, MS
Clinical Research Coordinator
Mary is a clinical research coordinator in the department of Neurology, division of Neuro-Oncology. She received her bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Criminal Justice from Virginia Commonwealth University, and her master's degree in Psychology from Liberty University. Her general research interests include stress management, clinical risk assessments, and psychopathology.
Lab Alumni
Farah Aslanzadeh: https://vivo.brown.edu/display/faslanza
Julia Brechbiel: https://www.fredhutch.org/en/provider-directory/julia-brechbiel.html
Rachel Boutte: https://www.rushu.rush.edu/faculty/rachel-l-boutte
Lisa Chung: https://pcpsych.vcu.edu/people/graduate-students/chung.html
Alexandria Davies
Mariya Husain: https://www.rushu.rush.edu/education-and-training/graduate-medical-education/residency-programs/neurology-residency/residents
Scott Ravyts: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/physical-medicine-rehabilitation/education-training/rehab-psych
Morgan Reid: https://psychology.vcu.edu/directory/reid-morgan.html
Jaclyn Sadicario
Audrey Villanueva
Kelcie Willis: https://www.topspostdoc.org/tops-fellows-alumni
Medical Student Collaborators
Sarah Barrett
Emilie Cheng
Sarah Cook
Natasha Deo
Mariya Husain
Lauren Kovalchick
Jenna Langbein
Karen Lo
Kyra Parker
Jake Verter