Meet Our Post-Doctoral Fellows

Simon Baumann, PhD
Appointment: Rauschecker Lab
Office: WP-19B

Rita Chen, PhD
Appointment: Evans Lab
Office: EG-20

Maria Czarnecka, PhD
Appointment: Striem-Amit Lab
Office: WP-09

Zhiqing Deng, PhD
Appointment: Striem-Amit Lab
Office: WP-09

Neeraj Kumar, PhD
Appointment: Orpella Lab
Office: WP-23

Neeraj Kumar earned his PhD in Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience from the National Brain Research Centre. His research has focused on human auditory processing using electrophysiology, multimodal neuroimaging, neural signal processing, brain stimulation, and computational modeling.

Currently, Neeraj is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the laboratory of Joan Orpella, where his work explores the network-level representation of speech processing and the functional brain networks involved in speech production. His research is particularly centered on the computational role of neural oscillations and how they support the sequencing, planning, and execution of cognitive processes that enable fluent speech production.

Outside the lab, Neeraj enjoys reading about history, philosophy, and emerging technologies.

Valerie Lewitus, PhD
Appointment: Evans Lab
Office: EG-19

Valerie Lewitus is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Rebekah Evans at Georgetown University Medical Center. She earned her MS in Biology in 2018 and PhD in Neuroscience in 2023 from George Mason University.

For her doctoral research under Kim Blackwell, Valerie used electrophysiological techniques in mice to examine how reproductive cycles and ovarian hormones influence synaptic plasticity in the dorsal striatum, a brain region involved in motor skill learning.

In the Evans Lab, her research investigates the interconnected neural circuitry among the pedunculopontine nucleus, dorsal striatum, and substantia nigra pars compacta—three brain regions critical for motor control. Using a combination of electrophysiology, behavioral analysis, optogenetics, chemogenetics, and cellular imaging techniques, she studies how aerobic exercise enhances motor coordination and the neuronal mechanisms underlying these effects. She is also exploring how Parkinson ’s-like cholinopathy impacts these neural circuits.

Outside of research, Valerie enjoys watching movies, reading science fiction novels, and playing the viola.

James O’Leary, PhD
Appointment: Burns Lab
Office: EG-19

James is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Burns Lab in the Department of Neuroscience. His research focuses on how brain injury affects memory and how cognitive function can be restored after injury. He is particularly interested in non-invasive therapies, including environmental enrichment and transcranial stimulation, as potential interventions.

James’s work emphasizes translational preclinical models that bridge experimental neuroscience and clinical application. He has expertise in behavioral research, optogenetics, and activity-dependent cell labeling, and is passionate about developing technologies that enhance neurobehavioral research. During his PhD training at University College Cork, he developed a low-cost touchscreen operant platform for preclinical cognitive assessments. His research has been published in journals including Nature, Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, and Cell Reports.

Before joining the Burns Lab, James completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Trinity College Dublin studying memory engram cells and forgetting. He earned his Master’s degree from the University of Canterbury and his Bachelor’s degree from La Trobe University. Outside the lab, he enjoys traveling and snowboarding.

Chantal Oderbolz, PhD
Appointment: Orpella Lab
Office: WP-23

Chantal earned a Master of Science in Psychology and a PhD in Linguistics from the University of Zürich under the supervision of Martin Meyer. Her doctoral research focused on speech perception in the brain, using EEG, MEG, and behavioral methods to investigate how prosody shapes neural representations of speech.

Currently, Chantal is a Postdoctoral Fellow in Dr. Joan Orpella’s lab, where she studies speech perception and production. Her work explores neural integration and the relationship between brain activity and behavior, and investigating the neural basis of stuttering. Her research is supported by funding from the Swiss National Science Foundation.

Outside the lab, Chantal enjoys playing electric guitar, spending time outdoors, and sharing a good neuroscience meme.

Harshul Pandit, PhD
Appointment: Rebeck Lab
Office: WP-26

Max Stevenson, PhD
Appointment: Rebeck Lab
Office: WP-26

Max earned his B.A. in Cognitive Science from the University of Virginia before joining the Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience at Georgetown University to pursue his PhD. His dissertation research in the Laboratory for Dementia and Parkinsonism under Charbel Moussa examined the potential of novel small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors to reduce neurodegenerative disease pathology.

Following graduation, Max joined the labs of Mark Burns and Patrick Forcelli as a Postdoctoral Fellow, where he investigates senescent brain cells following traumatic brain injury and their potential role in post-traumatic epilepsy. He is currently a trainee in the Aging and Alzheimer’s Research Training (AART) T32 Program.

Outside the lab, Max enjoys outdoor activities including baseball, rock climbing, and skiing, and exploring the DMV’s restaurants, music venues, and hiking trails.

Kenea Udobi, PhD
Appointment: Evans Lab
Office: EG-20

Kenea Udobi is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Evans Lab whose research focuses on neurodegenerative disease, memory mechanisms, and brain energy deficiencies. With a background in biological sciences, particularly cell and molecular biology, his work aims to better understand the mechanisms underlying neurological disorders.

Currently, Kenea studies Parkinson’s disease cholinopathy, with a focus on the selective degeneration of pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) cholinergic neurons and how these changes influence the progression of Parkinson’s disease symptoms. His research seeks to identify mechanisms that may contribute to improved diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

Originally from Nigeria, Kenea is passionate about improving healthcare access and hopes to apply his research toward practical solutions that positively impact underserved communities. Outside the lab, he enjoys reading science fiction and fantasy novels, swimming, and hiking.