Alexis Zahorchak

Location: University Park, PA | Phone: (724) 244-7596
Email: amt6430@psu.edu | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alexis-zahorchak

Education

The Pennsylvania State University | University Park, PA
Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering | Expected August 2026
* GPA: 3.670
* Thesis: Brokerage Opportunities Explain the Social Impact of Brain and Risk Taking Diversity

The Pennsylvania State University | University Park, PA
Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Neuroscience Option | May 2024
* Minor: Biology | GPA: 3.550
* Honors: Dean’s List (4/8 semesters)

Research Experience

Graduate Research Assistant

Decision Neuroscience Laboratory | August 2024 – Present
Advisors: Dr. Nina Lauharatanahirun and Dr. Derek Spangler

  • Multimodal Neuroimaging: Design and conduct studies integrating functional neuroimaging (EEG/fMRI) with computational modeling and behavioral analyses.
  • Human-AI Dynamics: Utilize EEG hyperscanning to characterize neural synchronization and performance outcomes in human-virtual agent teams.
  • Physiological Monitoring: Administer and monitor fMRI, EEG, ECG, ICG, and EMG measures, ensuring data integrity through sensor troubleshooting and precise attachment.
  • Data Engineering: Analyze large-scale neural and behavioral datasets using MATLAB and R.
  • Lab Leadership: Train incoming research assistants on laboratory protocols and hardware safety procedures.

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Decision Neuroscience Laboratory | February 2023 – May 2024
Advisors: Dr. Nina Lauharatanahirun and Dr. Derek Spangler

  • fMRI Coordination: Contributed to the execution of fMRI studies investigating decision-making contexts.
  • Regulatory Management: Served as primary liaison with the Institutional Review Board (IRB); drafted and revised protocols and participant consent procedures.
  • Project Operations: Collaborated with MRI technologists and lab personnel to coordinate sessions and ensure protocol adherence.
  • Data Collection: Administered neuroeconomic tasks (e.g., Lottery Choice Task) and operated fMRI equipment with a priority on participant safety.

Selected Project Portfolio

  • Thesis Research: Investigating gamma-band (\(30\)–\(100\) Hz) functional connectivity and risk-taking diversity as predictors of social brokerage and interaction.
  • Resource Sharing Game: Engineered a dual-team EEG hyperscanning protocol to study neural synchronization in human-AI cooperation.
  • Social Risk (Clinical): Analyzed behavioral task data for children (ages 10-13) with affective disorders to compare risky investments across social vs. nonsocial conditions.
  • Threat of Infection: Managed multimodal data collection (lottery choice tasks and ECG) under stress conditions (physical vs. illness threat).
  • Nocturnal Stress: Executed a \(2 \times 2\) factorial design study measuring autonomic reactivity via ECG (HRV) and EMG (startle response).

Presentations

  • Zahorchak, A. M. (2025, July). Brokerage Opportunities Explain the Social Impact of Brain and Risk Taking Diversity. Poster presented at the Big Ten Neuroscience Annual Meeting, University Park, PA.
  • Zahorchak, A. M. (2025, October). Brokerage Opportunities Explain the Social Impact of Brain and Risk Taking Diversity. Poster presented at Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Meeting, San Diego, California.

Technical Skills

  • Neuroimaging: EEG and fMRI data acquisition and preprocessing.
  • Physiology: ECG, EMG, ICG, and signal processing.
  • Programming: MATLAB, R, and statistical modeling.
  • Data Management: Signal processing and visualization.