TEAM
Simon Chamberland, PhD
Principal Investigator
Simon is a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to his appointment, he completed his Ph.D. at Université Laval in Québec City (Canada) and postdoctoral work at New York University School of Medicine. Simon received multiple prizes, awards and fellowships for his work on neuronal circuits including a K99/R00 Pathway to Independence from NIMH.
Email: chamberland@pitt.edu
Lee O. Vaasjo, PhD
Postdoctoral Scholar
Lee is originally from Puerto Rico and trained at the UPR - Institute of Neurobiology, studying sea slug neural circuit evolution. After this, he was trained at the University of Chicago under Xiaoxi Zhuang and William (Bill) Green, studying the basal ganglia in mice. Lee obtained his PhD from Tulane University, where he studied the molecular mechanisms in the specification and maintenance of cortical cell identity in the lab of Dr. Maria Galazo. During his Ph.D., he went to the Neural Systems & Behavior course at the MBL, was an SfN-Neuroscience Scholar, and was the recipient of an NIH-NINDS F99/K00. Lee has a “No scientist left behind” attitude accompanied by spontaneous laughter. In the Chamberland Lab, he focuses on dendritic mechanisms of information processing across hippocampal cell types.
Shawn Kotermanski, PhD
Senior Research Scientist
Shawn received his BS and Ph.D. degrees in Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh. His previous research spans a broad range of topics in neuroscience, pharmacology and molecular biology. Among others, he investigated the functional properties of NMDA receptors at the single channel level and the behavioral impacts of NMDA receptors pharmacological modulation. As such, Shawn is an expert in multiple techniques including electrophysiology, imaging, and behavioral analysis. Shawn enjoys being in the lab training and mentoring others, carrying out experiments, and saying hi to all the animals in the animal facility. Outside of science, Shawn has a tremendous love for animals and nature.
Email: sek334@pitt.edu
Tiya Patel
Research Technician
Tiya graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in May 2026 with a bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience and a minor in Chemistry. She is now a research technician in the lab, where she is interested in understanding the role of neural processes in memory development and retention, as well as how abnormal neuroanatomical development contributes to memory disorders.
Joyce Shi
Undergraduate Intern
Joyce is an undergraduate student majoring in neuroscience at Carnegie Mellon University. She has a keen interest in memory and learning, especially how excitatory and inhibitory neurons work together in balancing information storage. In her own time, Joyce loves hanging out with friends and exploring delicious food places.
Swarna Suresh
Undergraduate Intern
Swarna is an undergraduate student majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Bioengineering on the pre-med track at the University of Pittsburgh. She is intrigued by the genetic and neuroanatomical analysis of diverse hippocampal neurons and is interested in understanding how this diversity can uncover insights into memory consolidation and disorders. Apart from academics, Swarna is an Indian classical dancer and musician. When she's not dancing, singing, or involved in academic ventures, Swarna loves hanging out with her friends and exploring campus.
Brianna Nickel
Undergraduate Intern
Brianna is an undergraduate student at the University of Pittsburgh, double-majoring in Neuroscience and psychology. She is interested in learning how neuronal and synaptic mechanisms of memory can impact cognitive functions. Outside of her academics Brianna is involved in the Fredrick Honors College Student Council, and PASN Council. Off Campus she enjoys going to football and hockey games, as well as playing the piano.
Katlin Perazzo
Undergraduate Intern
Katlin is an undergraduate student at the University of Pittsburgh majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Creative Writing. She is particularly interested in the neural processes, especially compensatory mechanisms, involved in the restoration of memory and other cognitive functions following severe brain injury. Outside of academics, she is involved in the Street Medicine @ Pitt organization. When she's not running between classes and extracurricular commitments, she loves to read and play games on her Switch.
We currently have the following open positions:
Postdoctoral Fellow
Laboratory Technician
We are grateful for past and ongoing research support generously provided by the following organizations:
