Neha Gothe, PhD

Principal Investigator

Dr. Gothe is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Physical Therapy, Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences and Applied Psychology at Northeastern University. Her research focuses on promoting physical activity, including non-traditional modes such as yoga, as a means to improve health, cognition and quality of life.

She is known for her work on yoga for cognition and developed and led the first randomized trial examining the effects of yoga on cognitive function among older adults. Her research is funded by the National Institutes of Health where she also serves as a grant reviewer on various study sections.

She has published extensively in the field of yoga and cognition and has been invited to presented at national and international conferences. At the Center for Brain and Cognitive Health at NEU, Dr. Gothe mentors graduate and undergraduate students interested in pursuing careers in yoga, exercise, neurocognition and health research.

National Library of medicine

n.gothe@northeastern.edu

Liam O’Neil, PhD

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Dr. O’Neil is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Exercise Psychology Lab at Northeastern University. He is an interdisciplinary scientist who conducts developmentally informed exercise and sport psychology research. His work is broadly focused on understanding the psychosocial determinants and outcomes of physical activity across the lifespan. He is specifically interested in the motivational processes regulating physical activity, and the role of physical activity in shaping psychological and social well-being. Dr. O’Neil holds a Bachelor of Physical Education with Honors from the University of Otago, Master of Science in Kinesiology and Recreation from Illinois State University, and Doctor of Philosophy in Human Development and Family Studies from Utah State University.

Nandini Erodula

Research Coordinator

Nandini is a research coordinator at the Center for Cognitive and Brain Health at Northeastern University, for both the Exercise Psychology Lab directed by Dr. Neha Gothe and the Laboratory for the Scientific Study of Dance directed by Dr. Aston McCullough. She graduated from Yale University with distinction in the major of the History of Science, Medicine, and Public Health. She has a background in clinical research with experience as a research assistant for multiple Alzheimer’s disease clinical trials. Her research interests include neuroscience, women’s health, and movement, and Nandini plans to pursue medical school in the future. 

Ethan Ouimet

Ethan Ouimet is a PhD student in the Human Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences (HMRS) program at Northeastern University. He obtained a BS and MS in Food and Nutrition with a concentration in Dietetics from Framingham State University and has been a Registered Dietitian since 2021. Before joining the HMRS program, Ethan was conducting clinical research with Community Servings (a Boston-based medically tailored meal program), Massachusetts General Hospital, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His research interests include examining the impact of mindfulness practices, nutrition, and physical activity on cognition and health outcomes in older adults. 

Emma Plank

Emma Plank is a PhD student in the Human Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences program. She earned her BS in Exercise Science, with minors in Nutrition and Psychology, from Grove City College. Her research interests center on the use of exercise and nutrition to improve cognition and manage stress in individuals living with chronic diseases, with the aim of slowing disease progression and promoting better health outcomes. Emma is passionate about using lifestyle interventions to enhance overall quality of life in these populations. In her free time, she enjoys swimming, cooking, reading, and weightlifting. 

Shweta Vasudevan

Shweta is a Master’s student at Northeastern University, pursuing a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology. She graduated from UMass Boston with degrees in Psychology and Criminology. Passionate about understanding human behavior within the realms of mental and physical health, she is an aspiring clinical psychologist dedicated to supporting individuals through their mental health journeys. Shweta is particularly interested in integrating therapeutic practices with mindfulness-based approaches to promote holistic healing and well-being. Her research interests include looking at neuropsychological disorders and exploring how psychotherapy and holistic methods can improve mental health and functioning. Currently, she works as a pre-licensed mental health counselor at the Neuropsychological Assessment Clinic. Shweta’s long-term goal is to start her own practice, where she can provide integrated care that combines traditional therapeutic techniques with holistic methods. In her free time, she enjoys going to pilates classes, exercising, hanging out with friends, and bartending on the weekends.

Shayna Basu

Shayna is an undergraduate student at Northeastern University, majoring in Data Science with a minor in Consulting. She enjoys singing and is a proud member of NAAD, Northeastern’s A Cappella Association for Desi Music. Shayna is passionate about leveraging her data skills to drive innovation and uncover meaningful insights that tell the stories of businesses, people, and the world. She believes that data-driven strategies have the power to create lasting impact and inspire change. Originally from Dubai, Shayna enjoys reading, listening to music, and teaching Hindi in her spare time, finding joy in sharing knowledge and connecting with others.

Evan Kenny

Evan is an undergraduate student at Northeastern University, majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience. He draws academic inspiration from past life experiences in the Navy and an exploration of cultural differences during his travels abroad. Evan is an enthusiastic advocate of mindfulness as a modality for wellness, and he is certified as a breathwork, meditation, and yoga instructor. He currently teaches these practices to his Northeastern cohort and the greater Boston community through his nonprofit company, Infinity Initiatives, which seeks to provide disadvantaged populations free access to these opportunities. Evan sees himself pursuing psychiatry as a career and hopes to further the understanding of entheogenic mechanisms and their treatment potentials in mental wellbeing.  

Cybiehl Padre

Cybiehl is an undergraduate Health Science student at Northeastern University, on a pre-physical therapy track. With a competitive dual-sport background, she is passionate about physical wellness and mental resilience for athletes and beyond and aims to give back to the communities that served her during her time as an athlete. Cybiehl does this through her current position as a Certified Personal Trainer at Marino Recreation Center, where she performs fitness assessments and designs personalized fitness programs aligned with client goals. Passionate about empowering young athletes, she works as a private youth soccer coach and vision board workshop leader, combining athletic development with artistic healing and goal-setting strategies. In her free time, Cybiehl runs, dances for Barkada (Northeastern’s Filipino culture organization), plays intramural volleyball, and connects with friends. She is excited to gain deeper insights into the impact of exercise, nutrition, and meditative disciplines on cognition.