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

Angeles Tepper, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow

Dr. Angeles Tepper is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Exercise Psychology Lab, also affiliated with (and based at) the Connect Lab at Wayne State University. She earned her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile in 2022, where she specialized in MRI data analysis of psychotic patients. Inspired by her active lifestyle, Dr. Tepper developed a strong interest in the relationship between physical activity and its effects on the brain and cognitive functions. Her research is now focused on the impact of yoga, aerobic exercise, and stretching on neurocognitive performance in older adults. In addition to this, Dr. Tepper actively engages in neuroscience communication through her social media platform (@lacerebra), where she shares her enthusiasm for an active lifestyle and brain health. 

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. 

Lara Roché-Sudar

Lara Roché-Sudar (she/they) is a PhD student in the Human Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences (HMRS) program at Northeastern University. She graduated from Williams College in 2014 with a BA in Asian Studies, but subsequently fell in love with exercise and human movement science while working as a personal trainer in Seattle. In 2022 she graduated from AT Still University with her MS in Kinesiology. Lara has been working as a personal trainer for about ten years, and recently co-founded Friends of the Gym, a queer, anti-diet, fat-positive gym in Seattle, WA. While working as a trainer, they saw how strength training allowed their clients to feel capable and empowered in their daily lives, which formed the foundation for their interest in research studying the effects of exercise on physical and mental function during aging. 

In her spare time, Lara trains as a circus artist, focusing on aerial rope and duo trapeze. They also lift barbells, practice yoga, and run—she considers herself something of a movement generalist! Lara’s non-exercise hobbies include knitting, singing karaoke, playing board games with her partner and friends, reading fantasy/sci-fi, and drinking coffee. 

Julia Bujtor

Julia is an undergraduate student at Northeastern University, majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience with a minor in Anthropology. She enjoys singing and is currently a member of Northeastern’s Chamber Singers and Mosaic Advance Treble Ensemble. She is passionate about learning how health improvements can be achieved through functional practices and believes these methods hold significant potential for promoting overall well-being. Julia’s long-term goal is to pursue neurological research and open her own neurotherapy clinic that incorporates functional practices. Originally from the Bay Area, California, she enjoys taking advantage of the outdoors by hiking in her spare time. Julia also loves practicing yoga, playing music, and spending time with friends and family.