The Schumann Lab
Cynthia Schumann, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Director of Research in Faculty Development, UC Davis Health
Director of Brain Endowment for Autism Research Sciences (BEARS)
Director of Brain Endowment for Mental Health
Dr. Schumann’s research focuses on how brain cells associated with anxiety, autism, and mental health change across the human lifespan. Dr. Schumann is Director of two human brain tissue collection programs: Brain Endowment for Autism Research Sciences (BEARS) and Brain Endowment for Mental Health (BEMH). She also serves as Director of Research in Faculty Development for UC Davis Health and Chair of the UCD campus-wide Academic Senate Committee on Research.
Kari Hanson, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Scholar
Kari Hanson joined the Schumann lab as a postdoctoral research scientist in the fall of 2020, following completion of her PhD in biological anthropology, and an NIH T32-funded postdoc in Cognitive Neuroscience through UCSD’s Institute for Neural Computation. Her work applies an evolutionary medicine approach to understanding neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders as a reflection of the diversity of the human brain and mind.
Alicja Omanska, M.S.
Laboratory Manager
Erin Carlson, M.Sc.
Staff Researcher
Erin Carlson is a Staff Research Associate that has been with the University of California Davis since 2009 and joined the Schumann Lab in 2014. She loves studying complex systems like the brain and enjoys developing protocols and exploring new technologies. She is also an avid gardener and has practiced martial arts for over 20 years.
Avni Shah
Junior Specialist
Evan Haley
Graduate Student
Evan is a 2nd year PhD student in the Neuroscience Graduate Program at UC Davis. He joined the lab in 2022 with an interest in pathological aging in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Evan started graduate school after graduating from Temple University in 2021 with a chemistry degree certified by the ACS. Additionally, Evan serves as the Neuroscience Graduate Student Association (NGSA) Retreat Coordinator and NeuroFest Organizer. Evan hopes to work in academia as a PI focusing his research around ASD pathology. Outside of the lab, Evan takes care of his dog Ace Etylcholine and continues to explore California and the West Coast.
Maybeline Hinlo
Undergraduate Researcher
Maybeline is a undergraduate researcher at the Schumann Lab and is a fourth year at UC Davis, studying cognitive and computer science. She joined the lab in November 2020, and is interested in a career in Human-Computer Interaction and Developmental Disorder Research involving ADHD, Depression, and Autism. She is also working as a Behavioral Technician for children with autism. Maybeline is on the bowling team for UC Davis and loves reading and cooking for her friends when she’s not at work / school.
Hibah Shafi
Undergraduate Researcher
Hibah is an undergraduate researcher at the Schumann Lab. She is a fourth-year majoring in Economics and minoring in Psychology and joined the lab in 2021. She plans on going to medical school after graduating from UC Davis to pursue a career in oncology. In her free time, Hibah enjoys spending time with her dogs, making earrings, and baking sourdough bread.
Francesca Apaya
Undergraduate Researcher
Francesca is an undergraduate researcher at the Schumann Lab. She is currently a fourth year Cell Biology major and pursuing a minor in Public Health Sciences. She joined the lab during spring of 2021. Francesca hopes to attend medical school in the future, specializing in pediatrics or oncology. In her free time, she loves to travel, hike, listen to music, and practiced martial arts for 9 years.
Malia Duong
Undergraduate Researcher
Malia is an undergraduate researcher at the Schumann lab and is a fourth-year at UC Davis studying Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior. She joined the lab in the spring of 2021 and hopes to attend medical school after graduating to become a physician. In her free time, Malia enjoys picnicking with her friends along with spending time with her cat, Mango.
Sarah Gardner
Undergraduate Researcher
Sarah is an undergraduate researcher at the Schumann Laboratory. She is finishing up her second year as a Biological Sciences major with a Psychology minor. She recently joined the lab in spring 2021, and hopes to pursue a career in medical research. In her free time, Sarah enjoys hiking, spending time with her friends, and driving the Unitrans buses on the UC davis campus.
Sydney Wren
Undergraduate Researcher
Sydney is an undergraduate researcher at the Schumann lab and is a fourth year at UC Davis studying Chemistry and Computer Science. She joined the lab in 2022 and hopes to pursue bioinformatics in the future. In her free time she enjoys diving, skateboarding, playing guitar and going on hikes.
Lab Alumni
Ruth Weir
Postdoctoral Researcher
After 5 wonderful years working in Cyndi’s lab, Ruth returned back to her homeland in the UK. She currently works at University College London Innovation & Enterprise, training PhD students to grow their entrepreneurial mindset. The autism community is still very dear to her heart and she regularly provides tutoring and job coaching skills to autistic individuals. In her spare time Ruth will either be found swimming, cycling or running in training for her next triathlon or marathon.
Aaron Davis
Junior Specialist
Marc Friedman
Junior Specialist
Marc is a Junior Specialist with an interest in developmental disorders and translational research. After studying history in undergrad and taking prerequisite science courses, he joined the Schumann Lab in 2019. Marc is interested in pursuing a career in neuroscience or in an allied health field. When not in the lab, he likes to play drums and bake cookies.
Alex Carr
Junior Specialist
Alisha Miller
Undergraduate Researcher
Alisha is an Undergraduate Researcher at the Schumann Lab. She joined the lab in 2018 and assists with various projects. She is in her final year of undergrad at UC Davis where she studies Biomedical Engineering. Her goal for after graduation is to work in the Biotechnology industry, where she hopes to help design medical devices.
Minh-Thu Katie Truong
Undergraduate Researcher
Priscilla Nowling
Undergraduate Researcher
Priscilla is an undergraduate researcher in the lab and currently in her third year at UC Davis, studying Psychology. She joined the lab in 2021, and is interested in pursuing medical school in the future. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, going on hikes, and spending time with friends and family.