Michelle R. Madore, Ph.D., Director
Dr. Madore is a Clinical Neuropsychologist.
She received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Cincinnati, where she received specialized training in neuropsychology. Dr. Madore completed her pre-doctoral internship at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS). She has completed postdoctoral training focused on clinical neuropsychology and neurorehabilitation research at VA Martinez, San Francisco VA Medical Center and VAPAHCS.
Dr. Madore is involved in several professional organizations and serves in several leadership positions. She is the Editor for the Asian American Journal of Psychology and Deputy Editor for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.
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Meet the Team
Laroman (Chauncey) Green
Health Science Specialist
2019-
Nicole (Colee) Evangelista
Neuropsychology Fellow
September 2024 -
Nanako A. Hawley
Neuropsychology Fellow
August 2025 -
LaRoman Chauncey Green is a Program Specialist tasked with the coordination of the National Clinical TMS Pilot Program, under the direction of Michelle Madore Ph.D. Chauncey supports 50+ clinical sites throughout the Department of Veterans Affairs. He develops program-specific tools and resources and assists with program evaluation of TMS utilization and efficacy. Chauncey graduated from San Jose State University with a bachelor’s degree in Health Science and a concentration in Health Services Administration. Before joining the pilot program, he was a clinical research associate with Stanford University School of Medical, where he coordinated an education and skill-building, technology-based, caregiver intervention.
In his spare time, Chauncey is an avid musician, specializing in percussion instruments. He also owns and is currently restoring a classic 1967 Ford Mustang.
Alesha Heath
Research Health Scientist
August 2025 -
Dr. Nicole (“Colee”) Evangelista is a second-year VISN 21 Sierra Pacific MIRECC neuropsychology postdoctoral fellow at the VA Palo Alto. She earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology, with a focus in Neuropsychology, from the University of Florida and completed her predoctoral residency at the VA Palo Alto within the Clinical Neuropsychology track. She completed a MS in Psychology at the University of Florida and BS in Physiology & Neuroscience at the University of California San Diego. She aims to become a board-certified rehabilitation neuropsychologist within an interdisciplinary health care setting. Her research is focused on characterizing neural and sociocultural factors that may be targeted by non-pharmacological interventions (e.g., neuromodulation, exercise, policy) to improve clinical and cognitive outcomes in older age and risk for Alzheimer’s disease. She is committed to integrating advocacy and social justice throughout her clinical, research, and professional activities to help increase access totraining opportunities and health care services for individuals of systemically marginalized backgrounds. In her free time, she enjoys going to concerts, singing her heart out at karaoke or emo nights, playing soccer, exploring new hiking or bike trails, and spending time with friends and family.
Mia Gonzalez
Clinical Research Coordinator
October 2023 -
Mia Gonzalez is most interested in the intersection of mental health, human behavior, and rehabilitation. She holds a B.S. in Justice Studies with a concentration in Criminology and a minor in Psychology from San Jose State University. Her academic and professional interests center on understanding the psychological and environmental factors that shape behavior and influence recovery. Her experiences have strengthened her commitment to supporting vulnerable and underserved populations, including veterans, justice-involved individuals, and individuals affected by addiction, trauma, and mental health challenges. She is particularly interested in understanding how evidence-based mental health interventions can promote rehabilitation, recovery, and long-term stability. Mia is driven by her commitment to understanding the person beyond their circumstances, behaviors, or diagnoses. Through her work, she hopes to contribute to research and interventions that recognize the complexity of individual experiences while also supporting people in their efforts toward healthier, more stable lives.
Dr. Nanako A. Hawley is a neuropsychology research fellow at Palo Alto VA Sierra Pacific MIRECC and a visiting researcher at Stanford School of Medicine. She earned her PhD in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from the University of South Alabama and completed her predoctoral residency at the VA Palo Alto within the Geriatric Neuropsychology track. She completed a MA in Clinical Psychology at California State University, Northridge and BS in Cognitive Science with an emphasis in Neuroscience at the University of California San Diego. Research interests include examining factors that impact cognitive aging including modifiable lifestyle factors, biomarkers, and health disparities. Clinically, she is interested in assessing older adults with cognitive impairment as well improving patient care and outcomes for older adults and individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. She aims to become a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist working with older adults within a transdisciplinary health care setting.
Emilee Brussow
Clinical Research Coordinator
March 2024 -
Emilee Brussow is a Clinical Research Coordinator in Dr. Madore's NEAT Lab and graduated from San José State University with a B.S. in Business Administration, with a concentration in Entrepreneurship. In her role, Emilee supports Dr. Madore's active clinical trials by assisting with participant recruitment, informed consent, scheduling, data collection, administering TMS, and the day-to-day coordination of research studies. She particularly enjoys the organizational and project management aspects of research, including improving workflows, keeping studies on track, and helping ensure recruitment goals are met. In the future, Emilee hopes to pursue a career in project management, where she can continue leveraging her organizational skills and passion for coordinating successful initiatives. Outside of the lab, Emilee enjoys exploring the Bay Area and spending time with her dog!
Holly Fitch
Practicum Stuent
August 2025 -
Kaetlin Kohlhorst
Practicum Student
March 2026 -
Nakyah Bourgeois
Practicum Student
June 2026
Bio forthcoming
Shirley Tang
Practicum Student
July 2026 -
Shirley Tang is a doctoral candidate in Palo Alto University’s Clinical Psychology PhD program, pursuing an emphasis in neuropsychology. She graduated from the University of California San Diego in 2022 with a BS in Cognitive Science, with an emphasis in Clinical Aspects of Cognition, and earned her MS in Clinical Psychology from Palo Alto University. Her research interests focus on the neuropsychological correlates of addiction, including both substance use and behavioral addictions, as well as the effective implementation of emerging evidence-based treatments. She is particularly interested in understanding how cognitive processes, such as impulsivity and decision-making, vary across individuals and across the lifespan. Within implementation science, she is interested in the implementation and dissemination of emerging evidence-based treatments across healthcare settings to improve access to care and reduce health disparities in mental health and neuropsychological services. Outside of her academic and clinical work, Shirley enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing badminton, and exploring new restaurants and dessert spots throughout the Bay Area.
Raquel Ramírez Pérez
Research Mentee
Febrary 2026
Raquel Ramírez Pérez is a senior undergraduate Psychology major at Universidad Católica Santa María la Antigua in Panama City, Panama. She is passionate about neuroscience and aspires to become a neuropsychologist. Raquel completed two observerships at Mayo Clinic (Jacksonville): one in 2023 in the neurosurgery department and one in 2025 in the neuropsychology/neurology department, which is how she connected with Dr. Michelle Madore. She is an assistant researcher at the Headache, Facial Pain and TMD Center, Pacifica Salud Hospital, in Panama City, Panama. Most recently, she won first place at the inaugural Datathon of the Panama International Critical Care Congress, which featured AI in the ICU.
Kaetlin Kohlhorst is a practicum student in the NEAT Lab and a Clinical Psychology Ph.D. candidate at Palo Alto University, where she is completing an emphasis in Neuropsychology. Her research interests include depression and nonpharmacological interventions, decision-making, and the neuropsychological processes underlying these areas. Clinically, Kaetlin is passionate about working with individuals and families and currently provides autism evaluations for underserved communities, with an emphasis on affirming, culturally responsive, and evidence-based care. She is also interested in expanding her experience in adult neuropsychological assessment, particularly with individuals presenting with cognitive concerns, psychiatric comorbidities, and posttraumatic stress. She aims to become a board-certified neuropsychologist working within an interdisciplinary healthcare setting, balancing assessment and intervention to provide comprehensive, contextually informed care across the lifespan.
Michelle Wong
Practicum Student
Michelle Wong graduated from the University of California, Davis with a B.S. in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior and a minor in Psychology. During her undergraduate career, Michelle conducted research on whether biobehavioral synchrony affects cognitive outcomes in children at the Social Environment and Stress Lab. She also served as a coordinator for the wellness program at Bayanihan Clinic in Sacramento. Michelle is interested in understanding the neurobiological basis of psychiatric disorders and utilizing this knowledge to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health conditions. She hopes to explore alternative treatment methods to medication — such as TMS — for depression and other mood disorders through clinical research. With the knowledge gained from her experience at the NEAT Lab, Michelle hopes to develop the ability to create treatment plans individualized for patients from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. She plans to pursue an MD and is interested in psychiatry.
Chloe Alkadri
Research Mentee
Nakyah Bourgeois is a doctoral student in Palo Alto University’s Clinical Psychology PhD program. She holds an M.A. in Legal and Forensic Psychology from the University of California, Irvine, and a B.A. in Psychology from California State University, Los Angeles. Her interests include forensic psychology, specifically, competency, risk, and criminal responsibility assessments as well as forensic consulting and the role of psychological assessment in legal decision-making. She is also interested in understanding how mental health and clinical presentation inform evaluations of individuals involved in the legal system. As a Clinical Research Practicum Student in the NEAT Lab, she administers neuropsychological assessment batteries, conducts clinical assessments, and contributes to research activities within the lab.
Areebah Mubin
Research Mentee
February 2026 -
Areebah Mubin is a research assistant in the NEAT Lab and a Master of Science in Counseling student at Southern Methodist University. She earned her B.S. in Psychology with minors in Social and Behavioral Science and Health Communication from The University of Texas at Austin. Her research interests center on trauma, resilience, and coping mechanisms for life stress and promotion of holistic wellness. She is especially interested in women's mental health, cultural and ethnic influences on psychological well-being, and reducing mental health disparities among minority and disabled communities. At the NEAT Lab, Areebah contributes to projects examining TMS interventions for depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders through literature reviews, systematic reviews, and scientific writing. Prior to joining the NEAT Lab, she conducted research at the University of Texas at Austin's Drew Lab, where she investigated the neural mechanisms of fear extinction using optogenetics, histology, and fiber photometry to better understand PTSD, and at the Church Lab, where she supported an fMRI study of executive function and neurodevelopment in children. Outside of research, Areebah works in community mental health at the Black Men's Health Clinic and Araam Wellness. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with the long-term goal of becoming a clinical neuropsychologist whose work joins neuroscience, psychotherapy, and neuromodulation to improve care and accessibility for individuals from all backgrounds.
Nathan Merin
Clinical Research Coordinator
September 2026
Chloe Alkadri is a doctoral student in Clinical Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles. Her work focuses on the intersection of neuropsychology, cultural diversity, and technological advancement in clinical assessment. Her doctoral dissertation examined the cultural fairness of Computerized Memory Interference Tests (CMIT) among Asian American populations. By comparing performance across different linguistic and cultural groups using digital assessment tools, she identified biases in neuropsychological testing. In addition to her research, Chloe has extensive clinical experience across diverse settings, including community health centers and private practices specializing in autism and neurodevelopmental disorders. She has a strong background in providing both individual and group therapy, as well as conducting comprehensive psychological evaluations for children, adolescents, and adults. With a multidisciplinary foundation, including a Master of Education and a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology, Chloe is dedicated to leveraging technology to create more precise, accessible, and culturally responsive mental health interventions. She is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology (AACN), the Asian Neuropsychological Association (ANA), the International Neuropsychological Society, and the National Academy of Neuropsychology (NAN).