Dr. Jena Hales is an associate professor of neuroscience in the Department of Psychological Sciences. She received her Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience from Bowdoin College, where she worked with Dr. Seth Ramus examining cortical physiological representations of hippocampus-dependent memories in rats. She then received her Ph.D. in Neurosciences from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), where she worked with Dr. James Brewer and used fMRI to examine human brain activity during the learning of object associations. She continued working at UCSD in the lab of Dr. Robert Clark as a postdoc, where she used rats as a model system for exploring the biological mechanisms of memory formation, storage, and retrieval. Since starting her lab at USD in 2015, Dr. Hales has continued exploring memory function and dysfunction using tightly controlled as well as more naturalistic and ecologically valid behavioral tasks combined with precise stereotaxic, neurosurgical manipulations and detailed histological processing. Her current research has focused on the involvement and interaction of the hippocampus and adjacent medial entorhinal cortex (MEC) in spatial and temporal memory domains. 

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Keira is majoring in Neuroscience and on the pre-med track. She joined the Hales lab in Summer 2025. She is also the lead peer educator in the Relationship and Sexual Violence Peer Education Program, a program she has been a part of for 2 years. After graduation, Keira hopes to go to medical school and become a physician specializing in neurology.  

Amarinah is a Neuroscience major with minors in Biology and Environmental and Ocean Sciences. She joined the Hales lab in the fall of 2024 and has enjoyed learning more about the research process and its real-world applications. On campus, she is involved in the Neuroscience Club, Alpha Epsilon Delta (a pre-health professional fraternity), and Psi Chi (the international psychology honor society). Amarinah is passionate about research and hopes to pursue it long-term. Outside of academics, she enjoys going to the beach and swimming. 

Avery is an honors student majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience and considering a minor in chemistry. She joined the Hales lab in summer of 2024, after conducting EEG research with Dr. Getz, to expand her knowledge of different areas of neuroscience research at USD. She has served as a TA for general chemistry and as a manager for the USD women's club volleyball team. After graduation, Avery plans to pursue a PhD in cognitive neuroscience and to explore opportunities within biotech, focusing on the development of treatments for dementia. Avery also enjoys reading, snorkeling, and paddle boarding in her free time. 

Alecsandra is a proud, first-generation Filipino American majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Law, Justice, and Society. Alecs joined the Hales Lab in the summer of 2022 as a high school sophomore and has been an active member ever since. At USD, she is a member of FUSO, POI, SASE, and Neuroscience Club. Outside of academics, she enjoys doing her nails, baking, going to concerts, and singing karaoke! After graduation, she plans to pursue a career in neuroscience research. 

Luka is an honors student majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience. He joined the Hales lab in the fall of 2023 and has never looked back! Outside of research, he is a member of USD’s club ultimate frisbee team the Flat Tax Ballers, as well as the Phi Delta Epsilon Pre-Medical Fraternity and Alcala Club. Torn between research and medicine, Luka would love to combine the two in his future career. His favorite part of the lab is learning new histology techniques and in his free time, he surfs and plays viola! 

Madeline is an honors student studying Behavioral Neuroscience with a minor in chemistry. She joined the Hales lab in the spring of 2024, excited to dive into the research that summer. At USD, she is involved with Outdoor Adventures, STEM Outreach, and the Phi Delta Epsilon pre-medical fraternity. In her free time, she enjoys climbing, biking, and exploring new hikes around San Diego. 

Josiah is an honors student majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience. He joined the Hales lab in the fall of 2024. Outside of research, he is a member of Alcalá Club and FUSO, a Torero Tour Guide and a student leader for InterVarsity. In his free time, Josiah enjoys surfing, playing basketball, thrifting for new clothes, and spending time in nature. 

Vera is a neuroscience major, chemistry and biomedical ethics double minor, and pre-vet. She joined the Hales lab in fall 2024 and is passionate about exploring research. Vera moved from the Netherlands in 2020 to Dallas, Texas and now enjoys beautiful San Diego. Outside of school, she likes to find new coffee shops, read, and go on hikes. After graduation, Vera plans to go to graduate school! 

Audrey is a Neuroscience major with minors in Biology and Chemistry. At USD, she has served as a TA for the Biology and NCB departments, and she is also the co-president of the Neuroscience Club. In San Diego, she loves giving back to the community through participating in beach clean ups and volunteering at UCSD Hospital. Audrey is excited about her research in the Hales lab utilizing various histology techniques. In her free time, she enjoys thrifting, hiking, and watching scary movies! Audrey is currently working towards her EMT certification and after graduation will be pursuing a career in medicine. 

Sophia is an honors student majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience with a minor in Spanish. She joined the Hales lab spring of 2023 and loves learning new techniques! At USD, Sophia is involved in her sorority Pi Beta Phi and you can always catch her playing one sport or another. Outside of school she works Padres games at PetCo Park and enjoys going to the beach, reading, and thrifting! After graduation, Sophia plans to go to graduate school, earn her Ph.D., and pursue a career in neuroscience research focused on Alzheimer’s Disease.  

Egemen is an undergraduate student majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience and planning to minor in Cognitive Science. He joined the Hales Lab in summer 2023 and is interested in a possible career as a researcher. Having gone to high school in Istanbul, Egemen speaks Turkish and German and enjoys traveling to new places. He’s an avid member of the climbing club and likes to spend time outdoors and make origami in his free time.