Meet our Team
Lauren Raine, Ph.D., MPH
Principal Investigator
Dr. Lauren Raine is the Principal Investigator of the Interdisciplinary Health, Body Composition, and Neuroscience (i-HBN) lab and a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Medical Sciences and Department of Physical Therapy, Movement & Rehabilitation Sciences. Dr. Raine received her PhD from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her research interest is in the public health implications of cognition and brain health; specifically, the investigation of physical activity, fitness, and (excess) body mass on brain health and cognition in children.
My research interest is in the public health implications of cognition and brain health; specifically, the investigation of physical activity, fitness, and (excess) body mass on brain health and cognition in children. I have examined these relationships using behavioral and neuroimaging measures to study the influence of acute and chronic physical activity on cognition. I am also interested in the relationship between body composition and cognition, as the obesity epidemic continues to spread in children. I hope to gain a better understanding of the relationship between body composition and cognitive health that will lead to increased public health awareness about the inactivity levels of children and the vast health problems associated with these behaviors.
Bianca Braun, B.A.
Research Coordinator
Bianca was born and raised in Germany, but graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Psychology and the highest honors in her field from Harvard University in 2023. She is currently a Research Coordinator for both the Speech, Hearing, and Communication Lab under Dr. Peelle’s supervision and the Interdisciplinary Health, Body Composition, & Neuroscience Lab under Dr. Lauren Raine’s supervision at the Center for Cognitive and Brain Health at Northeastern University. Physical exercise as a non-pharmaceutical intervention for children to improve brain and cognitive functioning is of particular interest to her, especially in clinical populations with ADHD. After concluding her post-baccalaureate journey, Bianca intends to attain a PhD in Clinical Psychology. For fun, Bianca works out regularly and loves exploring new spots, places, and countries. Hiking the “stairway to heaven” in Hawai’i was one of her most memorable experiences.
Greg Cloutier, MPH
Center Laboratory Operations Manager
Greg is the Center Laboratory and Operations Manager at the Center for Cognitive and Brain Health (CCBH). For the past 12 years, Greg was the Project manager for the Human Performance and Exercise Science Laboratory in Bouvé and exercise physiologist for CCBH. Prior to coming to Northeastern, Greg was the Senior Research Coordinator for the Nutrition, Exercise Physiology, and Sarcopenia Laboratory at Tuft’s Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging. There, he was involved in research investigating nutrition, exercise, and aging, particularly in the areas of muscle, bone, and function on the gross and molecular level. Some of his most notable projects were bedrest studies with NASA Space Center, hormone replacement in older men, resistance training while having dialysis, and resistance training with whey protein supplementation in older men and women. As well as the Novartis study comparing muscle fiber and translation in young compared to older adults after eight weeks of heavy resistance training, and the IGNITE study here at Northeastern University. Greg’s education started at UMass Boston for his Undergraduate degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology followed by an MPH at Tufts Medical and Northeastern University. His research interests are in exercise and nutrition as interventions to attenuate declines in aging and inactivity. Greg has a special interest in “wellness” in a wide variety of groups. Outside of Northeastern, Greg enjoys competing in triathlons, biking, trail running with his dog, landscaping, and photography.
Luke Sodemann
Senior Undergraduate Tech
Luke is currently an undergraduate student at Northeastern University studying Behavioral Neuroscience. He joined the i-HBN lab within the Center for Cognitive and Brain Health to learn more about the effects of lifestyle factors and body composition on cognition and brain health. His research interests include the interplay between traumatic brain injury, exercise, and brain function, particularly in pediatric populations. Following graduation, Luke plans on taking a couple gap years before attending medical school. Outside of lab, Luke is involved in the Researchers of Neuroscience (NEURONS) and Nu Rho Psi organizations, and enjoys spending his free time playing beach volleyball, hiking, and going on weekend trips with friends.
Gianna Meurer
Undergraduate Student
Gianna is currently a second-year student pursuing a BS in Health Science with a minor in Nutrition at Northeastern University. Gianna’s research interests include fitness, nutrition, and wellness, as well as their relationship with the body, and more specifically the brain. She is involved with multiple clubs on campus such as CHAARG and on the E-Board for AMSA and is also a Certified Nursing Assistant. After graduation, Gianna plans on attending medical school with current interests in the field of orthopedics, plastic surgery, and dermatology. In her free time, Gianna enjoys going to the gym or a workout class, reading, trying new foods around Boston, and spending time with her friends, family, and her dog.
Grace Gravini
Undergraduate Student
Grace is a third year undergraduate student pursuing a major in Biology and minors in Business Administration and Health, Humanities, and Society at Northeastern University. She is active on campus as a mentor for Strong Women Strong Girls, a member of the American Medical Student Association, and an undergraduate researcher at the Center for Cognitive Brain Health. Outside of school, Grace is a Medical Practice Assistant in the Medical Specialties Clinic at the Brigham and Women’s Department of Medicine. Her other passions include baking, traveling, photography, and spending quality time with friends and family. Grace plans to attend medical school and pursue a career in the dermatological field.
Jillian Burpee
Undergraduate Student
Jillian is a second-year undergraduate student pursing a major in Behavioral Neuroscience with a minor in Human Movement Science. She is particularly interested in understanding the benefits of exercise on cognition and mental health. She is a member on the Northeastern Club Gymnastics team, and is involved in the Researchers of Neuroscience (NEURONS) club. In her free time, Jillian enjoys distance running, traveling, reading, and spending time with her friends and family.
Naomi Rajput
Undergraduate Student
Naomi is a Behavioral Neuroscience pre-med major with minors in Spanish and American Sign Language. She plans to graduate in the Fall of 2026 and continue her journey to become a physician by attending medical school soon after. She is interested in neuroscience research and is involved in several other clubs such as NUACES (Alliance of Civically Engaged Students) and NUAMWA (American Medical Women’s Association); she is also a singer and drummer in the music band NUAAROH. In her free time, she enjoys exploring spirituality through meditation and weightlifting.
Natalia Negron-Morales
Undergraduate Student
Natalia is currently a Junior pursuing a BS in Behavioral Neuroscience and minoring in Public Health at Northeastern University and plans on graduating in Spring 2025. She is currently involved in many extracurricular activities on campus including the Puerto Rican Student Association, American Medical Student Association, and Northeastern University Researchers of Neuroscience. Her research interests include learning and understanding the effects of physical activity on the human brain. Outside of the lab Natalia also works as a Physical Therapy Aide at Cambridge Health Alliance. She enjoys painting, traveling, reading, and spending time with her friends and family. After graduation, Natalia plans on going to medical school with current interests in physiatry, orthopedics, and sports medicine.
Sofia Murray
Undergraduate Student
Sofia Murray is currently a second year at Northeastern University. She is majoring in Health Sciences with a minor in Human Movement Sciences. She hopes to get her Doctorate of Physical Therapy after undergrad. She is also a personal trainer at Marino Recreation Center. In her free time she enjoys hiking, exercise, reading, going for walks, and spending time with friends and family.
Suhani Rathi
Undergraduate Student
Suhani is currently a junior pursuing a BS in Cell and Molecular Biology and minoring in Business Administration at Northeastern University and is planning to graduate in the Spring of 2025. Her research interests include learning and understanding cognitive effects in relation to physical activity. In addition, she is currently involved in several extracurricular activities on campus, including the American Medical Student Association, the Undergraduate South Asian organization, and the Minority Association of Prehealth Students. In addition, she regularly volunteers for Jewish Vocational Services as a teaching assistant for immigrants currently working in or planning to enter the healthcare industry. Outside of the lab, Suhani also works as a nursing assistant at Mass Eye and Ear. After graduation, Suhani plans on applying to medical school. She enjoys traveling, baking, and spending time with her friends and family in her free time.