People

Dr. James Hoelzle, PhD (Principal Investigator)

Dr. Hoelzle received his undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He completed his doctoral work in Clinical Psychology at the University of Toledo specializing in Assessment. He has attained extensive training in clinical neuropsychology through a two-year Neuropsychology Fellowship at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center and Clinical Internship at Rush University Medical Center (Chicago, Illinois). Clinical interests primarily consist of evaluating individuals who are experiencing cognitive and/or psychological difficulties.

Dr. Hoelzle has conducted numerous studies investigating the core constructs evaluated by neuropsychological and personality instruments, and whether these factor structures are replicable across samples and consistent with clinical theories. He contributes to research investigating cognitive outcomes in mild traumatic brain injury (concussion), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and Covid-19. Broadly, the goal of his research is to identify which individuals are at risk of experiencing persisting neurocognitive symptoms. Dr. Hoelzle is also interested in how insufficient effort on neuropsychological measures and exaggerated emotional distress is identified in different clinical settings.

Select publications can be accessed HERE.

Laura McGuigan, M.S. (Graduate Student)

Laura is a 5^th year graduate student in the clinical psychology doctoral program. Her research interests focus on the cognitive and emotional sequelae of neurological disorders and injuries. In particular, she is interested in the role of neuropsychological assessment in intervention and treatment planning. Her master’s thesis utilized latent profile analysis to investigate the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral heterogeneity observed in adults with ADHD. Before beginning graduate school, Laura worked as a psychometrist in a subacute rehabilitation center. Laura received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. In her free time, she likes to try new restaurants and go on walks by Lake Michigan.

Samantha Bradley, B.S. (Graduate Student)

Sammy is a 3^rd year graduate student in the clinical psychology doctoral program. She earned a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2022 and spent the following year as a clinical research coordinator studying Alzheimer’s disease and successful aging at the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Her research interests focus on neuropsychological assessment and studying factors that contribute to healthy brain aging. Outside of school, Sammy likes to get outside for walks or runs, cook, and spend time with friends and family.

Nicole Eng, M.S. (Graduate Student)

Nicole is a 1^st year graduate student in the clinical psychology doctoral program. She holds an M.S. in psychology from Drexel University and a B.S. in biology from Lafayette College. An Army veteran herself, Nicole’s primary research interests focus on neuropsychological assessment in military service members and veterans with traumatic brain injury. Her master’s thesis investigated the risk of traumatic brain injury during Army pre-deployment training. Outside of academics, Nicole enjoys working out, doing jigsaw puzzles, watching reality TV, and spending time with her friends, family, and two cats.

Undergraduate Students

Lab Alumni