Parrella, M. A., Gurung, I., & Grubb, M. A.. "Luminance matching in cognitive pupillometry is not enough: The curious case of orientation." eneuro, 12(11), 2025.
Published here: eneuro
Published here: eneuro
I am a recent graduate from Trinity College (May 2025) with a B.S. in
Neuroscience and B.A. in Anthropology.
My research interests lie at the intersection of neuroscience and psychology, with a focus on computational pipelines, deep learning models, and biological processes related to Alzheimer's Disease. I have extensive experience in clinical research coordination, data analysis, and patient care.
My research interests lie at the intersection of neuroscience and psychology, with a focus on computational pipelines, deep learning models, and biological processes related to Alzheimer's Disease. I have extensive experience in clinical research coordination, data analysis, and patient care.
Research Interests: Visual Computing, Computational Neuroscience, Alzheimer's Disease, Clinical Psychology.
Education
- Trinity College, Hartford, CT May 2025
BA in Anthropology / BS in Neuroscience
Publications
Martz, G., Gurung, I., & Li, Y. H.. "Implementation of clinic-based data capture in a real-world epilepsy clinic." Epilepsy & Behavior, 172, 110730, 2025.
Published here: Epilepsy & Behavior
Published here: Epilepsy & Behavior
Gurung, I., & Guzman, A.. "Broken Dispensers: The Status of Menstrual Inequity at Trinity College." Trinity Student Scholarship, 2025 / Trinity College Digital Repository, JSTOR.
Published here: Trinity College Digital Repository
Published here: Trinity College Digital Repository
Conferences
- Vision Sciences Society (VSS), May 16-22, 2025
"Luminance matching in cognitive pupillometry is not enough: The curious case of orientation" - Object Perception, Attention, and Memory (OPAM), November 21, 2024
"The predictive pupil: Does implicitly signaling the prior probability of an abrupt onset modulate pupil area?" - ABRCMS, November 13-16, 2024
"Alzheimer’s age-dependent molecular signatures in individuals with the loss of function CETP I405V variant" - Vision Sciences Society (VSS), May 16-22, 2024
"Deep learning and the allocation of covert exogenous spatial attention" - NEURON, April 21, 2024
"Deep learning and the allocation of covert exogenous spatial attention" - AYF Symposium, The Jackson Laboratory, May 2025
"Phenome wide associations in individuals with CETP loss of function variants" - Summer Research Symposium, Trinity College, September 2024
"Alzheimer’s age-dependent molecular signatures in individuals with the loss of function CETP I405V variant" - The Jackson Laboratory, August 8, 2024
"Alzheimer’s age-dependent molecular signatures in individuals with the loss of function CETP I405V variant" - Summer Research Symposium, Trinity College, September 21, 2023
"Pupillometry Reliably Indicates the Modulatory Effects of Covert Exogenous Cues" - Summer Research Symposium, Trinity College, September 21, 2022
"Effects of Manipulating Adenosine on Mouse Behavior"
Research Experience
- Perception Lab, Research Assistant May 2023 - May 2025
- Created a computational pipeline and measured the change of pupil area with eye tracker when a peripheral cue is presented/excluded.
- Implemented deep learning models during the spring of junior year, by using Python and RStudio to analyze pupil size data and investigating part-specific fine scale results.
- The Jackson Laboratory, Academic Year Fellow Sept 2024 – May 2025
- Expanded the original computational pipeline to conduct further analysis on the biological function of the genetic variants of interest Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein. Leveraging Python, SQL, & R to conduct pheWAS analysis on CETP I405V using the All of Us database.
- Used transcriptomics to understand what is having a big effect on the results found from the summer.
- Anthropology Department, Lead Researcher Sept 2024 - May 2025
- Investigated menstrual inequity at Trinity College by examining current menstrual equity initiatives and their impact on addressing period poverty through interviews and spatial analysis.
- Submitted an IRB proposal and did an in-depth literary analysis of menstrual inequity.
- The Jackson Laboratory, Research Intern June 2024 – Aug 2024
- Worked in the Carter Lab under mentorship of Dr. Tamar Abel on the application of a computational pipeline to understand the biological processes for late-onset Alzheimer’s Disease, studying the CETP variant by utilizing R.
- Presented in Trinity College Summer Symposium and ABRCMS 2024, where I was awarded the travel and presentation award.
- Anthropology Department, Research Assistant Jan 2023 - May 2023
- Conducted object analysis study on Chinese Object Assemblage, as well as learning about Chinese History and Culture.
- Hartford Hospital - Ayers Neuroscience Center, Research Assistant May 2023 - May 2025
- Data entry for 200+ epilepsy patients, streamlining information into Cranial Cloud.
- Connecticut’s Children Hospital, Petit Fellow Sept 2022 - Dec 2022
- Studied injury and violence prevention with Connecticut Children’s experts and virtually shadowed staff members in different clinical areas throughout Connecticut Children’s.
- Presented a research proposal on intimate partner violence in South Asian communities to hospital administration, recommending potential initiatives for implementation as a Petit Fellow.
- Ketogenic Lab, Research Assistant May 2022 - July 2022
- Manipulated levels of adenosine kinase to control amounts of adenosine present to see the effects of pain sensitivity and aggression through social dominance and hot plate tests on mice of different genders, weights, and genotypes.
Work Experience
- Tufts Medical Center, Clinical Research Coordinator I July 2025 - Jan 2026
- Oversee research project design and implementation of three studies within Ophthalmology Department.
- Handled participant recruitment, informed consent, data collection, data entry & documentation for each study.
- Assessed and reviewed potential patients and eligibility for inclusion in a particular protocol based on protocol requirements.
- Riverwoods Manchester, Licensed Nursing Assistant June 2021 – Jan 2025
- Recorded vital signs of numerous residents, administered therapeutic treatments, and followed individualized care plan for more than 50 residents.
- Accumulated over 1,000 clinical hours while collaborating closely with co-workers to ensure quality care.
- Shari M Roth Md Llc, Ophthalmologist Assistant Sept 2024 - Dec 2024
- Conducted visual field and OCT test on patients with glaucoma and macular degeneration.
- Gained a total of 45 clinical hours.
- Trinity College, Lab Teacher’s Assistant Sept 2022 - May 2024
- Facilitated learning for a diverse group of 18 students as a Teaching Assistant for Intro Chemistry I & II by providing expert guidance and feedback during experiments.
- Graded assignments and provided assignment feedback.
Awards & Honors
- The Frederick K. Errington Prize (2025)
- Fulbright Nepal Semifinalist Award (2025)
- Riverwoods Scholarship Award (2023-2025)
- ABRCMS Poster Presentation Award (2024)
- ABRCMS Full Travel Award (2024)
- Trinity College Summer Research Grant (2022, 2023)
- Thomas and Charlotte Valentine Taylor Educational Foundation Award (2021-2025)
- Dixon Turcott Educational Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation Award (2021-2025)
Skills & Interests
- Technical Skills: PsychoPy, Python, R
- Languages: Nepali (fluent)
- Interests: Sourdough, Crocheting, Reading, Painting, Crossstitch, Learning Korean
- Certifications: Certified Nursing Assistant (2021-2025)