LAB:SYNC is excited to have the following new team members as part of our group at UMass Amherst:
Karisma Pathak (Research Assistant)
Karisma Pathak is an aspiring physician who received her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2020 with a dual concentration in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Dance Applications in Maternal Health (BDIC). During her undergraduate career, her childbirth doula experiences combined with her love of dance inspired her to independently research and conduct her honors thesis on the benefits of belly dance for birth experience with Drs. Aston K. McCullough and Mary Paterno as faculty mentors. In addition to working with patients, Ms. Pathak aims to continue her research on dance applications in birth and further explore the benefits of cost-effective interventions to improve health outcomes. Currently, she is working in LAB:SYNC as a remote research assistant to help investigate the effects of dance on health.
Nicole Lombardi (Undergraduate Research Assistant)
Nicole Lombardi is a third year student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst pursuing a double major with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Bachelor of Arts in Dance. Since September 2021, she has been a Research Assistant in LAB:SYNC, and Ms. Lombardi is looking forward to being involved in research projects that encompass both of her areas of study. Ms. Lombardi has been on the dean’s list since her first year at UMass Amherst. Prior to attending the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Nicole danced at Walker’s Dance under the direction of Chantal Doucett, Jeremy Ruth Howes, and Jaclyn Walsh. During that time, she received numerous awards and also performed in Chantal Doucett’s work entitled “Whiz” at the Boston Contemporary Dance Festival in 2019.
Emily Loane (Undergraduate Research Assistant)
Emily Loane is currently a sophomore at the University of Massachusetts Amherst where she studies Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. She is a ballet/contemporary dancer, and she has performed at Lincoln Center at the Youth America Grand Prix Finals in New York and elsewhere. She was a member of the National Honors Society, National Spanish Honors Society, and president of the National Dance Honors Society. Currently, Ms. Loane serves as the Historian for her sorority, Chi Omega Iota Beta, and she is a member of the UMass Amherst Dance Club. After graduation, Ms. Loane intends to pursue a career as a Physician’s Assistant.