About the Rutherford Lab

Principal Investigator

Dr. Maureen (Petrunich) Rutherford is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Indiana University Northwest in Gary, Indiana. She earned her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Loyola University Chicago in 2011. Dr. Rutherford enjoys teaching students about the links between brain and behavior. She also loves collaborating with and mentoring students on research projects. Dr. Rutherford lives with her family in northwest Indiana and spends most of her free time reading or spending time with her large extended family. You may also find her skating for South Shore Roller Derby as her alter ego Neuro Knockout.

Undergraduate researcher

Maha Alshamaileh

I am currently a freshman at Indiana University Northwest on the Pre-Physician Assistant track, majoring in Psychology with minors in Chemistry, Biology, and Spanish. One of my career goals is to work in emergency medicine, and hopefully travel to communities in need around the world. I am interested in research pertaining to mental health, particularly the links between social media and increased anxiety in adolescents. Outside of school I enjoy reading, running, and spending time with my family and friends.

Undergraduate researcher

Gabriela Aponte

Gabriela Aponte is currently a senior majoring in psychology at Indiana University Northwest. With the completion of her bachelor's, she will be moving forward with physician assistants' school in hopes of becoming a physician assistant in the field of dermatology with a focus in cosmetics. She aspires to travel within areas where she would be needed and could expand her knowledge. During her free time, Gabriela loves to travel, read, and try new foods.

Undergraduate researcher

Maddie Bakouris

I am currently an undergraduate student attending Indiana University Northwest. I am majoring in Psychology and hope to use the skills I've learned for my future career. My future career goals are to become a School Psychologist and potentially work in underprivileged areas. When I am not studying and attending classes, I am working part-time at a pet store. Some things that I enjoy doing in my free time include hanging out with friends, exploring new places, and cooking.

Undergraduate researcher

Kayla Eickmann

My name is Kayla Eickmann and I am currently a first-year student at Indiana University Northwest pursuing a Neuroscience B.S. With this major, my hopes are to receive a Master’s degree and possibly a PhD in the future. I plan to become a neuroscientist once I graduate, to further work within a lab while doing research of my own. I am super interested in studying the inner workings of the brain, specifically drug effects, mental health and other neurological disorders, as well as memory and behavior! Outside of studying science, I am an avid volleyball player.

Undergraduate researcher

Mina Mahmood

Hi there! My name is Mina Mahmood, a first-year Pre-Med student here at Indiana University Northwest pursuing a Neuroscience B.S. A little more about me, I’m a proud G23 Groups Scholar student and was just recently appointed as a Student Government Representative of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Multicultural Affairs (ODEMA). I am incredibly excited to be a part of this research opportunity as anything neuroscience and psychology related peaks my interest and totally captivates me! Understanding the brain through different perspectives is one of the biggest things that I hope to accomplish during my academic journey, and another reason why I am heavily involved with my college community. I look forward to learning more about neuroscience through various disciplines, methods, and perspectives and applying it to my future work with a career in neurosurgery!

Undergraduate researcher

Amal Mohammed

Bio coming soon! 

Undergraduate researcher

Henry Soto

I am currently an undergraduate student at Ivy Tech studying biology. After receiving my associate’s degree, I'm considering transfer to IUN to earn a bachelor’s. My interests include a fascination with prehistoric life and with books or games which feature unique creature design. In my future I'd love to study reptiles and maybe even write a book filled with wondrous life on a foreign world.

Recent Presentations