Current Lab Members
Diana L. Williams (she/her)
Kravis Professor of Integrated Sciences: Neuroscience
Background & Education: Diana was a first-generation student at Brooklyn College, City University of New York, where she she received her BA in Psychology in 1998. She attended University of Pennsylvania for her PhD in Psychology, concentrating in Behavioral Neuroscience (2003). Next came a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Washington School of Medicine. In 2008, she joined the faculty in the Psychology Department and Program in Neuroscience at Florida State University, where she was a professor for 16 years. She moved to Claremont McKenna College in 2024 and started her new lab at the Robert Day Sciences Center in Fall 2025.
Interests outside the lab: sewing, baking, all things sci-fi, spending time with family
Pet: Nacho the chiweenie dog
Favorite mad scientist: Dr. Edward Jessup, Altered States (1980)
Isabel DiLandro
Laboratory Technician
Background & Education: Isabel graduated from the University of Richmond in 2025 with a BA in Cognitive Science & Psychology where she got her start in neuroscience by comparing neurobiological mechanisms of stress in wild and laboratory rats.
Interests outside the lab: Taking care of plants, being in nature, reading
Unofficial Pets: her plants
Favorite Sci-fi Movie: Annihilation (2018)
Saman Alikhani
Undergraduate Researcher
Background and Education: Saman is studying Biology at the Department of Natural Sciences at Pitzer. She is interested in neuroendocrinology, eating behavior, and developmental biology. She is a senior this year and plans on continuing to pursue research after graduation..
Interests outside the lab: Being outside, bird watching, baking, eating, and talking!
Pets: Dingo the crusty white dog
Favorite Sci-fi series: Doctor Who (1963-)
Jordan Arroyo Cruz
Undergraduate Researcher
Background and Education: Jordan is a first-generation college student from Sacramento now studying at Claremont McKenna College and majoring in Integrated Science with a sequence in Gender and Sexuality Studies. Jordan is certified in both Administrative and Clinical Medical Assisting through the NHA in California and is currently pursuing a pre-medical track! He is very passionate about neuroscience and endocrinology and is beyond thrilled to be a part of the NIBL team.
Interests outside the lab: I love dancing, going on hikes, and I am an avid cook! My favorite hobby is making spreadsheets for my own personal use. At CMC, I am a laboratory teaching assistant for the Code of Life course, a mentor at our Quantitative and Computing Lab, and a Student Engagement intern for our Dean of Students!
Pets: Back home my family has Chich and Kali (two French bulldogs) and Gamera (a red-eared slider turtle)
Favorite fictional scientist: Dr. Doofenshmirtz from Phineas and Ferb (2007-)
Alejandro Bedoya Norena
Undergraduate Researcher
Background and Education: Alejandro is studying Integrated Sciences at Claremont McKenna College, where he plans to pursue a concentration in Brain and a sequence in Data Science. He is excited to explore behavioral neuroscience as part of the Neurobiology of Ingestive Behavior Laboratory.
Interests outside the lab: Playing futsal, watching Colombian soccer, and spending time with family
Pet: Luna, a husky
Favorite sci-fi movie: Inception (2010)
Lucinda Handstedt
Undergraduate Researcher
Background and Education: I am a neuroscience major on the pre-med track at Claremont McKenna College. I hope to go into Integrative Medicine, which is why being part of the Neurobiology lab is so interesting to me!
Interests outside of the lab: I am part of the CMS swim team, an instructor for the Prison Education Program, and a leader of a 5C grief club focused on community support and natural healing. I also love to travel, and have been lucky enough to live in the US, Hong Kong, Germany, Spain, Australia, and Jordan. My favorite pastimes are hiking and sunrise beach trips.
Pets: My family has a doofy and sweet black lab and border collie mix named Mila. On campus, you can usually find me with a DOS dog, though!
Favorite Sci-fi movie: About Time (2013)
Sarah Loper
Senior Thesis Researcher
Background and Education: I am a senior at Claremont Mckenna College from San Diego, CA. I am studying Biology on the pre-med track and will be working in this lab to complete my senior thesis. I also have my NREMT certification and San Diego County EMT license. I am very interested in neuroscience, endocrinology, and eating behavior, which makes NIBL perfect!
Interests outside the lab: I love any adventure outside: hiking, surfing, soaking up the sunshine, etc. I also enjoy cooking, reading, and spending time with my friends and family. I work in the Sports Medicine department for CMS, as an organic chemistry peer educator through the Department of Natural Sciences, and as a First Year Guide for new students at CMC. I am also a co-president of Claremont Colleges EMS club on campus.
Pet: My dog, Coco
Favorite sci-fi movies: the Star Trek series
Calvin Miller
Senior Thesis Researcher
Background and Education: Calvin is a biology undergraduate student at Claremont McKenna College.
Interests outside the lab: Bouldering, art, olympic lifting, major foodie
Favorite sci-fi movie: Interstellar (2014)
Jaimie Yu
Senior Thesis Researcher
Background and Education: Jaimie is a senior at Claremont McKenna College studying Neuroscience with a sequence in Data Science.
Interests outside the lab: Hanging out with friends, watching movies, running
Pet: Murphy the dog
Favorite fictional scientist: Walter White from Breaking Bad (2008-2013)
NIBL: Neurobiology of Ingestive Behavior Laboratory 