HuDDL Lab Team Members
Graduate Students
Mahda Shabani, MS - Mahda is a PhD student in Kinesiology in the HuDDL Lab. She holds a bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Rehabilitation Sciences in Tehran, Iran and a master's degree in Kinesiology from LSU. Before joining the lab, she worked as a pediatric occupational therapist with neurodivergent children for three years. Her current focus is on understanding the role of motor skills in the activities of daily living of autistic children to better inform strategies that enhance their functional independence and quality of life.
mshaba4@lsu.edu | Curriculum Vitae | ResearchGate | LinkedIn
Undergraduate Students
Tiernan Daulte - Tiernan is a fourth-year undergraduate student pursuing a Computer Engineering and Mathematics Dual Degree. She is a participant in the LSU President’s Future Leaders in Research program and a Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher candidate. She was awarded the Astronaut Scholarship in 2024 for “intellectual daring and a genuine desire to positively change the world” for her research in kinesiology. Before she joined HuDDL, she was a member of the former LSU School of Kinesiology Motor Behavior and Cognition Laboratory under the direction Dr. Marc Dalecki from August 2021 to August 2023. Tiernan joined HuDDL in August 2023 and looks forward to another year of research and discovery!
Iresa Lincoln - Iresa is a third-year undergraduate student from Maple Grove, Minnesota. She is on the Pre-Medicine track and is majoring in Biological Sciences with a minor in Psychology. She joined the HuDDL lab in the Fall of 2023. Iresa joined the lab because of her passion for working with children and interest in cognitive development. After completing her undergraduate degree, she plans on attending medical school with the goal of studying to become an anesthesiologist.
Hannah Tran - Hannah is a third-year undergraduate student from New Orleans, Louisiana. She is majoring in Kinesiology: Human Movement Science with a minor in Sociology on the pre-medicine track. She joined the HuDDL Lab in the Spring of 2023 with an interest in learning more about cognitive development and also having experience working with autistic children. After completing her undergraduate degree, she plans on attending medical school with the hopes of becoming an ER doctor or a primary care practitioner.
John Giuffrida - John is a third-year undergraduate student from Syracuse, New York. He is on a Pre-PA track and is majoring in Kinesiology with a minor in Biological Sciences. He joined HuDDL lab in the Fall of 2024. John joined the lab because of his passion to help others and interests in the topic being researched. After completing his undergraduate degree, he plans on attending PA school with the goal of studying to become a Physician Assistant.
Lab Alumni
Emma Vũ - Emma is from Baton Rouge, LA and graduated with a degree in Kinesiology and a minor in Biological Sciences in 2025. She joined the HuDDL Lab in the Spring of 2023, and she was an active member of the College of Human Sciences and Education Ambassadors. Emma is attending medical school at LSU-New Orleans with the goal of becoming a radiation oncologist.
Abigail Colie – Abby graduated with a degree in Kinesiology in 2024. She is from Houston, Texas and became a HuDDL Lab team member in Fall 2022. Abby plans on becoming a physician’s assistant specializing in psychiatry or surgery.
Kaci Sullivan - Kaci graduated with a degree in Kinesiology in 2024. She is from Dallas, Texas and she joined the HuDDL Lab in Spring 2023, is an active member of Phi Mu Fraternity, and works at Warner Orthopedics as a physical therapy technician. Kaci is currently working in Dallas and applying to physical therapy schools.
Cailyn Jones - Cailyn graduated with a degree in Kinesiology in 2024. She is from Lake Charles, Louisiana and joined the HuDDL lab in Spring 2023. During her free time, she enjoys running, cooking, and spending time with her friends and family. Cailyn is attending medical school at LSU Shreveport to become a primary care physician for underserved communities in Louisiana.