About

Origin and Vision

Navigating Neuropsychology (NavNeuro for short) was created to fill a void in the neuropsychological community, which previously had no discipline-specific podcast.

We have three main objectives for the podcast:

Provide scientifically based, interesting, and easily-accessible information for students and professionals in neuropsychology, as well as anyone who is interested in brain-behavior relationships.
Begin working towards unification on important areas of debate within neuropsychology, while also encouraging the expression of diverse, creative ideas and opinions.
Act as an outlet for innovative ideas and breaking news in the field to allow listeners to stay abreast of current scientific and professional developments in neuropsychology.

We are both avid listeners of a variety of podcasts and did not want the neuropsychology community to be left out of this medium…so we took matters into our own hands!

About the Creators, Hosts, and Producers*

*Ryan and John contribute equally to the podcast

Ryan Van Patten, Ph.D., ABPP-CN

Ryan Van Patten, PhD, ABPP, is an Assistant Professor at Brown University and a Board Certified Clinical Neuropsychologist at the Providence VA Medical Center in Providence, RI. He completed his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Saint Louis University, internship at Brown University, and fellowships in neuropsychology at the University of California San Diego and Harvard Medical School.

Ryan is an active researcher, clinician, and educator. As an early career clinical scientist, he has over 50 peer reviewed publications, books, and book chapters. He is also on the editorial boards for four journals in neurology, psychiatry, geriatrics, and neuropsychology, and he serves as Science Officer for the Early Career Neuropsychologist Committee of the American Psychological Association (APA), Division 40. His research program focuses on functional (nonepileptic) seizures, digital neuropsychology, traumatic brain injury, and cognition and mental health in older adults.

Ryan’s contributions to education and training in neuropsychology include his role as co-founder and co-host of the Navigating Neuropsychology (NavNeuro) podcast, his service as a Delegate for the 2022 Minnesota Update Conference (MNC), and his role as a founding member of the New2Neuropsychology (N2N) program. His achievements in neuropsychology to date were recognized with the receipt of the 2023 Levitt Early Career Award in Neuropsychology from APA Division 40.

John Bellone, Ph.D., ABPP-CN

John graduated with his Ph.D. from Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, CA. He completed his Psychology Internship at Yale University in New Haven, CT, and completed his postdoctoral fellowship at Brown University in Providence, RI. He is board-certified in clinical neuropsychology through the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). He currently works in both inpatient rehabilitation and outpatient settings through Perspectives Psychological Services, a group practice in Orange County, CA. Additionally, he is the backup neuropsychology consultant for the Anaheim Ducks NHL team and a founding member of the New2Neuropsychology (N2N) program..

John’s career goals are to provide excellent neuropsychological services to adults and older adults with a variety of conditions and concerns. Although his clinical interests are broad, he is particularly passionate about reducing risk for cognitive decline and improving overall health through lifestyle modification. He has lectured extensively on the power that exercise, healthy diet, quality sleep, psychological well-being, and staying cognitively and socially active have on maintaining/improving cognitive functioning both now and as we age.

About the Operations Coordinator

Shanna Cooper, Ph.D., ABPP-CN

Shanna Cooper, Ph.D., is an assistant professor and clinical neuropsychologist at Oregon Health & Science University. She earned her doctorate in clinical psychology and neuroscience from Temple University, and completed her neuropsychology internship and two-year neuropsychology fellowship (both APA accredited) at VA San Diego / UC San Diego. She completed additional training in forensic neuropsychology with Dean C. Delis, Ph.D., ABPP-CN.

Dr. Cooper conducts evaluations for a range of disorders in adults and older adults, striving to provide culturally competent and science-informed assessments, caring for the patient in a way she would want her loved ones to be treated. Her research focuses on the interplay of cognition and emotion, particularly at the early stages of a disease/disorder. Dr. Cooper has a passion for training, mentorship, and service, and is driven to educate our next generation of neuropsychologists.

About our Summer College Intern

Hunter Holoubek

Hunter Holoubek is a Sophomore studying Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Vermont. He is a Peer Mentor within the Patrick Leahy Honors College dedicated to building community and furthering his knowledge about the brain and behavior. Hunter has experience working as a Teaching Assistant within UVM’s Department of Psychological Sciences and as a Biology Tutor. He is interested in the field of clinical neuropsychology and related research opportunities with patients with neurodegenerative disorders.

About the Advisory Board

NavNeuro is very fortunate to have an expert panel of neuropsychologists serving on the advisory board, which provides guidance and recommendations to John and Ryan. The board is currently made up of the following neuropsychologists: