Principal Investigator

Current Researchers

Dr. Sarah Prieto
Director, REACH Lab Clinical Neuropsychologist Assistant Professor at the University of South Carolina
Assistant Professor · Clinical Neuropsychologist

Sarah Prieto, Ph.D.

Department of Psychology · University of South Carolina

Dr. Prieto is a clinical neuropsychologist and health equity researcher whose work examines how chronic stress, trauma, discrimination, and social inequities contribute to cognitive aging and dementia risk. Her dissertation at The Ohio State University investigated longitudinal associations between discriminatory experiences, allostatic load, and cognitive functioning.

She completed her neuropsychology residency and postdoctoral fellowship at Brown University and Butler Hospital, where she developed and expanded her program of research on social determinants of brain health and epilepsy stigma. Her current NIH-funded work through the ADNI Health Enhancement Scientific Program focuses on how SDOH influence Alzheimer's disease pathology and access to cognitive healthcare.

Dr. Prieto is deeply committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in neuropsychological science, including work on representation of women and underrepresented groups in the field, and developing training and advocacy resources for early-career neuropsychologists.

Research Interests
Stress & Cognitive Aging Allostatic Load Health Disparities Epilepsy Stigma Digital Assessment ADRD Biomarkers Health Equity Representation
Research Staff

Lab Staff

Sabina Villa
Research Assistant

Sabina Villa, B.A.

Research Coordinator, Butler Hospital Memory and Aging Program

Sabina earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Rhode Island. She is passionate about supporting individuals with memory disorders and their care partners as they navigate the challenges of diagnosis and care, and is dedicated to addressing health disparities that affect communities of color and advancing research that promotes more equitable access to healthcare.

Sabina is a Research Coordinator at Butler Hospital's Memory and Aging Program, where she contributes to studies aimed at improving brain health and patient care. Known for her warm personality and welcoming smile, she enjoys connecting with participants and helping them feel comfortable throughout the research process.

Outside of work, Sabina loves spending time with her cat, Augustine.

Ph.D. Students

Graduate Students

The REACH Lab will begin accepting Ph.D. students in Fall 2027 through the USC Clinical-Community Psychology Program. We welcome applicants with interests in cognitive aging, clinical neuropsychology, health equity, social determinants of health, and dementia disparities, and strongly encourage applications from individuals whose backgrounds and experiences have been historically underrepresented in neuropsychology and psychological science.

Join Us

Interested in joining the REACH Lab?

We are actively recruiting at multiple levels for Fall 2027 and beyond. We especially welcome scholars from backgrounds underrepresented in neuropsychology.

Past Members

Lab Alumni

Alumni Record

As the REACH Lab grows, this page will celebrate the researchers who trained here and the paths they've taken.

Alumni records, including placement, current positions, and collaborative publications, will be listed here as the lab establishes its training record.