Hosted by the Deparment of Psychological & Brain Sciences

Abstract: What makes some experiences memorable while others fade? How does encoding influence subsequent behaviour? A central focus of my research is understanding how motivational factors, particularly emotion and reward, influence memory. Two central lines of my work have been the influence of emotion on associative memory and the role of reward values in experience-based risky decision-making. I have employed a diverse array of research methods to explore these questions—including behavioural experiments, brain imaging (fMRI and EEG) and stimulation, and computational modeling, as well as qualitative interviews and cross-species comparative studies. Moreover, I have become passionate about supporting doctoral students in exploring a spectrum of career opportunities, in academia and the world beyond. In sharing my journey, I hope to reinforce the view that a breadth of interests and research approaches not only enrich our understanding of cognition but also our ability to mentor and inspire the next generation of researchers.

For inquiries contact psych@wustl.edu.