I'm a cognitive neuroscientist interested in memory. I earned my PhD in psychology at New York University and completed my postdoctoral training at the University of Pennsylvania. I am currently an assistant professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Drexel University, where I lead the Memory and Concepts (MAC) lab. We use cognitive neuroscience approaches to study the relationship between episodic memory and concept knowledge. We additionally investigate how these forms of information interact and combine as a function of their neural bases.

I’m a post-doc in the MAC Lab. I received my B.S. from Notre Dame and my Ph.D. from Penn State, where my research focused on how cognitive processes like visual working memory encoding and attentional selection during visual search update throughout a task according to an interaction of factors such as recent experience, prior knowledge, and developed expectations. I’m interested in expanding this research line into the formation of long-term memories, and explore the neural underpinnings of these memory modulations. I’m also an organizer for the Object Perception, Attention, and Memory (OPAM) conference, a satellite Psychonomics conference that provides a forum for early career researchers to disseminate their research to a community of Psychonomics attendees in avenues typically made unavailable to them by the main conference. I have two go-to fun facts: 1) The cool fact that I’ve been to the Galapagos Islands, and 2) the less fun fact that the first time I attended an academic conference, I had to navigate the experience with not one, but TWO broken feet. 

I received both my B.S. and M.S. degrees in Neuroscience from Temple University, in 2022 and 2023 respectively. My master’s project, with Dr. Vishnu Murty, focused on the stability of temporal order memory under high arousal states using naturalistic stimuli. Broadly, I am interested in how memories transform, adapt, and reorganize over time, leading to distortions. I look forward to using techniques like fMRI, TMS, and naturalistic stimuli to study these changes. Outside of research, I love to cook, hike, and [do my best at] quizzo!

I graduated with a B.S. in Psychology, specializing in Behavioral Neuroscience, and minoring in Mathematics from Fairfield University in 2022. During my undergraduate studies, I focused on memory research, exploring how photography shapes our memories in the Memory Lab and investigating true and false memories using EEG technology in the Memory and Cognitive Neuroscience lab.

After graduating, I had the opportunity to work in the Digital Psychiatry Lab at Harvard Medical School, where I was involved in developing smartphone-based cognitive tests for individuals with schizophrenia. I'm passionate about understanding memory using different cognitive neuroscience techniques and am excited to continue my journey in this fascinating field. Outside of the lab, I enjoy reading and exploring local parks!

Hello hello! I graduated from Tufts University with a B.S. in Cognitive and Brain Sciences and a B.A. in Philosophy. Previously, I worked with the Metacognition and Applied Memory Lab as well as the Integrative Cognitive Neuroscience Lab investigating how the phenomenological qualities associated with recollection are impacted by exposure to misleading information. Moreover, I investigated whether mental imagery ability was related to subjective experiences of recollection and susceptibility to misinformation. Broadly speaking, I’m interested in studying how our memories are warped over time, the underlying neural mechanisms that perpetuate such distortions, and how the former and the latter translate into everyday experience and impact our evaluation of our memories. Outside of the lab, I’m a lover of stories so you’ll always find me reading a book or watching a movie! I also love long talks and cloud-watching! 

Hello! I graduated with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Biology from Commonwealth University-Lock Haven. My research interests are, largely, how individual differences impact memory abilities, especially within the context of aging. In undergrad, I studied how individual emotional reactivity levels influence memory abilities. Outside of research, I am a part-time Substance Abuse Counselor. I am an avid reader, crocheter, and I love spending time with my cats!

Hi, I am Makayla. I am in my senior year at Drexel University, majoring in Psychology, with minors in Neuroscience and Criminal Justice. I am also beginning my master’s degree through Drexel’s accelerated program, where my thesis explores the effect of screen time on memory attention and mind-wandering. At Drexel I am a part of Dr. Tompary's Memory and Concepts Lab, as well as Dr. Daly's Pediatric and Child/Adolescent Psychology Lab. My interests in Psychology focus on the development of humans over their lifespan, and specifically how changes in the brain influence our behavior and perception. After completing my masters in Psychology, I plan to pursue my PhD. Outside of academics, I enjoy dancing, playing Sims, baking, and crocheting.

Hello! I’m Sarah Sikder, a senior at Drexel University majoring in Health Sciences with a minor in Biology. My passion for sports medicine stems from my interest in psychology, particularly in how spatial memory differs between athletes and non-athletes. After graduation, I plan to pursue medical or graduate school to further explore these connections. In my free time, I enjoy running, trying new cuisines, and solving puzzles.

I am a junior, Honors Psychology student with a minor in Neuroscience at Drexel University. I am planning to pursue a graduate degree in Clinical Psychology (specifically Neuropsychology). In my future career, I hope to work with individuals who have traumatic brain injuries and neurodegenerative diseases, so I’m particularly interested in how these conditions can impact memory processes. In my free time, I enjoy singing, playing piano, drinking coffee, reading, working out, and spending time with my family, friends, and dogs!

Hi! I'm Joelle. I am in my second year as an Honors Psychology student at Drexel University, where I am also minoring in Neuroscience. At Drexel, I work with Dr. Lowe at the Lowe Lab, which focuses on biobehavioral weight and eating, as well as Dr. Tompary’s Memory and Concepts Lab. My general interests in psychology center on the relationship between behavioral and biological factors, particularly how memory adaptations contribute to its fading and alterations. In my free time, I love traveling, swimming, hiking, and working out.

Hi! I am a sophomore majoring in Psychology at Drexel University. My main interest in the field is grounded in cognitive processes, especially memory and perception, and how these systems work together to influence our learning and behavior. After graduation, I plan to further my education through graduate study, focusing on cognition and memory and how factors such as exercise and nutrition may influence their functioning. In my free time, I enjoy skiing, working out, reading, and spending time outdoors with my family and friends.