People
Principal Investigator
Nancy Dennis, Ph.D. nad12@psu.edu
Professor of Psychology (Lab Director)
I graduated from The Catholic University of America with my PhD in 2004 and did my postdoc at Duke University. My research focuses on elucidating the cognitive and neural mechanisms that support learning and memory in young and older adults. I employ both behavioral and neuroimaging methods, including functional MRI (fMRI) to explore the interaction of cognitive and neural processes involved in episodic memory. My research investigates the neural correlates of episodic memory during both encoding and retrieval, focusing on the neural processes associated with relational memory and false memory. Other areas of research in my lab focus on implicit learning and cognitive control of memories. With respect to cognitive aging, my research concentrates on the examination of age-related neural markers of cognitive decline, as well as mechanisms for neural compensation.
Post-Doctoral Fellow
John West, johnwest@psu.edu
I completed my undergraduate education at George Mason University in 2016 (B.S. in Psychology) and my graduate training at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in 2023 (Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology). While at UNC, I conducted various behavioral experiments related to human memory with my graduate mentor Neil Mulligan. While in graduate school, I investigated a variety of topics including the role of emotions in memory, the effect of practice on metacognitive judgments about memory performance, and the impacts of various factors on eyewitness memory performance. Currently, I am investigating the neural correlates of true and false memories in younger and older adults, as well as whether age-related memory deficits can be mitigated through cognitive interventions. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, reading, and playing video games.
Graduate Students
Catherine Carpenter, cmc84@psu.edu
Fourth Year Graduate Student
I graduated from the Pennsylvania State University with my B.S in Psychology in 2020 and again with my M.S. in Psychology in 2022. My research focuses on associative and false memory in younger and healthy older adults as well as the neural mechanisms underlying these types of memory. My master’s work focused specifically on a form of associative memory support, called unitization, across time and varying amounts of interference. Currently I am working on examining the neural correlates of unitization, as well as utilizing multivariate analytic approaches to examine schematic false memories. In my free time I enjoy running, playing guitar and hanging out with my cat.
Rebecca Wagner, rmw5981@psu.edu
Second Year Graduate Student
I graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in the spring of 2021 with a B.S. in Psychology with a concentration in Cognitive Science and minor in Biomechanics. My research interests lie under the umbrella of episodic memory, namely how people use it, how it fails, and how those failures change how people subsequently use, and depend on, their memory in the future. In my free time, I enjoy reading, climbing, and treating my dog to the great outdoors.
Alexa Becker, agb5621@psu.edu
Second Year Graduate Student
I graduated from Rutgers University-New Brunswick in May 2022 with a B.A. in Psychology and Cognitive Science. I am interested in cognitive aging, specifically as it affects associative memory and memory errors in older adults. My undergraduate honors thesis investigated the effects of recency on immediate visual recognition. In my free time, I like to read, go for walks, and play sudoku.
Sarah Ricupero, skr5576@psu.edu
Rotating Graduate Student
I earned a B.S. in neuroscience and biomathematics from the University of Scranton in 2019. Currently, I research learning and retention with Dr. Frank Ritter, in the College of Information Sciences and Technology in addition to the work I’ve been doing in the CAN Lab. In my spare time, I like to hike, read, and do jigsaw puzzles
Lab Managers
Luke Dubec, lxd5406@psu.edu
I graduated from Purdue University in 2023 with a B.S. in Brain and Behavioral Sciences. My previous research focuses heavily on neuroimaging using EEG and fMRI, specifically with cognitive and clinical studies. As a lab manager at the Cognitive Aging and Neuroimaging Lab, I strive to immerse myself in fMRI analysis and pursue my research passions of memory, cognitive aging, and neuroimaging. My hobbies include listening to music, hiking, reading, and playing video games.
Spencer Chase, spencerchase@psu.edu
I graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) in 2022 with a B.S. in Experimental Neuroscience. I have previous done work looking at learning and memory in those diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, and I have analyzed the impact of cigarette smoking on the white matter and pial surfaces of the brain through fMRI scanner methods in Freesurfer. I am currently working in both the Cognitive Aging and Neuroimaging Laboratory as well as the Clinical Neuropsychology Laboratory with Dr. Frank Hillary to further explore my interests in neuroimaging and statistical analysis. In my free time I like to run, play video games, learn about technology, and travel.
Collaborators
Roger Beaty, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor in Psychology at Penn State University
Amy Overman Ph.D.
Professor, Psychology Department & Neuroscience Program, Assistant Dean, College of Arts & Sciences
Lesley A. Ross Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Psychology, the SmartLife Endowed Chair of Aging and Cognition, and the Associate Director of the Institute of Engaged Aging at Clemson University
Websites:
https://www.shaarp.org/
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Istneydina Thomas
Major: Psychology and English
Sydney Peters
Major: Psychology
I am a currently a fourth-year student at Penn State studying psychology with a focus on quantitative skills. I am excited to get involved in research at the CAN lab because I am very interested in cognitive psychology, specifically learning and memory. In my free time I enjoy dancing and being active, baking, and hiking with my dog.
Desirée Mecca
Major: Psychology
Juliet Palumbo
Major: Psychology
Andrea John
Major: Psychology
Micaela Tovar
Major: Biobehavioral Health
Madyson Brown
Major: Psychology / Minor: Neuroscience
I am currently a fourth-year undergraduate at Penn State studying Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience. After graduation, I am hoping to go to graduate school to study neuroscience. I am very excited to be involved with the CANLab to further my knowledge on neuroscience research, and to enhance my data analysis skills. I am also working in the Psychology Laboratory for Anxiety and Depression Research with Dr. Michelle Newman! In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, listening to music, and watching movies.
Ena Altier
Major: Psychology
I am a third-year student at Penn State majoring in psychology with a focus in neuroscience. I am also pursuing a Smeal Certificate. This is my first semester in the CANLab which I am excited about. Following graduation, I plan on attending graduate school in hopes of being an occupational therapist. In my free time, I like spending time with my family and friends, hiking, and skiing.
Vedha Pranesan
Major: Psychology / Minor: Neuroscience
I’m a third-year undergraduate who started at the lab this year. I am a psychology major with a neuroscience minor and am hoping to do a PhD after my undergraduate degree. I like working with animals and reading in my free time.
Alumni Graduate Students
Jordan D. Chamberlain, Ph.D. 2023
Indira Turney, Ph.D. 2018
Postdoctoral Neuroscientist at Columbia University Medical Center
Previous Lab Managers
Adam Levy (2022-2023)
Ashley Steinkrauss (2021-2023)
Ph.D. Student at Boston College
Kristina Peterson (2011-2013)
Admissions Coordinator ll at Southern New Hampshire University
Simon Vandekar (2009-2011)
Assistant Professor of Biostatistics at Vanderbilt University
Last modified July 17th, 2023