Penn State Penn State: College of the Liberal Arts
CANLAB Cognitive Aging andNeuroimaging Lab

Principal Investigator

Nancy Dennis, Ph.D. nad12@psu.edu

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.

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Post-Doctoral Fellow

John West, johnwest@psu.edu

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.

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Graduate Students

Catherine Carpenter, cmc84@psu.edu

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.  

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Rebecca Wagner, rmw5981@psu.edu

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.

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Alexa Becker, agb5621@psu.edu

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.

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Sarah Ricupero, skr5576@psu.edu

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

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Lab Managers

Luke Dubec, lxd5406@psu.edu

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.

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Spencer Chase, spencerchase@psu.edu

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.

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Collaborators

Roger Beaty, Ph.D.

Roger Beaty, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor in Psychology at Penn State University

Amy Overman Ph.D.

Amy Overman Ph.D.

Professor, Psychology Department & Neuroscience Program, Assistant Dean, College of Arts & Sciences

Lesley A. Ross Ph.D.

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

Undergraduate Research Assistants

Istneydina Thomas

Istneydina Thomas

Major: Psychology and English

I am a fourth-year undergraduate at Penn State double majoring in Psychology and English. After graduation, my goal is to attend graduate school for a Ph.D. in Psychology. The CANLab is my first research opportunity, and I am very excited to be a part of the team. I am a reader, a dancer, and I like to cook on my free time.
Sydney Peters

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

Desirée Mecca

Major: Psychology

I am a fourth-year undergraduate majoring in Psychology with plans to attend graduate school following graduation. This is my second year in the lab, and I am most looking forward to being able to design and test my independent project this year. I also work in the Cognition, Affect, and Temperament Lab with Dr. Koraly Pérez-Edgar, as I am additionally interested in developmental psychology. In my free time, I enjoy working out and spending time with family and friends. I love being a part of this lab and cannot wait to see what this year brings!

 

Juliet Palumbo

Juliet Palumbo

Major: Psychology

I am currently a third-year undergraduate at Penn State studying psychology with a focus of neuroscience. The brain has always fascinated me, so I am excited to be able to be to learn even more about it while also improving my research data analysis skills as well as getting to interact with participants. In my free time, I love to read, be outdoors, hike, and hang out with my friends and family. I am very excited to join the lab and I can’t wait to get valuable research experience. 
Andrea John

Andrea John

Major: Psychology

I am a fourth-year undergraduate majoring in Psychology and minoring in Human Development and Family Studies. After graduation, my goal is to go to graduate school to obtain my master’s in clinical psychology. The CAN Lab is the first research lab that I’m working in so I’m very excited to enhance and refine my research skills. More importantly, I look forward to learning more about the brain and delve into certain aspects of cognitive psychology. In my free time, I love to read, hang out with friends, watch TV shows, or sing. I can’t wait to see what the new semester with this lab will bring.
Micaela Tovar

Micaela Tovar

Major: Biobehavioral Health

I am a third-year undergraduate majoring in Biobehavioral Health. After graduation I plan on attending medical school to become a neurologist and focus on Alzheimer’s and dementia. This is my first semester in the CANLab, and I am eager to learn more about neuroscience and develop research skills. In my free time I love to be around my family, go outdoors, and work out.
Madyson Brown

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

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

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

Courtney R. Gerver, Ph.D. 2022

UX Resarch Specialist at Nationwide

Daniel Elbich, Ph.D. 2020

Postdoctoral Researcher at Penn State Hershey

Christina Webb, Ph.D. 2018

Senior Insights Analyst at Edward Jones

John McCormick-Huhn, Ph.D. 2018

J.D UNLV Law

Indira Turney, Ph.D. 2018

Postdoctoral Neuroscientist at Columbia University Medical Center

Caitlin Bowman, Ph.D. 2015

Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin

Avery Rizio, Ph.D. 2014

Researcher at QualityMetric Incorporated

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