Overview
Research in our lab examines how motivation, emotion, and cognition influence decision making and health behavior across the life span. Our research is at the intersection of a number of subfields within psychology, neuroscience, and economics including human development, affective science, cognitive neuroscience, behavioral economics, and consumer finance. We use a combination of behavioral and neuroimaging techniques ranging from detailed measurement of functional brain activity (fMRI) and neuroreceptors (PET) in the laboratory to experience sampling measures of experience and behavior in everyday life, wearable measures physical activity and sleep, and real-world measures of financial management. The goal of our translational research is to make discoveries using the tools of basic science that could inform the development of interventions, products, or services that would enhance health and well being across the life span.
In the classroom, I teach quantitative research methods and statistics, applications of neuroscience research for everyday life, and evidence-based course design in higher education.
In the classroom, I teach quantitative research methods and statistics, applications of neuroscience research for everyday life, and evidence-based course design in higher education.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience
·
2024 - Present
Psychology & Neuroscience,
Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Member of the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience
·
2017 - Present
Center for Cognitive Neuroscience,
Duke Institute for Brain Sciences
Faculty Network Member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences
·
2017 - Present
Duke Institute for Brain Sciences,
University Institutes and Centers
Recent Publications
Preserved memory for decisions across adulthood.
Journal Article Neuropsychology, development, and cognition. Section B, Aging, neuropsychology and cognition · May 2025 Remembering our decisions is crucial - it allows us to learn from past mistakes and construct future behavior. However, it is unclear if age-related memory declines impact the memorability of older adults' decisions. Here, we compared younger and older adu ... Full text CiteOverconfidence and Financial Risk Tolerance in Older Age.
Journal Article The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences · May 2025 ObjectivesExcessive financial risk-taking in older age can have harmful consequences as opportunities to recover lost wealth are limited. Understanding financial risk-taking in older age is important for identifying vulnerabilities and developing ... Full text CiteBaseline physical activity moderates brain-behaviour relationships in response to framed health messages.
Journal Article Social cognitive and affective neuroscience · May 2025 Health messaging often employs gain-framing (highlighting behaviour benefits) or loss-framing (emphasizing nonengagement risks) to promote behaviour change. This study examined how neural responses to gain- and loss-framed messages predict changes in physi ... Full text CiteRecent Grants
Duke/UNC ADAR Program
Inst. Training Prgm or CMECo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2029The Impact Neuroscience Program: an Inclusive Multi-Dimensional Program to Advance Career Training (R25)
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Mental Health · 2023 - 2028Duke Summer Training in Academic Research (Duke's STAR) BIOGEN
ResearchInvestigator · Awarded by Biogen Foundation · 2022 - 2026View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
Stanford University ·
2010
Ph.D.
Stanford University ·
2008
M.A.