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
Investigating the relationship between affective valence and reinforcement learning
Preprint · January 6, 2026 Full text CiteInvestigating the relationship between affective valence and reinforcement learning
Preprint · October 19, 2025 Full text CitePreserved 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 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.