Skip to main content

Gregory Russell Samanez-Larkin

Jerry G. and Patricia Crawford Hubbard Professor
Psychology & Neuroscience
LSRC, Box 90999, Durham, NC 27708
LSRC, Box 90999, Durham, NC 27708

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.

Office Hours


Office hours (W2:30-3:30) and FLUNCH (T/W 12-1:30) requests bookable here.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Jerry G. and Patricia Crawford Hubbard Professor · 2024 - Present Psychology & Neuroscience, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience · 2024 - Present Psychology & Neuroscience, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Director of Graduate Studies in the Cognitive Neuroscience Admitting Program (CNAP) · 2021 - Present Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, University Institutes and Centers
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

In the News


Published August 20, 2024
Trinity’s New Undergraduate Curriculum to Focus on Values
Published January 30, 2024
A Kind Rejection Letter Gets High Grades
Published August 24, 2022
Meet the QuadEx Faculty Fellows

View All News

Recent Publications


Overconfidence and Financial Risk Tolerance in Older Age.

Journal Article The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences · February 2025 Excessive 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 interventions to em ... Full text Cite

Preserved memory for decisions across adulthood.

Journal Article Neuropsychology, development, and cognition. Section B, Aging, neuropsychology and cognition · September 2024 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 Cite
View All Publications

Recent Grants


Duke/UNC ADAR Program

Inst. Training Prgm or CMECo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2029

The 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 - 2028

Behavior and Physiology in Aging

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institute on Aging · 2015 - 2025

View All Grants

Education, Training & Certifications


Stanford University · 2010 Ph.D.
Stanford University · 2008 M.A.