Overview
My research focuses on understanding how emotional events modulate cognitive processes in the human brain. We aim to identify brain regions that encode the emotional properties of sensory stimuli, and to show how these regions interact with neural systems supporting social cognition, executive control, and learning and memory. To achieve this goal, we use a variety of cognitive neuroscience techniques in human subject populations. These include psychophysiological monitoring, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), machine learning, and behavioral studies in healthy adults as well as psychiatric patients. This integrative approach capitalizes on recent advances in the field and may lead to new insights into cognitive-emotional interactions in the brain.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience
·
2010 - Present
Psychology & Neuroscience,
Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
·
2021 - Present
Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Behavioral Medicine & Neurosciences,
Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
Member of the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience
·
1999 - Present
Center for Cognitive Neuroscience,
Duke Institute for Brain Sciences
Affiliate of the Center for Brain Imaging and Analysis
·
2007 - Present
Duke-UNC Brain Imaging and Analysis Center,
Institutes and Centers
Associate of the Duke Initiative for Science & Society
·
2018 - Present
Duke Science & Society,
University Initiatives & Academic Support Units
Recent Publications
Creative and depressive profiles shape divergent thinking in emotion regulation idea generation.
Journal Article Scientific reports · December 2025 Emotion regulation (ER) is a multi-faceted process, though its generative component-wherein one ideates situation-specific regulatory options ("techniques")-is poorly understood. Through a novel task (ERGen), we evaluated ER repertoires based on the techni ... Full text CiteGeneralization of emotion regulation using conditioned reminders on mobile phones.
Journal Article Behav Res Ther · November 21, 2025 Transdiagnostic behavioral interventions often fail to generalize learning beyond the therapy setting, limiting their effectiveness in daily life. This two-experiment study investigated whether pairing novel auditory stimuli with reductions in emotional ar ... Full text Link to item CiteRegulating Negative Autobiographical Memories: An fMRI Investigation of Reappraisal and Distraction in Middle-aged and Older Adults.
Journal Article J Cogn Neurosci · August 10, 2025 Cognitive reappraisal and attentional distraction constitute two core strategies for regulating emotions. Prior studies have largely focused on young adults regulating simple laboratory stimuli, with few direct comparisons of brain regions that differentia ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
2/3 CTSA K12 Program at Duke University
ResearchMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 2030Duke-NCCU Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Training Program in Child Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Conditions Program (DN-IPT)
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPreceptor · Awarded by National Institute of Mental Health · 2024 - 2029Duke University Psychiatry Physician-Scientist Residency Training Program
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institute of Mental Health · 2024 - 2029View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
New York University ·
1996
Ph.D.
Lafayette College ·
1990
B.A.