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Kevin S. LaBar

Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience
Psychology & Neuroscience
Duke Box 90999, Durham, NC 27708-0999
B247 Levine Sci Res Ctr, Ctr Cognit Neurosci Box 90999, Durham, NC 27708-0999

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

In the News


Published June 29, 2020
Closer Threats Inspire a More Primitive Kind of Fear
Published November 26, 2019
Seven From Duke Named Fellows of American Association for the Advancement of Science
Published July 15, 2019
A Mind at Rest Still Shows Emotions, and That Has Researchers Curious

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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 Cite

Generalization 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 Cite

Regulating 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 Cite
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Recent Grants


2/3 CTSA K12 Program at Duke University

ResearchMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 2030

Duke-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 - 2029

Duke University Psychiatry Physician-Scientist Residency Training Program

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institute of Mental Health · 2024 - 2029

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Education, Training & Certifications


New York University · 1996 Ph.D.
Lafayette College · 1990 B.A.

External Links


www.LaBaratory.org