School of Psychological & Behavioral Sciences · Southern Illinois University Carbondale
We use neuroimaging and behavioral methods to study memory, impulsivity, and decision-making — with a focus on the neuroscience of pathological gambling and addiction.
Our lab uses brain imaging and behavioral paradigms to understand the cognitive and neural mechanisms behind memory, decision-making, and behavioral addiction.
We study the "near-miss effect" — why slot machines that almost pay out increase desire to gamble. This work has shaped how scientists, clinicians, and regulators understand gambling disorder.
Read more →How does the brain construct and retrieve autobiographical memories? We use fMRI and PET to examine the neural basis of episodic memory and its role in future planning.
Read more →Why do some people act without thinking? We examine the neural correlates of impulsivity and response inhibition, and how deficits in these systems contribute to addiction.
Read more →How do people evaluate risk and reward? We study the cognitive processes and brain systems that drive choice behavior — and how those systems break down in addiction.
Read more →Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Doctoral training under Endel Tulving at the University of Toronto, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at the Rotman Research Institute.
Research interests span three areas: the neuroscience of impulsivity and pathological gambling; cognitive and neural markers of episodic memory; and applications of both to student learning outcomes. Neuroimaging methods include fMRI and PET.
Joseph V. Brady Award for Significant Contributions to Behavioral Science — Society for the Quantitative Analysis of Behavior
Applying laboratory findings to real-world tools for gambling disorder prevention and behavioral research methods.
A science-based mobile application for managing gambling behavior, grounded in the lab's research on near-miss effects and impulsivity.
Learn more →An open-source ecological momentary assessment platform for behavioral researchers studying real-world behavior via mobile devices.
Learn more →We welcome inquiries from prospective graduate students, undergraduate researchers, and potential collaborators.
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