We study human behavior and associated neural mechanisms across adulthood. Our lab research focuses on decision-related cognitive functions and how they change with age. Importantly, some of the changes to decision making in aging are the result of biological processes, others stem from psychological and social processes — but many can be attributed to an interaction of these factors. To understand these complex mechanisms, we utilize an array of methods including cognitive tasks, self-report measures, biomarker sampling, computational modeling, and functional brain imaging. We are currently conducting behavioral and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) studies at UCF. Through collaboration, we conduct functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies at the University of Florida’s McKnight Brain Institute.
Current grants that support our research include:
Characterizing and modulating neurocognitive processes of learning to trust and distrust in aging (Lighthall: MPI, NIH R01-AG072658, 03/01/22-04/30/27): The goal of this project is to characterize the psychological and neural mechanisms that support trust-related learning and decision making in normal aging and older adults at risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease. The project also seeks to determine if trust-related decision making can be optimized in aging via fMRI-based real-time neurofeedback training. This study is being conducted in collaboration with MPIs Dr. Natalie Ebner (Contact MPI: University of Florida) and Dr. Bob Wilson (Georgia Institute of Technology).
Optimizing a technology-based body and mind intervention to prevent falls and reduce health disparities in low-income populations (Lighthall: Co-I, NIH R01-MD018025, 09/26/22-06/30/26): This project led by Dr. Ladda Thiamwong (PI, UCF Nursing) will test the usability and efficacy of the technology-based Physio-fEedback Exercise pRogram (PEER) intervention as a method to reduce fall risk and improve self-perceptions of aging among diverse low-income older adults. Within this project, the Lighthall Lab will contribute to the assessment of psychological factors that contribute to fall risk.
Humanness in the eye of the beholder: Perception of humanoid robots in aging (Lighthall: PI, Learning Institute for Elders (Foundation), 04/01/25-03/31/26): This project examines age-related differences in perceptions and judgments of social robots, and how these differences are shaped by cognitive and socioemotional changes associated with aging using behavioral measures, computational modeling, and fNIRS.
Other recent externally funded projects include:
Florida consortium to reduce misinformation and exploitation in Alzheimer’s Disease (Lighthall: PI, FL Dept. Health 22A10, 04/01/22-03/31/26): Led by our lab at UCF, this three-university consortium (with University of Florida under Dr. Natalie Ebner and University of Miami under Dr. Bonnie Levin), examines cognitive and neural mechanisms of vulnerability to deception among older adults at risk for Alzheimer’s disease. This project’s additional aims include leveraging our empirical data to develop a tool kit that can detect risk for exploitation in older adults and provide education on scam and fraud prevention to older adults in Florida. *This study is no longer recruiting participants.
Measuring uncertainty mechanisms with fNIRS (Lighthall: PI, AFRL ML-RCP (subaward through Ohio State University), 06/01/2023-07/31/2025): This project identifies neural correlates of uncertainty comprehension across different information types during decision processing using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). *This study is no longer recruiting participants.
Additionally, Dr. Lighthall is the Co-Director of an NIH-funded research network, the Scientific Research Network on Decision Neuroscience and Aging (SRNDNA). Grant details for that network are below.
Research network on decision neuroscience and aging (Lighthall: MPI, NIH R24AG076847, 06/15/22-03/31/27): This R24 supports the Scientific Research Network on Decision Neuroscience and Aging (SRNDNA). The long-term goal of this network is to conduct integrative and multidisciplinary research that contributes directly to interventions aimed at improving health and well being in the daily lives of aging adults. Dr. Lighthall co-directs SRNDNA with Dr. Kendra Seaman (Contact MPI: University of Texas Dallas) and Dr. Duke Han (University of Southern California).