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Dr. Nichole Lighthall<\/strong> is an Associate Professor of Psychology in the Human Factors and Cognitive Psychology Ph.D. program. She also serves as the Interim Associate Dean for Research and Facilities<\/a> in the UCF College of Sciences and a Faculty Fellow with the UCF Office of Research. She holds a B.A. in psychology from the UC Berkeley and a Ph.D. in gerontology from the University of Southern California. Before coming to UCF, Dr. Lighthall completed her postdoctoral training at Duke University in the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, with a postdoctoral fellowship from the Duke Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development. The goal of her research program is to develop a neural model of decision processing that can be used to identify age-related vulnerabilities and pathways to compensation. She is particularly interested in how age-related changes to cognitive and affective components of decision making impact decision processing and quality. Dr. Lighthall is also a Co-Director of the Scientific Research Network on Decision Neuroscience & Aging<\/em><\/a>, Executive Committee member for the Florida Consortium on the Neurobiology of Cognition<\/a><\/em>, director of the UCF Learning & Longevity Research Network participant registry<\/a> for Orlando-area older adults, and member of the Global Young Academy<\/em><\/a> (2023 inductee).<\/p>\n **Dr. Lighthall is currently considering PhD student applicants for Fall 2026 admission cycle (GRE not required).\u00a0 Applicants must apply to the UCF Human Factors & Cognitive Psychology Ph.D. program.\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Courses Taught:<\/p>\n phone: 407-823-2216<\/p>\n email: nichole.lighthall@ucf.edu<\/p>\n Dr.\u00a0Shayna Soares<\/strong> is a postdoc working on the Florida Consortium to Reduce Misinformation and Exploitation in Alzheimer\u2019s Disease study (FDOH 22A10). Previously,\u00a0she worked with Dr. Corey Bohil in the Classification and Decision Laboratory at UCF, where she obtained her B.S. in Psychology on the Neuroscience track from UCF in 2019 and her M.A. In Applied Experimental and Human Factors Psychology in\u00a02023. Recently, she obtained her Ph.D. in Human Factors and Cognitive Psychology under Dr. Nichole Lighthall. Her primary research interests are in applying uncertain decision-making\u00a0theories to topics of a more political nature to provide a deeper understanding of political cognition issues (e.g., misinformation spread, increased polarization, and party label bias) as well as involving the use of neuroimaging techniques (fNIRS) to better understand the underlying neural correlates associated. Shayna’s LinkedIn <\/a><\/span>Shayna’s ORCID<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Dr. Shensheng Wang<\/strong> is a postdoc working on the UCF Deciding Brains study (NIH R01-AG072658) at Georgia Tech under the primary supervision of Dr. Bob Wilson. Born and raised in Tianjin, China, Shensheng received his B.S. from Nankai University and his Ph.D. from Emory University, where he worked with Dr. Philippe Rochat on infant perceptual development. Shensheng’s research interests broadly lie in humanness perception, which encompasses both attributing human characteristics to nonhuman agents (e.g., anthropomorphism) and denying human traits to others (e.g., dehumanization). Shensheng is interested in examining neurocognitive processes that might underpin trust-related decision-making in aging and the extent to which these processes manifest differently in social and nonsocial contexts. Shensheng’s ResearchGate<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jordan Schotz <\/strong>is a fifth-year Ph.D. student in the Human Factors and Cognitive Psychology (HFC) program. He holds an M.A. in HFC from UCF and a B.A. in Psychology from Webster Vienna Private University. He aims to answer the question, \u201cHow are perceptions of trustworthiness and trust behavior influenced by the valence of visual cues across varying degrees of humanness?\u201d His research uses economic decision games and a set of facial stimuli he co-created (VAFSS) to dissociate the effect of human-like visual cues from human mind perception in social contexts. VAFSS provides visual representations of over 300 UCF students that range from photographs to cartoon-ized virtual representations, as well as accompanying demographic and social characteristics. After graduation, he plans to teach in academia at a liberal arts institution and improve access to research opportunities.\u00a0Jordan’s LinkedIn<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Maggie Doheny<\/strong> is a third-year Ph.D. student in the Human Factors and Cognitive Psychology program at UCF. In 2021, she graduated from the University of Alabama with a B.S. in Psychology and Neuroscience, and worked in Dr. Laura Morett\u2019s N.E.R.D. Lab as an undergraduate research assistant. She then worked as a post-baccalaureate research assistant in Dr. Heather Risser\u2019s Family CARE and Parenting Lab in the Psychiatry Department at Northwestern University\u2019s Feinberg School of Medicine. Here at the Adult Development and Decision Lab, her research examines the cognitive and neural mechanisms that explain differences in social decision-making between remote and face-to-face interactions.\u00a0<\/span>Maggie’s LinkedIn <\/a>Maggie’s ORCID<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Carla Leinbach <\/strong>is a 2nd year PhD student in the College of Nursing. She holds an M.B.A. from Wake Forest University and a B.S. with Honors from Illinois State University Honors College. As Community Outreach Coordinator, she enjoys connecting with participants and developing partnerships across Florida. Carla\u2019s research interests include motivation, cognitive reframing, and how neural-net-based Artificial Intelligence adoption impacts intrinsic motivation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n Jordan Sammarco <\/b>is a project coordinator for the Florida Consortium to Reduce Misinformation and Exploitation in Alzheimer\u2019s Disease (FDOH 22A10) and UCF Deciding Brains (NIH R01-AG072658) studies. She is a graduate of UCF and the Burnett Honors College with a B.S. in Biomedical Sciences and a minor in Writing and Rhetoric. As an undergraduate, she spent two years in the Classification and Decision Lab as the lab manager and conducted an honors thesis utilizing VR meditation and fNIRS. Her research interests include functional neuroimaging and the development of preventative interventions for neurological disease.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Lindsay Conner <\/strong>is a project coordinator for the Florida consortium to reduce misinformation and exploitation in Alzheimer\u2019s Disease (FL Dept. Health 22A10) and Characterizing and modulating neurocognitive processes of learning to trust and distrust in aging (NIH R01-AG072658) studies. Originally from Florida, she studied neuroscience at University of Miami, followed by a Master\u2019s program in Biomedical Imaging at University of California, San Francisco. Her previous research delved into mapping the influence of age-related changes in functional recruitment and structural brain integrity on episodic memory and value processing across adulthood. In particular, Lindsay is interested in applying neuroimaging methods (e.g., task fMRI, rs-fMRI, MRI, DTI, PET) toward identifying biomarkers of cognitive decline and potential compensatory mechanisms across healthy aging relative to the early development of Alzheimer\u2019s disease. Lindsay’s ORCiD<\/a> Lindsay’s ResearchGate<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Samantha Tun<\/strong> is a second-year medical student at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine. In 2021, she graduated from Columbia University with a B.A. in Neuroscience and Behavior and a minor in East Asian Languages and Culture. Before matriculating to med school, she worked as a research associate in the Fredericks Lab at Yale University for two years, investigating how advanced neuroimaging techniques can be used to understand how Alzheimer\u2019s disease spreads across brain networks. Her interests at the Adult Developmental and Decision Lab include utilizing multimodal neuroimaging to better understand brain networks and understanding the neurological basis of executive function and emotional modulation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bhargav Vyas<\/strong> is a third-year majoring in Bio<\/span>medical Sciences and a student in the Burnett Honors College. His research interests are in human behaviors and human decision making. He is currently conducting research involving the use of Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Systems (fNIRS) and ambiguous decision making.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Ailliy Garcia<\/strong> is a fourth-year transfer student at UCF pursuing a degree in Biomedical Science with a certificate in Anthropology Global Health. Her research interests include cognitive neuroscience & neurocognitive disorders. She is currently working as a research assistant on the Florida consortium to reduce misinformation and exploitation in Alzheimer\u2019s Disease project. Ailliy has plans on attending medical school to become a neurosurgeon.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tavisha Singh<\/strong> is a third-year student majoring in psychology and anthropology. Her research interests include decision-making, memory, language acquisition, and human factors in a virtual environment and with virtual avatars. After graduating, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in cognitive psychology\/human factors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Kat Montgomery<\/strong> is a fourth-year psychology student. His research interests include the complexities of human connection. Specifically, how individuals interact, build relationships, and influence each other. After graduating, he plans to pursue a Master\u2019s degree in Mental Health Counseling and explore his research interests by studying play therapy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Macey Murphy <\/b>is a junior at UCF majoring in psychology on the clinical track. Her research interests include a broad range of topics in psychology such as etiology of human behavior and psychopathology. After graduation, Macey plans to obtain a post-baccalaureate position before pursuing a Ph.D in clinical psychology. She is currently working under doctoral candidate Maggie Doheny on a project that analyzes decision making with an in-person partner versus a virtual partner on Zoom.<\/span><\/p>\n Gaby Jimenez<\/strong> is a third-year undergraduate student in the Burnett Honors College, majoring in psychology and minoring in cognitive sciences. Her research interests include cognitive psychology and neuroscience, specifically how cognitive processes change throughout the lifespan and how they are impacted by neurodegenerative diseases. After graduating, Gaby plans to pursue a Ph.D. in cognitive psychology.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Camila Coronado<\/b> is a third year undergraduate student with a background in biochemistry, majoring in Clinical Psychology. Their research interests include developmental psychology from a neuroscience approach, neuroplasticity, and how certain external outputs are able to alter neural pathways within a brain, affecting cognition. She plans on pursuing a Ph.D. in neuroscience after graduation.<\/span><\/p>\n Nanisa Goyal<\/strong> is a senior majoring in Health Sciences on the preclinical track and minoring in Entrepreneurship. Her interests in research include artificial intelligence and its effects on the medical industry and decision-making. After graduation, she aspires to attend medical school and specialize in pediatrics or dermatology. Nanisa’s LinkedIn.<\/a><\/p>\n Amanda Rodriguez <\/b>is a third year undergraduate student at the University of Central Florida. She is a psychology major on the clinical track with a minor in crime, law, and deviance. Her research interests include how environmental factors, trauma, and genetics influence the development of psychological disorders that impact cognition. After graduation she plans on pursuing a Master\u2019s and PsyD in either clinical or forensic psychology.<\/span><\/p>\n Yauna Taylor <\/b>is a senior at the University of Central Florida, majoring in Psychology on the General Track. She has served as a teaching assistant for a psychology capstone course, helping students transition into a career after college. Her research interests include decision-making, cognitive psychology, and mental health. After graduation, she plans to pursue medical school, with a goal of specializing in dermatology.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Matthew McGovern<\/b><\/span>\u00a0is a senior majoring in psychology with a minor in statistics. His interests include computational approaches to modeling human cognitive processes, such as perception, decision-making, and inference. After graduating, he plans to pursue graduate programs in cognitive psychology\/science with a computational focus.<\/p>\n Ava Niles <\/b>is a <\/span>senior Psychology student on the clinical track. Her research interests focus on the cognitive processes and mental health factors related to deviant behavior. After graduating she plans to <\/span>pursue higher education. Ava’s LinkedIn.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Sydney Edwards<\/strong> is a junior majoring in Psychology on the neuroscience track with a minor in Health Science. Her research interests include cognitive neuroscience, with a focus on memory, language, and behavior in neurodevelopmental disabilities\/disorders. After graduating, she plans to attend medical school to become a psychiatrist and improve mental health accessibility for disabled individuals.<\/p>\n Andrea Del Aguila<\/strong> is a third year undergraduate psychology student on the general track in the Burnett Honors College, earning a certificate in Behavioral Forensics. Her research interests include the study of Industrial organizational psychology concepts in workplaces, aiming to improve workplaces for employees. She has worked as a Teaching Assistant for Introduction to Industrial Organizational Psychology, helping students interested in I\/O Psychology further their knowledge. She plans on attaining her Masters in Industrial organizational Psychology, aiming to work as an I\/O psychologist improving organizations and ensuring employee well-being.<\/p>\n Mykayla Bland<\/strong> is a junior majoring in Biomedical Sciences on the Pre-Medical Track with a minor in sociology. Her research interests include medical decision making as well as adult cognitive development. She plans to further her education post-graduation by getting her master’s degree in the science of anesthesia. In the future she aspires to obtain her CAA and work as a certified anesthesiologist assistant.<\/p>\n Chiara Popp <\/strong>is in her final year majoring in Psychology. She is currently in the process of completing her Honors Undergraduate Thesis. Her research interests include factors that contribute to deviant behavior, with a focus on childhood trauma. With a background in law enforcement in Germany, she plans to attend medical school to bridge psychology and medicine, addressing trauma\u2019s effects on both mind and body.<\/p>\n Rylie Thibideau <\/strong><\/span>is a senior at the University of Central Florida majoring in psychology on the neuroscience track. Her research interests include cognitive psychology and neurological disorders. After graduating, she plans to pursue her Ph.D. in Clinical Neuropsychology.<\/p>\n Nathan McGovern<\/strong> is a freshman majoring in computer science. His research interests include computational modeling of cognition and computer vision. After graduation, he plans to pursue graduate programs in cognitive science or AI.<\/p>\n Rodolfo (Rudy) Cespedes<\/strong> is an undergraduate psychology student pursuing the Clinical Track with a focus on neuropsychology. He is particularly interested in the translational applications of neuropsychological testing, simulation-based training, and biomarkers of neurocognitive decline. He currently assists in three research laboratories and serves as a teaching assistant in the Department of Psychology. He plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Neuropsychology and make the world a better place through science.<\/p>\n LAB ALUMNI<\/span><\/p>\n Doctoral Students<\/strong><\/p>\n Graduate Certificate Students Undergraduate Honors Thesis Advisees<\/strong><\/p>\n Post-Baccalaureate Research Assistants<\/strong><\/p>\n Non-Student Grant Project Coordinators<\/strong><\/p>\n Undergraduate Research Assistants<\/strong><\/p>\n AD&D Lab Social Events LAB DIRECTOR Dr. Nichole Lighthall is an Associate Professor of Psychology in the Human Factors and Cognitive Psychology Ph.D. program. She also serves as the Interim Associate Dean for Research and Facilities in the UCF College of Sciences and a Faculty Fellow with the UCF Office of Research. She holds […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":852,"parent":0,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-43","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","czr-hentry"],"yoast_head":"\n\n
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POSTDOCS<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n
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<\/p>\nDOCTORAL STUDENTS<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n
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PROJECT COORDINATORS<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n
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<\/p>\n\nPOST-BACCALAUREATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTS<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/p>\n\nUNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTS<\/span><\/h4>\n
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