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Welcome to the Cognitive Neuroscience of Memory Lab
Department of Psychology, Villanova University
 

We are interested in the cognitive architecture and neural bases of human memory. Research in our lab focuses on the investigation of different long-term memory systems, namely semantic memory and episodic memory. Whereas "semantic memory" refers to our general world knowledge (e.g., Bacon is a breakfast meat), "episodic memory" refers to memory for personally experienced events (e.g., I bought bacon at the grocery store last night). We take a multi-disciplinary approach in our investigation: by combining behavioral, neuropsychological, and electrophysiological methods, we hope to gain a better understanding of how such memories are created, stored, and retrieved.

Some of our recent projects take an interdisciplinary approach, with applied significance. We are examining the intersection of psychopathology and memory processes, the factors that may mitigate the influence of misinformation, and the relationships among sleep-related beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors.

Lab news:

  • In November 2016, Dr. Kan received the Women in Cognitive Science Mentorship Award!
     
  • Dr. Kan received two Fulbright awards and will be spending the 2016-2017 academic year in Canada. Dr. Kan will spend her All Disciplines Fulbright Scholar Award at the University of Toronto (Fall 2016), where she will be collaborating with scientists at the U of T and the Rotman Research Institute. In Spring 2017, Dr. Kan will spend her Fulbright Visiting Research Chair award at the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience at the University of Lethbridge, Alberta.

Our lab has also been active in the areas of public outreach:

  • In 2013, our lab founded the Brain Aneurysm Awareness Run, a 5K charity run to benefit the Brain Aneurysm Foundation (BAF). The BAF is the world's only non-profit organization solely dedicated to raising awareness of and funding research for brain aneurysm. Since our inaugural year, we have raised over $45,000. For additional information about our event, please follow this link.
     
  • Over the past few years, our lab also participated in Brain Awareness Week by sponsoring and organizing a display at the Radnor Memorial Library. Brain Awareness Week (BAW) is a global education program founded by the Dana Foundation. During one week in March, BAW partners develop engaging activities to educate and spark interest in brain and neuroscientific research. Follow this link for a photo of the display.
 
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