Research Interests:
- Memory and its neural basis, lifespan development
How I Make a Difference in Teaching:
Careers after a degree in psychology are highly varied; some students will go to graduate school, others into research settings, and many others directly into the workforce in related fields. To increase the value of college beyond it being a mere stepping stone, I encourage students to see the importance of psychological science in their everyday lives. In my opinion, the greatest value of earning a degree in psychology is that it helps us to make better decisions at all stages of life. How do we make and keep friends? What’s the value of volunteerism to ourselves and to society? How should we study to better retain information? How can we raise children to maximize their potential? What does it mean to successfully age, and what are the vast applications of the “use it or lose it” effect? These are some of the many questions I address in my courses. As we review the science, we frequently pause to apply the findings to our lives and to discuss themes we have in common, despite our ultimate career differences.