Mather, Mara
Professor of Gerontology, Psychology, and Biomedical Engineering
The autonomic nervous system plays an underappreciated role in age-related change in the brain and cognition. But the sympathetic hub region in the brain (the locus coeruleus) is one of the first brain regions affected by Alzheimer’s disease pathology and deep sleep, a period of high parasympathetic activity, is critical for clearing out the potentially toxic proteins generated by the brain’s activity during the day (it is the aggregation of such proteins that leads to the hallmark plaques and tangles seen in Alzheimer’s disease). Our research is investigating how both sympathetic and parasympathetic function affect brain function and cognition in aging and how interventions that increase parasympathetic activity may enhance brain function in older adults.
Monterosso, John
Associate Professor of Psychology
Our lab is primarily focused on decision-making, especially in the context of addiction and obesity. We use self-report, behavior, and fMRI. Our lab is currently (through 2028) participating in USC’s Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science (supported by NIH & FDA).
Rouhani, Nina
Assistant Professor of Psychology
The Interactive Cognition Lab uses an interdisciplinary framework, drawing from computational neuroscience, cognitive science and psychology, to uncover how learning and memory processes guide individual and interactive behavior in the laboratory and real world.
Schwartzman, Jessica
Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics
The Training and Research to Empower NeuroDiversity (TREND) Lab uses multi-method approaches, including electroencephalogram (EEG), behavioral observation and clinical interviews to study risk and protective factors for depression, suicide, and other mental health outcomes in youth with autism and other neurodivergent conditions. We also partner with autistic and other neurodivergent people to adapt and design treatments for the individual and family. The TREND Lab focuses on characterizing and treating adverse mental health outcomes in youth with autism and other neurodivergent conditions.
