Information for Journalists, Editors, and Producers

Why This Matters Right Now

Dr. Alexander’s research sits at the intersection of cognitive science, healthcare, and equity-centered education. In a moment where public trust, diagnostic accuracy, and STEM access are all under pressure, this work is both timely and necessary.

Medical Errors Are the Third-Leading Cause of Death
Every year, thousands die due to diagnostic mistakes. Dr. Alexander’s lab studies how radiologists—and other experts—interpret complex images. His work helps reduce preventable errors by improving how we understand visual attention and decision-making.

AI Can’t Fix Bias Without Understanding It First
As AI enters clinical settings, it’s not enough to optimize algorithms. We must understand how humans make perceptual errors, especially under the influence of bias or fatigue.

Undergraduate Research Is a Pipeline Equity Issue
At most institutions, undergrads observe research. In this lab, they lead it. Dr. Alexander’s model trains historically excluded students to co-author, co-present, and co-build science, thus advancing both public impact and representation in STEM.

We Help Journalists Translate Science into Human Stories
From medical diagnostics to mentorship systems, the HFAN lab connects rigorous neuroscience to everyday decisions and social stakes. If your story needs clarity, depth, and care, we’re here to help you tell it.

We’re happy to provide data insights, contextual analysis, or commentary for journalists, editors, and science communication professionals.

What We Can Speak To

Looking for a quote or commentary on topics related to visual cognition, science training, or perceptual bias?

We're available for interviews, background, op-eds, features, collaborations, and rapid commentary on:

• Medical error and diagnostic accuracy in radiology

  • How radiologists make perceptual decisions, and how they sometimes make mistakes

  • Our lab is one of the few in the country where undergraduate students co-lead medical image perception studies

  • Artificial intelligence applications in radiology

• Visual expertise

  • What eye movements tell us about learning and about how professionals do their work

• How identity and expertise shape visual perception

• Fandom, and the science of how we "see" character relationships and emotional narratives

• Eye-tracking technology and cognitive science in healthcare, education, or technology

• Training undergraduate scientists

  • How infrastructure and systems can lead to student success and a sense of belonging

• Undergraduate research mentorship models

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion in scientific training

Special expertise in: radiology | medical image perception | DEI in science training | visual learning | high-stakes decision-making | undergraduate research experiences

Fast Facts and Impact

• Most of the team are from backgrounds that are underrepresented in biomedical research. Most are women of color, the majority are first generation college students, and many identify as LGBTQIA+. 

• 50+ Student Researchers Trained (since 2023) across psychology, medicine, and the computational sciences. 

• Over $14,000 in Student-Led Grants (external funding secured from 2023–2025).

• Frequent Conference Presenters. Most of our students present at professional research conferences—many at multiple venues, including major international meetings.

• One of the only labs nationwide where undergraduate students co-lead eye tracking studies on medical image perception

• Built for Impact: Our research spans radiology, fandom, medical image interpretation, and cognitive health—always with an eye toward public relevance and inclusive training.

Dr. Alexander's research has appeared in peer-reviewed journals, nationally funded initiatives, and student-led presentations that have drawn international media interest.

Student Voices Available

We work with students who have formally consented to be quoted, profiled, or featured in media stories. These student collaborators—many from historically excluded backgrounds—can speak to:

• Their research in perception science, radiology, or health psychology

• How inclusive mentorship transformed their academic trajectories

• The experience of contributing to real science as undergraduates

We can connect you directly with students or provide quotes on request.

Suggested Story Angles

Looking for a fresh angle on cognitive science, healthcare, or STEM mentorship? We help reporters connect rigorous research to public relevance. Below are a few story directions we can support with expert insight, student interviews, and data-driven perspectives:

“When Radiologists Miss: What Eye Movements Reveal About Diagnostic Error”
A deep dive into how visual attention impacts life-and-death decisions in medicine, and how a student-led research lab is helping reduce costly errors.

“What If Undergraduates Ran the Research Lab?”
How a New York lab flipped the traditional hierarchy and turned first-gen undergraduates into conference presenters, published co-authors, and cognitive science collaborators.

“Building Belonging in Science”
Following the research journeys of historically excluded students and how inclusive infrastructure—not just good intentions—is redefining who gets to do science.

“Why Pop Culture Belongs in Cognitive Science”
Inside a lab that studies how we see character relationships, and why understanding fandom could unlock new models of emotional processing and social cognition.

“The Science of Paying Attention”
From classrooms to clinics, what cognitive science can teach us about improving focus, reducing distraction, and designing for high-stakes success.

“Funding, Eye Tracking, and the Future of Human Decision-Making”
How federal investment in undergraduate research is helping uncover new ways to train attention, spot errors, and protect lives.

Sample Quotes (pre-cleared for media use)

From Dr. Alexander:

“Most people think of perception as passive. It’s not. What we see is shaped by what we expect. That has real consequences for how doctors, educators, and everyday people interpret the world.”

“Our students don’t just help with research. They lead it. We structure our training systems to give them meaningful authorship and real impact.”

“When you study eye movements, you’re studying what people are paying attention to. That’s why our work matters for radiologists, for educators, and for anyone else who has to pay attention to the right thing at the right time. Errors in eye movements can lead to catastrophic failures."

“Students thrive when they are seen, challenged, and supported. That’s the core of everything we do.”

From students:

"Being a part of HFAN has helped me gain a sense of belonging within NYIT... I’ve already gained so many new skills from being in this lab, and it’s only been one semester! [Dr. Alexander has] curated a learning environment that I felt comfortable stepping into as someone who knows very little about psychological research, and one I now feel excited to keep growing in... it’s incredibly motivating to be led by someone who is so invested in both the science and the people behind it... I’m looking forward to learning even more in the semesters ahead!" - Ahaylee Rahman, undergraduate life sciences (BS/DO) student

"Joining HFAN has been a defining part of my first year. I quickly went from learning about psychological research to actively contributing to it; working with eye-tracking data and helping write a literature review on fixational eye movements in neurological diseases. The lab environment is both welcoming and rigorous, and the mentorship I’ve received has helped me grow in confidence and clarity about my future in science and medicine." - Zainab Faisal, undergraduate life sciences (BS/DO) student

Previous press mentions and coverage can be found here. Dr. Alexander has been interviewed on RSNA’s Radiology Podcast and NYIT's "Teaching So Everyone Can Learn" podcast. He has been quoted in Newsday, Radiology Business, SocialBites, NYIT news features, and other media outlets.

Contact Us

Dr. Alexander, cognitive neuroscientist at NYIT, is available for interviews, quick-turn commentary, longform profiles, or behind-the-scenes collaborations. Let’s make the science clear, and the story human.

📧 Email: Dr. Alexander
📍 Based in New York City (Eastern Time)