Ryan is a cognitive and developmental psychologist with a focus on aging research. He has bachelor's degrees in psychology and biology from the University of Delaware and completely his graduate work in cognitive psychology at Florida State University. After receiving his PhD in 2016, he completed postdoctoral research positions at the University of Zurich (2016-2019) and the RAND corporation (2019-2021) prior to joining the Lifespan Developmental Psychology faculty at West Virginia University.

His research is broadly focused on adults’ perceptions of gains and losses and how these perceptions and other aspects of cognitive aging influence goals and decision-making throughout adulthood into old age.

Laken is a third year doctoral student in Dr. Best’s Lab. Her Master’s thesis investigated age effects in future self-continuity through goal orientation and life satisfaction. She continues to research future self-continuity and its connection to other variables across the adult lifespan, including retirement savings and numeracy. Prior to her graduate studies, she graduated from St. Lawrence University in May of 2023.  

Brandon is a first-year doctoral student in Dr. Best's lab. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Kent State University in May of 2022. His research interests include numeracy, confidence, and decision making. Currently, Brandon is teaching Intro to Human Development (PSYC 241) at WVU.

Esha is a second year student in Dr. Best’s lab. She graduated with a Bachelor’s in Applied Psychology from University of the Punjab, Lahore, in May of 2022. Her research interests include post-disaster well-being in adulthood, decision-making and numeracy across the adult life-span. Currently, she is working on her Master’s thesis looking at psychological well-being and the perception of pain in adults after experiencing a disaster.