Cognitive Neuroimaging and Memory Lab

Marc N. Coutanche (he/him; pronunciation) is an Associate Professor ​in Psychology, a Research Scientist in the Learning Research & Development Center​, and Member of the Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition (CNBC). He completed his PhD at the University of Pennsylvania, post-doctoral training at Yale University, and received his Bachelor's degree from the University of Oxford. He is the current Chair of the Cognitive Program.

e-mail: marc.coutanche@pitt.edu          CV

Amy Qi (she/her) is a PhD student in the Cognitive Psychology Program at the University of Pittsburgh. She graduated with a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in Psychology with a minor in Applied Statistics and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from the University of Pittsburgh. She is interested in studying learning and memory with a focus on neuroimaging methods. Outside of lab, she enjoys watching anime, cooking, and occasionally some outdoor activities.

e-mail: xiq26@pitt.edu

Yuetong Bai (he/him) is a PhD student in the Cognitive Psychology Program at the University of Pittsburgh. He graduated with a BS degree in Psychology and minored in Computer Science at Beijing Normal University. He received a MA degree in Computational Social Science at the University of Chicago before coming to Pittsburgh. He is interested in understanding how the brain processes information and forms memory. In his spare time, he enjoys playing video games, cooking, and hiking.

e-mail: yuetong.bai@pitt.edu

Medha Sharma (she/her) has recently completed her master's in computer science from the University of Colorado-Boulder. She did her bachelors in computer science as well from IIIT Hyderabad, India. Outside research she likes to play guitar and listen to music, read some books and watch a lot of tv shows and movies. 

e-mail: ​mes628@pitt.edu

Tatyana Olevich (she/her) is a junior majoring in Psychology with minors in Applied Statistics, Business & Film and Media Studies. She is interested in the role of sleep in memory formation and general language acquisition. In the future, she hopes to pursue a career in either academia or industry research. Outside of the lab, she enjoys visiting museums and traveling.

e-mail: tvo1@pitt.edu 

Grace Lim (she/her) is a senior majoring in Studio Arts. She is interested in neuroimaging and cognitive psychology. Outside of the lab, she enjoys singing and painting in her studio. In the future, she expects to pursue a career in the medical field.

e-mail:  grl33@pitt.edu 

Morgan Madison (she/her) is a junior majoring in Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh. She is interested in the applications of research psychology and how the different psychological perspectives overlap. Outside the lab she enjoys traveling, going to concerts, and watching Celtics games. In the future, she hopes to go to graduate school to further her academic career in psychology.

e-mail: mkm133@pitt.edu 

Victoria Bacchi (she/her) is a junior majoring in neuroscience with a minor in chemistry and a certificate in bioethics. She is interested in cognitive neuroscience and its applications in educational research. In the future, she hopes to pursue a career as a psychiatrist. Outside of the lab, she enjoys baking and photography. 

email: vmb35@pitt.edu 

Heather Bruett (she/her) was a Ph.D. student in the Cognitive Psychology Program at the University of Pittsburgh. She received her Ph.D. in 2021. Before coming to Pitt, she graduated from The College of New Jersey. When not studying learning and memory, she was often found watching Gilmore Girls reruns and eating M&Ms.

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Website: https://www.heatherbruett.com/

e-mail: heb52@pitt.edu​ 

Brandon Carlos was a Post-Baccalaureate fellow in the Hot Metal Bridge Program at the University of Pittsburgh. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology at Syracuse University. He is interested in studying learning and memory. In his free time he enjoys long drives and working out. He is currently working with Dr. Benjamin Tamber-Rosenau in the Cognitive Neuroscience Program at the University of Houston.

e-mail: bjc89@pitt.edu​ 

John Paulus (he/him) was the lab coordinator for the lab, and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in Psychology with minors in Neuroscience and French. He is interested in understanding the underlying mechanisms of sleep and the neuroscience behind its effect on memory. In his spare time, John enjoys archery and martial arts.

e-mail: jdp71@pitt.edu 

Essang Akpan (he/him) was the fMRI Data Analyst in the lab, and graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering. He is interested in utilizing brain imaging techniques to better study neuropsychiatry and cognitive science. Outside the lab he enjoys watching basketball, paint drying, and the latest Netflix series.

e-mail: eaa61@pitt.edu​ 

Xueying (Caroline) Ren (she/her) was a Ph.D. student in the Cognitive Psychology Program at the University of Pittsburgh. She graduated with a Master of Science degree from City, University of London. She is interested in applying computational and quantitative approaches to study brain patterns. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking and watching movies. Leonardo DiCaprio is her favorite actor.

e-mail: xur1@pitt.edu 

Rae Buckser (they/them) was a Ph.D. student in the Cognitive Psychology Program at the University of Pittsburgh. They graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Purdue University before spending several years as a Research Associate in neuroimaging labs at Purdue and Pitt. Rae is interested in the neuroscience of learning and memory and the development of novel approaches for acquisition, analysis, and application of functional neuroimaging data. Outside the lab, they enjoy reading weird fiction and spending time with their cats, Mehitabel and Mae Borowski.

e-mail: buckser@pitt.edu 

Juan Carlos Angel Rojas (he/him) was a Post-Baccalaureate fellow in the Hot Metal Bridge Program. He is originally from Caracas, Venezuela, and he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Waynesburg University. Juan Carlos is interested in cognitive psychology and the use of mathematics and computer science for its study. In his free time, he enjoys practicing martial arts and playing soccer.

e-mail: jua47@pitt.edu 

Amy Padia (she/her) graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a BS in Neuroscience and a minor in Chemistry. She is interested in learning about the neural mechanisms associated with learning and memory. Outside of the lab, she enjoys ballroom dancing and making friends. Now, she is attending medical school.

e-mail: amp309@pitt.edu 

Angela Griffo (she/her) was a Ph.D. student in the Cognitive Psychology Program at the University of Pittsburgh. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, also from the University of Pittsburgh.

Outside of research, she enjoys white water rafting, expanding her plant collection, and hanging out with her cat “Star.”

e-mail: ang157@pitt.edu 

Griffin E. Koch  (he/him) was a Ph.D. student in the Cognitive Psychology Program at the University of Pittsburgh. He graduated with a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in Psychology and German from the University of Pittsburgh, and was previously the Lab Coordinator. He is interested in studying learning and memory. When he is not in the lab, Griff can be found playing or coaching soccer, or taking a nap in his hammock.

​Website: https://www.griffinkoch.com/

e-mail: gek21@pitt.edu​