Hello! 👋
I'm Tanushree Agrawal, an Asst. Project Scientist and Psychology Lecturer at the University of California San Diego 🌊
Get in touch 👉 tagrawal1210@gmail.com
Check out my CV 🧑💻
As a researcher, I explore the role of aesthetics and complex emotions on social cognition. I am particularly fascinated that prosocial "fuzzy" feelings (like being moved, nostalgic, or in awe) can be evoked by aesthetic activities. How is it that an evocative instrumental tune can remind us of human suffering, stunning landscapes can provide perspective about our place in the world, and a delicious bite of food can stir the soul?
As a teacher, I inspire enthusiasm in my students by focusing their attention on the fact that psychology is ultimately the study of their own wonderfully complex minds. I teach introductory classes in social, cognitive, and developmental psychology, skills-based courses on data analysis, research methods, and scientific writing, and upper-level seminars on topics like music psychology.
As a mentor, I am a knowledgeable, approachable, and encouraging presence in my students' lives. I create a safe learning environment for them to start seeing themselves as scientists, by providing a balance of autonomy and steadfast support. I have mentored 18 undergraduates, all from underrepresented groups in science. My mentees have all gone on to a range of successful careers, including PhD programs at schools like UMass Amherst, UCSD, and Fordham University.
🎓 Watch my RAs presenting research that won them UCSD's Undergrad Award for Excellence in Research
E D U C A T I O N
University of California San Diego
PhD, Experimental Psychology, 2023
MA, Experimental Psychology, 2020
University of Oxford
MSt, Music Psychology (with distinction), 2016
University of Pennsylvania
BA, Cognitive Science (magna cum laude, honors program), 2008
BSc, Economics (magna cum laude), 2008
G R A N T S,
H O N O R S,
&
A W A R D S
Outstanding Dissertation Award, Society for the Neuroscience of Creativity (2024)
Executive Board Member, Society for Music Perception & Cognition (2021-2023)
Founding Member - Mentorship Committee, Soc. for Music Perception & Cognition (2021-2023)
Grammy Foundation Research Grant (2021) ...Yes, those Grammys!🏆🎶
Anette Merle Smith Fellowship (2021)
Center for Research & Training in Anthropogeny Fellowship (2020)
UCSD Institute for Practical Ethics Seed Grant (2020)
UCSD Graduate Student Association Award (2019)
1st Place at UCSD Psychology Data Blitz Talks (2018)
UCSD Norman Anderson Graduate Award (7-time recipient)
Society for Education, Music, & Psychology Research Award (2018, 2016)
Invited Participant, Adv. Research Methods Workshop, Max Planck Institute (2016)
Archibald Jackson Prize for distinction in Masters Thesis at Oxford (2016)
Oxford University Alice Horsman Scholarship (2016)
Citibank Global Chairman's Council Award for Top Product Specialist (2015)
Citibank Global VP Development Program for Innovation (2014)
R E S E A R C H
&
O T H E R
E X P E R I E N C E
Asst. Project Scientist & Instructor
University of California San Diego, Dept. of Psychology (Sep 2017 - Present)
Graduate Researcher
University of California San Diego, Mind & Development Lab (Sep 2015 - Jul 2016)
Visiting Research Scholar
Louisiana State University, Music Cognition & Computation Lab (Sep 2016 - Jun 2017)
Louisiana State University, Auditory Working Memory Lab (Sep 2016 - Jun 2017)
Graduate Researcher
University of Oxford, Department of Music (Sep 2015 - Jul 2016)
University of Oxford, Sensory Marketing & Consumer Behavior Lab (Sep 2015 - Jul 2016)
Oxford Royale Academy
Psychology Instructor (2016)
Vice President & Senior Analyst
Citi Private Bank, Investment Research Lab (Jul 2008 - Jul 2015)
Undergraduate Researcher
University of Pennsylvania, ChatLab at the Penn Center for Neuroaesthetics (2007)