New appointments in Experimental Psychology
The Department of Experimental Psychology has recruited 2 senior researchers.
Fabian Grabenhorst, Associate Professor of Experimental Psychology (left), has now started in the Department.
Fabian investigates the neural processing of rewards, using single-neuron recordings and functional neuroimaging. He has a particular interest in the amygdala, an intricate cell complex in the temporal lobe that is important not only in emotion but also in economic decision-making and even in sophisticated social cognition. When we observe and interact with our social partners, our amygdala apparently learns to simulate our partners’ decision processes (doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2019.02.042).
Along with
Bernhard Staresina, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience.
Bernhard’s research aims to understand ‘episodic memory,’ which is our remarkable ability to mentally travel back in time and re-live past experiences (www.staresinalab.com). Episodic memory provides us with a coherent sense of who we are and helps us tackle future challenges. But how do fleeting moments become lifelong memories? Why are some experiences better remembered than others? And why can’t we get rid of traumatic events that haunt us? Bernhard uses functional neuroimaging (fMRI), electrophysiology (M/EEG) and brain stimulation to elucidate the intricate mechanisms through which memories are formed, retained and forgotten.