Cognitive & Brain Sciences
The graduate program in Cognitive and Brain Sciences at 海角社区 examines cognition and related topics from a variety of theoretical and methodological perspectives. Our graduate program emphasizes research training using multiple behavioral and neuroscientific methodological tools, including both laboratory and field research methods.
Our goal is to prepare students for professional careers in a variety of settings such as:
- Academic careers
- Researchers in industry or government
- Technical advisors in government and human service organizations
In addition to basic research on attention, memory, emotion, language, and decision-making, students are encouraged to study applications of the cognitive and brain sciences to real-world situations. Each student鈥檚 program is individually designed by the student and faculty advisors to provide a working knowledge of this broad field and intensive study in the student鈥檚 areas of special interest. Courses and seminars in Cognitive Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience, Developmental Psychology, and other areas of Psychology and in other departments constitute the academic core of the student鈥檚 program of study.
Research Opportunities
Research training continues throughout the student鈥檚 program at increasing levels of responsibility. This training includes applied as well as traditional laboratory methods. Students work closely with faculty members on research of mutual interest.
Students have the opportunity to learn a wide variety of research techniques. In addition to a variety of equipment available in faculty labs, the Psychology department EEG Neuroscience laboratory has a BioSemi 64-channel ERP system, and an EyeLink system for conducting eye tracking and pupillometry research. Faculty also conduct fMRI research at Pennington Biomedical Center鈥檚 brain imaging facility.
Opportunities also exist for students to get experience doing applied research:
海角社区 Multidisciplinary Initiative for Neuroscience Discovery (MIND)
The field of neuroscience addresses fundamental questions about the organization and function of the nervous system, as well as changes that occur as a result of development, experience, injury, and disease. Increasing our understanding of such phenomena poises us to recognize and promote adaptive patterns in behavior and neurological function, to the benefit of our local community and the greater population. Our mission is to coordinate and strengthen research, training, and community outreach opportunities related to neuroscience at 海角社区. For more information, visit the .
Dr. Beck serves on the executive committee for 海角社区 MIND. Read about Dr. Beck's collaborative work here: Collaborative Champion: Melissa Beck.
Former Students
| Ph.D. Year | Name | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Katherine Moen |
Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Kearney |
| 2019 | Katie Stanko | Project Coordinator, University of Pittsburgh |
| 2019 | Lisa Kemp | Senior Manager, Edwards Lifesciences |
| 2020 | Samantha N Spitler | Assistant Director of Data Operations, University of Rochester |
| 2020 | Juan Guevara Pinto | Research and Evaluation Associate, The Center for Literacy and Learning |
| 2020 | Sunghyun Kim | Post Doctoral Fellow, Asan Medical Center |
| 2021 | Tyler Robinson | Post Doctoral Fellow, Rotman Research Institute |
| 2021 | Xinrui Jiange | Quantitative UX Researcher, Google |
| 2023 | Lauryn Burleigh | Data Analyst, The Learning Agency |
| 2023 | Stephanie Saltzmann | Post Doctoral Fellow, Rutgers University |
| 2023 | Jessica Hacker | Assistant Professor, Husson University |
| 2023 | Vincent Medina | Assistant Professor, University of Central Arkansas |
| 2024 | Brianna Cairney | Postdoctoral Associate, Yale School of Medicine |
| 2024 | Brandon Eich |
Postdoctoral Associate, University of Arizona |
Getting publications is a critical key toward obtaining a job after graduation, and our training model emphasizes the importance of students authoring or co-authoring manuscripts in top-tier journals. Please click on the Graduate Student Publications page to see some of the most recent publications by CBS grad students.
For additional information about the CBS program, please contact Dr. Melissa Beck at mbeck@lsu.edu
View the Cognitive and Brain Sciences Psychology Faculty
Download the CBS Program Graduate Student Handbook
Our Commitment to Anti-Discrimination
As a program, we value and respect the differences and commonalities that each person
brings to our team of faculty, staff, and students. We strive to foster a training
and work environment that is free from discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color,
national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, culture, age, disability,
religion, or socioeconomic background.
We take great pride in cultivating a culture of engagement, accessibility, openness, fairness, connectedness, and accountability. We encourage all members of our program to deepen their understanding of bias, explore strategies for constructive intervention, and uphold principles of fairness and equal opportunity.
These values align with the ethical and professional standards of the American Psychological Association (APA).