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People

Bradley Gibson, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

The ability to act in a goal-directed fashion in spite of many competing forces is one of the hallmarks of adaptive human functioning. My research has examined how basic cognitive mechanisms such as selective attention, perception, working memory, and episodic memory optimize this adaptive behavior by allowing us to focus on, perceive, maintain, and retrieve goal-relevant information. Please see the Home page for a list of current projects.

Rebecca Warren, B.S.

Graduate Student, Lab Manager

Class of 2029

Hometown: McAllen, Texas

Rebecca Warren joined the AMP lab in July of 2023 as a post bac, and now has transitioned into her position as a PhD student in August 2024. Rebecca graduated from Texas A&M (class of 2022) with an undergraduate degree in psychology. Her research interests lie in attention control mechanisms effect on agency and reward-based and self-based attentional biases. She chose to work in the Attention, Memory, and Perception lab at the University of Notre Dame because of their influential work that has been conducted on attention control and its influence on other cognitive processes. She knew that she could utilize her background in reward based experiential learning to conduct theoretically important research that examines other aspects of experience based attention control with the guidance of Dr. Gibson. She plans to become a professor that continues to develop the research on learning and attention control.

Danielle Sterling, MSc.

Graduate Student

Class of 2029

Hometown: Victorville, California

Danielle Sterling joined the AMP lab in Summer of 2024 as a PhD student. Danielle previously received her B.Sc. in Biopsychology, and then went on to earn her M.Sc. in Child and Adolescent Developmental Psychology. Her research interests center on emotional dysregulation and mood, perception, cognition, and trait specific properties of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder, within child and adolescent populations. Danielle examines these factors from an intersectional perspective, with a special interest in Black and neurodivergent populations. In addition she aims to utilize neuromodulation (tVNS and neurofeedback) and neuroimaging (EEG and fMRI) in her research studies

Matthew Klein has short blond hair and is wearing a blue long sleeve shirt.

Matthew Klein, B.A.

Graduate Student

Class of 2030

Hometown: Palm Springs, California

Matthew is a PhD student in the AMP lab who joined in 2025 due to his great interest in the cognitive mechanisms involved in attention, learning, and memory. His background studying both the psychology and philosophy of attention at Concordia University Irvine informs his interdisciplinary perspective in the lab. Matthew's research interests include how the intersections of attention and memory give way to learning, how students can use insights about memory to bolster their own long-term recall, and how professors can design classes that produce better learning outcomes for students. He is also interested in testing the modern frameworks of attention to verify the validity of their assumptions.

Samantha McCarthy

Undergraduate Independent Researcher

Class of 2026

Hometown: Vienna, Virginia

Sammie first joined the AMP lab because of her interest in mental health as it relates to cognition and memory. She wanted to investigate how memory and perception affect our outlook on life. Sammie plans to apply to medical school after she graduates in 2026.

Lily Fratantonio

Undergraduate Independent Researcher

Class of 2027

Hometown: Hudson, Ohio

Lily first joined the AMP lab to explore her interest in the intersection between neuroscience and psychology, specifically how the workings of the brain cause various thoughts and behaviors. She plans to apply to medical school in the future and aspires to work in neurosurgery, neurology, or psychiatry. Lily is a coxswain on Notre Dame's women's rowing team and is passionate about athletics and fitness.

Cyra Brown

Undergraduate Independent Researcher

Class of 2027

Hometown: Houston, Texas

Cyra first joined the AMP Lab because she has always been fascinated by how the brain shapes perception and how easily reality can be interpreted in different ways. She is curious about the cognitive processes that guide attention, interpretation, and subjective experience, and enjoys exploring how perception influences the way we understand the world. Outside of research, she enjoys reading, drawing, and painting.

Sydney Park

Undergraduate Senior Research Assistant

Sydney is sitting in front of the golden dome. She has long black hair and is wearing a red sweater.

Class of 2027

Hometown: Corvallis, Oregon

Sydney joined the AMP lab her freshman year. As a neuroscience major and peace studies minor, she is interested in identity and community formation on the neurological level, and she is passionate about understanding the origins and backgrounds of marginalized communities in order to better meet their specific needs in the context of conflict resolution and harm reduction. In her free time, she enjoys playing piano and electric bass. After graduation, she hopes to attend medical school!

Nicoletta Miner

Senior Undergraduate Research Assistant

Class of 2026

Hometown: Staten Island, New York

Nicoletta joined the AMP Lab because of her genuine interest in the complexity of the mind. During her senior year of high school, she conducted an independent study in which she performed a literary analysis that culminated in a thesis paper titled “The Complexity of ADHD: How Generalized Anxiety Disorder Affects Early Diagnosis and Treatment in Women.” She thought this lab would be the perfect continuation of her research. Nicoletta is a Science Preprofessional major and has plans to apply to medical school after graduation.

Melanie Avila-Martinez

Senior Undergraduate Research Assistant

Class of 2026

Hometown: Chicago, Illinois

I joined the AMP lab because I have a strong interest in psychology, particularly in cognition. As a psychology and studio art double major, I am fascinated by how human perception works and how it influences the reality we live in. Whether it is understanding a diverse group of people or creating artwork, I am always curious about how people perceive the world around them. In the AMP lab, I was captivated by how attention, visual perception, and other cognitive processes are observed and researched. After completing my undergraduate degree, I plan to pursue a PhD in a psychology-related field.

Lily Mesler

Senior Undergraduate Research Assistant

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Class of 2028

Hometown: Rome, Pennsylvania

Lily first joined the AMP lab because of her interest in cognitive science, which stemmed from watching the science television series "Brain Games" as a child. Since then, she has developed an interest in researching cognitive disorders and conditions, such as ADHD. She would like to further investigate how various individuals regulate cognitive mechanisms, like attention, memory, and perception, that impact their focus and productivity. Through the AMP lab, Lily hopes to develop the skills necessary for research design, data collection, and data analysis to help contribute to our understanding of cognition and the inner working of the brain. Lily plans to apply to medical school after finishing her undergraduate studies, with an interest in the fields of neurology and psychiatry.

Miles Fowler

Senior Undergraduate Research Assistant

Head shot of Miles. He has short brown hair and is wearing a Notre Dame rowing polo shirt.

Class of 2027

Hometown: Fairbanks, Alaska

Growing up in Fairbanks, Alaska I experienced living with underrepresented groups in rural and isolated communities, and wanted to connect my love for Neuroscience with research. When introduced to the AMP Lab it interested me to join as it tied my interests of looking into psychological and neurological topics within all types of people together. After graduating Notre Dame with a degree in Neuroscience and Behavior I plan to purse a Degree of Medicine, before returning to my home state of Alaska to practice Oncology or Primary Care. Some of my hobbies include watching sports, enjoying golf, and playing club hockey here on campus.

Will Marasco

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Class of 2027

Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Will joined the AMP lab because of his interest in human psychology and the inner workings of the brain. Over the course of his time with the AMP lab team, he hopes to understand more about how our brain is able to store and recall different processes after first learning them. He plans to attend dental school after graduating from Notre Dame.

Kathleen Buhrfiend

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Kathleen is standing in front of the golden dome. She has long blonde hair and is wearing a blue dress.

Class of 2026

Hometown: Elmhurst, Illinois

Kathleen learned about the AMP lab through the Behavioral Science Research Lab Fair. She has always been interested in psychology and how it applies to the medical field. The AMP lab's research specifically with disordered eating piqued her interest as she feels it is very relevant in a college environment. Kathleen plans to apply to medical school in the summer and is excited to diversify her knowledge in the healthcare field through her work in the AMP lab.

Maureen Buhrfiend

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Class of 2027

Hometown: Elmhurst, Illinois

Maureen Buhrfiend joined the AMP lab because of her curiosity with the mind, brain, and cognition. She is especially drawn to the ways that attention, perception, and other cognitive processes interact with one another to form the world around us. Maureen plans to continue her Science Preprofessional major with a minor in Patient Advocacy here at the University of Notre Dame with the goal of graduating and moving on to medical school. She has loved her studies so far and looks forward to the next few years!

Austin Marchand

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Class of 2028

Hometown: Raleigh, North Carolina

Austin Marchand first joined the AMP lab to pursue his interests in perception, specifically through neurodivergence, while also engaging in a thoughtful, collaborative research community. As an English and Pre-Health major, Austin plans to continue to explore the intersection of public health and the humanities at Notre Dame before applying to medical school following graduation. Outside of the classroom, Austin loves backpacking across Appalachia and working as a summer camp counselor.

Mara Hindi

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Class of 2028

Hometown: San Diego, California

Mara joined the AMP lab not only because of an interest in the mind, brain, and cognition, but also out of a deep curiosity about underrepresented groups and the exploration of cognitive differences among diverse populations. She fins it fascinating to use scientific methods to uncover the ways in which attention and other cognitive processes function. She plans to apply to MD-PhD programs in the spring of 2028, with the PhD component focusing on neuroscience and/or cognitive science.

Stacey Afriyie

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Class of 2027

Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio

Stacey joined the AMP lab due to her interest in cognition and brain function. Eager to explore how perception and attention influence behavior and fascinated by the power of the mind, she aims to understand its role in human development. After graduation, Stacey plans to attend medical school to pursue her passion for medicine. Outside the lab, she enjoys attending basketball games, reading, watching movies, singing, and traveling.

Ashley Zuniga de Alba

Undergraduate Research Assistant

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Class of 2028

Hometown: Detroit, Michigan

Ashley first joined the AMP lab because of her interest in brain and cognition. She is majoring in Neuroscience and Behavior and has a focus on developmental and clinical psychology. In her free time she enjoys traveling, running, and hanging out with friends.After graduation, Ashley plans on attending medical school and pursuing a career as a Pediatric neurologist.

Carson Goodrich

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Class of 2028

Hometown: Greensboro, North Carolina

Carson Goodrich first joined the AMP lab due to his interest in memory and cognition. He believed that it would be extremely interesting to use different research methods to learn more about different parts of the human memory and how this relates to our cognition and perception of the world. Carson is currently studying Neuroscience and Behavior with a Bachelor's in Science and hopes to attend Medical School after completing his undergraduate degree at Notre Dame.

Samuel Iskander

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Samuel is standing in front of some trees. He has short black hair and is wearing a black blazer.

Class of 2028

Hometown: Dallas, Texas

My name is Sam and I'm currently a sophomore neuroscience major. I'm very interested in the psychological and neurological systems of the human body and how they apply to clinical settings. My plans after graduation are to hopefully attend medical school and to become a neurological pediatrician.

Kelsey Ritchie

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Class of 2028

Hometown: Santa Monica, California

Kelsey is a Neuroscience major who joined the AMP due to her interest in memory and individual differences in attention. She is also very interested in neuropsychology and the study of neurological disorders, and hopes to pursue related research in the future. Outside of the lab, Kelsey loves to dance and perform, watch movies, and play with her dogs.

Mikayla Olsen

Mikayla is standing is a field. She has long blonde hair and is wearing a white dress.

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Class of 2028

Hometown: Kings Park, New York

Mikayla first joined the AMP lab because of her fascination with the brain and how attention plays such a vital role in shaping the human experience. She is especially interested in the intersection of neuroscience and psychology, and how habits, trauma, and perception can alter the way people think and live. Mikayla hopes to pursue graduate studies in neuropsychology and be able to help people flourish with her understanding of cognitive science.

Andrea Lopez

Andrea is smiling and sitting down. She has long brown hair and is wearing a black blazer.

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Class of 2028

Hometown: Miami, Florida

Andrea was first introduced to the AMP lab by participating in a study which sparked her interest in the intersection of attention, memory, and visual perception. She particularly curious about ADHD and its relation to working memory and data processing. She plans to apply to medical school next year and further develop her understanding of the cognitive processes involved with improving patient care.

Valentina Villegas

Valentina is standing in her yard. She has long brown hair and is wearing a white dress with blue flowers.

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Class of 2027

Hometown: Miami, Florida

Valentina first joined the AMP lab in her sophomore year because of her passion to connect science to everyday human behaviors. She grew up as a competitive dancer and is fascinated by research connecting psychology to memory and attention in movement. Valentina is also pursing a minor in Compassionate Care in Medicine in hopes to best prepare her to treat her future patients. She hopes to apply to medical school and achieve her goal of becoming a physician. Outside academics, Valentina loves to spend time by the beach, hang out with friends, and take hot yoga classes!

Molly VanDamme

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Undergraduate Research Assistant

Class of 2028

Hometown: Escanaba, Michigan

Molly VanDamme joined the AMP Lab because of her interest in the brain, behavior, and how cognition shapes human experience and daily living. As a Neuroscience and Behavior major on the pre-Physician Assistant track, she’s excited to explore how psychological research can connect to patient care and improve understanding of cognitive and emotional health. After graduation, Molly plans to attend PA school, where she hopes to build meaningful relationships with patients. Outside of academics, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, doing pilates, and going on coffee runs.

Elizabeth Ariza

Elizabeth is standing in front of a church. She has long black hair and is wearing a white dress with colorful flowers.

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Class of 2028

Hometown: South Bend, Indiana

Elizabeth joined the AMP Lab to explore the complex processes underlying human cognition and behavior, aligning with her academic goals as a neuroscience major. She is motivated by a lifelong love of learning and a desire to deepen her understanding of the mind and brain. Alongside her major, she is pursuing a Consulting minor that strengthens her human-centered problem-solving skills and complements her goal of becoming a Physician Assistant who not only treats patients, but also helps build systems of care that genuinely serve communities. She hopes to bridge medicine and compassion, combining clinical experience with innovative, community-informed approaches that address barriers and create lasting impact. Outside the lab, Elizabeth enjoys long walks with God, poetry, art, music, weight training, and traveling.

Dena Mistichelli

Dena is standing on campus. She has long blonde hair and is wearing a grey jacket.

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Class of 2027

Hometown: Watchung, New Jersey

Dena Mistichelli is a Neuroscience & Behavior major with minors in Compassionate Care in Medicine, Theology, and Dance. She has always been drawn to understanding how the body works, especially the brain, and is particularly interested in how neural mechanisms shape attention and behavior. As someone with ADHD, Dena is motivated both personally and academically to explore the neural foundations of cognition, with the hope of contributing to research that may one day help others with similar experiences.
Dena plans to attend podiatry school after graduation, with a long-term goal of specializing in the care of dancers and athletes. She hopes that her background in neuroscience and her experience in research will inform a more holistic, patient-centered approach to medicine and movement health.

Bethany Dang

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Class of 2028

Hometown: Houston, Texas

Bethany joined the AMP Lab because of her strong interest in understanding the cognitive processes involved in attention and memory, particularly as they relate to ADHD. She is excited about the opportunity to contribute to research exploring how spatial and temporal contexts influence episodic memory retrieval, as these studies offer insights into attentional differences and cognitive function. Bethany plans to pursue dental school after graduation with the goal of becoming an orthodontist and providing healthcare to underserved communities around the world. In her free time, she enjoys staying active and exploring ways to combine her scientific interests with community service.

Micah Blair

Head shot of micah. She has short brown hair in braids and is wearing a purple blouse.

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Class of 2027

Hometown: Decatur, Georgia

Micah joined the AMP lab following a growing interest in the study of cognition and neural processes developed through coursework in cognitive psychology and social neuroscience. She wanted the opportunity to gain hands-on research experience and apply foundational knowledge from the classroom to real-world problems, while preparing for future research opportunities and graduate studies. Micah plans to pursue psychology at a higher level after graduation, with interests in clinical, forensic and sports psychology.