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Head shot of Bradley Gibson. He is wearing a tan blazer, and a white button up shirt. He has grey hair and brown eyes

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.

Lynice has shoulder length light brown hair, and brown eyes. She is smiling and is wearing a black shirt with a white blazer.

Chenlingxi Xu, M.A.

Graduate Student

Class of 2027

Hometown: Shanghai, China

Lyncie graduated from College of William & Mary with a B.S. in psychology and
sociology, and obtained her M.A. in psychology from Boston University. Her research investigates the cognitive and neural mechanisms that support memory, attention, and cognitive control. She combines behavioral experiments, EEG, TMS, and computational modeling to study how the brain maintains, prioritizes, and updates information in working memory and how the process change with normal/abnormal aging. She
likes cooking, photography and surfing.

Jerry has short black hair and is wearing a button up made of denim. He has two googly eye pens held in front of his eyes, and he is smiling.

Jiarui Yang (Jerry), B.A.

Graduate Student

Class of 2029

Hometown: Chengdu, China

Jerry joins the lab as a third-year PhD student. He graduated in 2024 from New York University with a degree in Psychology. His research focuses on peripheral visual perception , and figure-ground perception. Using behavioral experiments, psychophysics, eye-tracking, and computational modeling, he studies how the visual system constructs a vivid perceptual world from limited and often ambiguous sensory input. Outside the AMP Lab, he enjoyes cooking, hiking, coffee, playing mahjong 🀄️, and spending time with his lovely cat, Weiwei.

William Seacrest has short brown hair and brown eyes. He is wearing a Navy Blue shirt.

William Secrest, B.A.

Graduate Student

Class of 2030

Hometown: La Vernia, Texas

I am a 2nd year graduate student joining the AMP Lab. I came to Notre Dame after completing my B.S. in Psychology at Texas A&M University (class of 2025). My research interests lie broadly in visual cognition, with an emphasis on attention, visual search, and distraction related to socio-emotional information, individual differences, etc... After obtaining my PhD, I hope to work as a professor, teaching others about cognitive psychology and produce more fascinating research on what our eyes can tell us about the human mind!

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.

Miles Fowler

Undergraduate Independent Researcher

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

Class of 2027

Hometown: Fairbanks, Alaska

Miles joined the AMP Lab to explore his interest in the intersection of physiological and psychological processes, particularly how these systems shape behavior across diverse and underrepresented populations. Growing up in Fairbanks, Alaska, he developed a strong connection to rural and underserved communities, which has been further reinforced through his clinical work. These experiences have highlighted the importance of understanding both the biological and behavioral aspects of health, and continue to shape his interest in research that addresses disparities in care. He plans to apply to medical school and aspires to pursue a career in oncology, either as a surgeon or pediatric oncologist. Outside of the lab, Miles enjoys watching sports, playing golf, and being on the club hockey team at the University of Notre Dame.

Andrea Lopez

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Undergraduate Executive Researcher

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.

Sydney Park

Undergraduate Executive 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 studying agency and community formation at the psychological level, and is passionate about understanding the origins and backgrounds of underrepresented populations to aid in their empowerment. In her free time, she enjoys playing piano and electric bass. After graduation, she hopes to attend medical school!

Kelsey Ritchie

Undergraduate Executive 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.

Molly VanDamme

Molly is standing on a river bank. She has long blond hair and is wearing a navy blue blouse.

Undergraduate Executive 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.

Will Marasco

Undergraduate Associate 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.

Maureen Buhrfiend

Undergraduate Associate 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!

Valentina Villegas

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

Undergraduate Associate Research Assistant

Class of 2027

Hometown: Miami, Florida

Valentina has been with the AMP Lab since her sophomore year She is a neuroscience major from Miami, FL. She plans to apply to medical school this upcoming year. She grew up as a competitive dancer and hopes to continue pursuing her passion for dance alongside her studies of neuroscience. Outside research, she enjoys going to the beach with her friends, trying new coffee shops, and going to hot yoga.

Maddox Gerger

Undergraduate Associate Research Assistant

Class of 2027

Hometown: Chatham, Illinois

I am a senior Neuroscience major with a Foundations of Business minor. My focus in the lab will be assisting Jerry Yang whose research focuses are peripheral visual perception and figure-ground perception. I love to play sports in my free time, and I am from the same town as Abraham Lincoln.

Austin Marchand

Undergraduate Associate Research Assistant

Class of 2028

Hometown: Raleigh, North Carolina

Austin Marchand first joined the AMP lab as a sophomore 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 a gap year after graduation.

Stacey Afriyie

Undergraduate Associate 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.

Samuel Iskander

Undergraduate Associate 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.

Mikayla Olsen

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

Undergraduate Associate 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.

Dena Mistichelli

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

Undergraduate Associate 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.

Micah Blair

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

Undergraduate Associate 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. After graduation, Micah hopes to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology with a focus on forensic psychology. In her free time, she enjoys training for the Chicago Marathon, studying Korean, and reading.

Caley Mitchell

Caley is standing in front of a dorm hall at the University of Notre Dame. She has long blond hair and brown eyes. She is wearing a black dress and is smiling at the camera.

Undergraduate Associate Research Assistant

Class of 2027

Hometown: Evanston, Illinois

Caley joined the AMP lab in a transition from Dr. Brockmole's Visual Cognition Laboratory. From her previous experience researching how visual attention is directed, she was eager to learn more behind the voluntary control of attention and memory. She wanted to explore how information is retrieved and the control each person has over this retrieval. Caley plans to apply to medical school next spring.

Elizabeth Coleman

Elizabeth has brown eyes and long blond hair. She is smiling at the camera.

Undergraduate Associate Research Assistant

Class of 2027

Hometown: Annapolis, Maryland

Elizabeth joined the AMP lab because she is passionate about how the mind works, especially how it allocates attention to various visual stimuli for processing. She is also super interested in how neuroimaging tools can be used to study these neural processes. Elizabeth hopes to attend medical school following her graduation and go into surgery.

Charlotte Gray

Charlotte has brown hair and eyes. She is wearing a pink dress with a flower pattern, and she is smiling at the camera.

Undergraduate Associate Research Assistant

Class of 2027

Hometown: Plainfield, New Jersey

Charlotte is a Psychology Pre-Health major minoring in Compassionate Care in Medicine. She joined the AMP lab driven by a fascination with cognitive psychology and a desire to map the brain’s complex role in how we perceive the world. Her research interests center on the vital roles memory and attention play in daily life. Utilizing scientific frameworks, she seeks to decode the subtle interactions behind everyday mental functions. Upon completing her undergraduate degree, Charlotte intends to apply to medical school with the goal of specializing in pediatric oncology.

Emaline Morse

Emaline has light brown hair and has brown eyes. She is wearing a light brown sweater and is smiling at the camera.

Undergraduate Associate Research Assistant

Class of 2028

Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana

Emaline joined the AMP lab due to her deep interest in memory and cognition. She loves working with others and enjoys the way the research we conduct interacts with what she learns in class. Emaline plans to apply for law school in the Fall of 2027, wanting to work towards bettering educational government policy.

Amelia Feix

Mia is wearing an orange dress, and has long brown hair. She is seated on a marble bench in front of the Taj Mahal.

Undergraduate Entry-Level Research Assistant

Class of 2027

Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona

Mia first joined the AMP lab because of her experience as a participant in some of their research. She enjoyed being able to experience firsthand the nuances of researching attention, memory, and perception, and how those processes are similar and different at the same time. After graduating, Mia plans to take a gap year and will be applying to medical schools in the Fall. She is unsure of her desired future specialty, but is currently interested in pediatrics, psychiatry, and anesthesiology. In her free time, you can catch Mia in McGlinn Hall, where is is an RA, in the library, or at Cafe J.

Nataly Ruiz

Nataly has long brown hair and brown eyes. She is wearing a Navy blue graduation gown and is smiling at the camera.

Undergraduate Entry-Level Research Assistant

Class of 2029

Hometown: Montclair, New Jersey

Nataly joined the AMP Lab because of her interest in cognition and the ways attention, perception, and memory shape how people understand and interact with the world. She was especially drawn to the lab’s research on attention and ADHD and is excited to learn more about how differences in attention and cognitive processing influence behavior and daily life. Nataly is double majoring in Neuroscience and Chinese and hopes to attend law school in the future to explore the intersection of cognition, neuroscience, and the legal system.

Jazmin Zamudio-Ramiez

Jazmin has long brown hair and brown eyes. She is wearing a white button up shirt and is smiling at the camera.

Undergraduate Entry-Level Research Assistant

Class of 2027

Hometown: Detroit, Michigan

Jazmin first joined the AMP lab because of a longstanding interest in human behavior, neurodevelopment, and the complexities of the mind. She is particularly fascinated by the application of the scientific method to understand conditions like ADHD and their unique manifestations across different populations. Jazmin is currently majoring in psychology and plans to graduate in May 2027. Following graduation, she intends to pursue a Direct Entry MSN program to become a Nurse Practitioner, with a long-term goal of specializing in women’s health within rural and underserved communities. Outside of the lab, they are an avid outdoorsman who enjoys deer hunting and exploring the wilderness, and they share their home with two cats and a dog.

Anna Ruess

Anna has long, light brown hair and brown eyes. She is leaning against a wall, and is wearing a white dress.

Undergraduate Entry-Level Research Assistant

Class of 2029

Hometown: Oak Park, Illinois

Anna first joined the AMP lab because of her interest in the complexity of cognitive functions and how they impact attention, memory, and perception in different ways. Through working as an OT Assistant, she's had a specific interest in the impact of different mental health disorders and developmental disorders on the brain and how people operate.

Matea Savic

Matea has long brown hair and brown eyes. She is smiling at the camera and is wearing a white dress.

Undergraduate Entry-Level Research Assistant

Class of 2029

Hometown: Munster, Indiana

Matea first joined the AMP lab because of her interest in understanding brain mechanisms and how neural processes, especially those involved in memory, shape behavior. As a Neuroscience and Behavior major with a minor in Compassionate Care in Medicine, she is especially interested in connecting scientific research with patient centered care. After graduation, Matea plans to attend medical school and pursue a career as a neurosurgeon.

Daniel Lee

Daniel has brown eyes and short brown hair. He is wearing a dark blue jacket and is looking at the camera.

Undergraduate Associate Research Assistant

Class of 2029

Hometown: Orange, California

Daniel first joined the AMP Lab because of his longstanding interest in how the brain stores and retrieves memories and how these processes can change in disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. His interest in neuroscience began in high school, when he wrote a research paper on the interplay between genetics and environment in Alzheimer’s disease. This experience deepened his interest in cognition and memory and ultimately led him to major in Neuroscience. After graduation, Daniel plans to pursue medical school and hopes to incorporate research into his future career.

Clara Mayer

Clara has long blond hair and blue eyes. She is looking at the camera and is wearing a black shirt.

Undergraduate Associate Research Assistant

Class of 2029

Hometown: Titusville, New Jersey

Clara Mayer joined the AMP lab because of her strong interested in basic cognitive mechanisms. She found it fascinating how neuroimaging and mathematical modeling can be used to better understand adaptive functioning. She plans to become a physical therapist after graduating from Notre Dame.

Michelle Frias

Michelle has long brown hair and brown eyes. She is wearing a black shirt and is smiling at the camera.

Undergraduate Associate Research Assistant

Class of 2027

Hometown: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Michelle Frias is a senior majoring in Neuroscience & Behavior. She joined the AMP lab because of her interest in understanding the relationship between the mind, brain, and perception. She hopes to deepen her understanding of how sensory and perceptual processes shape human experiences. Michelle is on the pre-medical track and aspires to pursue a career in medicine, where she hopes to provide support and care to support families in underserved communities.