Lab Members
Principal Investigator
Michael Mack, PhD
Associate Professor Department of Psychology Ph.D. in Psychology, Vanderbilt University, 2011 M.Sc. in Computer Science, Michigan State, 2005 B.Sc. in Computer Science, Michigan State, 2003 View CV |
Want to join the team?We are always looking for motivated undergraduates or recent grads interested in research experience. Visit this page for more details. |
Postdoctoral Fellows
Frida Printzlau
B.A. in Psychology and Philosophy, University of Oxford
Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford
Postdoc, University of Toronto
Frida is a postdoc with the Mack Lab and the Fukuda lab. She is interested in flexible cognition: How do mental representations adapt to varying contexts and task demands in support of behavioural goals? In her current research, she uses a combination of behavioural methods and neuroimaging to study how category learning biases attention and working memory.
[email protected]
B.A. in Psychology and Philosophy, University of Oxford
Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford
Postdoc, University of Toronto
Frida is a postdoc with the Mack Lab and the Fukuda lab. She is interested in flexible cognition: How do mental representations adapt to varying contexts and task demands in support of behavioural goals? In her current research, she uses a combination of behavioural methods and neuroimaging to study how category learning biases attention and working memory.
[email protected]
Sagana Vijayarajah
B.Sc. in Psychology, York University
M.A. in Psychology, University of Toronto
Ph.D. in Psychology, University of Toronto
Sagana is a postdoc with the Mack Lab and Dr. Meg Schlichting's lab. She is interested in exploring the developmental changes in memory that occur from childhood to adulthood and how they impact decision-making and learning strategies. In her spare time, she likes to bike, paint, and spend time with family and friends.
[email protected]
B.Sc. in Psychology, York University
M.A. in Psychology, University of Toronto
Ph.D. in Psychology, University of Toronto
Sagana is a postdoc with the Mack Lab and Dr. Meg Schlichting's lab. She is interested in exploring the developmental changes in memory that occur from childhood to adulthood and how they impact decision-making and learning strategies. In her spare time, she likes to bike, paint, and spend time with family and friends.
[email protected]
Graduate Students
Mateja Perovic
Hon. B.Sc. in Psychology, Leiden University
M.A. in Psychology, University of Toronto
Ph.D. Student, University of Toronto
Mateja's primary research interest is in leveraging computational models to study how category learning varies across the menstrual cycle. She has previously studied effects of ovarian hormones on cognition in the context of polycystic ovary syndrome, and early estradiol deprivation. Her secondary research interest is in psychosocial stress and cognitive aging. She primarily studies this in the context of early life adversity and dementia risk. She spends her free time reading, hiking, and petting as many dogs as possible.
[email protected]
Hon. B.Sc. in Psychology, Leiden University
M.A. in Psychology, University of Toronto
Ph.D. Student, University of Toronto
Mateja's primary research interest is in leveraging computational models to study how category learning varies across the menstrual cycle. She has previously studied effects of ovarian hormones on cognition in the context of polycystic ovary syndrome, and early estradiol deprivation. Her secondary research interest is in psychosocial stress and cognitive aging. She primarily studies this in the context of early life adversity and dementia risk. She spends her free time reading, hiking, and petting as many dogs as possible.
[email protected]
Melisa Gumus
Hon. B.Sc. in Neuroscience and Mathematics, University of Toronto
M.S. from Institute of Medical of Science, University of Toronto & Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Ph.D. Student, University of Toronto
Melisa is an incoming graduate student for Fall 2021! In her Master's, Melisa investigated the link between cognitive outcomes and structural/functional brain changes in post-concussion and CTE patients, being supervised by Dr. Carmela Tartaglia and collaborating with Dr. Mack. She is also part of the DTI team at the Mack Lab, that studies the interaction between differences in white matter tracts and learning performance during rapid categorization using computational models. She has been part of the lab since the beginning and previously served as a lab manager. She believes that math can solve anything, even the complexity of the human brain.
[email protected]
Hon. B.Sc. in Neuroscience and Mathematics, University of Toronto
M.S. from Institute of Medical of Science, University of Toronto & Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Ph.D. Student, University of Toronto
Melisa is an incoming graduate student for Fall 2021! In her Master's, Melisa investigated the link between cognitive outcomes and structural/functional brain changes in post-concussion and CTE patients, being supervised by Dr. Carmela Tartaglia and collaborating with Dr. Mack. She is also part of the DTI team at the Mack Lab, that studies the interaction between differences in white matter tracts and learning performance during rapid categorization using computational models. She has been part of the lab since the beginning and previously served as a lab manager. She believes that math can solve anything, even the complexity of the human brain.
[email protected]
Dory (Yongzhen) Xie
Hon. B.Sc. in Psychology, University of Toronto
Ph.D. Student, University of Toronto
Dory's research focuses on the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying the building of concept knowledge. She is particularly interested in how individuals acquire sophisticated concepts, like those involving exceptions. She uses a combination of behvioral, modeling, and fMRI techniques to inspect the representational dynamics in concept learning. In her spare time, she enjoys creating digital arts, sculpting, coding, and studying anthropods.
[email protected]
Hon. B.Sc. in Psychology, University of Toronto
Ph.D. Student, University of Toronto
Dory's research focuses on the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying the building of concept knowledge. She is particularly interested in how individuals acquire sophisticated concepts, like those involving exceptions. She uses a combination of behvioral, modeling, and fMRI techniques to inspect the representational dynamics in concept learning. In her spare time, she enjoys creating digital arts, sculpting, coding, and studying anthropods.
[email protected]
Robyn Wilford
B.Sc. in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Western University
Ph.D. Student, University of Toronto
Robyn is a PhD student at the University of Toronto supervised by Dr. Katherine Duncan and is doing an outside project with the Mack Lab. Broadly, her research interests involve understanding the brain as a complex dynamical system nonlinearly coupled to behavioural and environmental processes. She is applying dynamical systems theory methods to better understand the relationship between perception and memory of events using fMRI. In particular, her goal is to develop neuroimaging methods and tools to study this relationship at the individual level of analysis. In her free time, she enjoys watching science fiction, reading epic fantasy novels, and drawing.
[email protected]
B.Sc. in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Western University
Ph.D. Student, University of Toronto
Robyn is a PhD student at the University of Toronto supervised by Dr. Katherine Duncan and is doing an outside project with the Mack Lab. Broadly, her research interests involve understanding the brain as a complex dynamical system nonlinearly coupled to behavioural and environmental processes. She is applying dynamical systems theory methods to better understand the relationship between perception and memory of events using fMRI. In particular, her goal is to develop neuroimaging methods and tools to study this relationship at the individual level of analysis. In her free time, she enjoys watching science fiction, reading epic fantasy novels, and drawing.
[email protected]
Lab Alumni (Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Fellows)
Gaeun Son
B.A. in Psychology, Yonsei University
M.S. in Cognitive Science, Yonsei University
Ph.D., University of Toronto
Postdoctoral Fellow, Park Lab, Yonsei University
Gaeun is a PhD student with the BWLab and Mack Lab. Her research interest is in the interaction between perception and memory. During her Master’s, she worked on how ensemble perception impacts on visual working memory with Dr. Sang Chul Chong. Now she is expanding her research into various aspects of perception and memory in a realistic visual environment.
[email protected]
B.A. in Psychology, Yonsei University
M.S. in Cognitive Science, Yonsei University
Ph.D., University of Toronto
Postdoctoral Fellow, Park Lab, Yonsei University
Gaeun is a PhD student with the BWLab and Mack Lab. Her research interest is in the interaction between perception and memory. During her Master’s, she worked on how ensemble perception impacts on visual working memory with Dr. Sang Chul Chong. Now she is expanding her research into various aspects of perception and memory in a realistic visual environment.
[email protected]
Emily Heffernan
B.A.Sc. in Electrical Engineering, Queen’s University
M.A. in Experimental Psychology, University of Toronto
Ph.D., University of Toronto
Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Toronto
After a brief stint in tech after completing her undergraduate degree, Emily chose to return to academia to pursue her passion for learning and teaching. She completed her MA at Mack Lab in 2020 and is currently working on her PhD. Emily is interested in combining computational models and neuroimaging data to better understand how we learn. Her research is fuelled by large amounts of tea, hiking/camping trips, and frequent yoga sessions.
[email protected]
B.A.Sc. in Electrical Engineering, Queen’s University
M.A. in Experimental Psychology, University of Toronto
Ph.D., University of Toronto
Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Toronto
After a brief stint in tech after completing her undergraduate degree, Emily chose to return to academia to pursue her passion for learning and teaching. She completed her MA at Mack Lab in 2020 and is currently working on her PhD. Emily is interested in combining computational models and neuroimaging data to better understand how we learn. Her research is fuelled by large amounts of tea, hiking/camping trips, and frequent yoga sessions.
[email protected]
Past graduate student and postdoctoral fellow not listed above:
- Juliana Adema
- Anna Blumenthal - Postdoctoral Fellow, Cervo Brain Research Centre, Université Laval
Lab Manager
Sanjivan Loganathan
Hon. B.Sc. in Psychology & Human Biology, University of Toronto
Sanjivan is a fourth-year Bachelor of Science student graduating this June with a focus on psychology and human biology at the University of Toronto. His research interests are in understanding how dynamical systems interact and give rise to such nuanced cognition. His current research investigates the effects of goal-directed locomotion on memory to better understand how memory processing is cognitively embodied. Outside of the lab, I play chess, watch TV shows, or catch up with friends!
[email protected]
Hon. B.Sc. in Psychology & Human Biology, University of Toronto
Sanjivan is a fourth-year Bachelor of Science student graduating this June with a focus on psychology and human biology at the University of Toronto. His research interests are in understanding how dynamical systems interact and give rise to such nuanced cognition. His current research investigates the effects of goal-directed locomotion on memory to better understand how memory processing is cognitively embodied. Outside of the lab, I play chess, watch TV shows, or catch up with friends!
[email protected]
Research Assistants
Christine Arrabito
University of Toronto, 3rd year Undergraduate
Neuroscience Specialist, Psychology Major, Physiology Minor.
Chris is an ROP student working under the supervision of Dory. She is interested in combining neuroimaging data with verbal data and computational models to understand the neural mechanisms of category learning. In her spare time, she enjoys illustrating characters, playing video games and visiting the ROM and AGO.
University of Toronto, 3rd year Undergraduate
Neuroscience Specialist, Psychology Major, Physiology Minor.
Chris is an ROP student working under the supervision of Dory. She is interested in combining neuroimaging data with verbal data and computational models to understand the neural mechanisms of category learning. In her spare time, she enjoys illustrating characters, playing video games and visiting the ROM and AGO.
Linda He
University of Toronto, 4th Year Undergraduate
Psychology Research Specialist, Bioethics and Sociology Minors
Linda is an ROP student in the Mack Lab investigating prediction error during category exception learning and its impacts on fact learning. She is passionate about cognitive neuroscience research, particularly relating to the mechanisms underlying working memory, attention and consciousness. She has additional interests in understanding the cognitive basis of dissociative disorders, as well as studying the intersections of philosophy and psychology. Outside of the lab, she enjoys practicing ballet, playing guitar, singing and reading.
University of Toronto, 4th Year Undergraduate
Psychology Research Specialist, Bioethics and Sociology Minors
Linda is an ROP student in the Mack Lab investigating prediction error during category exception learning and its impacts on fact learning. She is passionate about cognitive neuroscience research, particularly relating to the mechanisms underlying working memory, attention and consciousness. She has additional interests in understanding the cognitive basis of dissociative disorders, as well as studying the intersections of philosophy and psychology. Outside of the lab, she enjoys practicing ballet, playing guitar, singing and reading.
Yao (Frances) Chen
University of Toronto, 3rd Year Undergraduate
Psychology Specialist, Criminology and Sociolegal Studies Major
Frances is fascinated by the process of memory retention and loss, as well as diseases associated with memory impairment, such as Alzheimer's. In her free time, she plays video gaming, delves into diverse books, catches up on films and TV shows, and explores restaurants with friends!
[email protected]
University of Toronto, 3rd Year Undergraduate
Psychology Specialist, Criminology and Sociolegal Studies Major
Frances is fascinated by the process of memory retention and loss, as well as diseases associated with memory impairment, such as Alzheimer's. In her free time, she plays video gaming, delves into diverse books, catches up on films and TV shows, and explores restaurants with friends!
[email protected]
Janice Jianqi Hou
University of Toronto, 3rd Year Undergraduate
Psychology Specialist, Statistics Major
Janice is eager to explore the factors that affect people’s learning ability and memory. She is also interested in dealing with raw data whilst learning new lines of code (nerd). In her free time, she loves watching crime movies, listening to K-pop songs and making plans.
[email protected]
University of Toronto, 3rd Year Undergraduate
Psychology Specialist, Statistics Major
Janice is eager to explore the factors that affect people’s learning ability and memory. She is also interested in dealing with raw data whilst learning new lines of code (nerd). In her free time, she loves watching crime movies, listening to K-pop songs and making plans.
[email protected]
Paige Denega
B.A, McMaster University
Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behavior
Paige is a recent graduate from McMaster’s Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour program. She is interested in researching developmental psychology to understand the social and cognitive changes that occur throughout childhood. In her free time, Paige enjoys camping, listening to music and playing tennis.
B.A, McMaster University
Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behavior
Paige is a recent graduate from McMaster’s Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour program. She is interested in researching developmental psychology to understand the social and cognitive changes that occur throughout childhood. In her free time, Paige enjoys camping, listening to music and playing tennis.
Julia Gonsalves
University of Toronto, 4th Year Undergraduate
Psychology Research Specialist
Julia is a fourth-year undergraduate student in the Psychology Research Specialist Program. She is interested in learning about cognitive processes in children, and how these processes may differ in children who have neurodevelopmental disorders. In her free time, she enjoys finding new music, reading, and exploring Toronto with friends.
University of Toronto, 4th Year Undergraduate
Psychology Research Specialist
Julia is a fourth-year undergraduate student in the Psychology Research Specialist Program. She is interested in learning about cognitive processes in children, and how these processes may differ in children who have neurodevelopmental disorders. In her free time, she enjoys finding new music, reading, and exploring Toronto with friends.
Rajdeep Kalsi
B.Sc, University of Toronto
Psychology Specialist
Rajdeep graduated from UofT after completing a BSc degree, specializing in psychology. She is interested in developmental psychology, especially how memory changes over time as well as how young children learn and make sense of the world. In her spare time, Rajdeep enjoys reading, watching movies, and hiking!
B.Sc, University of Toronto
Psychology Specialist
Rajdeep graduated from UofT after completing a BSc degree, specializing in psychology. She is interested in developmental psychology, especially how memory changes over time as well as how young children learn and make sense of the world. In her spare time, Rajdeep enjoys reading, watching movies, and hiking!
Jessie Song
University of Toronto, 4th Year Undergraduate
Neuroscience and Psychology Double Major
Jessie is a fourth-year undergraduate student pursuing a double major in neuroscience and psychology. She is interested in studying the neural mechanisms that allow people to learn and remember so many different things, and how these processes change throughout development. Outside of the lab, Jessie enjoys listening to classical music, playing video games, and drawing!
University of Toronto, 4th Year Undergraduate
Neuroscience and Psychology Double Major
Jessie is a fourth-year undergraduate student pursuing a double major in neuroscience and psychology. She is interested in studying the neural mechanisms that allow people to learn and remember so many different things, and how these processes change throughout development. Outside of the lab, Jessie enjoys listening to classical music, playing video games, and drawing!
Zoey Zhi Yi Lee
University of Toronto, 3rd Year Undergraduate
Cognitive Science & Psychology
Zoey is a 3rd year undergraduate studying Cognitive Science and Psychology. Currently working in the lab as a research assistant, she delves deep into unraveling the intricacies of the brain. Her passions lie in understanding behavioral patterns and how they connect to the underlying neural mechanisms using computational modeling.
[email protected]
University of Toronto, 3rd Year Undergraduate
Cognitive Science & Psychology
Zoey is a 3rd year undergraduate studying Cognitive Science and Psychology. Currently working in the lab as a research assistant, she delves deep into unraveling the intricacies of the brain. Her passions lie in understanding behavioral patterns and how they connect to the underlying neural mechanisms using computational modeling.
[email protected]
Michelle Zhao
University of Toronto, 2nd Year Undergraduate
Human Biology Major, Physiology & Immunology Minors
Michelle is a former work-study student at Mack Lab and now serves as a volunteer RA. She is keen on exploring various brain behaviors through the use of eye-tracking devices and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI). Outside the lab, she enjoys dancing, playing the piano and practicing martial arts.
[email protected]
University of Toronto, 2nd Year Undergraduate
Human Biology Major, Physiology & Immunology Minors
Michelle is a former work-study student at Mack Lab and now serves as a volunteer RA. She is keen on exploring various brain behaviors through the use of eye-tracking devices and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI). Outside the lab, she enjoys dancing, playing the piano and practicing martial arts.
[email protected]
Lab Alumni |
Collaborators |
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Past Lab Managers:
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