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
Maddie Bloomberg
Hon. B.A. in Psychology, Western University
M.Sc. in Cognitive, Developmental, and Brain Sciences, Western University
Ph.D. Student, University of Toronto
Maddie is an incoming graduate student for Fall 2025. She completed her master's at Western University studying individual differences in concept learning. Her research interests center on how people learn and use conceptual knowledge, the mechanisms that support memory updating and creation, and how prior knowledge is applied to new situations. Outside of research, she enjoys being active, searching for the best iced coffee in the city, and experimenting with new recipes.
[email protected]
Hon. B.A. in Psychology, Western University
M.Sc. in Cognitive, Developmental, and Brain Sciences, Western University
Ph.D. Student, University of Toronto
Maddie is an incoming graduate student for Fall 2025. She completed her master's at Western University studying individual differences in concept learning. Her research interests center on how people learn and use conceptual knowledge, the mechanisms that support memory updating and creation, and how prior knowledge is applied to new situations. Outside of research, she enjoys being active, searching for the best iced coffee in the city, and experimenting with new recipes.
[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]
Lab Alumni (Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Fellows)
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., University of Toronto
Postdoctoral fellow, UC Berkeley
Melisa is a recent Ph.D. graduate from the MackLab! 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 was 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., University of Toronto
Postdoctoral fellow, UC Berkeley
Melisa is a recent Ph.D. graduate from the MackLab! 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 was 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]
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 completed her PhD in 2024. 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 completed her PhD in 2024. 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]
Mateja Perovic
Hon. B.Sc. in Psychology, Leiden University
M.A. in Psychology, University of Toronto
Ph.D., University of Toronto
Postdoctoral Fellow, camh
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., University of Toronto
Postdoctoral Fellow, camh
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]
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
Assistant Professor, Sungshin Women’s University
Gaeun is a PhD graduate from 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
Assistant Professor, Sungshin Women’s University
Gaeun is a PhD graduate from 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]
Past graduate student and postdoctoral fellow not listed above:
- Juliana Adema
- Anna Blumenthal - Postdoctoral Fellow, Cervo Brain Research Centre, Université Laval
Lab Manager
Jessie Song
Hon. B.Sc in Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Toronto
Jessie recently completed her undergraduate degree from the University of Toronto with 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!
[email protected]
Hon. B.Sc in Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Toronto
Jessie recently completed her undergraduate degree from the University of Toronto with 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!
[email protected]
Research Assistants
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.
Linda He
University of Toronto, 5th Year Undergraduate
Psychology Research Specialist, Bioethics and Sociology Minor
Linda is an incoming thesis student in the MackLab. She is passionate about cognitive neuroscience research, and is currently working on projects investigating semantic memory updating during category exception learning and the psychophysiological signatures of insight. She has additional interests in understanding how neurological and psychiatric disorders impact cognitive functioning. Outside of the lab, she enjoys bouldering, practicing ballet, playing guitar, and listening to live music.
University of Toronto, 5th Year Undergraduate
Psychology Research Specialist, Bioethics and Sociology Minor
Linda is an incoming thesis student in the MackLab. She is passionate about cognitive neuroscience research, and is currently working on projects investigating semantic memory updating during category exception learning and the psychophysiological signatures of insight. She has additional interests in understanding how neurological and psychiatric disorders impact cognitive functioning. Outside of the lab, she enjoys bouldering, practicing ballet, playing guitar, and listening to live music.
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]
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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