Hi there!

I began my journey at the University of Louisville as a spunky STEM student with something to prove. While there, I quickly realized I loved science and teaching and started teaching my fellow undergrads in the art and science (and stress!) of chemistry and biology. But I noticed something while teaching that stuck with me – why were my students, some of which were CLEARLY talented, choking under pressure when it came time to put their skills to the test?

To find out, I got myself involved in the Learning & Performance Lab under the wonderful guidance of Dr. Marci DeCaro. And, although I didn’t know it at the time, it began the start of an awesome journey into research. Six years later, I found myself with a doctorate in Cognitive Psychology from the University of Michigan. And what a journey it has been! I never would have thought I would be exploring all types of attention – not just the kind that stops us from getting distracted during a test, but the kind that lets us focus on the things we love, whether that be our favorite music, cooking a great meal, or an immersive gaming experience.

Now that I have your attention (pun intended), you may ask what drives my love of research. Well, in the words of Sherlock Holmes – it’s elementary, my dear Watson. I want to know how people think. How they interact with each other. And how they interact with the world around them.

All the best,

Lauren

Researcher, Designer, and Professional Nerd :)