This research area explores the neural processes underlying mental functions such as perception, memory, attention, language, and decision-making.
Researchers investigate how brain structures and networks interact to facilitate complex cognitive tasks, aiming to understand the biological basis of thought and behavior. This area employs various methodologies, including neuroimaging, behavioral experiments, neural recording and optogenetics, and computational modeling, to examine how cognitive functions are influenced by factors such as learning, brain changes across the lifespan and neuroplasticity. Insights from this area of research are focused on addressing cognitive impairments associated with a number of conditions, including developmental disorders, normal aging and Alzheimer’s disease.
Faculty Mentors
| Name | Department | Research Area | Disease Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karina Alviña | Neuroscience | Cognition; Integrative Physiology and Behavior; Motivation and Emotion; Neural Aging and Degeneration; Neural Excitability, Synapses and Glia | Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia; Psychiatric Disorders |
| Jennifer L. Bizon | Neuroscience | Cognition; Integrative Physiology and Behavior; Motivation and Emotion; Neural Aging and Degeneration; Neural Excitability, Synapses and Glia; Sensory Systems | Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia; Substance Use Disorder |
| Paramita Chakrabarty | Neuroscience | Cognition; Development; Neural Aging and Degeneration; Neuroimmunity | Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia |
| Yenisel Cruz-Almeida | Community Dentistry & Behavioral Sciences | Cognition; Integrative Physiology and Behavior; Neural Aging and Degeneration; Sensory Systems | N/A |
| Steven T. DeKosky | Neurology/MBI | Cognition; Integrative Physiology and Behavior; Neural Aging and Degeneration | Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia |
| Darragh P. Devine | Psychology | Cognition; Development; Integrative Physiology and Behavior; Motivation and Emotion | Psychiatric Disorders |
| Mingzhou Ding | Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering | Cognition; Integrative Physiology and Behavior; Neural Aging and Degeneration; Sensory Systems | Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia; Parkinson’s Disease |
| Marcelo Febo | Psychiatry | Cognition; Integrative Physiology and Behavior; Motivation and Emotion; Neural Aging and Degeneration | Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia; Substance Use Disorder |
| Michael Jaffee | Neurology | Cognition; Integrative Physiology and Behavior; Neural Aging and Degeneration | Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia |
| Christopher G. Janus | Neuroscience | Cognition; Integrative Physiology and Behavior; Neural Aging and Degeneration | Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia |
| Habibeh Khoshbouei | Neuroscience | Cognition; Integrative Physiology and Behavior; Motivation and Emotion; Neural Aging and Degeneration; Neural Excitability, Synapses and Glia; Neuroimmunity | Substance Use Disorder |
| Ashok Kumar | Neuroscience | Cognition; Integrative Physiology and Behavior; Neural Aging and Degeneration; Neural Excitability, Synapses and Glia | Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia |
| Damon G. Lamb | Psychiatry | Cognition; Motivation and Emotion; Neural Aging and Degeneration | Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia; Psychiatric Disorders |
| Mark H. Lewis | Psychiatry | Cognition; Integrative Physiology and Behavior; Motivation and Emotion | Psychiatric Disorders |
| Ben Lewis | Psychiatry | Cognition; Integrative Physiology and Behavior; Motivation and Emotion; Neural Aging and Degeneration; Neural Excitability, Synapses and Glia; Sensory Systems | Substance Use Disorder |
| Yuqing Li | Neurology | Cognition; Development; Motor Systems; Neural Aging and Degeneration | Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia; Psychiatric Disorders |
| Carol Mathews | Psychiatry | Cognition; Development; Motivation and Emotion; Motor Systems; Neural Aging and Degeneration; Sensory Systems | Psychiatric Disorders |
| Leonid L. Moroz | Neuroscience | Cognition; Development; Integrative Physiology and Behavior; Neural Excitability, Synapses and Glia | N/A |
| Sara Jo Nixon | Psychiatry | Cognition; Integrative Physiology and Behavior; Motivation and Emotion; Neural Aging and Degeneration | Substance Use Disorder |
| Michael S. Okun | Neurology | Cognition; Integrative Physiology and Behavior; Motor Systems; Neural Aging and Degeneration; Neural Excitability, Synapses and Glia | Parkinson’s Disease |
| Karim Oweiss | Electrical and Computer Engineering | Cognition; Motor Systems; Neural Aging and Degeneration; Neural Excitability, Synapses and Glia; Sensory Systems | Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia; Spinal Cord Injury; Neuromuscular Disorders; Parkinson’s Disease |
| Nancy Padilla-Coreano | Neuroscience | Cognition; Integrative Physiology and Behavior; Motivation and Emotion | Psychiatric Disorders |
| Barry Setlow | Psychiatry | Cognition; Integrative Physiology and Behavior; Motivation and Emotion; Neural Aging and Degeneration | Psychiatric Disorders; Substance Use Disorder |
| Dan Wesson | Pharmacology and Therapeutics | Cognition; Motivation and Emotion; Sensory Systems | Substance Use Disorder |
| John B. Williamson | Psychiatry | Cognition; Integrative Physiology and Behavior; Motivation and Emotion; Neural Aging and Degeneration | Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia; Psychiatric Disorders |
| Roberto T. Zori | Pediatric Genetics | Cognition; Development; Integrative Physiology and Behavior | N/A |
Key Affiliations
1Florida Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center
Center for Addiction Research & Education
Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment
Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory Clinical Translational Research
Center for OCD, Anxiety & Related Disorders
