The cognitive neuroscience laboratory of learning and memory at the University of Pittsburgh
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​Learning in Neural Systems
LeNS lab

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Principal Investigator


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Marc N. Coutanche (he/him) is an Assistant Professor ​in Psychology, Research Scientist in the Learning Research & Development Center​, and Member of the Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition (CNBC). He completed his PhD at the University of Pennsylvania, post-doctoral training at Yale University, and received his Bachelor's degree from the University of Oxford.

e-mail: marc.coutanche@pitt.edu          CV

Graduate Students


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Heather Bruett (she/her) is a Ph.D. student in the Cognitive Psychology Program at the University of Pittsburgh. She graduated from The College of New Jersey.  When not studying learning and memory, she can often be found watching Gilmore Girls reruns and eating M&Ms.​

e-mail: heb52@pitt.edu​
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​Griffin E. Koch  (he/him) is a Ph.D. student in the Cognitive Psychology Program at the University of Pittsburgh. He graduated with a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in Psychology and German from the University of Pittsburgh, and was previously the LeNS Lab Coordinator. He is interested in studying learning and memory, as well as second-language acquisition. When he is not in the lab, Griff can be found playing or coaching soccer, or taking a nap in his hammock.

e-mail: gek21@pitt.edu​
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Xueying (Caroline) Ren (she/her) is a Ph.D. student in the Cognitive Psychology Program at the University of Pittsburgh. She graduated with a Master of Science degree from City, University of London. She is interested in applying computational and quantitative approaches to study brain patterns. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking and watching movies. Leonardo DiCaprio is her favorite actor.

email: xur1@pitt.edu
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Rae Buckser (they/them) is a Ph.D. student in the Cognitive Psychology Program at the University of Pittsburgh. They graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Purdue University before spending several years as a Research Associate in neuroimaging labs at Purdue and Pitt. Rae is interested in the neuroscience of learning and memory and the development of novel approaches for acquisition, analysis, and application of functional neuroimaging data. Outside the lab, they enjoy reading weird fiction and spending time with their cats, Mehitabel and Mae Borowski.

email: buckser@pitt.edu

Undergraduates


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Dan Volpone (he/him) is a senior majoring in Neuroscience and Psychology with minors in Chemistry and Sociology. He is currently applying to medical school. In his free time, he enjoys watching sports and spending time with friends.

email: djv23@pitt.edu
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Zoe Cribbs (she/her) is a junior studying Neuroscience and Psychology with minors in Chemistry and History. She is interested in cognitive and social psychology and the impact of learning and memory on behavior. Outside the lab, she enjoys reading, hiking, and traveling.

email: zlc4@pitt.edu
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Amy Padia (she/her) is a junior majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Chemistry. She is interested in learning about the neural mechanisms associated with learning and memory. Outside of the lab, she enjoys ballroom dancing and making friends. In the future, she plans on attending medical school.

email: amp309@pitt.edu
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Grace Qian (she/her) is a senior Psychology undergraduate student. She enjoys studying cognitive psychology, and she hopes to pursue a career in research. She is interested in exploring human cognition. Outside of research, she likes cooking and traveling.

email: xiq18@pitt.edu
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Paz Quiñones (she/her) is a junior at the University of Pittsburgh. She is majoring in Psychology with minors in Neuroscience and Gender, Sexuality, and Women Studies. On campus, she is involved in Pitt Dance Marathon and Greek life.

email: pjq2@pitt.edu

Lab Alumni


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Brandon Carlos was a Post-Baccalaureate fellow in the Hot Metal Bridge Program at the University of Pittsburgh. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology at Syracuse University. He is interested in studying learning and memory. In his free time he enjoys long drives and working out. He is currently working with Dr. Benjamin Tamber-Rosenau in the Cognitive Neuroscience Program at the University of Houston.

email: bjc89@pitt.edu​
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John Paulus (he/him) was the lab coordinator for the LeNS Lab, and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in Psychology with minors in Neuroscience and French. He is interested in understanding the underlying mechanisms of sleep and the neuroscience behind its effect on memory. In his spare time, John enjoys archery and martial arts.

e-mail: jdp71@pitt.edu
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Essang Akpan (he/him) was the fMRI Data Analyst in the LeNS Lab, and graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering. He is interested in utilizing brain imaging techniques to better study neuropsychiatry and cognitive science. Outside the lab he enjoys watching basketball, paint drying, and the latest Netflix series.

email: eaa61@pitt.edu​

Undergraduate Alumni


Toyin Ayayi
Uma Balaji
Angeleah Carreras
Sharran Chakravorty
Jasmine Issa
Claire Kolhoff
Mariah Mascara
Adam Naroden
Alex Pang
Leslie Rajendran
Ashley Revels
Meaghan Rodgers
Amber Shergill
Travis Slopek
Abigail Swire
Andre Sydnor
Swathi Tata
Carlo Vignali
Aarya Wadke
Grace Waldow
Joanna Wang

Adopted Animal


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Learning studies of the LeNS Lab often involve introducing participants to rarely known animals. The lab's adopted animal is ... the Shoebill! Learn more about the Shoebill here.
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LeNS Lab Spring 2016
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LeNS Lab Fall 2016
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LeNS Lab Spring 2017
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