Principal Investigator

Morgan Barense

Morgan Barense, Ph.D.Professor and Glassman Chair

Morgan received her B.A. from Harvard University and her Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge, UK. She remained in Cambridge for her postdoctoral work to undertake a Peterhouse Research Fellowship. She joined the faculty at the University of Toronto in 2009, was promoted to Associate Professor in 2014, and then to Full Professor in 2019. She currently holds the endowed Max and Gianna Glassman Chair in Neuropsychology and directs the Toronto Neuroimaging Facility. Trained in animal neuroscience, human neuropsychology, fMRI, and cognitive psychology, she enjoys bringing these approaches together to study the neural underpinnings of memory.

She has been honoured with a number of domestic and international awards, including a Canada Research Chair in Cognitive Neuroscience, a Young Investigator Award from the Cognitive Neuroscience Society, an Early Investigator Award and Lifetime Fellowship from the Society of Experimental Psychologists, an Early Career Award from the Canadian Society for Brain, Behaviour and Cognitive Science, a James S. McDonnell Foundation Scholar Award, an Early Researcher Award from the Province of Ontario, and a Connaught Innovation Award. In 2026, she was inducted into the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) College of New Scholars.

Postdoctoral Fellows

Emily Davis

Emily Davis, Ph.D.

I am a postdoctoral fellow working in the Memory and Perception lab. I previously completed my PhD at Brock University where I studied how memory and attention interact and how these cognitive mechanisms develop in children and change in aging. To do so, I used behavioural methods, including eye-tracking, and neuroimaging methods. During my time here, I plan to continue using these methods to explore attention, memory, and language in people with Autism. When I’m not in the lab, I’m mostly chasing around my toddler, cooking, and trying to get outside.

Brady Roberts

Brady Roberts, Ph.D.

I am a DSI postdoctoral fellow in Marketing at the Rotman School of Management, co-supervised by Morgan Barense and Ryan Webb. I completed my PhD at the University of Waterloo, followed by an NSERC postdoc with Wilma Bainbridge at the University of Chicago. My research investigates how visual design influences what we remember. I use behavioural experiments, brain imaging, and neural networks to explore what makes a design memorable or forgettable. I then leverage those insights to engineer better public safety symbols and more effective marketing assets like brand logos. When I’m not in the lab, I enjoy camping, finding new coffee shops, and taking long roadtrips on my motorcycle.

Graduate Students

Lauren Homann

Lauren Homann, B.Sc.

I joined the Memory and Perception Lab as a PhD student in 2022, after completing my Honours BSc in Psychology at the University of Waterloo. Generally, I am interested in investigating the ways in which individuals encode, modify, and retrieve complex real-world memories, leveraging behavioural and neuroimaging methodologies. Currently, my research explores methods of improving memory for one’s personal past. When I’m not in the lab, I enjoy playing the violin and piano, biking around Toronto, and honing my barista skills with my home espresso setup.

Catalina Mengyao Yang

Catalina Mengyao Yang, B.S.

I joined the lab as a graduate student in 2022 and I am co-supervised by Dr. Morgan Barense and Dr. Katherine Duncan. Before coming to UofT, I completed my B.S. degree in Neuroscience at Columbia University. I am interested in understanding the neural mechanisms by which prediction error drives memory updating, as well as how the hippocampus shifts between encoding and retrieval states. When I am not in the lab, I love to paint, make digital animations, and foxtrot on the dance floor.

Aidan Steeves

Aidan Steeves, B.A.

I joined the Memory and Perception Lab in 2024 as a PhD student. My research investigates the bidirectional relationship between memory and self-identity. Specifically, how autobiographical memories that are incongruent with one’s self-schema can update the beliefs we hold about ourselves, and how these mechanisms can be harnessed in clinical contexts through digital, memory-based interventions. Prior to joining the lab, I worked as a researcher for Horizon Health Network on various geriatric studies covering Alzheimer’s, frailty, and transitions in healthcare. I completed my BA in Psychology at Mount Allison University, where I conducted research on visuo-haptic integration and multisensory analysis. In my free time I enjoy working out, backpacking, and painting.

Millie Lawrence

Millie Lawrence, B.Sc.

I joined the Memory and Perception Lab in 2025 as a PhD student. My research explores how day-to-day variability in factors such as mood and sleep influence the encoding and retrieval of autobiographical memories. I am interested in translating this insight into developing digital memory interventions for older adults and clinical populations. Previously, I worked with Dr. Robb Rutledge and Dr. Carolyn Fredericks at Yale University, where I researched preclinical Alzheimer’s disease and the effects of Parkinson’s disease and aging on decision-making. I received my BSc in Psychology from the University of Bath, England.

Lab Manager

David Choi

David Choi

I am a fifth-year undergraduate student studying Psychology and Philosophy. Broadly, I am interested in investigating the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying basic cognitive functions and neurological conditions. I am currently working with Dr. Emily Davis to examine auditory paired associates learning in autistic populations. In my free time, I enjoy watching films.

Undergraduate Students

We have a large and vibrant group of undergraduates working on all manner of research conducted in the lab. If you are interested in joining our team, please complete an application form.

Selected Alumni

  • Alice (Jialin) Du

    2023–2026: Lab manager and research assistant
    Now: Graduate student, Harvard University

  • Bryan Hong, Ph.D.

    2013–2025: Undergraduate research assistant; graduate student; postdoctoral fellow
    Now: Assistant professor, University of Guelph

  • Nelly Matorina, Ph.D.

    2020–2025: Graduate student
    Now: Postdoctoral fellow, York University

  • Nichole Bouffard, Ph.D.

    2018–2024: Graduate student
    Now: Scientific Project and Alliance Manager, Allen Institute

  • Natalia Ladyka-Wojcik, Ph.D.

    2018–2023: Graduate student
    Now: Assistant Professor, Université du Québec en Outaouais

  • Aedan (Yue) Li, Ph.D.

    2016–2022: Graduate student
    Now: Data scientist, TD Financial

  • Melissa Meade, Ph.D.

    2019–2022: Postdoctoral fellow
    Now: Assistant professor, Huron University College

  • Jackson Liang, Ph.D.

    2015–2021: Postdoctoral fellow
    Now: UX researcher, Meta via Magnit

  • Chris Martin, Ph.D.

    2015–2020: Postdoctoral fellow
    Now: Assistant professor, Florida State University

  • Iva Brunec, Ph.D.

    2014–2019: Graduate student
    Now: Senior data scientist, BioRender

  • Alyssa Sinclair, Ph.D.

    2015–2018: Research assistant and undergraduate honours thesis student
    Now: Postdoctoral fellow, University of Pennsylvania

  • Celia Fidalgo, Ph.D.

    2013–2018: Graduate student
    Now: Senior product manager, Xanadu

  • Danielle Douglas, Ph.D.

    2011–2016: Graduate student
    Now: Assistant professor, Mount Allison University

  • Lok-Kin Yeung, Ph.D.

    2010–2016: Graduate student
    Now: Visiting assistant professor, Hamilton College

  • Ryan Stevenson, Ph.D.

    2013–2016: Postdoctoral fellow
    Now: Associate professor, Western University

  • Rachel Newsome, Ph.D.

    2010–2015: Graduate student, 2017-2020
    Now: Associate principal, clinical trial strategy, IQVIA

  • Jonathan Erez, Ph.D.

    2009–2015: Graduate student
    Now: Senior data scientist, Deloitte

  • Alina Guna, Ph.D.

    2011–2014: Lab manager
    Now: Assistant professor, UCSF

  • Victoria McLelland, Ph.D.

    2013–2014: Postdoctoral fellow
    Now: Director, Advanced Gerontological Education

  • Alexandra Trelle, Ph.D.

    2011–2012: Lab manager
    Now: Senior Research Scientist, Stanford University

  • Iris Groen, Ph.D.

    2008–2009: Master’s student
    Now: Assistant professor, University of Amsterdam