PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR


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 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. She currently holds the endowed Max and Gianna Glassman Chair in Neuropsychology.

 

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.

 

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 focuses on restoring autobiographical episodic memory in older adults with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease. Prior to joining the lab, I worked as a research assistant for Horizon Health Network exploring various preventative interventions for dementia. I completed my BA in Psychology at Mount Allison University, where I conducted research on visuo-haptic integration. 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

Alice (Jialin) Du

Alice (Jialin) Du

I am entering my fourth year pursuing an Honours Bachelor of Science at the University of Toronto. I have a genuine interest in interdisciplinary research, and I am particularly intrigued by human memory processes. Besides the role of lab manager, I am also working on a project with Bryan Hong investigating memory sharing mechanisms over the lifespan. In my spare time, I enjoy creative writing and occasionally playing the piano.

 

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

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: Postdoctoral fellow, Washington University in St. Louis

Natalia Ladyka-Wojcik, Ph.D.

2018-2023: Graduate student
Now: Postdoctoral fellow, Rotman Research Institute

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, Google via BayOne Solutions

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, 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: Postdoctoral fellow, Stanford University

Iris Groen, Ph.D.

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