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

Bryan Hong

Bryan Hong, Ph.D.

I am a postdoctoral fellow working in the Memory and Perception
Lab. My research investigates how we remember—specifically, how
does the associative structure of memory affect how we encode,
organize, and retrieve information? Additionally, I am
interested in translating our current understanding of memory to
develop technologies and interventions that can help mitigate
memory loss. I previously completed my BSc and PhD at the
University of Toronto. In my free time you can probably find me
reading a good book, checking out new bands at a local show, or
digging through old vinyl at a record store.

 

GRADUATE STUDENTS

Nelly Matorina

Nelly Matorina, M.A.

I joined the Memory and Perception Lab as a PhD student in 2020.
Before that, I completed my MSc at Queen’s University, where I
worked with Dr. Jordan Poppenk investigating different kinds of
gist memory and how they change over time and sleep. My current
research examines the role of sleep and dreaming in the processing
of complex memories, such as memory for autobiographical events
and video clips. I am also working with a patient who has a unique
form of amnesia that is exacerbated by sleep. Outside of the lab,
I enjoy making video and installation art, visiting museums, and
swing dancing.

 

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.

 

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

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, Boston College.

Aedan (Yue) Li, Ph.D.

2016-2022: Graduate student.
Now: Customer Experience Data Analyst, Intact
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: Research Scientist, Babbly.

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: Head of Product, Cambridge Cognition.

Danielle Douglas, Ph.D.

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

Lok-Kin Yeung, Ph.D.

2010-2016: Graduate student.
Now: Postdoctoral fellow, Columbia University.

Ryan Stevenson, Ph.D.

2013-2016: Postdoctoral fellow.
Now: Associate Professor, Western University.

Rachel Newsome, Ph.D.

2010-2015: Graduate student, 2017-2020.
Now: Senior Project Manager Product Manager,
Winterlight Labs.

Jonathan Erez, Ph.D.

2009-2015: Graduate student.
Now: Data Scientist, Loblaw Companies Ltd.

Alina Guna, Ph.D.

2011-2014: Lab manager. Now:
K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Fellow, Caltech.

Victoria McLelland, Ph.D.

2013-2014: Postdoctoral fellow.
Now: Research Coordinator, 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.