What We Do
We use computational and brain science techniques to study the causal neural mechanisms of human cognition
in health and disease, and we build network-based therapeutics to address a wide variety of brain disorders.
Hear What People Are Saying About Our Research
Who We Are
Robert M. G. Reinhart, PhD
Principal InvestigatorRob completed his PhD at Vanderbilt University, where he had the privilege of being mentored by Geoff Woodman, and secondarily by Jeff Schall and Sohee Park. In 2016, he made the decision to forgo postdoctoral training and joined Boston University as a faculty member. At BU, he serves as the Director of the Cognitive & Clinical Neuroscience Laboratory (Reinhart Lab) and holds positions in both the Departments of Psychological & Brain Sciences (primary) and Biomedical Engineering.
Rob’s research is centered on investigating the mechanisms of visual perception and cognition using a range of computational and brain science techniques, especially electrophysiology and noninvasive neuromodulation. He looks into these psychological and brain processes in healthy younger and older adults, as well as in individuals with neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. His work also includes developing noninvasive neuromodulation methods aimed at improving neurocognitive functions in people with schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and age-related memory impairments.
He has been fortunate to receive funding from federal, private, and philanthropic sources. In recognition of his work, he received the 2022 Science & PINS Prize for Neuromodulation from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the 2023 Innovator Award from the International Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Foundation (IOCDF).
Wen Wen, PhD
Postdoctoral AssociateWen is a Postdoctoral Associate specializing in cognitive aging and neural plasticity. She investigates inhibitory control, learning and memory in healthy aging populations and individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early Alzheimer’s disease. Her research employs advanced methodologies, including electrophysiology (EEG and MEG), neuroimaging (fMRI), and noninvasive neuromodulation (tES and TMS). Wen received her Bachelor of Science in Faculty of Psychology from Beijing Normal University and obtained her PhD in School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences from Peking University (under the supervision of Professor Sheng Li). Her PhD dissertation focused on the neural mechanisms of distraction inhibition in visual attention. Her interest in working memory developed during her time as a visiting PhD student at Oxford University with Professor Mark Stokes. She is now particularly enthusiastic about understanding age-related working memory decline and developing nonpharmacological methods to enhance cognitive functions.
Shrey Grover, PhD
Postdoctoral AssociateChris Gill
PhD Student, Psychological & Brain SciencesChris received a BA in mathematics and psychology from the University of Southern New Hampshire. Before graduate school, Chris spent several years working in research labs studying visual perception, memory, and consciousness. In the Reinhart Lab, Chris is interested in studying the neural mechanisms supporting visual working memory and semantic memory. He is also interested in developing procedures for causally manipulating working memory capacity using noninvasive brain stimulation.
Frederik Baumgardt
PhD Student, Psychological & Brain SciencesFrederik is a PhD student in the Brain, Behavior & Cognition program at the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences. Before joining Boston University, he received a Master’s in Mathematical Medicine and Biology from the University of Nottingham, UK and a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Leipzig, Germany. His research interests focus on representational formats in visual working memory and EEG decoding analyses. Outside of the lab, Frederik enjoys beekeeping, riding his motorcycle, and spending time with family.
Debra (Han) Huang
PhD Student, Biomedical EngineeringDebra received her BS and MSE from Johns Hopkins University, where she completed a master’s thesis on motor learning post-stroke. In the Reinhart lab, Debra is interested in dissecting visual working and long-term memory via behavioral and computational approaches. Outside of the lab, Debra serves on the board of GWISE at BU, a student organization focused on development of graduate students, DEI advocacy programs and volunteering.
Leo Chenyang Lin
PhD Student, Psychological & Brain SciencesDavid (Yu) Fang
PhD Student, Psychological & Brain SciencesDavid obtained his BS in applied mathematics at University of Washington. Before starting graduate school, he worked as a full-time Research Data Analyst at Stanford University. His research interests include using computational tools to understand properties of brain activity and explore how perceptual input translates into neural responses. Outside of the lab, David enjoys reading, playing trading card games, and badminton.
Sarah Lehner
MA Student, Psychological & Brain SciencesSarah is a graduate student in the Psychological & Brain Sciences program at Boston University. She received her BS in Psychology, with a minor in Biology, from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Her research interests include utilizing neuroimaging techniques to explore neurodegenerative diseases and neuropsychopathology, particularly in relation to forensic neuropsychology. Outside the lab, Sarah enjoys discovering new music, traveling, and sketching.
Kayla (Shihan) Xu
MA Student, Psychological & Brain SciencesKayla is a graduate student in the Psychological & Brain Sciences program at BU. She received her B.S. degree in Applied Math and Psychology & Brain Sciences, with a minor in Applied Psychology, from the UCSB. Her research interests focus on utilizing technology to enhance attention and memory performance, especially in individuals with ADHD and ASD. Outside of the lab, Kayla enjoys reading novels, watching TV shows, and shopping.
Zhining (Demi) Xu
EdM Student, Counseling PsychologyDemi is a second-year master’s student studying counseling psychology at BU. She is deeply fascinated by the complexity of the human mind and understands the profound weight of mental health struggles. Inspired by her own experiences, she is driven to provide the kind of professional support she wishes had been available to her in her youth. Her interests extend beyond mental health to neuroscience, particularly in understanding the intricate mechanisms of learning. She is fascinated by the complex array of factors that influence performance—going beyond conventional concepts of intelligence, attention, or strategy—and is dedicated to uncovering how these elements interact to shape human potential. Additionally, she is committed to advocating for the mental health needs of the geriatric population. She aims to foster societal understanding of their unique experiences and challenges, ensuring they are treated not merely as elderly individuals or children, but as adults with full agency and dignity.
Doug Hazel
Research TechnicianDoug obtained his undergraduate degree in Neuroscience from Boston University and his master’s degree in Neurobiology at Tufts University. His master’s thesis focused on understanding the interactions between Alzheimer’s Disease pathologies and glucocorticoid inhibitors. Outside of the lab, Doug enjoys reading, rock climbing and sampling great foods around the city.
Amishu Singh
Research AssistantFeiyang Cao
Research AssistantFeiyang holds a B.S. in Clinical Psychology from UCSD and an M.A. in Psychological and Brain Sciences from BU. He is dedicated to pursuing a career in Clinical Neuropsychology. Feiyang’s research interests focus on the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, investigating the relationship between neuronal degeneration and cognitive decline, and exploring interventions during the mild cognitive impairment phase. In his spare time, Feiyang enjoys reading, working out, and cooking.
Anna Zhang
Research AssistantSofia Smith
Research AssistantSofia is an undergraduate junior studying Human Physiology at BU. She is passionate about health, preventative medicine, and applied science. She is eager to learn more about memory and further explore the complexity of the brain and how neurological research operates. Outside of the lab she works as a rehab aide at the Sargent Center for Neurorehabilitation and at the BU sailing pavilion. She is from Vermont and in her free time loves to hike, ski, run, play pickleball, and lift.
Myra Arora
Research AssistantMyra is an undergraduate freshman studying Neuroscience at BU. She is passionate about investigating ASD and Alzheimer’s disease and the interplay of cultural and social stressors with genetic factors in neuropsychiatric disease. Myra plans on pursuing a career in translational research in neuroscience. Outside of the lab, as well as being part of BU’s Events Department and an editor on the BU Nerve, Myra enjoys reading and listening to music on a long walk.
Seth Schallies
Research AssistantSeth is an undergraduate senior at Boston University studying Psychology and Neuroscience. He is interested in valuation, probabilistic learning, and executive control and hopes to better understand decision making in both humans and other animals. He is a research assistant at the Pepperberg Avian Cognition Lab, volunteers at the Reinhart Lab, and has previously volunteered in the Decision & Cognition Lab. In his spare time, he enjoys birdwatching, running, and cooking.
Catherine Zhang
Research AssistantCatherine is an undergraduate student at Boston University studying Neuroscience. She has a passion for memory and aging, especially in neurodegeneration and memory decline. In the lab, Catherine hopes to better understand the underlying neural mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases. Outside of the lab, she enjoys working out, window shopping around the city, and playing the piano.