Rob 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 focused on understanding the computational and neural mechanisms underlying visual perception and cognition. Using electrophysiology, noninvasive neuromodulation, and computational approaches, his lab investigates how cognitive processes are organized and implemented in the human brain. While much of the work is conducted in healthy younger and older adults to establish mechanistic principles, some studies extend these findings to clinical populations, including individuals with neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. These efforts provide foundational knowledge that can inform strategies for noninvasive neuromodulation to improve cognitive function, though the primary intellectual focus of the lab is on basic science.

Rob 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), the 2023 Innovator Award from the International Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Foundation (IOCDF), and the 2024 Randolph Blake Early Career Award from Vanderbilt University.

Wen 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.

Swagata is a Postdoctoral Associate examining in the computational and neural mechanisms of human perception and attention. Her current work focuses on Bayesian models of perception, with particular emphasis on how the brain weights prior expectations and sensory evidence, and how these precision-weighting processes can be causally modulated using noninvasive causal interventions. Swagata received her PhD in Neuroscience from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, under the supervision of Professor Devarajan Sridharan. Her doctoral research used a multimodal approach to investigate the behavioral and neural mechanisms of the attentional blink, integrating psychophysics, EEG, eye tracking, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, diffusion MRI, and resting-state fMRI. Swagata has expertise in signal detection theory, Bayesian and computational modeling, and multimodal neural data analysis, and is broadly interested in how cognitive control and precision regulation shape perception and decision-making.

Frederik 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.

Lizzy is a graduate student in the Neurobiology program at BU. She received her B.S. degree in Neuroscience from Brandeis University. Her current research project examines thalamic contributions to consciousness through integration, segregation, and continuity of visual perception, using non-invasive brain stimulation to probe these processes’ roles in conscious experience. Outside of the lab, Lizzy enjoys playing the violin in various music groups. During college, she was a violinist in the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and has continued her musical pursuits after graduation through the MIT chamber music society and several local Boston orchestras.

David 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 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 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.

Doug 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.

Seth is a graduate of Boston University, where he studied Psychology and Neuroscience. His research interests focus on decision-making, particularly in the areas of valuation, probabilistic learning, and executive control. He aims to deepen our understanding of the cognitive processes involved in decision-making in both humans and animals. Seth has prior experience as a research assistant in Dr. Pepperberg’s Avian Cognition Lab, where he contributed to research on animal cognition. He has also worked in Dr. McGuire’s Decision & Cognition Lab at BU. Outside of his academic work, Seth enjoys birdwatching, running, and cooking.

Jiani (Nancy) is a junior at Boston University studying Biology and Art History. She is passionate about the intersection of science and healthcare, with a growing interest in neuroscience and its relationship to cognitive psychology. Nancy is eager to explore how neural mechanisms influence thought, behavior, and emotion, and how this knowledge can be applied to improve mental health and patient care. Outside of the lab, she enjoys binge-watching movies, visiting art galleries and museums, and exploring new cafes.

Tania is an undergraduate at Boston University majoring in Neuroscience. In addition to her interest in learning and memory, she is deeply interested in understanding how the brain integrates sensory information, how neural circuits give rise to behavior, and how neurodegenerative diseases disrupt these processes. She is eager to gain more hands-on experience in research that connects molecular mechanisms to complex neural functions. Outside of academics, she enjoys exploring the city, watching new shows, and cooking.

Wai is an undergraduate student at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, majoring in Psychology. She is interested in perception, learning, and memory, and has contributed to projects using non-invasive brain stimulation techniques (including tACS and TI) as well as eye-tracking methods. Outside the lab, she enjoys shopping and trying to grow orchids.

Emy is an undergraduate student at Boston University majoring in neuroscience with a minor in Japanese. She is especially fascinated by cognitive neuroscience, including how goals and expectations shape perception and memory, and how the brain encodes, maintains, and updates information to support decision-making. In the lab, she is excited to gain experience with experimental methods to investigate these processes. Outside of research, she enjoys studying Japanese, watching anime, and listening to music.

Junzheng (Jerry) Wang is an undergraduate researcher studying neuroscience and psychology, with a particular interest in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. His research focuses on understanding the impact of protein aggregation on brain function and its role in cognitive and motor impairments. He aims to develop expertise in advanced brain imaging techniques to investigate these mechanisms at both structural and functional levels. Junzheng is also interested in exploring the intersection of neurobiology and computational analysis to better understand disease progression. Outside of research, he enjoys drawing, dancing, and he also produces music.

Sofia 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.

Sreenisha is an undergraduate senior at Boston university pursuing a dual degree in neuroscience and human physiology on the premed track. She has a passion to understand the dynamics behind memory and learning, and is particularly interested in exploring innovative approaches to treating Alzheimer’s disease, focusing on how neuromodulation techniques like non-invasive brain stimulation and transcranial magnetic stimulation could match or even surpass traditional drug therapies targeting tau and beta-amyloid proteins. She plans to go to medical school and pursue a career as a physician-scientist. Outside of the lab, she enjoys working out, trying new restaurants in the city and spending time with her dog.

Alice Chen is a sophomore at Boston University majoring in Psychology. She is particularly interested in the intersection of cognitive neuroscience and emotional expression, especially how neural mechanisms shape anxiety and decision-making. Her curiosity also extends to drama-based approaches—such as psychodrama and drama therapy—as tools for emotional regulation and mental health support. In addition to her academic interests, Alice is passionate about science communication and has experience working in media and event planning. Outside the lab, she enjoys freediving and watching drama performances.

Myra 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.