Julia Spaniol

Dr. Julia Spaniol is a Professor and Undergraduate Thesis Coordinator in the Department of Psychology at Toronto Metropolitan University. She leads the Memory and Decision Processes (MAD) Lab and has made significant contributions to the understanding of cognitive aging, memory, and decision-making. Her research integrates cognitive psychology with neuroscience to explore how emotion and motivation influence cognition across the lifespan.

Education:

• PhD in Cognitive Psychology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Her research focuses on the interplay between cognition, emotion, and motivation, particularly in aging populations. Using methods such as fMRI, ERPs, and eye-tracking, she investigates emotional impacts on memory, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in cognitive performance, and prosocial behavior. Her work is supported by NSERC, SSHRC, CFI, and the Ontario Research Fund.

Recent publications reveal a strong trend in motivated cognition, emotional decision-making, and memory biases across age groups. Her studies often compare younger and older adults, highlighting age-related changes in neural and behavioral responses. Key themes include curiosity, hindsight bias, risk perception during crises, and meta-analytic evidence on motivational influences on cognition.

Scientific Awards:

• Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Cognitive Aging (2014–2024)
• Editor’s Choice Article, The Journals of Gerontology, Series B (2023)

Dr. Spaniol mentors BA, MA, and PhD students and welcomes new researchers into her lab. She has secured continuous external funding for her research, demonstrating sustained impact and innovation. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in cognitive psychology and cognitive neuroscience.

She is actively involved in the scientific community through affiliations with the Canadian Society for Brain, Behaviour, and Cognitive Science, Cognitive Neuroscience Society, Psychonomic Society, and the Association for Psychological Science.