Marie Banich

Marie Banich is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Colorado, and Executive Director of the Intermountain Neuroimaging Center (INC). She holds a PhD from the University of Chicago (1985). Her research focuses on the neural mechanisms underlying executive function, attention, and cognitive control, with expertise in neuroimaging techniques including fMRI and MR spectroscopy. She co-authored the widely used textbook Cognitive Neuroscience, now in its 4th edition, which integrates clinical and developmental perspectives with advanced neuroimaging methods. Banich also serves as Editor-in-Chief of Cognitive, Affective, and Behavioral Neuroscience and on the governing board of the Cognitive Neuroscience Society (CNS). Her work emphasizes translational applications, such as understanding how brain development and stress impact cognitive functions. The Banich Lab employs machine learning to analyze complex neuroimaging data, particularly in studying adolescent brain development through the ABCD Study. Key themes in her research include neural integration of information, psychopathology correlates, and the role of prefrontal cortex in adaptive behavior.

Her research spans foundational topics like working memory, decision-making, and emotional regulation. Recent studies examine gender differences in stress-related brain changes, neuroanatomical correlates of internalizing disorders, and the impact of substance use on brain morphology. She collaborates extensively on large-scale initiatives like the ABCD Study, which tracks neurocognitive development in children. Banich’s contributions bridge basic science and clinical applications, with a focus on enhancing educational and mental health interventions through neuroscience insights.