Michael Crognale

Michael Crognale is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), within the College of Science. He specializes in visual neuroscience, focusing on the physiological basis of visual and sensory processing across species and human factors in aviation. His research employs advanced techniques like high-density EEG, fMRI, and adaptive optics. He earned his Ph.D. in physiological psychology from UC Santa Barbara and completed postdoctoral work at UC Berkeley.

Key research interests include visual development, color vision genetics, and the effects of stress on sensory systems. He leads the Crognale Vision Lab, exploring topics such as macular pigment distribution and the visual capacities of leatherback sea turtles. Crognale also advises on aviation safety (e.g., UAS visibility) and consults for legal and aeronautical vision-related cases. He has secured funding from NIH, DoD, NASA, and the FAA.

Teaching responsibilities include undergraduate and graduate courses in cognitive and brain sciences. He actively participates in neuroscientific outreach, serving as president of the Sierra Nevada Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience and contributing to editorial boards. His consulting firm, specializing in vision research, bridges academic and applied domains.