Suparna Rajaram

Summary

Suparna Rajaram is a Distinguished Professor of Cognitive Science in the Department of Psychology at Stony Brook University. Her research focuses on social transmission of memory and the emergence of collective memory, with a particular emphasis on how emotional valence, group structure, and social networks influence memory formation and accuracy. She holds a Ph.D. from Rice University (1991) and has been recognized with prestigious awards such as the 2022 Guggenheim Fellowship.

Education

• Rice University, Ph.D. in Psychology, 1991
• Postdoctoral training in Cognitive Science (details not specified)

Research Interests

Rajaram’s work explores the interplay between individual and collective memory processes, including:

• Social influences on memory accuracy and false memory propagation
• Collaborative memory dynamics in aging populations
• Neurocognitive mechanisms underlying collaborative recall
• Cultural variations in memory disruption

Key Contributions

Her research has advanced understanding of:

• Agent-based modeling of collective memory
• Effects of social interactions on emotional memory accuracy
• Optimizing group collaboration for enhanced individual retention

Awards & Grants

• 2022 Guggenheim Fellowship
• National Science Foundation grants (multiple years)
• Google Faculty Research Award (2016–2018)
• APS–David Myers Lecture on Teaching (2022)

Labs & Collaborations

Rajaram directs the Social Memory and Cognition Lab, focusing on:

• Collaborative remembering in diverse groups
• Memory transmission in social networks
• Applications to education and aging