Cynthia Erickson

Cynthia Erickson, Ph.D., is a Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at the Department of Psychological Sciences, Metropolitan State University of Denver. Her research focuses on the neurobiology of visual memory, aging-related cognitive changes, and the impact of probiotics on cognitive health in older adults. She collaborates with undergraduate students to explore cost-effective interventions for age-related memory decline.

Erickson earned a Ph.D. in Psychology and Neuroscience from the University of Arizona, a Master’s in Psychology and Learning from Emporia State University, and a Bachelor’s in Psychology, English, and Biology from Nebraska Wesleyan University. She received the 2013 Excellence in Teaching Award from the Psi Chi Honorary in Psychology.

Her research spans topics like the neural mechanisms of memory in aging, effects of sensory experience on brain function, and mental health interventions. Key areas of interest include cognitive neuroscience, gerontology, and interdisciplinary approaches to understanding learning and perception.

Her publications explore diverse topics from yoga’s mental health benefits for incarcerated individuals to the role of self-disclosures in classroom dynamics. Erickson advocates for science literacy and innovative teaching methods, emphasizing hands-on research opportunities for undergraduates.