معرفی
Deborah Hannula is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (UWM), where she also serves as Director of Undergraduate Studies and Associate Chair. She is affiliated with the Neuroscience Faculty and actively recruits graduate students for the Neuroscience PhD program. Her research is centered on the cognitive and neural mechanisms of human memory, particularly focusing on the hippocampus and medial temporal lobe structures.
Her research interests include:
- Relational and episodic memory
- Conscious and unconscious memory expression
- Eye-tracking as a tool for memory assessment
- fMRI and behavioral studies in healthy and clinical populations
- Memory impairments in conditions like autism, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer’s disease
The trends in her recent publications show a strong focus on the role of the hippocampus in implicit and unconscious memory, using eye-tracking and neuroimaging to probe memory processes that occur without awareness. Her work bridges cognitive theory, neuroscience, and clinical applications, often challenging traditional views that limit hippocampal involvement to conscious memory.
Scientific awards and recognitions include:
- Teaching Fellow, UWM Center for Student Experience and Talent
She mentors several graduate and undergraduate students, including Dana Slabbekoorn, Greta Minor, and Mrinmayi Kulkarni. Her lab has received recognition for student research presentations at national conferences. She is developing a careers-focused course for psychology majors and has contributed chapters to major reference works such as the Encyclopedia of the Human Brain. She also co-chaired a symposium titled 'From Magic to Memory: Eye Movements, Cognition, and the Brain' and regularly presents at academic conferences.
Her lab, the Hannula Lab, conducts interdisciplinary research combining cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and clinical applications, with a strong emphasis on methodological rigor and theoretical innovation.
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