معرفی
Jeffrey S. Katz is a Professor and the Mike and Leann Rowe Endowed Professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Auburn University's College of Liberal Arts. He serves as the Director of the Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences (CaBS) Program and leads the Comparative Cognition Lab. His research integrates behavioral experiments and functional neuroimaging across species, including humans, dogs, pigeons, and nonhuman primates.
His research interests focus on the mechanisms of learning and cognition, particularly change detection, concept learning, and the neural and behavioral correlates of working dogs. He utilizes traditional operant conditioning methods and fMRI to explore cross-species cognitive processes. Ongoing projects include Canine Neuroimaging, Canine Cognition, Cross-Species Change Detection, Human Concept Learning in fMRI, and Taste Short-Term Memory, conducted at Auburn's MRI Research Center, Canine Performance Sciences, and the Biological Research Facility.
The most recent publications highlight a strong emphasis on canine cognition, including word recognition, olfactory memory, and abstract concept learning. There is also a growing integration of human-animal interaction research with applications to human-robot attachment. His work spans cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and comparative behavior, with a consistent focus on translational and applied cognitive science.
- APA Division 3 Young Investigator Award (2001)
- Psi Chi Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching (2001-2002, 2012-2013)
- CLA Early Career Teaching Award (2004-2005)
- APA Fellow, Division 3 (2007) and Division 6 (2008)
- Auburn University Alumni Professorship (2006-2011)
- Gerald and Emily Leischuck Endowed Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching (2015)
- Honors College Professor of the Year (2016)
- Comparative Cognition Society Recognition of Service Award (2014)
Katz has secured research funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). He has mentored numerous graduate and undergraduate students, many of whom have contributed to publications and ongoing projects. He teaches courses such as Cognitive Neuroscience, Animal Cognition, and Advanced Experimental Psychology. He is also actively involved in public outreach, including the Auburn Brain Camp and media appearances on canine cognition and brain research.
His lab, the Comparative Cognition Lab, fosters interdisciplinary research and training in cognitive science, with strong ties to Canine Performance Sciences and the MRI Research Center. The lab provides hands-on research opportunities for students interested in animal and human cognition.
