معرفی
Jessica Andrews-Hanna is an Associate Professor in the Department of Cognition & Neural Systems at the University of Arizona, with joint appointments in Psychology and Cognitive Science. She directs the Neuroscience of Emotion and Thought (NET) Lab and serves as Interim Director of Cognitive Science and Director of Community Engagement. Her research focuses on internally-guided cognition, including self-referential thinking, memory, emotion, and mentalizing, using neuroimaging and behavioral techniques. She explores these phenomena across aging populations and clinical contexts, aiming to improve mental health outcomes through understanding cognitive mechanisms.
Education:
- B.S. Psychology, Duke University
- M.A. Neuroscience, Washington University in St. Louis
- Ph.D. Psychology, Harvard University
Research Interests: Mind-wandering, creativity, resting-state neural networks, aging-related cognitive changes, and emotional processing in mental health disorders. Her lab employs fMRI, psychophysiological measures, and ecological momentary assessment to study how internal thought processes contribute to psychological well-being and dysfunction.
Courses Taught:
- PSY 300 - Cognitive Neuroscience: A Guide to Mind & Brain (2023)
- PSY 408 - Imagination & the Brain (2024)
- NSCS 200 - Fundamentals of Neuroscience and Cognitive Science (2018)
Labs/Teams: Leads the NET Lab, investigating the neural and physiological bases of spontaneous thought and its implications for mental health and aging. Collaborates widely on projects addressing empathy, social cognition, and neurodegenerative risk factors.
