Joaquin Anguera

Joaquin Anguera is a Researcher at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, with a strong interdisciplinary research focus at the intersection of cognitive neuroscience, technology development, and clinical applications. His work bridges behavioral neuroscience with mobile health innovations to address cognitive deficits across diverse populations.

Anguera's educational background includes a BS in Physiology/Neuroscience from UC San Diego (2000), MS in Kinesiology from California State University Northridge (2004), PhD in Kinesiology from University of Michigan Ann Arbor (2008), followed by postdoctoral training in Neurology (2013) and Psychiatry (2014) at UCSF.

His research program centers on characterizing and augmenting cognitive control and skill acquisition using behavioral and neuroimaging technologies. He develops advanced training tools to remediate cognitive deficiencies, as highlighted by his cover story in Nature (2013), and leverages mobile technology for robust cognitive assessment outside laboratory settings, having contributed to the creation of 10 different mobile apps. His work spans healthy young and older adults as well as clinical populations including ADHD, autism, and depression.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward translational applications of cognitive training interventions across diverse domains including cancer survivorship, autism treatment, educational achievement, athletic performance, and dementia rehabilitation. His work consistently applies digital and mobile technologies to assess and improve cognitive function, with increasing emphasis on personalized and adaptive interventions.

His scientific recognition includes:

• UCSF 150th Anniversary 'Young Innovator Awardee' (2014)
• NIH Loan Repayment Program recipient (2013)
• UCSF Institutional Research and Career Development Award (2011-2014)
• Multiple minority supplement awards for underrepresented researchers

Dr. Anguera has secured substantial research funding as Principal or Co-Principal Investigator on multiple NIH grants focused on cognitive assessment and training across diverse populations. His projects include developing shared infrastructure for cognitive assessment (R21AG074497), enhancing cognitive control in senior living communities (R21AG058896), computerized interventions for depression (R33MH110509), and mobile health approaches for schizophrenia (R34MH100399). His work demonstrates a clear trajectory from basic cognitive neuroscience to practical, technology-driven clinical applications.

His research operates at the intersection of several laboratories and collaborative teams at UCSF, particularly those focused on cognitive neuroscience and digital health interventions. The Nature cover story work and subsequent mobile application development suggest strong connections with both the Gazzaley Lab and clinical departments addressing cognitive disorders across the lifespan.