Joel S. Snyder

Joel S. Snyder, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), where he also directs the Auditory Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory (ACNL). His research integrates cognitive psychology and neuroscience to explore how humans perceive and remember complex auditory environments, with a special focus on musical rhythm, groove, and emotional responses to sound.

Education: While specific degrees are not listed in the provided text, Dr. Snyder holds a Ph.D. and is a tenured Professor at UNLV, indicating extensive academic training in psychology and neuroscience.

Research Interests:

• Auditory Scene Perception: How listeners parse and remember real-world auditory environments.
• Musical Rhythm and Groove: Neural and cognitive mechanisms underlying beat perception, rhythm production, and emotional responses like groove and chills.
• Memory for Natural Sounds: Long-term memory for auditory and visual stimuli in naturalistic contexts.
• Misophonia and Musicality: The relationship between sound sensitivity disorders (e.g., misophonia), musical training, and brain function.
• Cognitive Neuroscience Methods: Use of EEG, fMRI, and brain stimulation to study auditory cognition.

Publication Themes: Dr. Snyder’s recent work spans consciousness theory critique, replication studies in EEG and rhythm perception, auditory scene analysis in natural environments, and the psychological impact of sound in both neurotypical and clinical populations (e.g., autism, misophonia). His collaborative output includes theoretical reviews and empirical studies in high-impact journals like Nature Neuroscience, Nature Reviews Psychology, and Philosophical Transactions B.

Scientific Contributions & Recognition: Dr. Snyder has co-authored open letters critiquing prominent theories of consciousness, participated in large-scale replication efforts (e.g., #EEGManyLabs), and contributed to public science communication through interviews with The New York Times and podcasts. His lab’s work has been featured in international conferences (e.g., Neurosciences and Music, ICMPC, Timing Research Forum).

Teaching & Mentorship: He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in Perception and Cognitive Neuroscience. His lab has mentored students including Maggie McMullin, Solena Mednicoff, Dan Berkowitz, and Karli Nave, some of whom have gone on to medical school or presented at international venues.

Labs & Collaborations: The Auditory Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory (ACNL), founded in 2007, collaborates with scholars worldwide on projects exploring auditory cognition, rhythm, and consciousness. The lab uses state-of-the-art EEG, behavioral, and neuroimaging techniques to study auditory perception in both natural and controlled settings.