Mahir Emrah Aktunc

Mahir Emrah Aktunc serves as a Lecturer in Cognitive Science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), based in Sage 3203. Holding a Ph.D. in Science and Technology Studies from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, an M.A. in Psychology from the University of Iowa, and a B.A. in Psychology from Koc University, he brings extensive interdisciplinary expertise to his role. His teaching portfolio spans undergraduate and graduate courses in cognitive science, research methods, statistics, logic, and philosophy of science across institutions in the U.S. and Turkiye.

Education:

• Ph.D., Science and Technology Studies, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
• M.A., Psychology, University of Iowa
• B.A., Psychology, Koc University

Aktunc's research integrates empirical cognitive psychology with philosophical analysis, focusing on human working memory mechanisms, evidence evaluation in neuroimaging, inductive reasoning processes, and symbolic cognition frameworks. His methodology bridges laboratory neuroscience techniques with epistemological inquiry, particularly examining how theoretical assumptions influence fMRI data interpretation and memory model validation. This dual perspective enables novel critiques of methodological practices in cognitive science.

His publication trajectory from 2004-2021 reveals consistent thematic evolution: early work established foundational memory paradigms (phonological similarity effects, word-learning stimuli), while mature research confronts epistemological challenges in neuroimaging (theory-ladenness, Duhemian problems, severe testing). Cross-cutting themes include error management in rule discovery and the interplay between cognitive architecture and scientific inference, reflecting his commitment to rigorous interdisciplinary synthesis.

No scientific awards are documented in the provided materials.

Dr. Aktunc currently teaches PSYC 4330: Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience and PSYC 4450: Learning at RPI, mentoring students through empirical research design and philosophical analysis. While specific grant funding isn't detailed, his publication record indicates sustained scholarly productivity across cognitive psychology and philosophy of science venues.