Julie Bugg is a Professor of Psychological & Brain Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, where she also serves as the Director of Graduate Studies. She is the principal investigator of the Cognitive Control & Aging Lab, which conducts research on cognitive control, aging, and memory. Her work is supported by funding from the National Institute on Aging (NIA). Education: PhD, Colorado State University MS, Colorado State University BA, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Her research focuses on cognitive control mechanisms across the lifespan, particularly how aging affects attention, memory, and executive function. She investigates interference resolution in tasks like the Stroop and Eriksen flanker, distinguishing between list-level, contextual, and item-specific control. A major focus is how normal aging and early Alzheimer's disease differentially impact these processes. She also studies prospective memory —remembering future intentions—and the risks of commission errors, especially in older adults. Another active line explores cognitive training and physical exercise as interventions to preserve cognitive function in aging, including impacts on eHealth literacy. The published articles reveal a strong focus on cognitive control dynamics , with recurring themes in top-down regulation , conflict adaptation , and aging-related cognitive decline . Her work integrates behavioral paradigms with real-world applications, especially in improving health decision-making among older adults. Several studies use pupillometry to assess cognitive effort and awareness. Scientific Contributions: Developed methods to isolate levels of cognitive control Investigated mechanisms underlying commission errors in prospective memory Explored exercise as a neuroprotective factor in aging Examined eHealth literacy outcomes in cognitive training programs Julie Bugg actively mentors students, including undergraduates involved in her research. She has led NIA-funded projects on cognitive training and aging. Her lab investigates translational strategies to support cognitive health in older adults, with implications for public health and clinical intervention. Laboratory and Research Team: She leads the Cognitive Control & Aging Lab at Washington University, which conducts multi-faceted research on cognitive aging, memory, and executive function. The lab uses behavioral experiments, neuropsychological assessments, and physiological measures like pupillometry to explore cognitive mechanisms.
