People
Faculty
Dr. Roland Benoit
Principle Investigator
Dr. Benoit is the Principle Investigator of the Adaptive Memory Lab at the University of Colorado Boulder. He is an Associate Professor at CU’s Department of Psychology and Neuroscience and Institute of Cognitive Science. Before joining CU, Dr. Benoit was the head of the research group Adaptive Memory at the Max Planck Institute of Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Leipzig, Germany. Prior to starting his own lab, he received his Ph.D. from University College London under the supervision of Paul W. Burgess and conducted research as a postdoctoral fellow with Michael C. Anderson at the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit in Cambridge, UK, and with Daniel L. Schacter at Harvard University.Ìý
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Contact Information:
Email: roland.benoit@colorado.edu
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Post Doctoral Researchers
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Frederik Bergmann
Post Doctoral Researcher
Frederik completed his PhD in the UK, where he worked at the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit at the University of Cambridge with Mike Anderson. In his PhD work, he used fMRI and multivariate methods to investigate the attentional mechanisms that underlie the intrusion of unwanted memories into awareness as well as the mechanisms that allow us to suppress and eventually forget them. After his PhD, Frederik continued research with Dr. Benoit in the Adaptive Memory Lab. Currently, he is interested in understanding how our brain suppresses and transforms memories and how memory interplays with attention, and emotion regulation. He also possesses a keen interest in how large language models can assist experimental psychologists, particularly in the generation, validation and selection of the optimal words and pictures for our experiments.
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Contact Information:
Email: frederik.bergmann@colorado.eduÌý
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Doctoral Researchers
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Alexander Barone
Graduate Student
Alex is a first year doctoral student in the Psychology and Neuroscience department. He graduated with a B.A in Psychology and a minor in Statistics and Data Science at Temple University in 2024. Currently, Alex's work centers around understanding how past episodic memories can shape future experiences. Additionally, he is interested in the neural systems supporting episodic and semantic memory. In his free time, Alex enjoys hiking around Boulder, reading a good book, and spending time outdoors with friends.
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Contact Information:
Email: alex.barone@colorado.eduÌý
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Olivia Stine
Graduate Student
Olivia is a first year doctoral student in the Psychology and Neuroscience department. They graduated with a B.S. In Neurobiology from UW-Madison in 2021. From 2021-2024, Olivia was a research assistant at Butler Hospital's Center for Biomedical Research Excellence in Rhode Island; they were on a study researching transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the inhibitory control network and, later on, a pilot study looking at an at-home brain stimulation device in firefighters. At CU Boulder, Olivia is excited to continue their interest in executive functioning, brain stimulation, and brain mapping within the Benoit Lab. In Olivia's free time, you'll find them reading a mystery, crocheting or knitting a gift, or outside learning to longboard.
Contact Information:
Email: olivia.stine@colorado.eduÌý
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Undergraduate Researchers
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Elise Gallentine
Elise is a student in CU's Post-BaccalaureateÌýHealthÌýProfessions Program currently completing her pre-med coursework. In the lab, she is interested in discussing real-world implications, interacting with participants, and analyzing fMRI data. Outside of the lab, Elise enjoys hiking the trails around Boulder, reading mystery novels, and spending time with her friends and family.Ìý
Contact Information:
Email: elise.gallentine@colorado.edu
Holly Keil
Holly is a neuroscience and psychology major. Her research interests are the neural mechanisms and interventions in Autism and neurodevelopment disorders along with dendritic spine plasticity. In her free time, Holly enjoys playing on the club soccer team and exploring Colorado.
Contact Information:
Email: holly.keli@colorado.eduÌý
Zoe Kazan
Zoe is a neuroscience major. She is fascinated by brain health and neuroplasticity, with a particular focus on memory processes in neurodegenerative diseases.ÌýOutside of her studies, she finds balance and mindfulness through skiing and ballet.
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Contact Information:
Email: zoe.kazan@colorado.edu Ìý
Kira Wilhelmi
Kira is a Psychology major with a minor in business and leadership. Some of her research interests include memory and brain research, environmental impacts on mental health, and childhood development. Outside of school, Kira loves to ski, sail, hike, be outdoors, and spend time with her friends and family.
Contact Information:
Email: kira.wilhelmi@colorado.eduÌý
Gabriella Macarelli
Gabriella is a neuroscience and psychology double major on the pre-health track. She is interested in learning more about the mechanics of how memory functions. Outside of lab, Gabriella loves to rock climb, mountain bike, lift, and go backpacking!Ìý
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Contact Information:
Email: gabriella.macarelli@colorado.edu ÌýÌý
Brooke Porter
Brooke is a psychology major. She is particularly interested in how childhood experiences shape and influence various aspects of personality development. In her free time, Brooke enjoys painting and spending time outside, specifically skiing and hiking.Ìý
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Contact Information:
Email: brooke.porter@colorado.eduÌý
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