Memory Lab | Toronto Metropolitan University
Lab Members
Principal Investigator
Dr. Karl Szpunar
karl.szpunar@torontomu.ca
I completed my doctoral training at Washington University in St. Louis in 2009 and my postdoctoral training at Harvard University in 2015. My research focuses on elucidating the cognitive and neural mechanisms that give rise to adaptive uses of memory in daily life.
Graduate Students
Marni Goldstein
marni.goldstein@torontomu..ca
Growing up as an autistic, I felt great disparity between my cognition and that of others, leading to my fascination with how people think and how thoughts affect behavior. I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto in 2015. I then volunteered as a research assistant in the Multisensory Systems Neuroscience Lab at York University under the supervision of Dr. Joe DeSouza. I am in my fourth year as a graduate student.​
Hymnjyot Gill
hymnjyot.gill@torontomu.ca
I am a third-year graduate student in the Clinical Psychology program. I recently completed my undergraduate degree at York University with a concentration in cognitive neuropsychology. Throughout my undergraduate degree, I gained research experience in both cultural psychology and neuropsychology. Within the memory lab, I am excited to explore the potential benefits and consequences of future event simulation in clinical populations. I am also interested in researching ways of reducing mind wandering and enhancing online learning.
Samantha Gauvreau
samantha.gauvreua@torontomu.ca
I am a second-year graduate student in the Clinical Psychology program. I have a blended background in cognitive neuroscience and education. I most recently completed a master's degree at the University of Toronto where I conducted functional neuroimaging (MEG) research at SickKids Hospital in Toronto. I am also an Ontario certified teacher and previously obtained a Bachelor of Education at Queen's University after completing my undergraduate degree in Cognitive Science at McGill University. I am extremely passionate about fostering accessible learning in our communities. At the Memory Lab, I am very excited to explore cognitive and neuroimaging approaches to study attention and memory in learning to help students overcome challenges and improve educational outcomes.
Katriel Read
katriel.read@torontomu.ca
I am a first-year graduate student in the Psychological Science program. I completed my undergraduate degree in Kinesiology with a minor in Psychology at McMaster University. My research interests include episodic future thinking, memory, and mental imagery. In the memory lab, I am excited to explore spontaneous mental imagery relating to what might happen in someone's ongoing experience. In my spare time, I enjoy playing sports, baking, and spending time outside!
Part-Time Lab Manager
Alec Benavides
a1benavides@ryerson.ca
I graduated from Toronto Metropolitan's psychology (BA) program, where I collaborated with Dr. Szpunar for my thesis on the role of goal structures in future thinking. I hope to use the knowledge I gain at the Memory Lab on learning and thinking to inform my work as a healthcare practitioner and researcher. In my free time, I love to exercise, spend time with family and friends, and watch documentaries. Please feel free to contact me at the listed email!
Recent Lab Alumni - Graduate Students
Sushmita Shrikanth (PhD, 2021) - Current Position - Researcher, Google (USA)
Yuchen Li (MA, 2021) - Current Position - PhD student at Purdue University (USA)
Vannia Puig (MA, 2019) - Current Position - PhD student at the University of Arizona (USA)
​
Recent Lab Alumni - Undergraduate Students
Anne Cabildo (BA, 2021) - Current Position - Graduate Student at the University of Toronto
Avishag Frank (BA, 2021) - Current Position - Graduate Student at Toronto Metropolitan University
Ruthie Poizner (BA, 2021) - Current Position - Graduate Student at Concordia University
Joey Vong (Ba, 2022) - Current Position - Graduate Student at Toronto Metropolitan University
​
Current Collaborators
Dr. Julia Spaniol, Toronto Metropolitan University
Dr. Jason Chan, Iowa State University (USA)
Dr. Chris Wahlheim, University of North Carolina Greensboro (USA)
Dr. Lynn Lohnas, Syracuse University (USA)
Dr. Arnaud D'Argembeau, University of Liège (Belgium)
Dr. Donna Rose Addis, Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care
Dr. James Liu, Massey University (New Zealand)
Dr. Sezin Önur, Kadir Has University (Turkey)
Dr. Jeremy Yamashiro, UC Santa Cruz (USA)
Dr. Adam Putnam, Furman University (USA)
Dr. Meymune Topçu, New School (USA)
Dr. Piotr Szpunar, University at Albany (USA)