Dasa Zeithamova-Demircan, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Psychology
Ph.D. 2008 University of Texas at Austin
M.A. 2003 Charles University in Prague
My research focuses on how we build complex knowledge representations—such as schemas, cognitive maps or concepts—from simple learning experiences. Stacking memories as building blocks, we form knowledge that transcends direct experience, allowing us to use the memory for the past to guide behavior in the future. I am especially interested how the hippocampus—a brain structure critical for memory for individual events in our lives—interacts with the prefrontal cortex and other memory systems to support the flexible use of experience. My primary research tools include computer-based experiments, formal models of behavior, and advanced functional MRI methods.
Graduate students
Ben Chaloupka, M.S.
Ben received his B.A. in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He worked in the UIC Memory Lab as a Research Assistant studying memory and future thinking with Dr. Karl Szpunar. He joined the Brain and Memory Lab in the fall of 2019. His primary research interests are in memory and consciousness, specifically studying the neural mechanisms that enable memory integration and complex memory formation. Outside of the lab, Ben spends his time rock climbing and hiking in the mountains.
Troy Houser
Troy received a B.A. in Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. He joined the Brain and Memory Lab as a graduate student in the Spring of 2022. His main focus is studying the neural basis of various cognitive functions, particularly memory, using neuroimaging. He is also interested in tracking the functional networks underlying abstract representations in the brain.
Shijing Zhou
Shijing received a B.A. in Japanese and a B.S. in Psychology, as well as an M.S. in Psychology from the University of Oregon. She joined the Brain and Memory lab as an undergraduate honor student in 2018 and returned as a doctoral student in the fall of 2023. Additionally, she works at the Brain Electrophysiology Lab, where she contributes to the development of EEG-related medical devices as a Quality Management System Representative and Clinical Trial Quality Assurance Specialist. Her primary research focus revolves around sleep and memory performance in the context of aging and neurological disorders.
Cheyna Warner
Cheyna received her B.S. in Psychology from the The Pennsylvania State University. While there, she worked as a Teaching Assistant and at the CAN Lab as a Research Assistant studying memory and cognitive aging with Dr. Nancy Dennis. She joined the Brain and Memory Lab in the fall of 2023. Her primary research interests are in cognitive aging, memory, and memory error. Outside of the lab, Cheyna spends her time reading and playing with her cat, Pickle.
Kyla Brannigan
Kyla received her B.S. in Neuroscience from Georgia State University in 2021. After graduating, she worked as a post-baccalaureate researcher in the NIMH’s Lab of Brain and Cognition studying the neural correlates of emotional face processing. She joined the Brain and Memory Lab as a graduate student in the Fall of 2023. Her primary research interests are emotion, memory, and imagination, specifically looking at neural and physiological signatures of emotional mental imagery.
Lab Manager
Lainey Costa
Lainey is an undergraduate student at UO majoring in psychology and neuroscience. She is interested in cognitive psychology, memory processing and retrieval, and psychopathology. In the future, she plans to attend graduate school and focus on research related to cognition and memory.
Undergraduate Research Assistants:
Leah Hall
Leah is an undergraduate student at the University of Oregon majoring in Psychology with a minor in Spanish and Sociology. She is always excited to learn about memory and hopes to pursue graduate education as well as continue to research after graduation. She also loves to play frisbee and listen to the soundtracks of musicals.
Mia Matheson
Mia is a Psychology major with a French minor. She is interested in studying memory, psychology memory disorders, and sleep and dreaming.
Abigail Phillips
Abigail is an undergraduate student majoring in Psychology and minoring in Food Studies. She is interested in many aspects of both child and adult cognition but look to pursue nutritional psychiatry mainly. In the future, she hope to gain a masters or PhD in Clinical Psychology with specializations in nutrition and children.
Riley Acker
Riley is a University of Oregon student
pursuing a B.S. in neuroscience while minoring in chemistry. He is interested in the effects aging has on memory and the influence implicit memories have on behavior. He hopes to continue his education and obtain a doctorate degree. As an Oregon native, Riley enjoys spending his free time outdoors.
Louisa Krantz
Louisa is an undergraduate student
at the University of Oregon studying neuroscience and psychology. She is fascinated with behavioral and cognitive neuroscience and the intersectionality of memory and psychological disorders. After graduation, she plans to pursue her interests through a professional career in research.
Ashish Sathya
Ashish is a double major in Political Science and Psychology at the University of Oregon. He is interested in how memories can inform political thought, and the interaction between the two fields. He is planning to pursue more research by going to graduate school in psychology. He is also a part of the Mock Trial team at the University of Oregon.
Ava Feldman
Ava is an Undergraduate student majoring in Psychology and minoring in Interdisciplinary Cognitive Sciences. She is interested in the way that memory impacts development. Ava plans on going to graduate school and pursuing a career in child psychology.
Dilys Johnson
Dilys is an undergraduate student majoring in psychology with minors in sociology and forensics. Dilys is excited to learn more about memory recall and integration and hopes to apply what she learns when she pursues graduate school hoping to become a forensic psychologist.
Jo Downing
Jo is a current undergraduate student at University of Oregon double majoring in Human Physiology and Neuroscience, with plans to complete a minor in Biomedical Engineering. He has interests in motor skill learning / rehabilitation, memory encoding, and memory recall in patients who have experienced traumatic brain injuries. He has aspired to enter graduate school programs but will exercise gap years to travel and hopefully hike the Pacific Crest Trail. On his free time Jo likes to be recreational active including cycling and backpacking, cooking classic recipes from scratch with gluten free ingredients, and river plunging in the McKenzie river.
Jenny Martin
Jenny is an undergraduate student majoring in neuroscience with minors in chemistry and biology. She is interested in the interplay between memory and our unique experience, as well as how it relates to sleep, nutrition and lifestyle practices. After graduation, she plans to attend medical school. She enjoys mountain biking, frisbee, a good kombucha and basking in the sun.
Highschool Intern:
Austin Murray
I am a High school student at Marist. I am interested in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience, I am interested in studying memory, movement disorders, and mental illness. In the future, I would like to have a career as a clinician.
Interested in our research?
Join the lab!
We are currently looking for graduate students. If you are interested, please send me an email: dasa@uoregon.edu.
We are also looking undergraduate research assistants. Apply here!