Research Projects

Within-person variability in cognitive performance

Have you ever noticed that some days you feel sharp, alert, and productive? Whereas on other days you feel sluggish and inattentive? This project is examines the within-person drivers of cognitive performance as something that varies across days and even moments. We have developed a mobile app on which people can complete daily assessments of cognitive performance and mood. During a several-month period, we also track their sleep habits and physical activity with a fitness band. We are interested in how factors like sleep, stress, and mood interrelate with cognitive performance within people.

If you would like to participate in this study, please contact the lab (camlab@nd.edu).

Eye-tracking to understand the physiological mechanisms of attention

From the eyes, we can gather a wealth of information about a person's physiology while they attempt control and sustain their attention. We leverage this information, which comes from both the direction of a person's gaze and the dynamics of their pupil, to gain insight into the psychological and physiological mechanisms that underlie attention. We have used this information to theorize about the neurological systems that implement attention, and how they break down when people experience attentional lapses, like distraction and mind-wandering.

Improving attention with training

Our research is currently exploring several interventional techniques to improve attention control and sustained attention. If you are interested in participating in one of these studies, please email camlab@nd.edu.