Welcome to the Neely Lab!
Lab Director
James H. Neely, Ph.D
Professor of Psychology
Yale University, Ph.D.
Current Graduate Students
Stephanie Crocco
I am currently a seventh year graduate student in the Cognitive Psychology Ph.D. program at SUNY Albany. I received my B.A. (2013) in Psychology from SUNY Plattsburgh. In the Neely Lab I conduct basic research on factors that influence human memory such as proactive and retroactive interference, testing effects, and mediation in learning paired associates. Additionally, I collaborate with the Visual Cognition Lab researching the eye-mind link and training with new methodology: eye-tracking and electroencephalography (EEG). My research interests further include pupillometry and recognition memory.
Deana Vitrano
I am currently a sixth year graduate student in the Cognitive Psychology Ph.D. program at University of Albany, SUNY. I received my M.S. (2014) in Experimental Psychology from Saint Joseph’s University and my B.S. (2012) from Dickinson College. My research interests currently include human memory, specifically the testing effect and the mediator effectiveness hypothesis. I also collaborate with the Cognition and Language Laboratory studying creativity and word associations, and the Visual Cognition Laboratory studying expertise using eye tracking and EEG methods.
Carol Bolte
I am currently a fourth year graduate student researching human memory in the Neely lab. I am particularly interested in the testing effect, which is a phenomenon by which people learn new information more effectively when tested during the learning process. I entered the Cognitive Psychology Ph.D. program at the University of AIbany, SUNY in Fall 2016 after completing my BA at SUNY Purchase.
Current Research Assistants
Kelly Iocca
I am a junior at the University at Albany. I am a psychology major and an education minor. I am on the D1 Cross Country and Track & Field team at UAlbany. In addition, I start training to be a Middle Earth Hotline representative this fall semester. This is my first semester as a research assistant, and I am looking forward to being able to experience what it is like to be in a research lab environment.
Hannah Murphy
I am a junior here at the University at Albany majoring in Psychology and minoring in Biology. I plan on furthering my education in graduate school in hopes of becoming a health or sports psychologist. I play soccer for the University and in my free time I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. This is my first time working as a research assistant and I am more than thrilled to be a part of this wonderful program and so fortunate that I have the ability to gain experience and knowledge from this opportunity.
PJ O'Rourke
I am currently in my junior year and from Nassau County Long Island. My major is Psychology and minor is History. I am part of the Psychology Honors School, Honors Club, Ju Jitsu Club, and Outdoors Club. I am a big time movie, music, and tv guy. I also play a few different intermural sports during the year like soccer and football. I am eI xcited to be working in a lab for the first time, and plan on studying for my PhD in Psychology after college.
Leyla Fanning
I am a Clinical Psychologist recent college graduate. I obtained my Bachelor degree at the San Francisco de Quito University, Ecuador. I acquired the Magma Cum Laude Honor Degree and I attained two sub-specializations: Sexology and Organizational Psychology. I’m a member of the first chapter of The International Honor Society in Psychology PSI CHI in Ecuador. I have dual citizenship, Ecuadorian and American. I am fluent in Spanish and English. I have completed a total of 155 hours of clinical experience, providing therapy to children, adolescents, adults, and families. The type of treatment that I applied was cognitive behavioral therapy. Although, I have training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Emotion-focused therapy, Psycho dynamic Therapy, and Family Therapy. Likewise, I obtained 240 hours of experience working with autistic children. Moreover, in order to obtain my degree I performed a Research Project that is published in the following link: http://repositorio.usfq.edu.ec/handle/23000/7659. This research project aims to analyze and show the effectiveness of Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) to work with women who have been mistreated and present borderline processes as a result of the trauma. I have great passion in the psychological field and a huge awareness about the importance of improving the conditions of humanity with research. I want to obtain the highest level of education in this field because I really want to create a great impact through my studies and research in the humanity.
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Naseem Sadik
I am a sophomore at the University at Albany. My major is Psychology and my minor Sociology and education. This is my first semester as a research assistant in the Neely Lab. I am hoping to pursue a career in clinical psychology. In my down time, I like to be outdoors and love to listen to music. I have a passion for playing tennis as well as expressing myself.
Anna Tuttman
I am currently a junior, double majoring in Biology and Psychology at the University at Albany. After graduation, I hope to continue my education through an M.D.-Ph.D. hybrid program, working towards becoming a medical researcher with a focus in behavioral neuroscience. In my free time I enjoy singing, reading, working as a peer tutor, and playing the piano. This is my first time as a Research Assistant, and I am very excited for everything the Neely lab will teach me!
Andersen Vaughan
I am currently a sophomore here playing volleyball for the University at Albany. Alongside academics, I thoroughly enjoy the life of being a student-athlete! My dream is to be in the FBI with an educational background of Psychology, Leadership, and Criminal Justice. I love to meet new people and can’t wait to travel the world once I am able to! :) I’m ready to learn, always down to jam to new music, and excited to take on this opportunity in all of its forms!
Alumni Members
Graduate Students
Research Assistants
Kit W. Cho, Ph.D
Kit Cho is now an Assistant Professor at University of Houston-Downtown.