​The Memory & Cognitive Neuroscience Lab @ John Jay investigates the manner in which true and false memories are constructed using a variety of methods, including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), electroencephalography (EEG), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), behavioral paradigms, and physiological measures. Ultimately, we hope to apply our theoretical understanding of memory construction to both protect the integrity and improve the quality of human memory in real-world contexts.

​Current Research Questions
  • How does the sensory cortex contribute to memory construction?
  • What is the functional role of the parahippocampal cortex?
  • Can we preserve the accuracy of eyewitness memory reports?
  • Can we consciously suppress specific features of a memory?

Principal Investigator
Jessica M. Karanian, Ph.D.
The Memory & Cognitive Neuroscience Lab is run by Jessica M. Karanian. She received her Ph.D. in cognitive neuroscience from Boston College in 2017. Prior to CUNY John Jay, she spent one year as a visiting assistant professor at Wesleyan University and postdoctoral research scholar at Tufts University. Currently, she is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Dr. Karanian is also a member of the Doctoral Faculty for Psychology and Law and Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience at the City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate Center.
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