MEET THE LAB | Memory & Aging Lab

Director

Karen L. Siedlecki, PhD

Dr. Siedlecki is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Fordham, and is the director of the Fordham Memory and Aging Lab. Her research focuses on age-related differences in cognition and memory. More recently, she has focused on investigating individual differences in autobiographical memory and examining whether age is associated with the retrieval of more positive memories. Dr. Siedlecki is also interested in the seemingly paradoxical relationship between age and subjective well-being, and the relationship between autobiographical memory valence and well-being across age.

Graduate Students

Rachel Bloom, MS

Rachel F. Bloom is a sixth-year doctoral candidate in Fordham University's Applied Developmental Psychology program concentrating in Health, Illness, and Well-Being Across the Lifespan. Her Master’s thesis examined facilitators and barriers to advance care planning among children of people showing signs of early- to mid-stage dementia, focusing in particular on the role of parent-child relationship quality, and her dissertation centers on healthcare engagement attitudes among family caregivers and surrogate decision-makers using a lifespan developmental framework. Major research interests include enhancing well-being for people with dementia and their families, the development of effective care planning interventions, and the application of disability justice to care planning policy and practice. Rachel earned her MS in Bioethics from Columbia University in 2016 and her ScB from Brown University in 2013

Merve Sena Imrek, BS

Merve is a first-year doctoral student in the Applied Developmental Psychology program concentrating in Health, Illness, and Well-Being Across the Lifespan. Merve graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from Middle East Technical University. Her current research focuses on examining the distinctions between voluntary and involuntary memories, particularly differences in the phenomenological characteristics of these types of memories. She is also interested in the bidirectional relationship of emotional well-being and recall in terms of dysfunctional retrieval of negative autobiographical memories and favorable outcomes of retrieving positive memories.

Previous Graduate Students

Veronika Kobrinsky, MA

Veronika graduated with her MA from Columbia Teacher's College in 2024 and is currenly a PhD Student at the University of Wisconsin- Madison in the Affect, Suicide, Self-Injury, and Social Triggers (ASSIST) Lab.

Emily LeRolland, MA

Emily graduated with her Master's in Clinical Research Methods in 2024.

Neshat Yazdani, PhD

Neshat graduated with her PhD in 2023 and is a Senior Policy Research and Evaluation Associate at College Access: Research & Action (CARA).

Jordan Sergio, MA

Jordan graduated with his Master's in Clinical Research Methods in 2022 and is currently a Ph.D. Student in the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program at the University of Rhode Island.

Jillian Minahan Zucchetto, PhD

Jillian graduated with her PhD in 2021 and is the Assistant Dean for Juniors at Fordham College Rose Hill.

Francesca Falzarano, PhD
Francesca graduated with her PhD in 2019 and is an Assistant Professor of Gerontology at the University of Southern California.

Amanda Leeder, PhD

Amanda is the President of the non-profit organization Farm to Able.

Stephanie Hicks, PhD
Stephanie is a Research Project Manager at MJHS in New York.

Seojung Jung, PhD
Seojung is an Associate Professor at SUNY Old Westbury in Old Westbury, NY.

Zachary Kornhauser, PhD
Zach is the Senior Director of Faculty Assessment and Development at the Columbia School of Professional Studies in New York, NY.

Undergraduate Lab Members

V Boudousquie

V. Boudousquie is a third-year Integrative Neuroscience student on the Cognitive track with a minor in Bioinformatics at Fordham University Lincoln Center. She is a Clare Boothe Luce Scholarship recipient in addition to an honors concentrator in the Francis and Ann Curran Center for American Catholic Studies. Joining Fordham’s Memory and Aging Lab in the Fall of 2024, she is working under the mentorship of Dr. Karen L. Siedlecki, investigating the phenomenological characteristics of autobiographical memory in relation to development

Bridget Flanagan

Bridget is a junior psychology major at Fordham University minoring in Peace and Justice Studies. She began research with the Memory and Aging Lab in October 2023. A few of her research interests range from school psychology, trauma recovery, and how positive mental health impacts development across the lifespan. Bridget hopes to attend graduate school for either social work or mental health counseling. On campus, she is involved in the Humanitarian Student Union and the Center for Community-Engaged Learning.

Sophia Ghelardini

Sophia is a junior at Fordham University majoring in Integrative Neuroscience and plans to minor in Political Science and Psychology. She joined the Memory & Aging Lab in Summer 2023. Her research interests include cognition, neurodegenerative diseases, and the impact of ACEs. After graduation, Sophia hopes to attend medical school and work in pediatrics.

Grace Glennon

Grace Glennon is a junior at Fordham University Rose Hill majoring in Cognitive Neuroscience and minoring in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. She joined the Memory and Aging lab in Spring 2024 and is particularly interested in neurodegenerative diseases and the effects of compassionate care on both patient outcomes and healthcare provider well-being. After graduation, Grace hopes to pursue a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. In her spare time Grace enjoys reading and playing the piano.

Audrey Gomez

Audrey (she/they) is a sophomore at Fordham University (FCLC) majoring in Psychology and minoring in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. They joined the Memory & Aging lab in Spring 2024. Their research interests include the neuropsychological aspects of memory, language, and cognition; identity concealment and internalized homophobia/transphobia within LGBTQ+ individuals; and trauma and stressor-related disorders. After graduating, they intend to continue research and pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology.

Adeline Kong

Adeline is a sophomore at Fordham University majoring in Biological Sciences on the pre-med track. She joined the Memory and Aging Lab in Spring 2024. She became involved in the lab to deepen her knowledge of cognition following her experiences as a certified nurse assistant for geriatric patients and children with intellectual disabilities.

Artin Preljvukaj

Artin is a Sophomore majoring in Integrative Neuroscience and planning to minor in Psychology on a pre-health track at Fordham’s College of Rose Hill. Artin hopes to attend medical school in the future.

Giovanna Rafanello

Giovanna is an 2023 alum of Fordham College Rose Hill, where she majored in Psychology and Italian. She has volunteered with the Memory and Aging Lab since Fall of 2019. Giovanna is interested in Developmental Psychology, specifically identity development in the transition from adolescence to adulthood and works as the lab manager for the 3D lab at Fordham University. She intends to continue research in graduate school and obtain her PhD.

Valeria Ramos Prado

Valeria is a third-year Fordham University Lincoln Center undergraduate student from San Antonio, Texas. She is an integrative neuroscience major with a cell and molecular focus on the pre-med track. She joined the Memory and Aging lab in Spring 2023. Valeria also works at the Center for Community Engaged Learning at Fordham and is a research assistant for the Pain Reduction using NEurostimulation or PRUNE study at Weill Cornell Medicine.

Aleena Shehryar

Aleena is a second year student at Fordham University Lincoln Center majoring in Integrative Neuroscience on the pre-medical track. She joined the Memory and Aging lab in the Fall of 2024 and is interested in pursuing research in neurodegenerative diseases and neurophysiological aspects of memory and learning. Aleena works as an EMT for Fordham University's EMS and plans on applying to medical school after graduation. She has also worked on research regarding menopause and dementia in hypertensive rats

Past Undergraduate Lab Members

2023/2024

Arika Ahamed

Maggie Boros

Emmeline Brzeczek

Natalie Fermoselle

Yu Jin In

Inara Jamil

Ella Kohn

Alexa Mancini

Hannah Mason

Vashma Ramdass

Elena Roden

Alex Schandlbauer

2021/2022
Samantha Dargie

Alissa Kerr

Ahang Leqola

Julianna Scofield

Zuzanna Smurzynska

2019/2020
Kennedy Abbott

Travis Aprile

Devin D'Agostino

Samantha DeAssis

Lis Ortiz

Eunice Jung

Emma Spoldi

2018
Ilanys Almonte

Cassandra Cooney

Ara del Pino Mollina

Caroline Lucy

Emily McFadden

Nahla Taher

Annie Young

2015/2016
Samantha Banjany
Soulin Haque
Arif Kostak

Angela Kennedy

2017
Erin Hunt

Maria Pleshkevich

Julianna Pollina

Courtney Romans

Zane Sejdui

Samantha Steimle

Siwen Xie

Past undergraduate students who have completed Psychology Honors Theses or Neuroscience Capstone Projects

2024

Arika Ahamed, “Examining the Relationship between Sleep Quantity and Cognition”

Yu Jin In, “Examining the Relationship between Personal Outlook and Academic Motivation”

Findings presented at the 2024 Hunter College Annual Convention

Inara Jamil, “The Impact of Long COVID on Cognition”

Vashma Ramdass, “The Relationship between Mindfulness Meditation and Cognitive Flexibility on Facial Recognition Performance”

Findings presented at the 2024 Hunter College Annual Convention

Elena Roden (co-mentored with Dr. Falzarano), “Gender Differences in Psychological Outcomes of Dementia Family Caregivers”

2023

Maggie Boros, "Relationship Between Cognitive Functioning and COVID-19-Induced Loss of Taste and Smell"

Findings presented at the 2023 Association for Psychological Science annual meeting

Emmeline Brzeczek, "Assessing Language and Wording in Recall in Bilingual Speakers"

Natalie Fermoselle, "Examining the Role of Subjective Age in Subjective and Objective Cognition"

Findings presented at the 2023 Association for Psychological Science annual meeting

Alexa Mancini, "Age-Related Differences in the Accessibility and Usability of Online Therapy"

Alex Schandlbauer, "Examining the Temporal Relationship between Anxiety and Impulsivity"

2022

Radha Jadoo, "The Temporal Relationship between Need for Cognition and Cognitive Functioning"

Veronika Kobrinsky, "COVID-19 Illness and Cognition: Exploring the Effects of Moderating Factors"

Julianna Scofield, "Examining whether Concussion History Moderates the Relationship Between COVID-19 and Neurocognitive Functioning"

Zuzanna Smurzynska, "Examining Autobiographical Memory Retrieval as an Intervention to Increase Physical Activity in Adults Over the Age of 55"

Alexandra Trant (co-mentored with Dr. Falzarano), "The Relationship between Self-Perceptions, Dating Anxiety, and Satisfaction in Romantic

Relationships in a Sample of Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder"

2021

Loli Alvarez, "The Relationship between Feelings of Support from Religious Affiliations and Well-Being"

Madeline Becker, "Social Perceptions of Rape and Sexual Assault Across Age"

Samantha Dargie, "Examining the Relationship Between General Anesthesia Exposure and Cognitive Performance"

Kristen Jefairjian, "Autobiographical Memory Recall as an Intervention to Increase Academic Effort Among College Students"

Alissa Kerr, "The Effect of Music Training on Short-Term Musical Memory"

Findings published in the Fordham Undergraduate Research Journal

Arbi Kumi, "Exploring the Feasibility and Effectiveness of a Virtual Summer Treatment Program for Children with Behavioral and Social Problems: A Pilot Study"

2020

Bel Amaral, "Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Dimensions of Personality"

Devin D'Agostino, "The Influence of Language on Time Perspective and the Selection of Socially Oriented Goals"

Adina Fradkov, "Autobiographical Memory Recall as an Intervention to Increase Feelings of Belongingness among College Students"

Kristi Lise (co-mentored with Jillian Minahan), "The Social Effects of an Intergenerational Email Pal Program"

Findings presented at the 2021 Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting

Annalee Mueller (co-mentored with Jillian Minahan), "The Impact of Social Support and Environmental Demands on Subjective Cognition across Adulthood"

Findings presented at the 2020 Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting
Published in a peer-reviewed journal: Mueller, A., Minahan Zucchetto, J., & Siedlecki, K.L. (2021). The relationship between social support and subjective cognitive functioning across adulthood. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development. https://doi.org/10.1177/00914150211066565 [epub ahead of print]

Tasmin Neha, "The Relationship Between Dimensions of Colorism and Body Image"

Lis Ortiz, "The Influence of Language Concordance on Visual Perspective in Autobiographical Memories"

Rebecca Thompson, "Individual Differences that Influence Mental and Sexual Health in College Students"

2019
Emma Spoldi (co-mentored with Francesca Falzarano), “The Effects of Using Smartphone Technology before Bed on Sleep”

Isabella Oliveira, “Do Individual Difference Characteristics Influence False Memory?”

Katrine Jensen, “Examining Situational Motivations for Extrinsic and Intrinsic Aspirations in Young Adults”

Katherine Greenberg, “Examining Cognitive Dissonance-induced Memory Distortion”

Eunice Jung, "Does Time Salience Influence Working Memory Performance in College Students?"

Published in the Fordham Undergraduate Research Journal

2018
Cassandra Cooney (co-mentored with Jillian Minahan), “Do Feelings and Knowledge about Aging Predict Ageism?”

Published in a peer-reviewed journal: Cooney, C., Minahan, J., & Siedlecki, K.L. (2020). Do feelings and knowledge about aging predict ageism? Journal of Applied Gerontology, 0, 1-10.

Emily McFadden, “Relationships among Autobiographical Memory Qualities and Non-Clinical Mood Characteristics”

Findings presented at the Society for Applied Research in Memory and Cognition Annual Meeting, Cape Cod, MA (June 2019)
Published in a peer-reviewed journal: McFadden, E., & Siedlecki, K.L. (2020). Do depressive symptoms and subjective well-being influence the valence or visual perspective of autobiographical memories in young adults? Memory, 28, 506-515.

Claudia Rodriguez, “Examining Dance and Interactional Movement as a Catalyst for State Empathy Facilitation”

2017
Yetkaterina Shultberg, “Effects of Language Concordance on Visual Perspective in Autobiographical Memory”

Erin Hunt, “Effects of menstrual cycle on cognition and autobiographical memory”

Findings presented at the New England Psychological Association Annual Meeting, Worcester, MA (November 2018)

2016
Olivia Cortellini, “Do Internships Better Prepare Students for Success in Graduate School and the Workplace?”

Findings presented at the Eastern Psychological Association Annual Meeting in New York, NY (March 2016)

2015
Neshat Yazdani, “Optimism is Weakly and Not Significantly Related to Decision Making”

Findings presented at the APS annual convention in New York, NY (May 2015).
Published in a peer-reviewed journal: Yazdani, N. & Siedlecki, K.L. (2019). Is the glass always half full? Examining the relationship between dispositional optimism and risky decision making. The New School Psychology Bulletin, 16(1), 55–65.

Marguerite Pintauro, “Investigating the Relationship and Nature of Multiple Types of Spatial Memory”

2013
Kathleen Buehler, “The Relationship between Fluidity of Sexuality and Well-being”

Findings presented at New England Psychological Association’s Annual Meeting in New York, NY (October 2013

Jillian Minahan, “Individual Differences in Need for Cognition Influence the Evaluation of Scientific Explanations”

Findings presented at the APS annual convention in New York, NY (May 2013).
Published in a peer-reviewed journal: Minahan, J. & Siedlecki, K.L. (2016). Individual differences in Need for Cognition influence the evaluation of circular scientific explanations. Personality and Individual Differences, 99, 113–117.

2012
Bethany Boyle, “The Relationship between Executive Functioning and Physical Activity in Young and Older Adults”

Kristina D’Antonio, “The Relationship between Hippocampal Volume and Memory Performance across Age Groups”

Findings presented at the N.E.U.R.O.N annual meeting in New York, NY (May 2012)

Sarah Tazghini, “Facebook Use and Its Relationship to Self-esteem and Personality”

Published in a peer-reviewed journal: Tazghini, S., & Siedlecki, K.L. (2013). A mixed method approach to examining Facebook use and its relationship to self-esteem. Computers in Human Behavior, 29, 827-832.

2011
Jennifer Ferrar, “Do We Dream to Cope with Stress?”

Andrea Paul, “The Relationship between In-class Technology Use and Academic Achievement”

Published in a peer-reviewed journal: Kornhauser, Z.G.C., Paul, A., & Siedlecki, K.L. (2016). An examination of students' use of technology in the classroom. Journal of Teaching and Learning with Technology, 5, 1-15.

2010
Stephanie Diebert (co-mentored with Dr. Rachel Annunziato), “Distress and Self-reported Memory Change during the Transition to College”

Findings presented at the APA annual convention in Washington, DC (August 2011)

Joanna Wong, “Sheep or Cotton Ball? How Degraded Stimuli Help Explain the Extent of the Picture Superiority Effect”