The scientists of University of Oregon's Brain and Memory Lab study how memories are formed and how they are linked to each other to create a mental model of the world that can guide our behavior. They investigate how different memory systems are implemented in the brain, how they represent information, and how they interact. In this quest for discovery, they rely on computer-based experiments, cognitive models of behavior, and advanced brain imaging methods.
This project investigates how individuals learn new concepts and infer new knowledge by integrating bits and pieces of information learned over time. With the mentor, they will use computer-based tasks and brain imaging in human participants to better understand how memory integration contributes to acquiring new category knowledge.
The intern will assist with data collection and data analysis, as well as attend weekly lab meetings with presentations of work in the lab and discussions of journal articles from the field at large. Data collection will involve guiding human participants through computer-based tasks and assisting graduate students and post-docs with collection of brain imaging data. Data analysis will involve working in MATLAB (a computing environment) or R to create summaries of participants' responses and perform basic statistics. There may also be opportunities for the intern to be introduced to analyzing brain imaging data. By the end of the internship, the intern will be proficient in working with human participants to run computer-based tasks. The intern will also have completed data analysis on at least one computer-based study and will be able to explain the purpose of the study, its methodology, and whether the results support the predictions of the study.
The mentor is hands on but encourages students to develop independence. She prefers to work with students who can be resourceful and work independently, but also check in and asks for help as needed. She tries to make herself available as much as possible.
Click here to learn more about the Brain and Memory Lab at University of Oregon. Please note that this internship takes place in Eugene, and you must provide an address within 50 miles of University of Oregon on your application to be considered.
We strongly encourage students to apply who are from one or more systemically and historically excluded group, including but not limited to, non-cis-gendered students, girls, BIPOC, first-generation college bound students, low-income/low-resourced students, students with disabilities, who are neurodivergent, and those who speak a primary language other than English.
This internship will take place in-person with the option of occasional remote work as permitted by Federal/State/Local/UO guidelines. To reduce the risks of coronavirus exposure, mentors and interns will act in accordance with applicable COVID guidelines and procedures. Selected applicants will be required to review and sign a waiver agreement.
If you have any questions about the application, website technical issues and/or this position description, please contact Saturday Academy at ase@saturdayacademy.org. Do not contact the mentor directly. Contacting the mentor directly is grounds for disqualification of your ASE application.