Applications to the PhD program in Behavior, Cognition, and Neuroscience (BCaN) at American University, Washington DC, are currently invited through December 1 for a Fall 2024 start. Prospective students may apply now at: https://www.american.edu/cas/neuroscience/phd/requirements.cfm (GRE optional), mentioning the name(s) of the specific faculty they are interested in working with within their statement of purpose. For inquiries about waiving the application fee, please contact the PhD program director at mark.laubach@american.edu (first generation college students, among others, are generally eligible for the waiver).
 
The following cognitive neuroscience faculty are anticipating accepting a PhD student this cycle:

Dr. Laurie Bayet directs the Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience lab, which focuses on infant cognitive and visual development. The lab combines neuroimaging (EEG, fNIRS), eye-tracking, behavioral methods, and computational (e.g., machine learning) tools to uncover how infants and young children learn to interpret complex visual objects, such as those that are relevant to affective, social communication. Current areas of focus include (1) the early development of high-level visual representations, in comparison to computational models of vision; and (2) social and affective communication understanding in typical-risk and elevated-risk infants. Prior experience with either developmental/neuroimaging research or programming/ machine learning (we use Python, Matlab, and/or R) is strongly preferred but not strictly required, as training will be provided. The lab is currently funded by the National Science Foundation, a NARSAD Young Investigator Award from the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, a Toffler Scholar Award from the Karen Toffler Charitable Trust, and American University. Our work involves local, domestic, and international collaborations, and has been recognized by a Rising Star award from the Association for Psychological Science and a Distinguished Early Career Contribution Award from the International Congress of Infant Studies. Learn more: https://www.bayetlab.com/

Dr. Emily Grossnickle Peterson directs the Educational Neuroscience Lab. The Ed Neuro Lab investigates the thinking and reasoning skills that impact learning science and mathematics, and examines the role of motivations such as interest and curiosity. We are especially interested in understanding curiosity and visual-spatial reasoning in science. At the heart of our work is a desire to reduce disparities among individuals typically under-represented in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields by conducting research that contributes to a deeper understanding of how students engage with science and mathematics. We conduct research at the intersection of cognitive neuroscience and educational settings, and we apply methods from psychology, neuroscience, and education to study learning in the laboratory and in K-12 schools. Research in the lab is supported by grants from the National Science Foundation and the National Academy of Education. Learn more:  https://edspace.american.edu/edneurolab/ 

Dr. Bei Xiao directs the Computational Perception lab, which focuses on human vision, computer vision and computational modeling of perception. The main topic of this PhD is to understand neural representation of objects and materials. Specifically, we study how humans estimate object properties and plan interactions in an immersive multimodal environment using generative AI, Human Psychophysics, EEG and functional brain imaging methods. We use a combination of psychophysics, deep learning, generative AI, VR/AR, computer graphics, EEG/MEG methods. The candidate will receive hands-on training in one or several of these areas. Besides this topic, we also study the visual development of material and object perception in infancy and early childhood through a collaboration with Laurie Bayet in the Department of Neuroscience using behavioral and EEG methods.  In addition, Xiao lab also studies computer vision and collaborates with researchers at Virginia Tech, NIH/NEI, George Mason University, University of Giessen, and the University of Tokyo. These collaborations allow the candidate the opportunity to work on a variety of related topics. To learn more about the Xiao lab: https://sites.google.com/site/beixiao/ 

The BCaN PhD program is hosted by the Center for Neuroscience and Behavior (https://www.american.edu/cas/center-neuroscience) at American University, which involves more than 20 faculty conducting research on the mind and brain across multiple departments including Neuroscience, Psychology, Computer Science, Biology, and the School of Education. The program provides 4 years of guaranteed funding including a TA-ship, with additional funding based on other sources (such as faculty grant support).