The University of Florida Cognition & Aging Laboratory currently has four primary researchers:
1) Dr. Lise Abrams, the director
2) Meagan Farrell, a 5th-year graduate student
3) Sabra Pelham, a 4th-year graduate student.
4) Danielle Davis, a 1st-year graduate student.
Approximately 6-10 undergraduate students also assist with the research.
Job Placements of Former Graduate Students
Sara Margolin, Ph.D. 2007, assistant professor of psychology at SUNY, College at Brockport.
Dunja Trunk, Ph.D. 2007, assistant professor of psychology at Bloomfield College.
Katherine White, Ph.D. 2002, assistant professor of psychology at Rhodes College.
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Our research investigates memory and language processes and the effects of aging on these processes. Specific areas of interest include: (1) memory retrieval failures such as the tip-of-the-tongue states, which are naturally-occurring retrieval failures that are characterized by a temporary inability to recall a known word; and (2) language errors such as the production of spelling errors and homophone substitution errors. The general goals of our research are to understand the causes of these retrieval failures as well as to explain why certain aspects of language and memory functioning are impaired in old age while others are spared.
We have a pool of volunteers, aged 60 and above, who participate in our research studies. We contact volunteers once or twice a year to let them know about a new study, and visits are scheduled at their convenience. All participants are compensated at a rate of $8 per hour.