BCS Graduate Students and Postdocs

Email: bazarjan@usc.edu
Advisor: Piray
Research Interests: My research focuses on how the brain creates flexible and general representations of the world. Currently, I am investigating the principles behind the brain’s construction of a “cognitive map,” particularly the interplay between various specialized cell types in the hippocampal-entorhinal system. This includes place cells in the hippocampus, as well as grid cells, object-vector cells, and border cells in the entorhinal cortex. I aim to understand how these neural components work together to create—or potentially emerge from—a comprehensive cognitive map that represents not only spatial information but also object relationships and environmental boundaries. I approach this problem by combining ideas from reinforcement learning, control theory, Bayesian probability theory, and theoretical neuroscience.

Email: bokhanov@usc.edu
Advisor: Mintz
Research Interests: Olesia’s research interests are in exploring cognitive abilities across human development. She is specifically interested in language acquisition, comprehension, and production, as well as neighboring topics of language learning and memory. My current research explores how very young children make use of language categories.

Email: neshatda@usc.edu
Advisor: Mintz
Research Interests: I study the mechanisms of non-adjacent dependency (NAD) learning in the visual domain, focusing on how adults detect and process patterns when presented with dynamic, non-linguistic stimuli. My work bridges cognitive psychology, visual perception, and learning mechanisms, integrating perspectives from neuroscience and affective psychology to understand the cognitive and emotional processes underlying pattern learning. I am particularly interested in how segmentation cues, stimulus modality, and affective states shape statistical learning, and I aim to incorporate computational modeling to better link behavioral findings with theoretical accounts of learning; bridging the gap between observed performance and underlying mechanisms. My broader research interests include the intersection of moral cognition, collective behavior, and the role of affect in shaping learning and memory.

Email: nghaziza@usc.edu
Advisor: Dehghani
Research Interests: My research interests lie in Computational Cognitive Science and Natural Language Processing. I am especially interested in investigating the neural correlates of moral language in prosocial behavior using techniques from Computer Science.

Email: yisingoh@usc.edu
Advisor: Zevin
Research Interests: Application of computational modeling to the learning of statistical regularities in language.

Email:kassaie@usc.edu
Advisors: Monterosso/Coricelli  
Research Interests: He is interested in the neurocognitive processes involved in human motivation and decision making, and the contextual factors that influence them. He uses neuroimaging, physiological measurements, and computational modeling to tackle issues of interest in the field of Neuroeconomics. Milad is currently working with Dr. John Monterosso, studying the patterns of neural and physiological activity associated with different types of value discounting under varied physical/cognitive loads. He is also collaborating with Dr. Giorgio Coricelli to develop and test biologically plausible models of context-dependent reinforcement learning from reward and punishment, using fMRI and computational modeling.

Email: kimeuiyo@usc.edu
Advisor: Nastase
Research Interests:

Email: xliu5899@usc.edu
Advisor: Read
Research Interests: Subtyping of reward processes in treatment-resistant depression and substance use disorders.

Email: chaodanl@usc.edu
Advisor: Read
Research Interests: I would like to develop theoretical framework or computational models to analyze and simulate human emotions and social interactions. Then I would extend research to the design of artificial intelligence models, investigating AI-driven emotional responses and social dynamics. I also would like to utilize Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology for the treatment of mental health disorders such as depression.

Email: muttreja@usc.edu
Advisor: Piray
Research Interests:

Email: cxpan@usc.edu
Advisor: Kaplan
Research Interests: Neural representations of structure and meaning of stories; how strangers become friends; naturalistic stimuli and machine learning methods

Email: nperaza@usc.edu
Advisor: Monterosso

Research Interests: Natalia “Nat” Peraza is a 4th year PhD student in the Brain and Cognitive Science area of the Psychology program at the University of Southern California. Her research focuses on understanding the relationship between substance use and psychological vulnerabilities, with the goal of reducing substance use and improving mental health outcomes among underserved and vulnerable populations. Natalia is also interested in exploring the neural correlates of addiction, as well as assessing the abuse potential and therapeutic effects of drugs to inform public health policy.

Email: aksenthi@usc.edu
Advisor: Read
Research Interests: I like studying how humans interact with artificial intelligence, social intelligence for artificial intelligence, and computational neuroscience. I also work with brain computer interfaces (BCI) and using machine learning to build out applications and systems using BCI. I am interested in using technology to improve democratic engagement and policy centered around human needs using artificial intelligence.

Email: jedvilla@usc.edu
Advisor: Habibi
Research Interests: Jed is interested in rhythmic entrainment, musical groove, and the far-transfer effects of music training.

Email: shuningw@usc.edu
Advisor: Monterosso
Research Interests: I am a PhD student in BCS. I am interested in self-control, addiction, motivation, decision-making, and behavioral economics. I find it both fascinating and entertaining to utilize my own human brain to study the brains of others. During my leisure time, I enjoy reading novels or philosophical books, exercising, and traveling.

Email: mengxuan@usc.edu
Advisor: Kaplan
Research Interests: Naturalistic fMRI, narrative processing, predictive processing, and affective neuroscience.

Email: vbdewan@usc.edu
Advisor: Habibi

Research Interests: Vani is a doctoral student with the Brain and Creativity Institute studying how music training affects developmental and educational outcomes, including executive functioning and audio-motor integration. She hopes to utilize mobile technologies and naturalistic stimuli to push the boundaries for how these complex cognitive processes are studied, and to prioritize the study of diverse global music traditions and underrepresented communities. These interests are a confluence of prior research experience studying musical improvisation with the UCSF Sound and Music Perception Lab and various topics in educational neuroscience  (including auditory attention, narrative speech engagement, visual word form recognition) with the Stanford Educational Neuroscience Initiative. Vani is also a lifelong musician and DJ, stimulating the brain and body and activating audiences worldwide with global music.