People
Lab Director
Meredith Minear, PhD
Assistant Professor (CV)
I received my B.S. in psychology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and my PhD in cognitive psychology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. I also spent 3 years as an NIA supported post-doctoral scholar at Washington University in St. Louis. My research interests are focused around executive processes and working memory in the cognitive domain and the related constructs of self-control and impulsiveness in the social personality domains. A major focus of my work is in the plasticity of executive function and self-control i.e. how our environment and experiences affect these processes. One principle aim of my research is to develop training programs that can help students and others improve their cognitive functioning and their ability to self-regulate. I am also interested in the emerging field of positive psychology and encourage my students to play as much as possible.
I spent 2 years teaching English in Japan on the JET program and worked as a Pink Jeep off-road tour guide in Sedona, AZ. I also enjoy hiking, horse back riding, fishing, gardening and especially snowboarding.
Lab Supervisors/Managers
Mandy Brasher
Mandy is a 2012 graduate of Dartmouth College and a native Idahoan. She is back in Idaho for a year before heading off to medical school.
Andrew Moore, 2013
I'm a senior Psychology major and one of the lab's current managers. My interests in psychology began to crystallize in 2008, when I began following national politics more closely. I became interested in the psychological factors that influence preferences, decisions, and opinions in our daily lives. In college, this led me to begin research on video game players and personality, as well as research investigating possible predictors of success among college students. During my junior year (2011-2012) I also became involved in research investigating the claims/potential of cognitive training, specifically the effects of Real-Time Strategy games. I've presented some of the findings of my undergraduate research at RMPA last April, and will be presenting further research at SPSP this winter. I'm an amateur guitarist, enjoy reading and cooking different foods, playing Chess and Go, and love hiking in our mountain state.
Joshua Sukeena, 2013
My name is Joshua Muller Sukeena. I was raised here in the great state of Idaho, and am now a Senior at the College of Idaho. I am a Psychology Major and have focused on biology during my senior year. I have been one of the lab managers for Dr. Minear during my senior year and I have greatly enjoyed studying executive functioning and cognitive plasticity. Upon graduation I plan on going to graduate school to study molecular level biomedical research. I am especially interested in neurodegenerative diseases, neural development, genetics, and cancer progression and treatment. I live in Caldwell with my wonderful wife Abbey and our dog Gracie. I enjoy being outdoors camping, hiking, backpacking, snowboarding, playing sports, and a good solid round of frisbee golf.
Undergraduate Students
Ellen Gott, 2013
I am a senior Psychology and Biology double major with minors in English and Education. I grew up in Bend, Oregon, but have come to love Idaho, and especially the College of Idaho. My interests in the fields of psychology and biology are intertwined. I'm particularly fascinated with neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and application of research in counseling and education. Being a member of the Cognitive Plasticity Lab is bringing together a variety of these interests in an exciting way. I enjoy traveling, eating new foods, reading, outdoor recreation and good grammar.
Jeff Leibman, 2013
I am a senior psychology major originally from the Denver area. My primary areas of interest include sensory neuroscience (particularly taste and sound), neurological disorders, heuristics and cognitive biases, decision making, stress, and addiction with pet interests in gender psychology, psychopharmacology, evolutionary psychology, linguistics, and emotion. My non-scholastic hobbies include classical literature, particularly Greek and Roman authors, cooking, playing piano, weightlifting, urban and outdoor survival skills, travel, backpacking, fishing, firearms/archery, and martial as well as sartorial arts.
Steven Birkinbine, 2014
Born and raised in scenic Meridian, Idaho, Steven is in his third year at The College of Idaho. Currently, he's a coach for Starcraft 2 and League of Legends and he's a professional team manager and coach for League of Legends and a co-manager and coach for Starcraft 2. Steven is very passionate about competitive video games and competitive video gaming and he's constantly searching for better ways to improve both himself and the game. Steven is currently majoring in Business with a focus in Administration and minoring in Psychology, Philosophy, and Mathematics. He is very hopeful for his work to be a contribution to the greater knowledge that is Psychology and he hopes to use his vast video game background and experience to help explain and explore this new area.
Brodi Etheredge, 2014
I am a junior at The College of Idaho, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Human Biology and Journalism. My main interest in psychology is neuropsychology and I plan on getting my PhD in this field. I am very interested in researching conscientiousness and tidiness as well as executive functions. Apart from my academics I am a member of the C of I concert choir, performing seasonal concerts as well as recitals with the Boise Philharmonic. In my free time I enjoy singing, reading classic literature, writing, spending time with friends and family and traveling. I look forward to participating in the lab and contributing to the amazing field of Psychology.
Mindi Price, 2014
Mindi is interested in emotion regulation.
Katrine Franks, 2014
Katrine is also interested in emotion regulation.
Lab Alumni