Welcome to the Oakland University Cognition and Behavior Laboratory

The research in our laboratory primarily focuses on the common, basic, processes that determine what we learn and what we remember, as well as how this learning and memory takes place. For this purpose, we use a variety of species ranging from invertebrates to humans, as well as a variety of techniques such as the use of pharmaceuticals, complex behavioral training, and eyetracking technology.

A primary focus of the laboratory is student training. Thus, we are also actively investigating the factors that favor or hinder progress in STEM careers, especially in at-risk and underrepresented populations.


TWO UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT POSITIONS FOR 2023-2024 ARE AVAILABLE

URAs must be available for 6-10 h per week, some weekends, and must commit to working in the lab for a minimum of 1 year
(submit an application using the "Join the lab" link)

We currently have an opening for one PhD and one MS student seeking to research broadening participation in STEM. Interested students are encouraged to contact Dr. Escobar as soon as possible.

All graduate applicants are encouraged to contact Dr. Escobar before submitting an application to Oakland University

Students interested in the BA to MS Psychology program should contact Dr. Escobar as soon as possible to discuss their application. Click here to learn more about this accelerated program

Lab News

2021

December. The lab celebrated the holidays with a group brunch. We look forward to a great and productive new year!
October. The PATHs program hosted two virtual events aimed at supporting its Fellows' academic career developments.

Shawndra Bowers from the Auburn University Biggio Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning engaged facilitated a Teaching Effectiveness workshop, with emphasis on developing student engagement in both in-person and online platforms.

Dr. Shaik Jeelani (a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring - PAESMEM) facilitated a seminar titled "My mentoring philosophy". He was joined by three other PAESMEM recipients, Drs. Howard Adams, Jerzy Leszczynski, and Juan Gilbert, who discussed who engaged Fellows in a discussion of their perspectives on mentoring, as well as the strategies they have used to guide students to having successful careers of their own.
September. Click here to read our new study on faculty time allocation at HBUs!
August. Our recent Ph.D. graduate, Dr. Zebulon K. Bell, started his new position as an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Louisiana State University - Alexandria. Although his new job started with a hurricane scare, he is thrilled to move to the new stage of his career. We miss him terribly, but are incredibly proud of him!

2020




The PATHs program is funded by the National Science Foundation's AGEP program. To learn more about the PATHs program, click here. To learn more about NSF's AGEP program, click here.
The PATHs program held a virtual retreat on August 15, 2020. In attendance were Dr. Lily McNair (President, Tuskegee University), Dr. Alisa Mosley (Provost, Jackson State University), Dr. Carla Bell (Interim Provost and VP for Academic Affairs, Tuskegee University), Dr. Keith Hargrove (Dean, College of Engineering, Tennessee State University), Dr. Channapatna Prakash (Dean, College of Arts and Sciences), Dr. Kai Koong (Dean, Andrew F. Brimmer College of Business & Information Science), and Dr. Wilber Walters Dean, College of Science, Engineering, and Technology, Jackson State University).  Our keynote speaker was Dr. Camille McKayle (Provost and VP for Academic Affairs, University of the Virgin Islands), who made a presentation on the career pathways and challenges experienced by women as they navigate through positions in Academia.
In summer 2020, we said goodbye to four of our lab members! Our M.S. student, Jacob Dowell (top left) joined the Neuroscience Ph.D. Program at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Three of our undergraduate students moved to the next stage of their careers. Brittany Fust (top right) joined the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program at Central Michigan University, Claire Bova (bottom left) is currently preparing for the MCAT and working as a medical scribe while applying to medical school, and Brad Vandecar (bottom right) joined the Biochemistry Ph.D. program at Wayne State University.
We wish these great students the best, and will miss them terribly! We are so proud of you!!!
Our undergraduate research assistant Emily Wolf has been awarded an NIH IRTA fellowship to conduct biomedical research on high throughput testing for tuberculosis. Emily will be joining a lab at the NIH laboratories in Bethesda, MD, in fall 2020.
After completing her fellowship, Emily plans to attend medical school with the intention of specializing in emergency medicine.
We are incredibly proud of Emily, and wish her the best as she transitions to the next stage of her professional training.