Current lab members

Kate Nussenbaum
she/her
Assistant Professor
katenuss@bu.edu

Kate is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Boston University. She is interested in understanding how learning, memory, and decision-making systems change and shape adaptive behavior across development. Kate received an Sc.B. in Cognitive Neuroscience from Brown University, an MSc in Experimental Psychology from the University of Oxford, and a Ph.D. in Psychology from NYU. She completed postdoctoral training at the Princeton Neuroscience Institute before returning to her home state of MA to launch the lab in 2025. When not doing research, she enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, and watching TV, though these days her hobbies have been supplanted by tending to a demanding new roommate.

Ipek Obek
she/her
Lab Manager
iobek@bu.edu

Ipek recently graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, where she studied Cognitive Science with a concentration in computation and cognition, and minored in Data Science and Computational Neuroscience. She is broadly interested in how we learn from our experiences, make decisions, and form judgments, as well as how these processes can be formalized through computational models of the mind. When not in lab, she likes to kickbox, watch (very old) movies, explore the city, and travel to new ones.

Chang Yuan (Karen) Chen
she/her
PhD Student
karencyc@bu.edu

Karen is a Ph.D. student in the Brain, Behavior, and Cognition program. She is interested in understanding the computational mechanisms of mood dynamics, and how they can guide adaptive learning and decision-making across development. Karen received her BA in Psychological and Behavioral Sciences from University of Cambridge and an MRes from UCL, where she also completed a research placement at Yale University. Outside of research, she is usually trying to train her cat to do tricks, cooking, or climbing!

Luis R. Alvarez
he/his
PhD Student
lralvare@bu.edu

Luis is a Ph.D. student in the Brain, Behavior, and Cognition program. His research focuses on the strategies people use to make choices across different contexts, and on how learning shapes those strategies. In his current work, Luis combines computational modeling with behavioral experiments. Outside the lab, he enjoys trying out new recipes and exploring Boston.

Jialing Ding
she/her
PhD Student
jialing@bu.edu

Jialing is a rotation student in the Graduate Program for Neuroscience. She is interested in learning and decision-making in individuals with psychiatric disorders and in developing better tools for personalized interventions and predicting the development of psychiatric disorders. Jialing loves traveling, an interest she has combined with her academic journey: she completed her bachelor’s degree in Japan and her master’s degree in Belgium, with an exchange year in San Diego and a research position at Princeton

Zhixin (Jennifer) Fu
Undergraduate research assistant
zhixinf@bu.edu

Jennifer is an undergraduate student in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Boston University, where she is pursuing a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Advertising. Her academic interests lie at the intersection of cognitive psychology, user experience, and applied behavioral research. Before joining BU’s research community, Jennifer worked on market and consumer behavior projects at Ipsos and BrainCo, where she explored how data and neuroscience can inform more human-centered technologies. When not in the lab or class, Jennifer enjoys drawing, gossiping, and binge-watching long-haul TV shows while having ice-cream.

Irene Zheng
Undergraduate research assistant
zhengyr@bu.edu

Irene Zheng is a junior at Boston University pursuing a dual degree in Psychology and Public Relations. She is interested in exploring how sociocultural factors influence the expression of mental disorders throughout the lifespan. She wants to pursue a Master’s degree in Clinical or Counseling Psychology after graduation and work with adolescents and young adults. In her free time, she enjoys going to concerts and listening to K-pop music.

Jeffery Uwukhor-Ikele
Undergraduate research assistant
juwukhor@bu.edu

Jeffery is an undergraduate neuroscience major at Boston University and a member of the Kilachand Honors College. Originally from Nigeria and raised in New Britain, Connecticut, he is particularly interested in how environmental factors influence brain development and neurodegeneration. He aims to pursue an MD/PhD and become a neurologist focusing on young adults, while also conducting research. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with friends, exploring Cambridge, drawing, and listening to music.

Gabriela Passaro
Undergraduate research assistant
gp1412@bu.edu

Gabi is a sophomore undergraduate majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Applied Human Development at Boston University. Raised in São Paulo, Brazil, and having spent five years in Miami, Florida, she is particularly interested in how different upbringings influence decision-making and behavior. She is especially drawn to the bilingual brain and how growing up between cultures may shape the brain’s capacity to process information and make choices. In her free time, she enjoys playing beach volleyball, spending time with friends, exploring local cafés, and reading.

Julia Haus
Undergraduate research assistant
jphaus@bu.edu

Julia is an undergraduate student pursuing a B.S. in Data Science and a minor in Business Administration. She is interested in how technology, business, and behavioral psychology overlap and explain decision-making. In her free time, she enjoys hosting dinner parties with friends, running around Boston, and hiking in California!

Melina Di Garbo
Undergraduate research assistant
digarbom@bu.edu

Melina Di Garbo is a second-year undergraduate student at Boston University studying Biological Anthropology and Psychology. She is interested in exploring the relationship between human development and evolution. Melina hopes to pursue a PhD and become a professor in either field, while also conducting research. In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time with her friends, traveling, and working at an ice cream stand.

This could be you!
Wildly Happy and Intellectually Inspired Researcher

Please see the join page to learn about opportunities in the lab.