Lab director
Vicky T. Lai is an associate professor in Psychology Department and Cognitive Science program at the University of Arizona. She will serve as the interim Director of Cognitive Science starting in August 2025. She also has courtesy affiliations with the Linguistics Department, Second Language Acquisition Teaching GIDP, and BIO5. The overarching theme of her research is the processing of meaning and language in context. Specific topics include non-literal language (metaphor, irony, idiom), emotion and language, and language and thought. She was elected a fellow in Psychonomic Society in 2018 and was awarded Distinguished Mentoring Award in 2023. In her free time, Vicky likes to swim, hike, play music, and watch sci-fi movies and comedies.
Graduate students
Laura Baiocco is a 5th-year PhD candidate in the Cognition and Neural Systems (CNS) program in the Department of Psychology. Her interests include figurative language processing, emotional processing, and the relationship between the two. In her free time, she likes watching thriller/mystery movies, visiting new places, and trying new food.
Lindsay Krebs is a 4th-year PhD student in the cognition and neural systems (CNS) program in the department of Psychology. Her interests include bilingualism as well as ways in which language might help to structure thought. Her current project focuses on whether apt use of metaphor in teaching can enhance learning of science concepts. She enjoys reading, cooking, and video calling with her three dogs (and family!) back home.
Çağatay Çora is a 3rd-year PhD student in the Cognition and Neural Systems (CNS) program within the Department of Psychology. He is interested in the embodied perspectives of figurative language. Additionally, he is interested in Natural Language Processing. In his free time, he enjoys camping, cycling, reading and also delving into the profound enigma of conscious realism.
Nahyun Kim is a 2nd-year PhD student in the Cognition and Neural Systems (CNS) program within the Department of Psychology. She is interested in the relationship between language and emotion, specifically how we construct or regulate our emotions through language. In her free time, she enjoys brewing coffee, taking photos, and playing tennis.
Fatima Jebahi is a fifth-year PhD student of Dr. Aneta Kielar in the Language and Neuroimaging Research laboratory in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences. She is interested in the cognitive and neural correlates of language in acquired neurogenic language disorders. In this lab, Fatima collaborated on a project that examined how psycholinguistic properties of words affect word naming in bilingual primary progressive aphasia. In her free time, she enjoys watching TV shows, reading books, and exploring new places.
Mourad Abdennebi is a third-year Ph.D. student of Dr. Janet Nicol in the Second Language Acquisition and Teaching program (SLAT). In this lab, he is collaborating on one of his dissertation experiments that examines multisensory word learning in adult second language learners.
Undergraduate students
Danieh Alani is a sophomore double majoring in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science (NSCS) and Psychological Science. Her research interests include behavioral and social psychology. In her free time she likes to read, cook, and spend time with family and friends.
Brandon Rodriguez is a senior majoring in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science (NSCS) with an emphasis in neurobiology. His research interests involve studying neurodegenerative diseases and the impact of music on the brain. In his free time, he enjoys going to the gym and playing the trumpet in the University’s marching band.
Soren Stover is a senior majoring in Neuroscience at The College of Wooster supervised by Dr. Grit Herzmann. Her research interests are in metaphorical language and sensory embodiment. In this lab, she is working towards a senior thesis project on visual metaphor and embodiment. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends, playing games, and wildlife photography.
Edwige Ishimwe is a third-year honors student majoring in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science (NSCS) and Psychology. Her research interests are related to linguistics and how linguistics relates to consciousness and affect the way we perceive the world including ourselves and others. Her McNair project in Summer 2025 is on whether and how self-expressive metaphors can influence self-esteem. In her free time, she likes to bake, grow plants, and drawing and water coloring.
Safiya Tarazi is a sophomore majoring in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science (NSCS) with an emphasis in cognition and minors in Spanish and Arabic. Her research interests include second language acquisition and the effects of language on the brain and behavior. In her free time, she loves to play piano, go on outdoor adventures, and spend time with family and friends.
How do I join the lab?
If you are a prospective student applying to the Cognitive Neural System program in the Department of Psychology at the University of Arizona, please contact Dr. Lai directly (tzuyinlai at arizona dot edu) with your research interests and CV. Please do so in September, October, or November, as the application deadline is December 1 each year.
If you are an undergraduate at the University of Arizona looking for independent research or directed research opportunities, please contact Dr. Lai directly (tzuyinlai at arizona dot edu). In your email, please include the following information and documents: Name, email, major(s) or minor(s), honors student (yes or no), year (sophomore, junior, or senior), CV or resume, transcript (unofficial fine), prior experiences in other research labs if any, and what your research interests are.