On May 22, 2024, Aliakbar (Ali) Mehdizadeh successfully defended his MA Comprehensive Examination with a paper titled “Diffusion Over Temporal Networks”. This project explored how networks with memory can be used to understand information diffusion. I believe Ali’s manuscript also has achieved the unique honor of having the most equations for any project I’ve seen at the MA level. Well done, Ali, we’re very proud of you!
The lab is excited to share two presentations at APS24 this year. Hope to see you there!
Kee, R.; Jantzen, K.; Hahn, A. Does Cleft Lip/’Palate Repair Surgery Restore Normal Neural Processing for Infant Faces? Poster Session I, Number I-119; May 23, 7:30 – 8:30pm. Download the poster.
Huskey, R.; Gong., X.; Ulusoy, E.; Riggs, E.; Kee, R.; Coronel, J.; Eden, A.; Boydstun, A. Drift Diffusion Modeling Shows That Preferential Evidence Accumulation Governs News Selection. Poster Session, IX, Number IX-47; May 26, 9:00 – 10:00am. Download the poster.
On May 20, 2024, Dr. Xuanjun (Jason) Gong successfully defended his dissertation titled “Individual Curiosity Modulates Structured and Directed Exploration in Sequential Book Selection.” In Fall, Dr. Gong will start his career as a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication & Journalism at Texas A&M University. Way to go, Dr. Gong!!
The lab, in conjunction with the Human Development and Media Lab is running a study at the SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity that investigates how children learn in virtual reality. The project resulted in a news release from The Student Researcher. The release heavily features lab members Allyson Snyder (project lead) and Valerie Klein (researcher). The project is, as of this writing, also featured on the landing page at https://www.ucdavis.edu/.
The lab is excited to share two presentations at NCA23 this year. Hope to see you at NCA!
Saturday, November 18:
11:00 AM – 12:15 PM; Annapolis 2 – Hotel, Ballroom Level. Gong, X. & Huskey, R. Mechanisms of People’s Book Reading: Exploration and Reinforcement Learning.
11:00 AM – 12:15 PM; Annapolis 2 – Hotel, Ballroom Level. Gong, X. & Huskey, R. Media Multitasking as an Exploratory (vs. Explotive) Behavior.