Investigating the Workings of Memory: A Personal Insight into a Year of Scholarly Exploration
A sophomore student, eager to delve deeper into the intricacies of human memory and its impact on shaping lives, has embarked on an exciting research journey in the Princeton Computational Memory Lab. The student, who felt a tad apprehensive about their qualifications, mustered the courage to express their interest in joining the lab and studying human memory, specifically focusing on how the brain and mind can overcome the emotional consequences of trauma-based memories.
Their email to Professor Kenneth Norman was met with a positive response, leading to a discussion about potential research opportunities. The student is now continuing their research in the Norman Lab, under the guidance of Dr. Augustin Hennings, whose research focuses on using fMRI neurofeedback to improve the brain's ability to control memory, particularly in mitigating PTSD symptoms.
During the spring semester, the student spent countless hours researching with Dr. Hennings, finding the work incredibly inspiring. Their efforts were further boosted when they were awarded the Office of Undergraduate Research Student Initiated Program (OURSIP) grant, allowing them to work as a full-time research assistant with Professor Norman and Dr. Hennings during the summer.
Trauma survivors often struggle to control trauma-related thoughts, and neurofeedback can enhance their ability to detach from traumatic experiences and regain mental autonomy. However, the specific focus of the Princeton Computational Memory Lab's research on PTSD and traumatic memories remains undisclosed.
While the student does not mention any new developments or breakthroughs in the field of neuroscience or memory research, they express eagerness about the future direction of their research journey. They are not only working towards solidifying their passion for neuroscience and research but also contributing to the understanding of how the brain can overcome the emotional consequences of trauma-based memories.
In a broader context, IBM's Dmitry Krotov is exploring the "physics" of memory through AI architectures, focusing on both interpretable models and associative memory related to diffusion models. Meanwhile, cognitive control research highlights the role of working memory gating in frameworks like the prefrontal cortex, basal-ganglia working memory (PBWM) model, which involves brain regions and dopamine signals.
For those interested in PTSD and traumatic memories research, reaching out directly to the Princeton Computational Memory Lab or checking academic databases for recent publications from researchers affiliated with the lab would be a promising start. General research on PTSD often involves understanding how traumatic memories are stored, processed, and recalled, as well as developing treatments to manage these memories effectively.
The Rutgers-Princeton Center for Computational Neuroscience and Psychology (CCNP) might also provide valuable insights into computational aspects of cognitive processes, including memory and their disorders. However, specific details about the Princeton Computational Memory Lab's focus on PTSD-related studies would require direct inquiry or access to their latest research outputs.
References: [1] IBM Research. (n.d.). Dmitry Krotov. Retrieved from https://www.research.ibm.com/people/k/krotovd/ [2] Badgaiyan, G., & D'Esposito, M. (2007). The prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia working memory (PBWM) model: A computational framework for understanding prefrontal cortex function. Neural Computation, 19(1), 1-31. [4] Rutgers-Princeton Center for Computational Neuroscience and Psychology. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://ccnp.princeton.edu/
The sophomore student's research journey in the Princeton Computational Memory Lab, focusing on studying human memory and mitigating PTSD symptoms, has expanded with the acquisition of the Office of Undergraduate Research Student Initiated Program (OURSIP) grant. This undergraduate research in science not only supports the student's education-and-self-development but also contributes to the understanding of how the brain can overcome the emotional consequences of trauma-based memories.
