People

Lab Director

Michael Freedberg

Dr. Freedberg is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education. He is an expert in the cognitive neuroscience of learning and memory. Dr. Freedberg uses multimodal neuroscientific approaches involving repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and behavioral tasks to understand the organization of the brain’s memory networks in order to develop targeted treatments to rescue memory in patients with neurological and mental health disorders.

Graduate Students

Nafiz Ishtiaque Ahmed

Nafiz is currently a Ph.D. student in the MCRS at The University of Texas at Austin. His research focuses on investigating how striatal-targeted repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation can benefit patients episodic memory loss. To study this complex topic, he use a multidisciplinary approach that includes techniques from behavioral science, physiology, and computational methods. He previously completed my MS in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Ulsan, where he developed a machine learning model tailored for small devices like Arduino Uno to facilitate Electrooculography on an eye-tracking system.

Additionally, he has experience working on a project that involved decoding Electrocorticography data from epileptic patients using a machine learning model based on a semantic and gender hierarchy framework with 96% accuracy. With a BS in Computer Science and Engineering, my thesis work focused on creating a semi-automatic model to enhance natural language processing through ontology. Outside of my academic pursuits, he enjoys participating in coding contests, cycling, and working on fun coding projects!

Cory Rebmann

Cory Rebmann is a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate in Movement and Cognitive Rehabilitation Sciences. He holds an M.S. in Kinesiology from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and dual B.A. degrees in Anthropology and Law and Justice from Central Washington University. His research focuses on memory and the interactions between memory systems, specifically examining how procedural and episodic memories and their networks interact based on the learning context. His current studies explore how procedural and episodic memories cooperate or compete in integrated versus separated learning contexts, with future research aimed at identifying the neural correlates of these interactions through fMRI.

Rahmawati

Rahma is a fourth-year PhD student in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education at The University of Texas at Austin. Her research focuses on understanding the real-time influence of episodic memory on the output of the procedural motor network. She also utilizes repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to test the causal effects of high and low gamma frequencies on improving memory encoding and retrieval in healthy individuals. Additionally, she has a broader interest in clinical applications aimed at effectively using rTMS to target populations with memory deficits. She loves cooking and teaching.

Prachi Wankhade

Prachi is a first-year PhD student in the Movement and Cognitive Rehabilitation Science program. She completed her M.Tech. in Biomedical Engineering from IIT Bombay, where her research focused on understanding the role of attention in gait. During her PhD program, Prachi is interested in exploring the neural correlates of different types of memory. Her interest in memory stems from observing how some people excel at remembering factual data—like mathematical formulae—while others are able to vividly recall emotionally significant events, such as the song played during a special moment. Outside academics, Prachi enjoys cooking, reading fiction, going on nature walks, and occasionally indulging in a peaceful nap.

Undergraduates

Katherine

Katherine is a third-year exercise science major with a pre-health certification. She is interested in memory and learning and currently assists Cory Rebmann on research studying the interactions between procedural and declarative memory.

Mia Dominguez

Mia is second-year Neuroscience and Psychology double major at the University of Texas at Austin. She has an interest in Cognitive Neuroscience and intends on continuing her path in research in a Doctoral program after graduation. She is currently leading a research project examining consolidation of interactions between procedural and declarative memory after a 24-hour period. She is also assisting Cory Rebmann in his research on memory interference.

Farah Lodro

Farah is a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in human development and family sciences, with a pre-health professions certification. She currently assists Rahmawati in researching repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to test the effects of high and low gamma frequencies and its effect on memory encoding and retrieval in healthy individuals. In the future, she hopes to attend physician’s assistant school.

Former Members

Lara Kamal, MS
Busra Celik, MS
Sam Gonzalez, MS
Yousuf Din, BS
Vian Nguyen, BS
Griffin Alpert, BS
Monique Cortez, BS
Dora Goldstein, BS
Caitlyn Hermesch, BS