Amishi Jha | University of Pennsylvania Department of Psychology

Assistant Professor

Department:

Psychology

Education:

BS, Psychology, University of Michigan; Ph.D., Psychology, University of California, Davis

Address:

3401 Walnut St, Room 409C

Phone:

215-746-0425

Email:

apjha@psych.upenn.edu

Lab Page

Specific Research Areas:

Cognitive neuroscience of working memory and attention

Research Synopsis:

We investigate the functional neuroanatomy of working memory and attention using various cognitive neuroscience techniques. In addition, we investigate how working memory and attention may be modified with training (including mindfulness-based training techniques) and mental mode manipulations (including mood, self-focus, and creativity).Our current research topics include:

1. Early Perceptual Modulations during Attention and Working Memory
We are conducting a number of studies to investigate the role of stimulus familiarity, distraction, and maintenance requirements on early perceptual ERP components during working memory and attention tasks.

2. Neurobehavioral Effects of Mindfulness Training in patients with attention deficit disorder, older adults, teachers, and children.

3. The Influence of Mental Mode Manipulations on Attention and Working Memory
We are currently conducting several studies to investigate the influence of mood, creative mindsets, and self-focused states on attention and working memory.

4. Working Memory and Attention in Academic Contexts

Representative Courses:

Psychology 155 Attention and Memory
Psychology 249 Cognitive Neuroscience of Meditation
Psychology 349 Research Experience in Functional MRI

Appointments:

Psychology Graduate Group; Neuroscience Graduate Group

Advisees:

Representative Publications:

Stanley EA, Jha AP (In Press) Mind Fitness and Mental Armor: Training the Mind to Improve Operational Effectiveness and Build Warrior Resilience. Joint Force Quarterly.

Sreenivasan KK, Goldstein JM, Lustig AG, Rivas LR, Jha AP (2009) Attention to faces modulates early face processing during low but not high face discriminability. Atten Percept Psychophys 71:837-846. Download PDF

Sreenivasan KK, Katz J, Jha AP (2007) Temporal characteristics of top-down modulations during working memory maintenance: An ERP study of the N170 component. J Cogn Neurosci 19:1836-1844. Download PDF

Jha AP, Krompinger J, Baime MJ (2007) Mindfulness training modifies subsystems of attention. Cogn Affect Behav Neurosci 7:109-119. Download PDF

Sreenivasan KK, Jha AP (2007) Selective attention supports working memory maintenance by modulating perceptual processing of distractors. J Cogn Neurosci 19:32-41. Download PDF