Director
Chris Wahlheim
Dr. Wahlheim is a first generation college graduate who earned an A. A. degree at Black Hawk College, and B.S. and M.S. degrees at Illinois State University. He completed his Ph.D. training and two Postdoctoral Fellowships at Washington University in St. Louis.
He is an Associate Professor of Psychology, an Associate Editor at the journal Memory & Cognition, member of the Memory Disorders Research Society, and the director of the Memory and Cognition Lab at UNC Greensboro. His research interests are in memory, misinformation, beliefs, and cognitive aging. He is pursuing projects in all of these areas and would be delighted to talk with bright motivated students about research opportunities in his lab.
Graduate Students
Samuel Cox
Samuel is a third-year PhD student who is excited to begin working in the Memory and Cognition Lab at UNC Greensboro. He received his B.A. in Cognitive and Behavioral Science with a minor in Philosophy from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. His interests include the link between sustained attention and subsequent memory performance, memory deficits associated with various mental disorders, as well as the relationships between self-reported, behavioral, and physiological measures of cognition. If Samuel finds himself needing a brief break from science, he's likely fishing, playing his guitar, or rock climbing.
Amanda Kane
Amanda is a first-year master’s student in the Memory and Cognition Lab and is excited to begin her studies at UNCG. She earned her B.S. in Experimental Psychology, with a minor in Child Advocacy Studies, in May 2026 from the University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Her research interests include memory for misinformation corrections in the media. Specifically, her current research investigates how memory for the source of a correction affects whether belief change persists over time. In her free time, Amanda enjoys hiking, backpacking, and spending time with her partner and her four reptiles: Spike, Shelly, Fred, and Geoff.
Bayley Wellons
Bayley is a third-year PhD student in the Memory and Cognition Lab. She completed her B.A. in psychology and minor in computer science at UNCG and is excited to continue her studies. She is interested in individual differences in memory and attention and using eye tracking to study these processes. In her free time, Bayley enjoys playing video games and watching her favorite shows.
Undergraduate Research Assistants
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Hansika Alampally
Hansika is a freshman at UNC Greensboro majoring in Biology with a Human Body concentration and minoring in Chemistry. She graduated from Reagan High School in 2026 and is a pre‑med student with a strong interest in neuroscience inspired by her brother’s experience with epilepsy. She is excited to begin eye‑tracking research in the Memory and Cognition Lab. Hansika volunteers at Novant Health Hospital in the neurology, orthopedics, and cardiology departments. In her free time, she enjoys playing badminton and exploring how physical and cognitive health connect.
Mallalai Battle
Mallalai is a junior at UNC Greensboro, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology on the pre-med track, with minors in Philosophy and Chemistry. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a medical degree and continue her journey toward a career in medicine. In her free time, Mallalai enjoys reading, listening to music, and practicing yoga.
Safa Choudry
Safa is a junior pursuing a B.S. in psychology. She is interested in clinical and cognitive psychology and plans to conduct research in both fields in the future. In her free time, she enjoys painting, practicing Arabic calligraphy, reading fantasy books, and writing short stories.
Jolianny Corcino Martinez
Jolianny is a senior at UNC Greensboro majoring in Psychology and Information Science, with concentrations in Organizational and Community Informatics and Information Analytics, and a minor in Sociology. She is interested in learning more about memory, cognition, and how technology and data can be used to better understand human behavior. She joined the Memory and Cognition Lab to gain hands-on research experience and learn more about how research is conducted. After graduating, she hopes to continue pursue a career that combines psychology and technology. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, trying new foods, working on programming projects, and spending time with my pet parrots, Maui and Kiwi.
Faith Maksoud
Faith is a post-baccalaureate student in the Memory and Cognition Lab. She graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with B.S. in neuroscience and B.A. in mathematics with a minor in chemistry. She is interested in all aspects of the brain and hopes to learn more about how the brain operates within different social dynamics. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, watching tv, and hanging with her cats.
Serina Serrano
Serina Serrano is a senior in the Memory and Cognition Lab. While working towards her B.S in psychology and a minor in sociology, she looks forward to expanding her knowledge in the different areas of psychology. She is interested in clinical, cognitive, and forensic psychology and has high hopes to learn more about each one before deciding on what she will pursue in graduate school. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, playing video games with friends, and spending time with those she cherishes the most.
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Julia Vanella
Julia is a freshman at UNC Greensboro pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Long-term Julia hopes to go on to graduate school to become a Family Nurse Practitioner. Julia is excited to be a part of the Memory and Cognition Lab and looks forward to gaining hands on research experience. She is particularly interested in Alzheimer's disease research and hopes to learn more about factors that contribute to cognitive decline. In her free time Julia loves reading, baking, spending time with friends, and singing.
Graduate Student Alumni
Paige Kemp
Paige earned her PhD in 2024. She is currently a Data Analyst at the Baltic Exchange, a key player in the international freight shipping industry, based in London. In this role, she develops indices and benchmarks that are essential for global maritime trading and decision-making.
Jong Won Lee
Jong Won earned his Master's degree in 2021. He is currently a PhD student in the Biostatistics department at Medical College of Wisconsin.
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Sydney Garlitch
Sydney earned her PhD in 2022. She is currently an Affiliate Professor in the Psychology Department at Grand Valley State University.
Aaron Goldman
Aaron earned his Master's degree in 2026. He is currently a PhD student in political science at Stony Brook University.
Sydney Smith
Sydney earned her Master's degree in 2021. She is currently a brand strategist and social listening expert at CR legal team.
