Brain and Cognition

USU students performing an experiment in lab.

The Utah State University Brain and Cognition PhD specialization offers students an exceptional opportunity to earn a PhD in psychology with a focus on cognition and brain sciences. Our program boasts a team of highly qualified faculty with expertise in areas such as cognitive development, multisensory processing, and neuropsychiatric disorders. Students receive comprehensive training that spans from fundamental neurological processes to complex psychological disorders, equipping them with a deep understanding of brain and cognitive sciences.

Students have access to state-of-the-art laboratories and cutting-edge technology, enabling them to engage in groundbreaking research. Graduates of the program are well-prepared for careers in academia, research institutions, healthcare, and more. 

Research Opportunities


Engage in cutting-edge research
across various areas such as
cognitive development, multisensory processing, and neuropsychiatric disorders, guided by a team of highly qualified and experienced faculty members.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Benefit from a collaborative academic environment that encourages interdisciplinary work, allowing students to integrate knowledge from multiple fields and develop innovative approaches to research.

Strong Future Career Prospects


Graduates are well-prepared for a wide range career paths in academia, research institutions, healthcare, and industry, supported by a robust network of professional
connections and alumni.

Program Benefits



For approved programs of study, your tuition is fully covered and you will be awarded an assistantship with a monthly stipend. Assistantships include research and teaching experiences, allowing you to expand your academic skillset.

Brain & Cognition Faculty

Catalin Buhusi
Directory
Faculty
BC
Accepting Student
Psychology
Catalin V. Buhusi

Catalin V. Buhusi

Professor - Neuroscience Program & Brain and Cognition Specialization

catalin.buhusi@usu.edu

Accepting Student
Directory
Brain & Cog
Faculty
Mona Buhusi
BC
Psychology
Mona C. Buhusi

Mona C. Buhusi

Associate Professor - Neuroscience Program

435-797-8974

mona.buhusi@usu.edu

Kerry Jordan
Accepting Student
Faculty
Directory
Psychology
BC
Kerry Jordan

Kerry Jordan

Professor - Brain & Cognition Specialization

435-797-2797

kerry.jordan@usu.edu

Psychology
BC
Directory
Behavior Analysis
Accepting Student
Faculty
Tim Shahan
Timothy A. Shahan

Timothy A. Shahan

Professor - Brain & Cognition and Behavior Analysis Specializations

435-770-7619

tim.shahan@usu.edu

Directory
Leadership
Accepting Student
Psychology
BC
Christopher Warren
ADRC
Faculty
Christopher Warren

Christopher Warren

Associate Professor - Neuroscience Program & Brain & Cognition Specialization

435-265-5704

chris.warren@usu.edu

Faculty
emily weichart
Brain & Cog
Accepting Student
BC
Psychology
Directory
Emily  Weichart

Emily Weichart

Assistant Professor - Brain & Cognition Specialization

emily.weichart@usu.edu

Application Requirements

Submit the following to the School of Graduate Studies:

  • Application
  • Statement of Purpose/Intent - Recommended length of 500-1000 words
  • CV
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • The Brain and Cognition program is not requiring GRE scores for applications, but does encourage you to submit them if you have them.
  • Unofficial transcripts from all previous schools. Official transcripts will be required if accepted into the program

Admission Criteria:

  • GPA for the last 60 credits taken of 3.0 or higher
  • Fit with a current faculty member affiliated with the specialization

Applications are due by December 1st.


Brain & Cognition Labs

Mona Buhusi Lab | Mona Buhusi

The Mona Buhusi Lab conducts research involving identifying the specific sets of guidance cues along individual pathways and understanding how anomalies in neuronal connectivity relate to human neuropsychopathology.

Multisensory Cognition Lab | Kerry Jordan

The Multisensory Cognition Lab asks the question, “How did we, starting as prelinguistic infants, extract meaningful information from our world's busy mixture of multisensory stimulation?”

Warren Neuromodulation Lab | Chris Warren

The Warren Neuromodulation Lab conducts research on how the brain optimizes cognitive performance under varying circumstances.

Timothy Shahan Lab | Timothy Shahan

The Shahan Lab focuses on quantitative analyses of conditioning and learning.

Quantified Cognition Lab | Emily Weichart 

 The Quantified Cognition Lab focuses on the interplay between perception, memory, and decision-making with the broader goal of understanding how these processes collectively shape knowledge and guide human actions.

Student Spotlight 

Chloe Taylor

Chloe Taylor - Brain & Cognition

Chloe Taylor is a student in the Brain & Cognition Ph.D. program and a member of the Neuromodulation Lab with Dr. Christopher Warren. Chloe's research interests include attention and laterality difference, specifically how hemispheric laterality differences process differing emotional sensory stimuli and impact attention. Prior to pursuing graduate studies, I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Philosophy at Washburn University. 

Chloe shares how she decided USU was the right place for her and her future goals in the field of psychology.

Program News



Quantified Cognition Lab Spotlight

In the Quantified Cognition Lab, students explore the relationship between perception, memory, and decision-making to understand how these processes shape human knowledge and guide actions.

Psychology Research with the ADRC

The Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Research Center (ADRC) at USU is at the forefront of groundbreaking research aimed at understanding and combatting dementia and related disorders.