The Center for Cognitive Neuroscience coordinates undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral training in cognitive neuroscience.

Graduate Training

The Center for Cognitive Neuroscience (CCN) offers two main options for graduate training in cognitive neuroscience.

Interdisciplinary Training Program for Graduate Study in Cognitive Neuroscience
This program is designed for students interested in an approach to cognitive neuroscience that integrates ideas and techniques across different aspects of this rapidly growing field. The key feature of the training program is that after two years of course work and laboratory rotations that provide a general training in cognitive neuroscience, students select two advisors for their thesis research who have expertise in the different subdisciplines that best define their interests (e.g., cognition and perception, the neurobiological bases of behavior, brain imaging techniques, electrical recording methods, psychology and psychophysics, philosophy of mind, neuroengineering approaches, computational and theoretical modeling or other relevant fields).

Certificate Program in Cognitive Neuroscience
This program is designed for students interested in working primarily within a subdiscipline of cognitive neuroscience that is represented by a particular department. In addition to the curricular requirements of their home department, students in the certificate program complete a year-long core course in cognitive neuroscience, as well as participating in relevant seminars and journal clubs. To participate in the certificate program, students must first be admitted to one of the participating departments. Information regarding application to each of the relevant departments can be found on their respective websites: Psychology & Neuroscience, Neurobiology, Philosophy, Computer Science, and Biomedical Engineering.


Postdoctoral Training

The Center for Cognitive Neuroscience coordinates a postdoctoral training program for scientists holding the Ph.D. or M.D. degrees or their equivalent. Postdoctoral trainees may conduct research in humans or animals using a variety of techniques, or may identify two faculty sponsors and develop interdisciplinary training plans. Trainees are supported by individual faculty research grants from NIH and NSF and by individual fellowships from NIH, the James S. McDonnell Foundation and Pew Charitable Trust, and other public and private sources. Postdoctoral trainees should contact individual faculty members to inquire about training opportunities.


Training in Cognitive Neuroscience for Medical Students

Medical students enrolled in Duke Medical School may obtain research training and experience in cognitive neuroscience as part of the Cognitive Neuroscience Training Program. Students may arrange research training during their third year of medical school; i.e., the research year.


Undergraduate Research Training

Undergraduate students at Duke University may obtain training in cognitive neuroscience in the laboratory of a participating faculty member. Undergraduate students at Duke University interested in experience in cognitive neuroscience should contact individual faculty members.


Visiting Trainees

Each year several visiting undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral trainees come to the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience for training in cognitive neuroscience. Please contact individual faculty members for opportunities.

Training Program Faculty 2008

*Dale Purves, M.D., Professor of Neurobiology; Director of the Center for Cognitive Neurosciences
*Alison Adcock , Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science
*Dan Ariely , Ph.D., Professor of Fuqua School of Business
Staci Bilbo, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychology & Neuroscience
*Elizabeth Brannon, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology & Neuroscience; IPCN Director of Graduate Studies
Jeffrey Browndyke, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
*Roberto Cabeza, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology & Neuroscience
Michael De Bellis, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry
David Fitzpatrick, Ph.D., Professor of Neurobiology
Owen Flanagan, Ph.D., Professor of Philosophy
Warren Grill, Ph.D., Associate Department of Biomedical Engineering
*Jennifer Groh, Ph.D., Associate Professor Neurobiology, and Psychology and Neuroscience
Güven Güzeldere, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Philosophy
*Brian Hare, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Department of Biological Anthropology & Anatomy
Craig Henriquez, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering
*Scott Huettel, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Psychology and Neuroscience
Erich D. Jarvis, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Neurobiology
*Kevin S. LaBar, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Neurobiology, and Psychology & Neuroscience
David J. Madden, Ph.D., Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Elizabeth Marsh, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychology & Neuroscience
James McNamara , M.D., Professor of Neurobiology
Warren H. Meck, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology & Neuroscience
*Stephen Mitroff, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychology & Neuroscience
*Michael L. Platt, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Neurobiology
David C. Rubin, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology & Neuroscience
Nestor Schmajuk, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology & Neuroscience
Allen W. Song, Ph.D., Associate Director of the Brain Imaging and Analysis Center; Associate Professor of Radiology and Biomedical Engineering
Timothy Strauman, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology & Neuroscience
Carlo Tomasi, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Computer Science
Jim Voyvodic, Ph.D., Assistant Research Professor in the Brain Imaging and Analysis Center
Christina Williams, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology & Neuroscience
*Marty G. Woldorff, Ph.D., Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science; Associate Director of the Center for Cognitive Neurosciences
Henry Yin, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychology & Neuroscience

*Resident faculty of the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience

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