Primary Investigator

Dr. Timothy Ricker

Ph.D. University of Missouri, 2013

My research follows two main directions. The first explores how humans maintain information across time and in the face of interfering tasks. The second examines the parameters and processes involved in creating stable working memory representations. I use behavioral experimentation, Bayesian estimation, and computational modeling to examine these questions.

I am also an Associate Editor at Cognitive Psychology and Psychological Research.

Contact: [email protected]
C.V. | Bluesky | Twitter | Scholar | ReseachGate

Graduate Students

Megan McCray

M.A. University of South Dakota, 2023

My interests include the study of cognitive load and multi-tasking and their application to critical environments. I am interested in developing risk mitigation tactics through cognitive research and the application of Human Factors principles. In 2019, I graduated from Marshall University with a B.A. in Psychology. I am currently pursuing an Ph.D. in Human Factors Psychology at the University of South Dakota.

Contact: [email protected]
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Victoria Caswell

M.S. Ruhr University, 2023

My research interest centers around working memory and how it supports task performance. I am particularly interested in cognitive load, multitasking, and how findings from such investigations can be used to inform human centered designs. I hold a B.S. in Psychology and M.S. in Cognitive science.

Contact: [email protected]

​Dillon Quiñones

M.S. University of Illinois, 2023

My main interests include visual working and long-term memory, forgetting, and how differing manipulations of probability affect memory outcomes. I also have an interest in real-world application of psychological science (e.g., user experience research). I graduated from Purdue University (2021) with a B.S. in Psychology; minor in Philosophy, and the University of Illinois (2023) with a M.S. in Psychological Science. I am currently a Ph.D. student in the Ricker Memory & Attention Lab within the Psychology-Human Factors & Applied Cognition program at the University of South Dakota.

Contact: [email protected]

Sriya Ravula

M.S. St. Francis College for Women, 2022

My interests include the interplay between working memory and attention, specifically the role of mind wandering. I aim to explore how these cognitive processes interact and affect our daily experiences using eye-tracking. I hold a B.A. and M.S. in Applied Psychology.

Contact: [email protected]

Undergraduate & Postbaccalaureate  Research Assistants

Lulu Yousef

I am the neuroscience of cognition and human performance. I am currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in cognitive neuroscience and plan to continue my education in neuroscience. I am particularly interested in using research insights to understand and improve human motor performance across a range of contexts.

Burcu Kilic

I joined the lab to gain hands-on experience in psychological research and to explore how memory processes are affected by neurological and clinical conditions. I am particularly interested in understanding how disruptions in working memory contribute to behavioral and cognitive difficulties, and how studying these patterns can improve our understanding of neurological disorders. I hope to strengthen my research and data analysis skills and build a foundation for a future career in neuroscience.

Shatha Alkhdour

I am a cognitive neuroscience major currently preparing for the accelerated Occupational Therapy (OTD) program. My research interests center on the relationship between memory and functional tasks. I am eager to explore the neurological basis behind rehabilitative techniques to better understand which interventions are most effective for improving specific functional tasks. My goal is to apply these research-driven insights in a clinical setting to provide more personalized and effective care as an Occupational Therapist.

Owen Peterson

​I am a medical biology and mathematics double major with plans to attend the Sanford School of Medicine. My research interests center on the effects of memory and attention on behaviors in younger population demographics. I would like to use this research to help further technologies and best practices to improve behaviors associated with clinical aspects of memory and attention.

Lab Alumni

Links provided to personal pages of former students working in academia. If Dr. Ricker needs to update an entry don't be a stranger, get in touch!
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Former Graduate Students

Kelly Cotton, Ph.D. Research Assistant Professor in Neurology at Stony Brook University 

Former Research Assistants

Asia Sletten, Biology student (M.A.) at the University of South Dakota
Christina Fanciullo, B.A., Clinical Psychology student (PhD) at the University of South Dakota​
Nate Mungunkhet, B.S., Post-Bac Research Assistant at the Laureate Institute for Brain Research
Kamila Haliru, B.S., Clinical Research Assistant at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Joseph Obineche, B.S., Cognitive Psychology student (PhD) at Montana State University 
Katherine Roberson, B.S., Medical Student (MD) at the University of South Dakota 
Garrett Clendening, B.S., Medical Student (MD) at University of Kansas - Wichita 
Kristen Quigley, Ph.D., Academic Researcher. Swim Coach at Simon Frasier University 
Caryn Darmoni, D.D.S., Doctor of Dentistry
Alani Harrison, D.P.T., Physical Therapist
Danielle Aylmer, B.S., R.N., Registered Nurse
Nicholas Cirrone, M.D., Anesthesiology Resident at Mount Sinai West and Morningside
William Frickenstein, M.A., High School Counselor 
Iryna Pylypchuk, B.S., R.N., Registered Nurse
Khadega Imam, B.S., R.N., Registered Nurse
Priscilla Hutchinson, M.S., OTR/L, Occupational Therapist
Mabel Etuknwa, M.A., B.C.B.A., Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Our Lab in Previous Years