John Nadra

John Nadra

Cognitive Neuroscientist

University of California, Davis

Biography

John Nadra is a cognitive neuroscientist working with Dr. George Ron Mangun at the Center for Mind and Brain analyzing the neural mechanisms of attention in various capacities. The research conducted at the Mangun Laboratory utilizes eye-tracking, EEG, and fMRI to analyze saccadic activity, event related potentials, and BOLD signals, conduct spectral analysis, decode neural oscillations, and employ machine learning methods. Within this work, he is currently focused on investigating how self-generated momentary intentions in the absence of external cues initiate voluntary attention orienting.

In his spare time, he enjoys playing video games, reading books and playing with his cats, Deku and Kaya.

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Interests
  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Willed Attention
  • Machine Learning
Education
  • PhD in Psychology, 2024

    University of California, Davis

  • MA in Psychology, 2021

    University of California, Davis

  • BA in Psychology, 2019

    Sonoma State University

Experience

 
 
 
 
 
Postdoctoral Scholar
Laboratory for Neural Mechanisms of Attention
Sep 2024 – Present University of California, Davis

Responsibilities include:

  • Collecting simultaneous EEG-fMRI data
  • Writing grants
  • Teaching courses in Psychology
  • Leading and mentoring a team of scientists
 
 
 
 
 
Graduate Student Researcher
Laboratory for Neural Mechanisms of Attention
Jul 2019 – Sep 2024 University of California, Davis

Responsibilities include:

  • Analyzing behavioral, EEG and fMRI data
  • Crafting experiments
  • Implementing research studies utilizing machine learning
  • Mentoring a team of research assistants
 
 
 
 
 
Research Assistant
Bengson Laboratory
Aug 2017 – May 2019 Sonoma State University

Responsibilities included:

  • Leading cognitive neuroscience studies
  • Analyzing complex datasets