J. Devin McAuley is a Professor in the Department of Psychology, Director of the MSU Cognitive Science Program and a member of the Neuroscience Program. He completed his undergraduate and graduate studies at Indiana University, receiving a B.A. in Mathematics and Computer Science, a M.S. in Computer Science, and a joint Ph.D. in Computer Science and Cognitive Science. He then went on to complete postdoctoral studies in Psychology at the University of Queensland and the Ohio State University where he was a Music Cognition Postdoctoral Fellow. Before joining the MSU faculty in 2009, Devin was a faculty member in the Department of Psychology at Bowling Green State University. Dr. McAuley’s research interests include auditory perception, attention, and memory, music cognition, cross-modal processing, timing and temporal control of behavior, and relationships between music and language processing.

Leigh VanHandel is a former Associate Professor of Music Theory at Michigan State University, and is now Associate Professor of Music Theory at the University of British Columbia.  Her research areas focus on music cognition with an emphasis on rhythm, meter, and tempo. She’s currently working on the Tempo Project, which is studying what musical cues influence our perception and determination of tempo. In her spare time, she officiates roller derby and plays bass guitar in a rock band.

Toni Smith is a fifth-year PhD student in the Psychology Department’s Cognition and Cognitive Neuroscience program. She graduated with a B.S. in cognitive science at the University of Connecticut in 2018, where she was an undergraduate research assistant in the Music Dynamics Lab. Here in the TAP Lab she has worked on the speech-in-noise project, looking at the role of rhythm and entrainment in the perception of speech in difficult listening situations. More recently, she has been working on a project investigating the role of movement in timing perception, and is also involved in a collaborative project with the University of Michigan on adults who stutter. In her free time, she enjoys reading, thrifting, and trying out new recipes in the kitchen.

Samantha Waddell is a second-year PhD student in Music Theory at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. She also holds a BM in Piano Performance from the University of Evansville (2018) and earned an MM in Music Theory at Michigan State University (2021). Sam has been collaborating on the Narrative Listening project since 2019, lending her performance and theory skills to the project. Outside of music cognition, Sam’s research interests include rhythm and meter perception in popular music, and music theory pedagogy. Outside of the classroom, she likes to care for her houseplants and prevent her cat from eating them.

Austin Wilson is a second-year Master’s student in Music Theory. His research interests include music cognition and perception, music theory pedagogy, public-facing music theory, and their intersections. He is particularly interested in questions regarding musical enjoyment and engagement and the impact of music-theoretical knowledge on listening experiences. 

Matthew Oakes recently graduated from Michigan State University earning his masters in Music Theory. His research interests include perception of auditory grouping, music perception and cognition, and music theory pedagogy. Outside of school, Matthew deeply enjoys running, cooking, talking with his fiancé, talking with friends and family back home in Texas, and playing with his awesome cat.

Jewelian Fairchild recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She was an undergraduate RA on the Narrative Listening project and is now collaborating on two Narrative Listening papers. Outside of the TAP Lab, Jewelian is a project manager for the Prenatal Stress Study, with interest in how prenatal stress affects infant development. After taking time off to gain more research experience, she plans to apply to clinical psychology Ph.D. programs to continue her research interests on child maltreatment and parenting

Celeste Uhl graduated from Bowling Green State University with a B.A. in psychology. During undergrad, she conducted a pilot study observing the relationships between self-compassion and perfectionism in music majors with the Mindful Behavior Therapies and Psychophysiology Lab as well as a research project in theoretical cognitive neuroscience exploring potential cerebellar contributions to creative cognition in jazz musicians. Currently, she is continuing her education as a research assistant in the TAP lab while preparing to get her doctorates. Outside of her schooling, she enjoys the outdoors, reading, and playing pickleball.

Rachael Farquharson is a sophomore in the College of Social Science and the College of Music at Michigan State University. Her majors are a B.S. in Psychology and a B.A. in Voice Performance. She plans to use the TAP lab as an opportunity to gain research experience and explore the connections between culture, imagination, and the perception of music.

Cormac Avila is a senior majoring in Psychology and Jazz Studies, and minoring in Cognitive Science. Upon graduation, he hopes to pursue a graduate degree in neuroscience while continuing to play piano in the music industry. His hobbies include reading philosophy and spending time with family.

Chloe Baumer is currently a senior neuroscience major in the College of Natural Science at Michigan State University. Upon graduation, she hopes to continue to pursue research that combines her interest for the brain and love for music. In her free time, she loves to sing and play the guitar, read, and hang out with friends. 

Brianna Petersen is a senior in the College of social science with a major in B.S. Psychology and a minor in cognitive science. She joined the TAP lab to gain more research experience while investigating music and rhythm from a new perspective. She hopes to move on to a graduate degree while continuing to do research. In her free time she enjoys playing a variety of sports, marching in the SMB as a Big Ten Flag , and spending time with family and friends.  

Samyuktha Vijayakumar is a sophomore in Lyman Briggs College and the College of Education at Michigan State University.  She’s a Neuroscience major and a Health Promotions minor.  After graduation, Samyuktha hopes to continue her education through professional school or graduate school.  She joined the TAP lab to gain research experience and explore music from a scientific perspective.  In her free time, she enjoys dancing, reading, and shopping.   

Shrinidhi Pola is a first-year Lyman Briggs College OMSP student. She joined the TAP lab to conduct research in one of her favorite subjects: neuroscience and the various functions of the brain! She plans to go to medical school and specialize in neurology or pediatrics. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, watching movies, baking, and recently, crocheting. 

Kayla Katzman is a sophomore in the College of Social Science, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Cognitive Science. She joined the TAP lab to explore her interests in neuroscience and how cognitive processes influence the brain. After completing her undergraduate degree, she plans to pursue graduate research in neuropsychology. In her free time, she enjoys baking, swimming, reading, and painting.