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.

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.

Toni Smith received her PhD in Psychology in 2025 from Michigan State Universities 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.

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.

Rachael Farquharson is a junior 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 Music with a focus in vocal performance. She plans to use the TAP lab as an opportunity to gain research experience and explore the effect individual differences have on the perception of music. Her hobbies include baking, cooking, and playing video games with her sister.

Samyuktha Vijayakumar is a junior 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 second-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, pediatrics, or family medicine. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, watching movies, and crocheting.

Emilee Allwardt is currently a senior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Cognitive Science. She joined TAP Lab in May of 2025 to gain research experience while exploring her interests in cognition and perception. After graduating with her bachelor’s degree, she hopes to attend graduate school to study clinical mental health counseling. In her free time, she enjoys painting, photography, and playing board games.

Nessia Brooks is a senior undergraduate student pursuing a B.A. in piano performance with a minor in cognitive science. She joined the TAP Lab to pursue her passion for both music and the brain, and to gain research experience at the intersection of these fields. Nessia is particularly interested in the clinical applications of music neuroscience and plans to pursue graduate studies in music therapy, specifically neurologic music therapy (NMT). Outside of classes, Nessia runs her own private piano studio and enjoys baking, running, journaling, and spending time with her friends and family.

Nathan Lamoreaux is a sophomore in the College of Music. He is a member of the Saxophone Studio at MSU and is majoring in Music Education. After graduation, he plans to teach band in middle school or high school. He joined the TAP Lab to better understand how the brain perceives music and rhythm. In his free time, he likes to play tennis, pickleball, read, and play board games.