The Healthy Brain Aging Laboratory offers training for graduate students and postdoctoral research fellows, and has opportunities for undergraduate volunteers and research technicians.

All interested students should review the lab syllabus to learn about lab expectations, opportunities, and more.

Graduate Students

Dr. Ana Daugherty mentors graduate students with research interests in aging, dementia, learning and memory, spatial navigation, and/or vascular and metabolic health. Graduate students who work with her are typically enrolled in the Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience area in the Department of Psychology (students from other areas of Psychology and Neuroscience are also welcome), or the Translational Neurscience Program through the School of Medicine. Based on strong research interests in aging, she also mentors students in other doctoral training programs, such as Nursing or the joint MD/PhD program.

Enrolled graduate students receive professional training in the lab and through their department, and are encouraged to apply to be a pre-doctoral trainee at the Institute of Gerontology.  Training is tailored to the graduate student's career goals, including postdoctoral fellowships and academic research, higher education, and clinical translational careers in industry and non-profit sectors.

In the Healthy Brain Aging Laboratory, graduate students acquire a wide range of research skills. Their training includes computer-aided processing and analysis of MR Images, design and administration of cognitive and neuropsychological tests, interpretation of blood biomarkers and lifestyle behaviors, and advanced statistical analysis. Our neuroimaging projects are conducted at the Magnetic Resonance Research Facility in collaboration with E. Mark Haacke, Ph.D. and Jeff Stanley, Ph.D.

Prospective graduate students are encouraged to contact Dr. Daugherty and current graduate students with any questions they may have regarding research and education at Wayne State University; both in general and with regards to the graduate programs. For contact information, please refer to faculty or staff member profiles.

For a list of example interview questions for prospective graduate students, click here.

Undergraduate Assistant

Undergraduate assistant positions are available, please send a letter of interest with a CV or resume.

Undergraduate volunteers assist with research at various levels including data entry, accompanying research participants to auxiliary appointments, and administering neuropsychological test batteries. This is a great opportunity for junior and senior level undergraduates looking for research experience before applying to graduate school. Due to the extensive training required, volunteers must be willing to commit 10 hours per week for one year. Interested parties should contact Dr. Cheryl Dahle for further information.

Research Technician

Occasionally, there are opportunities for paid research technician positions. Transitioning students who hold a baccalaureate and are looking for additional research experience are encouraged to apply to the Cognitive Neuroscience of Aging Laboratory as a research technician. Interested parties should contact Dr. Cheryl Dahle for further information.