Lee Ryan
Professor
Director, Cognition and Neuroimaging Laboratory
Director, Brain Imaging Center, BIO5
Associate Director, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute
Research Interests:
View Available RA Position
The Cognition and Neuroimaging Lab (CNL), headed by Dr. Lee Ryan, is looking for four undergraduate Research Assistants for the 2026-2027 academic year. The CNL applies neuroimaging techniques to the study of brain health and cognitive aging. In the CNL, research assistants will be provided with a broad understanding of psychological and cognitive neuroscience research using MRI methodology and the opportunity to experience various aspects of conducting this type of research.
The responsibilities of an RA may include:
· Transcribing audio recordings of research interviews
· Scoring autobiographical interviews for memory details
· Entering data for research projects
· Screening research participants
· Scoring neuropsychological assessments
· Assisting with ultrasound imaging and blood processing
We request that interested individuals commit to two semesters of independent study or directed research in the Department of Psychology and working in the lab for six to nine hours per week.
Please email cnlab@email.arizona.edu with the subject line "Fall 2026 RA Interest [Your first and last name]" and the following:
· One paragraph discussing your interest in neuroimaging methods, memory, brain health, cognitive aging, or other related topics in the field
· A current resume or CV
Students receiving course credit (either though Independent study or Directed Research) will write a 2-3 page report (10 pages if Honors Student) on the research project at the conclusion of the semester.
Selected Publications:
- Ryan L, De Both MD, Johnson M, Hoscheidt SM, Sharmac S, Chambers D, Matijevic S, Precision Aging® Network, Huentelman M. MindCrowd-Expanded: An online multi-domain assessment of cognitive aging. Gerontology. 2025 Jul 14:1-33. doi: 10.1159/000547246. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40658999.
- Matijevic S & Ryan L. (2025). Global and tract-specific differences between younger and older adults in DTI measures of white matter integrity. Front Aging Neurosci. May 30;17:1562660. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2025.1562660. PMID: 40520534; PMCID: PMC12162919.
- Matijevic S, Hoscheidt S, & Ryan L. (2024). Semantic details in autobiographical memory narratives increase with age among younger adults. Memory, 13:1–11. doi: 10.1080/09658211.2024.2373502. PMID: 38870423.
- Ryan L, Palmer JM, Huentelman M. (2024). Beyond Alzheimer’s Disease: APOE ε4 and the Aging Brain. Journal of Neurology and Neuroscience. Vol. 15 No.S9:005.
- Hay M, Ryan L, Huentelman M, Konhilas J, Hoyer-Kimura C, Beach TG, Serrano GE, Reiman EM, Blennow K, Zetterberg H, Parthasarathy S. (2021). Serum Neurofilament Light is elevated in COVID-19 Positive Adults in the ICU and is associated with Co-Morbid Cardiovascular Disease, Neurological Complications, and Acuity of Illness. Cardiol Cardiovasc Med. Oct;5(5):551-565. PMCID: PMC8547787.
- Lewis CR, Talboom J S, De Both MD, Schmidt AM, Naymik MA, Håberg AK, Rundek T, Levin BE, Hoscheidt S, Bolla Y, Brinton RD, Hay M, Barnes CA, Glisky E, Ryan L, & Huentelman MJ. (2021). Smoking is associated with impaired verbal learning and memory performance in women more than men. Scientific reports, 11(1), 10248.
- Glisky EL, Alexander GE, Hou M, Kawa K, Woolverton CB, Zigman EK, Nguyen LA, Haws K, Figueredo AJ, Ryan L. (2021). Differences between young and older adults in unity and diversity of executive functions. Neuropsychol Dev Cogn B Aging Neuropsychol Cogn. 8:1-26.
Selected Presentations:
- Precision Aging: Profiles of Risk and Resilience for Cognitive and Brain Aging, University of Arizona Neuroscience Data Blitz (2026)
Courses Taught:
- PSY 502 - Principles of Neuroanatomy (2024)
- PSY 528 - Cognitive Neuroscience: MRI Applications in Cognitive Neuroscience (2016)
*Year listed indicates when this individual last taught the specified course.
Updated: 05/13/26
Degrees
- Ph.D. Cognitive and Clinical Psychology, University of British Columbia (1992)