Jessica Andrews-Hanna

Associate Professor, Cognition & Neural Systems
Andrews Headshot

Psychology 417

520-626-3004 (Office)
520-626-3791 (Lab)
jandrewshanna@arizona.edu
Pronouns:
She, Her, Hers

Research Interests: 

  • Research in the Neuroscience of Emotion and Thought (NET) Lab is centered on understanding functional and dysfunctional internally-guided thought and their neural underpinnings. Areas of study span:
    • Self-referential thinking, memory, future thinking, emotion appraisal, mentalizing, creativity, mind-wandering, spontaneous thought
    • Altered states of consciousness (i.e. dreaming, psychedelic experiences)
    • Lifespan changes (especially older age)
    • Alterations in clinical conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases, mood & anxiety disorders, perseverative thinking, and therapeutic modifiability
  • To explore these phenomena, we use methods spanning task-related and resting-state functional MRI, psychophysiology, behavioral tasks and smartphone apps (ecological momentary assessment, ambulatory assessment). 
  • Joint appointments in Psychology and Cognitive Science.

Updated: 10/03/25

Spring 2026 Research Assistant Applications Open!

We’re excited to announce that the labs of Dr. Jessica Andrews-Hanna and Dr. David Sbarra are currently recruiting undergraduate research assistants for the CLOSE study, which is a collaborative project exploring the neuroscience of empathy and rumination in close relationships. As a research assistant, you’ll gain hands-on experience working with behavioral, physiological, and real-world data collected from adult couples. 

Responsibilities may include:

  • Transcribing ambient conversations

  • Assessing social and couple dynamics in real world interactions   

All the work can be completed remotely, with RAs expected to attend weekly meetings over Zoom and maintain regular check-ins with their supervisor.

Academic Credit & Time Commitment 

  • During the fall and spring semesters, students can earn credit through independent study or directed research

  • Preference is given to Psychological Science majors planning to complete 3 units (9 hours/week) of directed research

  • Summer opportunities are also available

We require applicants who can commit to at least two semesters with the lab, regardless of start date. Students will be interviewed this fall 2025 and will start training at the beginning of the spring 2026 semester. To apply, please complete the application form by answering the questions at the following link:

https://forms.gle/z2WmwHon2o5PYT5c8

 

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Anoushka Chowdhary, at achowdhary@arizona.edu.

 

We look forward to hearing from you!

 

Selected Publications: 

  • Yu, Y., Raffaelli, Q., Freveletti, D., Brossart, J. J., Andrews, E., Ramsey R. W., Grilli, D. M. & Andrews-Hanna, J.R. (in press). Mapping content and dynamics in the stream of consciousness: a latent brain state analysis. iScience, https://osf.io/preprints/osf/e8xay_v1
  • Kim, J.*, Andrews-Hanna, J.R.*, Eisenbarth, H., Lux, B.K, Kim, H.J., Lee, E., Lindquist, M., Reynolds Losin, R., Wager, T.D., Woo, C.W. (2023). A Dorsomedial Prefrontal Cortex-based Dynamic Functional Connectivity Model of Rumination. Nature Communications, 14(1), 3540.
  • Raffaelli, Q., Mills, C., de Stefano, N. A., Mehl, M., Chambers, K., Fitzgerald, S. A., Wilcox, R., Christoff, K., Andrews, E., Grilli, M. D., O’Connor, M-F., & Andrews-Hanna, J. R. (2021). The think aloud paradigm reveals differences in the content, dynamics and conceptual scope of resting state thought in trait brooding. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 19362.
  • Andrews-Hanna, J. R. & Grilli, M. D. (2021). Mapping the imaginative mind: charting new paths forward. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 30 (1), 82-89.
  • Zabelina, D., Friedman, N.P., Andrews-Hanna, J.R. (2019). Unity and diversity of executive functions in creativity. Consciousness and Cognition, 68, 47-56.
  • Christoff, K., Irving, Z. C., Fox, K. C. R., Spreng, R. N., & Andrews-Hanna, J. R. (2016). Mind-wandering as spontaneous thought: a dynamic framework. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, Sep 22. do. doi:10.1038/nrn.2016.113
  • Andrews-Hanna, J. R., Smallwood, J., & Spreng, R. N. (2014). The default network and self-generated thought: component processes, dynamic control, and clinical relevance. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, Special Issue: The Year in Cognitive Neuroscience, 1316, 29–52.
  • Andrews-Hanna, J.R., Reidler, J., Poulin, R., & Buckner, R.L. (2010). Functional-anatomic fractionation of the default network. Neuron, 65, 550-562.
  • Buckner, R.L., Andrews-Hanna, J.R., & Schacter, D.L. (2008). The brain’s default network: anatomy, function, and relevance to disease. Annals of the NY Academy of Science, Special Issue: The Year in Cognitive Neuroscience, 1124, 1-38.
  • Andrews-Hanna, J. R., Snyder, A. Z., Vincent, J. L., Lustig, C., Head, D., Raichle, M. E., & Buckner, R. L. (2007). Disruption of large-scale brain systems in advanced aging. Neuron, 56, 924–35.

Courses Taught:

  • PSY 300 - Cognitive Neuroscience: A Guide to Mind & Brain (2023)
  • PSY 408 - Imagination & the Brain (2024)
  • PSY 528 - Cognitive Neuroscience: The Cognitive Neuroscience of Imagination (2017)
  • NSCS 200 - Fundamentals of Neuroscience and Cognitive Science (2018)

*Year listed indicates when this individual last taught the specified course.

Updated: 10/03/25

Degrees

  • B.S. Psychology, Duke University
  • M.A. Neuroscience, Washington University in St. Louis
  • Ph.D. Psychology, Harvard University