Exploring Spatial Awareness and Cognitive Research: My Journey in the Lab

As a psychology student, I’m increasingly fascinated by how our brains process space and navigate the world. One of the most exciting experiences I've had recently is working as a Research Program Assistant at the Spatial and Cognitive Awareness Research Lab under the guidance of Dr. Rachel Blaser. The lab focuses on how spatial awareness impacts cognition and how this knowledge can be applied to conditions like Alzheimer's disease.

Spatial awareness is the ability to understand our position in space and navigate through the environment. In our lab, we’re studying how different species—rats, zebrafish, and humans—process spatial information. Through eye-tracking technology, we’re able to observe how individuals focus and react to spatial tasks, providing insights into their cognitive functioning.

One unique aspect of our research is our comparative approach. By studying rats, zebrafish, and humans, we can better understand how spatial awareness functions at different levels of complexity. The research is especially relevant to Alzheimer’s disease. Supported by the Prebys Research Heroes from the Conrad Prebys Foundation, we’re exploring how changes in spatial awareness could serve as early indicators of cognitive decline. The goal is to pinpoint subtle shifts in memory and spatial navigation that could help in the early diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s and similar conditions.