People

CV | Google Scholar

Sharda Umanath is an associate professor of psychology at Claremont McKenna College and the director of CMC’s Memory and Aging Lab (UMA Lab). She earned her Ph.D. in cognitive psychology from Duke University and did her postdoctoral work at Washington University in St. Louis. Her research focuses on how knowledge works in memory and explores related issues involving cognitive aging, autobiographical memory, collective memory, false memories, and education. She fell in love with the field of memory as an undergraduate at Washington University in St. Louis through her philosophy-neuroscience-psychology major. She has recently been awarded grants from CMC, the Claremont Colleges Center for Teaching and Learning, and the Association for Psychological Science. She was named an APS Rising Star in 2018 and recently received an Honorable Mention for the 2023 J. Don Read Early Career Award from the Society for Applied Research in Memory and Cognition (SARMAC). She was also awarded the Psychonomic Society’s 2023 Early Career Award as well as the Mentorship Award in Aging from the American Psychological Association’s Division 20 - Adult Development and Aging. Her currently ongoing project entitled “Stabilizing Accessibility of Prior Knowledge Across the Lifespan” is funded by the National Science Foundation’s Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program and a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) supplement. She has also received funding for other projects through the James S. McDonnell Foundation and the CMC Keck Center for International and Strategic Studies. Outside the lab and classroom, Sharda spends her time painting, reading sci-fi/fantasy, playing overly complex board games, traveling, and hiking.

Kathrine Whitman started her position as the Lab Manager in the Umanath Memory and Aging Lab in August 2022. In 2019, Kathrine graduated from Claremont McKenna College with a BA in Neuroscience. Her research interests include how cognition, memory, and decision-making affect well-being in late life, and she is particularly interested in non-pharmaceutical interventions in successful aging. Kathrine strongly values mentorship and equity, enjoys establishing relationships with new people, and is applying for her doctoral degree in Cognitive Psychology. Outside of the lab, she enjoys history, fun literature references, and spending time with her dog.

Jason Bao is a freshman at CMC from Vancouver, Canada, planning to double major in Psychological Science and Philosophy with a Data Science Sequence. Jason is interested in autobiographical memories, especially those of older adults, as they reflect on their lives. He is also fascinated by the similarity between collective and autobiographical memory in forming a narrative for the group or individual. Outside the lab, he enjoys exploring internet rabbit holes, watching video essays on YouTube, and cooking Chinese food without a kitchen.

Sara Cawley is a sophomore at Scripps College from Chicago, Illinois, studying psychology, math, and data science. Her interest in working with older adults and studying aging began during her time volunteering at a senior center in Claremont. Outside of the lab, she works at The Student Life newspaper and as a Residential Coordinator at Scripps. She enjoys hiking and trying new coffee shops.

Eleanor Farry is a junior at Pomona College from London, England. She is a cognitive science major concentrating in cognitive neuroscience and a media studies minor. She is interested in the impact of cognitive decline on the different forms and processes of memory, especially in how these effects can be mitigated. Outside of the lab, she works as a campus advocate providing support for survivors of interpersonal violence. She also loves watching strange movies and hiking with friends.

Claire Hou is a senior at CMC from Shanghai, China, majoring in Psychological Science with a sequence in Data science. She is interested in the cognitive aging of humans over the lifespan as well as the wider cultural implications of collective memory. Outside the lab, she enjoys watching sports, binging YouTube videos about art history, writing, and eating cake.

Lexi Lee is a senior at CMC from St Louis Park, Minnesota. She is majoring in Cellular Molecular Neuroscience and is on the pre-med track. She became interested in memory research after taking Cognitive Psychology with Professor Umanath the fall of her freshman year. Outside of the lab, Lexi swims for the CMS Swim and Dive team, is a member of Midnight Echo A Capella, and enjoys being active with friends.

Bella Milano is a sophomore at CMC from Hingham, Massachusetts, studying Psychological Science and Media Studies with a sequence in Leadership. She became interested in researching cognition across the lifespan after taking Professor Umanath’s cognitive psychology class. Outside of the lab, she enjoys weight lifting, journaling, and exploring new places with friends.

Ragini Mohan is a freshman at CMC from Mumbai, India, and she plans to dual major in Economics and Psychological Science. She was inspired to work in the UMA Lab after taking Professor Umanath’s Cognitive Psychology class. She believes this opportunity will combine her love for working with older adults with her desire to learn and explore how formal research is conducted in a lab. Outside the lab, Ragini plays the piano, is part of the Sagehen Investment Club, and enjoys karaoke.

Elyse Shan is a senior at Scripps College from Shanghai, China, majoring in Psychology with a Spanish minor. She became interested in research with older adults after taking Professor Umanath’s class, Effective Learning Across the Lifespan. Outside of the lab, she enjoys journaling, catching up with friends while taking long walks, and napping.

Meilan Uyeno is a freshman at CMC from Bellevue, Washington, planning to dual major in Biology and Psychological Science. She enjoys working with older adults and is currently taking Professor Umanath’s Cognitive Psychology class. She is interested in memory research and learning how the mind changes over time. Outside the lab, Meilan dives for the CMS swim and dive team, plays piano, and loves to try new food with friends.

Daniel Wu is a freshman at CMC from Shanghai, China, dual majoring in Psychological Science and Economics with a sequence in Data Science. He became interested in helping research cognitive aging after taking Cognitive Psychology with Professor Umanath. Outside the lab, Daniel enjoys playing volleyball for the 5C men’s club team, reading lots of pop psychology books, and obsessing over good Asian snacks.

Wendy Zhang is a sophomore at Pomona College from Beijing, China. She is majoring in Cognitive Science and minoring in Linguistics. She is interested in how cognitive aging impacts memory and how language plays a role in those effects. Outside the lab, she is a photographer for The Student Life newspaper and enjoys watching movies.