Dr Jen Ryan

Dr Jen Ryan

@drjenryan.bsky.social

Cognitive Neuroscientist. Excited to talk about memory, eyetracking, leadership, sports, Peloton, and 90s R&B. Views are my own. www.drjenryan.com

420 followers524 following52 posts

Dr Jen Ryan reposted

Graham Flick
@grahamflick.bsky.social

Pleased to share that our MEG and eye-tracking study of visual memory formation, saccades, & alpha oscillations is now published (as a Featured Article!) in the Journal of Neuroscience! Full paper here: doi.org/10.1523/JNEU... w/ Jed Meltzer @drjenryan.bsky.social @rosannaolsen.bsky.social

doi.orgPhase-Locking Saccades to Posterior Alpha Oscillations Improves the Neural Representation of Visual Objects during Memory FormationVisual memory formation relies on the intake and neural processing of discrete samples provided by gaze fixations and saccades. Past research has highlighted a functional relationship between the timi...
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Dr Jen Ryan
@drjenryan.bsky.social

We also encourage submission of review articles that provide novel insights regarding cognition, brain function, and neural circuitry through the use of eyetracking. Deadline for submission for contributions is August 31, 2026 and publication of the special issue is anticipated for early 2027.

Dr Jen Ryan
@drjenryan.bsky.social

We invite discussion of how eyetracking can be leveraged to provide new understanding of how the brain supports cognition. We invite submission of empirical studies that combine eyetracking with neuroimaging methods, case studies, neuromodulation techniques, and computational modelling.

Dr Jen Ryan reposted

Asaf Gilboa
@agilboa.bsky.social

New paper from our team led by the incredibly talented Dr. Erik Wing (with Jordan Chad, Geneva Mariotti and @drjenryan.bsky.social). www.jneurosci.org/content/earl...

jneurosci.orgThe tuned cortex: Convergent expertise-related structural and functional remodeling across the adult lifespanNeuroplasticity is a defining property of the brain. Structural and functional brain changes arise soon after learning and are particularly evident following years of practice that underpin expert per...

Dr Jen Ryan reposted

Graham Flick
@grahamflick.bsky.social

Memory might depend on when you look, not just what you see Happy to share a new preprint from my postdoctoral work with Jed Meltzer, @drjenryan.bsky.social, and @rosannaolsen.bsky.social Paper: doi.org/10.1101/2025...

doi.orgPhase-locking saccades to posterior alpha oscillations improves the neural representation of visual objects during memory formationVisual memory formation begins with the intake and neural processing of discrete samples provided by gaze fixations and saccades. Past research has highlighted a functional relationship between the ti...
Dr Jen Ryan
@drjenryan.bsky.social

Memory problems will change how you see the world...literally 👀 Across two new papers, we examined the eye movement patterns of younger adults, older adults, individuals with mild cognitive impairment, and amnesic cases. 1/5

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Dr Jen Ryan
@drjenryan.bsky.social

What does this mean? Two things. 1. When the hippocampus starts to become dysfunctional, this creates real-time changes in the the operations of other systems. 2. Tracking eye movements may be key for early detection of mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, and other dementias. 4/5

Dr Jen Ryan
@drjenryan.bsky.social

Memory problems will change how you see the world...literally 👀 Across two new papers, we examined the eye movement patterns of younger adults, older adults, individuals with mild cognitive impairment, and amnesic cases. 1/5

Dr Jen Ryan
@drjenryan.bsky.social

With increasing hippocampal compromise, the information that is built up over time from eye movements becomes less distinct, leading to increasingly impoverished memories that likely become confusable with one another. www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/... 3/5

pnas.orgDecoding memory function through naturalistic gaze patterns | PNASEye movements are closely linked to encoding and retrieval processes, with changes in viewing behavior reflecting age- and pathology-related memory...
Dr Jen Ryan
@drjenryan.bsky.social

Well this brought tears to my eyes 😭 thank you so much @mariamaly.bsky.social ❤️ funny thing is, we had a really hard time getting this published. Rejected from other journals. Reviewers who said “everyone knows the hippocampus does conscious/explicit memory, so the data must be wrong”….1/n

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Dr Jen Ryan
@drjenryan.bsky.social

Lots of challenges over the years getting people to consider that maybe there’s something more than attention that drives eye movements. My favorite grant on this topic never got funded (one reviewer hated it and wouldn’t budge); but we found ways to get some of the work done anyway. 2/n

Dr Jen Ryan
@drjenryan.bsky.social

This job is HARD. So this article is incredibly validating that maybe there’s something to what we’re doing here. And if it sparks new ideas that generates success for others, then it’s definitely been worth it. Really appreciate you @mariamaly.bsky.social and everyone who has supported us ❤️ 3/3

Dr Jen Ryan
@drjenryan.bsky.social

Does writing suck for you? How do you make it better? Personally, I make my practice more enjoyable by writing in the morning with coffee and lo-fi music and, if I’m feeling particularly bougie, a fave candle burning. 🕯️ 3/3

Dr Jen Ryan
@drjenryan.bsky.social

“…justify military ops in Mexico/Canada.” This is reprehensible. Stay on your representatives, everyone. Tagging mine in here; reminding you that these are allies AND you have constituents- like me- living in these countries: @duckworth.senate.gov @budzinski.house.gov @durbin.senate.gov

Marisa Kabas@marisakabas.bsky.social

SCOOP—Trump plans to issue an executive order designating fentanyl as a "Weapon of Mass Destruction," per copy of EO reviewed by me. Source at State speculates purpose is to designate cartels as terrorist orgs/justify military ops in Mexico/Canada. Context/full text of draft only on The Handbasket:

thehandbasket.coTrump to declare fentanyl “Weapon of Mass Destruction," per draft EOA copy of the draft was obtained and reviewed by The Handbasket.
Dr Jen Ryan
@drjenryan.bsky.social

It is so disheartening that it has come to this. For those who are still going to the US, particularly for CNS in Boston, please make sure you have a plan. Share your flight itinerary with someone, and check in with them when you get through arrivals. Other tips?? Please share 👇

Randy McIntosh@ar0mcintosh.bsky.social

With a heavy heart, I've decided to suspend all academic travel to the USA for me and my lab. Given the escalation of tensions and uncertainties, it seems to be the wisest move. To our US colleagues, please be certain that we will continue to do what we can to support you. Science is global.

Dr Jen Ryan
@drjenryan.bsky.social

“…hope is the consequence of action, rather than its cause.” Inspiring vision, message, and playbook that I think we, as scientists, can adopt as well to counteract the cruel cuts being made to science and education in the US.

Pete Buttigieg@petebuttigieg.bsky.social

I care deeply about who Michigan will elect as Governor and send to the U.S. Senate next year, but I have decided against competing in either race. I wrote more here about my decision and how I view the work required of us all in this moment:

substack.comI'm Not Running in 2026, But I Am Getting to WorkWe all have work to do in delivering a better kind of politics for America.
Dr Jen Ryan
@drjenryan.bsky.social

From a friend: DOGE threw out every living plant in NASA’s HQ, even the ones on people’s desks, because ‘watering plants is a waste of taxpayers’ money’. So that’s how this is going.

Lori Lou Freshwater@lorifreshwater.bsky.social

Letter from congress that is incredibly alarming. Looks like #DOGE got access to #nasa and they use the word ominous. democrats-science.house.gov/imo/media/do...

Dr Jen Ryan
@drjenryan.bsky.social

A lot still to do… Academia can be a challenging place, and it’s one of many reasons why I am committing to writing a weekly blog this year to try to do *something/anything* to help out. Blog is here: drjenryan.com/the-keys-blog And if you have feedback, questions or topics in mind, let me know!

drjenryan.comThe Keys — DR JEN RYANUnlocking success in academia
Women in Cognitive Science Canada+@wicscanada.bsky.social

Gains made, but still underrepresented: Women in Canadian universities from 1970 to 2022 universityaffairs.ca/features/wom...

universityaffairs.caWomen’s representation and compensation in full-time faculty positions  - University AffairsA statistical analysis of Canadian universities from 1970 to 2022.

Dr Jen Ryan reposted

Sherrilyn Ifill
@sifill.bsky.social

Many are asking what should we do now? “We use our power, organize, mobilize, educate…the American story will not be written by who occupies the White House or by the wealthiest among us…it will be written by you, by ‘we the people.’” -fmr VP Kamala Harris receiving the NAACP Chairman’s Award.

Dr Jen Ryan reposted

Zen Faulkes
@doctorzen.net

So. You’re realizing federal funding for your research is not as stable as you thought. Let’s talk crowdfunding. 🧵

Dr Jen Ryan reposted

Ari B Friedman
@abfriedman.com

Dear fellow scientists, Go talk to the press about what is going on. Talk to local news about how it will impact jobs. Be specific, but don't pity yourself. Instead focus on how your own situation affects local jobs, the national economy, beating the growing scientific race with China. Suggestions:

Dr Jen Ryan reposted

Philipp Büchel
@philippbuchel.bsky.social

Honored that Dr.Jennifer Ryan took the time to write a dispatch on our recent paper "Brain and eye movement dynamics track the transition from learning to memory-guided action". Its a truly excellent summary of the study: www.cell.com/current-biol...

cell.comMemory: Using the past to anticipate the futureMemories can be decoded from brain responses and eye movements. A combined electroencephalogram–eyetracking study now shows that learning is marked by dynamic shifts in brain patterns and eye movements that go from remembering the past to anticipating the future.

Dr Jen Ryan reposted

Philipp Büchel
@philippbuchel.bsky.social

Proud of my first contribution to memory research: “Brain and eye movement dynamics track the transition from learning to memory-guided action” out in @currentbiology.bsky.social, great team effort together with Janina Klingspohr, Marcel Kehl & Bernhard Staresina. www.cell.com/current-biol...

cell.comBrain and eye movement dynamics track the transition from learning to memory-guided actionThis study reveals how the brain dynamically shifts from learning to memory-guided behavior. Büchel et al. use electroencephalography (EEG) and eye tracking in a spatiotemporal learning task to show a...
Dr Jen Ryan
@drjenryan.bsky.social

Büchel et al.’s combined EEG-eyetracking study shows that as learning progresses, brain patterns and eye movements shift from remembering the past to anticipating the future. 2/3

Dr Jen Ryan
@drjenryan.bsky.social

Excited to be a part of this! Check out our talks and discussions starting tomorrow and let us know what you think! 🤩

Matthias Nau@matthiasnau.bsky.social

Fantastic workshop on eye tracking coming up at NIH this week (Sept 4-5)! All talks can be followed online. cmn.nimh.nih.gov/cmnworkshop2... #neuroskyence #PsychSciSky

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