Dr. Michael Arcaro

Assistant Professor

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Biography

Michael Arcaro is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Philosophy from Boston University, followed by a Ph.D. in Psychology with a focus on Neuroscience from Princeton University. His research interests are centered around the fields of Sensation Perception, Developmental Neuroscience, and Cognitive Neuroscience, with a particular focus on mammalian vision and the development of sensory systems. Arcaro’s work explores how the mammalian brain is structured into a complex network of regions that vary in their cyto- and chemo-architecture as well as their anatomical connectivity and functional response properties. He uses neuroimaging, visual psychophysics, and electrophysiology to investigate how experience influences the development of neural architectures that underpin perception and behavior. His current research focus is on neural development associated with visual object recognition across different mammalian species. Arcaro is actively involved in mentoring graduate students, with new admissions for Fall 2026.

Research Interests

Courses

PSYC 1230: Cognitive Neuroscience PSYC 3233: Seminar Cognitive Neuroscience: Brain Development

Requirements for University of Pennsylvania

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.6
GRE General
Verbal
Required:162
Quantitative
Required:162
Overall
Required:162
GMAT
Total Score
Required:728
Overall
Required:728
TOEFL
Total
Required:115
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree or equivalent Strong quantitative background
Application Checklist
  • Academic Transcripts
  • Letters of Recommendation (2-3)
  • Resume/CV
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Essays
Specialization Notes

Wharton Doctoral programs cover fields like Finance, Marketing, Management, and Operations, Information and Decisions.