Dr. Nicole Rust

Professor

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Biography

Nicole Rust is the Rose Family Endowed Term Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. Her research primarily focuses on Cognitive Neuroscience, aiming to uncover how the brain processes memory and mood, and how these elements interact to influence learning. In her laboratory, she employs a combination of behavioral investigations and neural activity measurements, alongside computational modeling approaches, to forge a comprehensive understanding of these processes. Rust emphasizes algorithmic descriptions of neural populations and how these descriptions can lead to insights on memory and emotional states. She has been involved in pioneering explorations surrounding the mathematical frameworks that underlie cognitive functions and continues to mentor new graduate students who will join her lab in fall 2026. Through various publications, Rust contributes significantly to the discussions on brain function definitions and the complexities surrounding neural signatures of memory and perception.

Research Interests

Experience

Rose Family Endowed Term Professor

— Present

University of Pennsylvania • Philadelphia, PA

Professor in the Department of Psychology focusing on cognitive neuroscience and related fields.

Courses

PSYC 1210: Introduction to Brain Behavior

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.