Dr. Thad Polk

Biography

Thad Polk is the Samuel D. Epstein Collegiate Professor in Psychology at the University of Michigan, where he also serves as an Arthur F. Thurnau Professor. His research focuses on the neural architecture that underlies cognition through computational and cognitive neuroscience approaches. Aiming to understand the fixed neural structures that produce cognition, his work investigates how these structures function and interact to create the mind. Additionally, Polk explores how cognitive architecture is influenced by factors like genetics and experience, particularly in the context of normal aging. He adopts a multidisciplinary approach that combines neuroimaging, computational modeling, and behavioral experimentation to make progress on these theoretically and empirically-based questions. He has taught numerous courses on related topics and has produced several significant publications, contributing to the understanding of addiction, the aging brain, learning mechanisms, and ethical considerations in psychological studies.

Research Interests

Courses