Ph.D. Cognitive Science and Psychology, Indiana University, 1995
M.A. Mathematics, Indiana University, 1995
B.A. Psychology, Minor Mathematics (Magna Cum Laude), Purdue University, 1989
Teaching Interests
Cognitive Neuroscience
Mathematical Psychology
Statistics
Research Interests
My recent research has centered on the methods and analysis techniques of neuroelectric imaging of the human brain. Neuroelectric imaging refers to the mapping of brain function using a dense-array version of the electroencephalogram (EEG). The ongoing, scalp-recorded EEG provides a window into brain activities underlying our cognitive processes. These technologies measure brain activity by recording changes in the electro-magnetic fields generated by ensembles of neurons that are synchronized in their behavior. This electrical activity changes quickly and can be related to specific events. such as moving attention in space, holding information in memory, making decisions between competing options, and recognizing objects such as faces when we encounter them in the environment. Projects we have ongoing include relating metrics of brain connectivity to cognitive models, exploring measures of similarity and pattern recognition to extract structure from EEG signals that relate to perception, and testing methods of EEG data collection for reliability and validity.
Professional Recognition
Outstanding Service Award, Women of Mathematical Psychology, 2025
Teaching Excellence Commendation, Dept of Psychology, 2024
Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science, 2015
Fellow of the Psychonomic Society, 2015
Center for Teaching Excellence, Commendation, Multiple 2011 - 2020
R. Duncan Luce Outstanding Paper Contribution for 2004-2006, Journal of Mathematical Psychology, 2007
Invitee Winer Memorial Lecture Series, Purdue University, 2004
Invitee Winer Memorial Lecture Series, Purdue University, 2002
Remak Fellow, Indiana University, 2001
New Investigator, American Psychological Association (Division 3), 1999
W.K. Estes Early Career Award, Society for Mathematical Psychology, 1998
Faculty Research Award, Air Force Research Lab, Brooks AFB, Texas, 1998
Selected Publications
Fan, G. Collins, A. & Thomas, R. D. (2025) Visual processing within and across the hemispheres: A systems factorial technology analysis. Computational Brain and Behavior, 8, 607–648, https://doi.org/10.1007/s42113-025-00249-5.
Teaford, M., Berg, W., Billock, V., McMurray, M., Thomas, R., & Smart, L.J. (2022). Muscled activity prior to experiencing the rubber hand illusion is associate with how vividly one experiences the illusions. Psychological Research, 97, 519-536.
Fan, G., Carlson, K.D., & Thomas, R.D. (2021). Individual differences in cognitive constructs: A comparison between American and Chinese culture groups. Frontiers in Psychology: Cultural Psychology, https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.614280
Schroer, J. E., & Thomas, R. D. (2020). Learning the Law of Reflection: Event – related potentials of children aged 6 – 12 during educational video game play. Mind, Brain, and Education, https://doi-org/10.1111/mbe.12259
Teaford, M.A., Cook IV, H. E., Hassebrock, J. A., Thomas, R. D., & Smart, L. J. (2020). Perceptual validation of nonlinear postural predictors of visually induced motion sickness. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, Article 1533, doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01533
Thomas, R.D., Fan, G., & Gamble, H. (2019). Information processing architectures within stimulus perception and across the visual fields: An extension of the Systems Factorial Technology to nested architectures. Journal of Mathematical Psychology, 92, 102265, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmp.2019.04.003
Funding
R01 Research Project Grant, National Institute of Mental Health, Biological systems as mediators of transactional influences on anxiety risk in the mother-child dyad during infancy, $2,719,426, 2020-2026 (Consultant, PIs: R. Brooker, E. Kiel)
National Science Foundation, Response dynamics in decision making, $423,447, 2013-2017 (co-PI, PI: J. Johnson)
R15 Academic Research Enhancement Award, National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, A biopsychosocial model of emotion processes determining the role of overcontrol, $392,521, 2013-2017.
National Science Foundation, MRI-R2: Acquisition of Dense Array EEG for Research and Training across the Disciplines, $222,750, 2010-2013, (PI with co-PIs D. Bergen, K. Hugenberg, E. Schussler, & Q. Zhou.
