An ISU professor’s investigations into memory could help those with brain injuries to use their memory functions.

Anne Cleary, assistant professor of psychology, is researching familiarity-based memory and the features that make an object or sound more memorable.

“Think back to a time when you saw a person on campus who you think you previously saw, but you can’t place a name or any other specifics,” Cleary said. “I study that gut feeling of what makes something familiar and what characteristics make certain things stand out.”

Cleary’s research is focused on the ability to differentiate between recently presented items and other items. She presents subjects with lists via a computer, and then later gives them a different list that includes some of the same items. Subjects are asked to distinguish between the new and old words.

“I hope by performing these experiments I can identify the situational features that produce feelings of familiarity,” Cleary said.

In addition to contributing to theoretical development of memory, Cleary also expects her research will have practical applications.

“Evidence suggests that when people lose their memory due to brain damage, familiarity is the last part they have left,” Cleary said. “Familiarity seems to be the most resilient form of memory.”

Cleary hopes that by understanding how familiarity works, doctors can train brain damage victims how to best use their memory.

“Hopefully, these patients can eventually be trained to rely on the instinct of familiarity,” Cleary said.

Cleary has already purchased equipment that will integrate more research in the classroom.

She recently purchased a Classroom Performance System, a wireless remote keypad students use to respond to questions. She believes the tool will encourage students to take part in the research process.

“This system engages the class to address unanswered research questions by using our class to produce preliminary results,” Cleary said. “It helps draw students into the research process when they can be a part of it.”

Cleary was recently awarded a $400,000 grant to continue the research. The grant comes through the National Science Foundation’s CAREER grant after submitting a proposal detailing her five-year career plan as well as her efforts to integrate research with teaching.

“I believe teaching and research are interdependent,” Cleary said. “I like to involve a large number of undergraduates in my research lab.”

Misty Kimura, senior in psychology, began working as an experimenter in Cleary’s memory lab after taking Cognitive Psychology 316. She views the lab as a beneficial learning tool.

“Lab gives students more opportunities to get involved outside of class,” Kimura said. “Dr. Cleary is a very smart woman who is very passionate and involved in her research.”

In addition to the research lab, the money received from the grant will also be put toward students’ travel expenses for the Annual Meeting of Midwestern Psychological Association.