People

Elizabeth D. Capaldi, Ph.D.,
Principal Investigator

Born in New York City, she received her bachelor's degree from the University of Rochester in 1965, and her Ph.D. degree in experimental psychology from the University of Texas at Austin in 1969. Among her many notable contributions, she has contributed over 65 chapters and articles to the scientific literature, co-authored three editions of an introductory psychology textbook, and edited two books on the psychology of eating. Her labs currently investigate motivation and learning in animals and humans. Current work is on the psychology of eating, particularly the effects of experience on food preferences and aversions.

Junli Ping,
Graduate Student

Born in Xinjiang, China, she received her bachelor's degree in Automation from the Nankai University in 2003 and her master' degree in Physiopsychology from Peking University in 2006. Her research goals focus on understanding the learning processes that produce conditioned food preferences in both animals and humans. At present, her work is mainly about investigating the interaction between taste and odor conditioning.  

Devina Bajaj,
Graduate Student

Devina Bajaj, an international student from India, has received her Bachelor in science as well as Bachelor in Arts degree in Dietetics and Psychology respectively, from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2007. She is currently pursuing her PhD degree in psychology from Arizona State University. Based on her background in Nutrition and Psychology, her current research interests lie in the learning of food preferences in humans and animals.  

Alison Schertenlieb,
Undergraduate Research Assistant

Alison is a sophomore at ASU; and is currently pursuing her bachelors in Biology and Society, as well fulfilling her pre-med requirements. She spent this past summer abroad in Ireland working in a histopathology lab. Alison is thrilled to be working in Dr. Capaldi's lab, and hopes to learn all about the science of eating.