Taryn Mallory

Experience

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  The Brain Institute of America

  May 2023 - Aug 2023

  Project Intern

  • Skilled in science writing, handling projects based on both internal and external feedback.• Collaborated effectively within teams to generate new ideas and writing topics.• Assisted in manuscript preparation and supported the writing process.• Actively participated in meetings to contribute insights and progress.Provided valuable input in the development of institutional research, discovery, and writing projects.

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  North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

  Sept 2023 - now

  We investigated how tone frequency affects the Mismatch Negativity (MMN) event-related potential (ERP), a neural marker of auditory change detection. MMN is generated in the auditory cortex and reflects the brain’s automatic processing of sensory information, making it a key tool in neuroscience for studying neural plasticity, auditory perception, and cognitive function.Key FindingsA high-frequency tone (1032 Hz standard, 1000 Hz deviant) produced a stronger MMN than a low-frequency tone (340 Hz standard, 355 Hz deviant).MMN amplitudes differed significantly (p < .001), with higher frequencies eliciting greater responses.More trials improved MMN stability, confirming that increased repetitions enhance signal clarity.These results highlight the impact of frequency on MMN and the importance of trial count for reliable recordings, contributing to research on auditory processing and neurological conditions like schizophrenia and autism, where MMN responses are often impaired. Show less • Conducting research under North Carolina A&T's former Department of Psychology Chair Dr. George Robinson.• Completed CITI test, as required by the Institutional Review Board (IRB).• Prepping and de-preppeding individual electrodes on participants using the 10/20 system of electrode placement.• Prepping and de-prepping electrodes on participants using an electrode cap (Electro-Cap International).• Operating a Grass Neurodata Acquisition Electroencephalography (EEG) System.• Checking electrode impedance, using the EEG system, and a separate impedance meter.• Demonstrating visually recognized various frequencies of the EEG (e.g., reaction times, and accuracy of the responses).• Using MATLAB to collect the ERP data.• Using MATLAB to analyze the event-related potentials (ERPs), and SPSS to analyze overall data. Show less

  • UGR - The Sensory and Cognitive Neuroelectrophysiology and Applied Laboratory (SCNAN)

    Sept 2024 - now

  • UGR- The Sensory and Cognitive Neuroelectrophysiology and Applied Laboratory (SCNAN)

    Sept 2023 - now
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  Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory at UC Irvine

  Jun 2024 - Aug 2024

  UC-HBCU Research Fellow + Ambassador

  • Chosen as one of 10 interns from a pool of 800 applicants.•Conducted research under the mentorship of Neda Morakabati and Principal Investigator Dr. Eitan Schechtman in the Cognitive Neuroscience of Sleep Lab.•Investigated the effects of early-life adversity on emotional processing during sleep, focusing on neural activity across different sleep stages.•Analyzed pre- and post-nap survey data to assess mood changes and mental health, contributing to understanding emotional resilience.•Led an EEG demonstration, explaining methodology, including equipment setup, electrode placement, and data interpretation.•Presented findings in a poster session titled “The Emotional Blueprint: The Interplay between Mood and Sleep Stages,” summarizing key results and implications for mental health interventions. Show less