Photo of Joshua Daniel Upshaw

Joshua Daniel Upshaw is a Ph.D. candidate in Experimental Psychology, specializing in cognitive neuroscience at the University of Arkansas. My research utilizes EEG and eye-tracking technologies to explore how digital habits, mindfulness, and creative cognition interact. I’ve examined how digital notifications impact cognitive control and emotional attention. Joshua aims to enhance our understanding of attentional focus during creative processes and optimizing cognitive influences from technology, ultimately improving educational, occupational, and personal outcomes through adaptive behavioral interventions.

Email: jupshaw@walton.uark.edu

Portrait of Stephanie Kane

Stephanie Kane‘s research interest lies in investigating the neural correlates of mind-wandering and creativity, and how these constructs vary by psychopathology. In particular, her aim is to understand the relationship between these cognitive processes, while utilizing mindfulness meditation as a well-being mechanism to point to intervention targets in individuals with mental health disorders. To investigate these interests, she uses behavioral and electrophysiological (EEG) approaches. Stephanie graduated from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign with an M.S. in Psychological Science. In her free time, she enjoys reading, practicing mindfulness meditation, going on walks, and spending time with her daughter and husband.

Email: sjkane@uark.edu

Headshot of Kent Hubert

Kent F. Hubert’s interests involve investigating real-world creativity and innovation and the neural correlates related to these constructs. Specifically, how these constructs differ from creativity tested in a lab setting. Kent graduated from Drexel University with a BS in Psychology and a minor in Economics. In his spare time, he enjoys playing video games, baking, and hiking.

Email: khubert@uark.edu

Kim N. Awa’s research integrates philosophical aesthetics and cognitive neuroscience, focusing on creative identity and metacognitive states during the creative process. Her work holistically addresses fundamental questions such as, “What drives our art-viewing behaviors and motivations during the creative process?” and examines how these underlying mechanisms shape real-world outcomes. With an original background in design, she has since redirected her efforts toward empirically investigating these cognitive and emotional processes. Kim holds a B.S. in psychology and an M.S. in applied cognition and neuroscience from The University of Texas at Dallas.

Email: knawa@uark.edu