Comparative Cognition · Georgia State University
PhD student in the ADAPT Lab at Georgia State University, and previously an undergraduate researcher at Emory University.
Current & upcoming work
Cognitive Flexibility · GSU ADAPT Lab
In Dr. Sarah Pope-Caldwell’s ADAPT Lab, studying how cognitive flexibility develops across species, developmental stages, and cultural contexts. Research includes comparative work with capuchin monkeys at GSU’s Language Research Center.
Cross-Cultural Fieldwork · GSU ADAPT Lab
As part of the ADAPT Lab, upcoming fieldwork with Bandongo and BaYaka communities in the Republic of the Congo will examine cognitive flexibility to build a comparative framework spanning nonhuman primates and diverse human populations.
Working Memory · Emory NPRC
At the Laboratory of Comparative Primate Cognition, investigated how rhesus macaques adapt working memory strategies to task demands and explored whether nonhuman primates flexibly shift between different memory encoding approaches.
Background
My path to comparative cognition began as an undergraduate at Emory University, where I joined Dr. Robert Hampton’s Laboratory of Comparative Primate Cognition at the Emory National Primate Research Center.
Working hands-on with rhesus macaques, training them on touchscreen tasks and analyzing their memory strategies, confirmed what I wanted my career to be about: understanding where cognition converges across species, and where it diverges.
I’m drawn to questions about cognitive flexibility, including how animals and humans shift strategies, adapt to changing environments, and deploy different cognitive systems when circumstances demand it. Studying these processes side by side, across species and cultures, is the through-line of my research.
I’m now a PhD student in the ADAPT Lab at Georgia State University, extending my nonhuman primate work to capuchins, human behavioral research, and fieldwork abroad in Africa.
Research & education
Fall 2026 – Present
PhD Student, ADAPT Lab
Georgia State University · Department of Psychology
Comparative cognition research under Dr. Sarah Pope-Caldwell. Studying cognitive flexibility across species (rhesus macaques and capuchin monkeys), developmental stages, and cultural contexts including fieldwork in the Republic of the Congo.
May 2024 — May 2026
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Laboratory of Comparative Primate Cognition · Emory National Primate Research Center
Independent study on working memory strategies in rhesus macaques under Dr. Robert Hampton. Designed and programmed behavioral tasks and analyzed performance data using Python.
Fall 2026 – Present
Ph.D. in Psychology
Georgia State University
Cognitive Sciences track. Working in the ADAPT Lab under Dr. Sarah Pope-Caldwell.
May 2026
B.S. in Psychology
Emory University
Relevant coursework: Research Methods, Cognition, Statistics, Computer Science, Human Learning and Memory.
May 2024
Associate of Arts
Oxford College of Emory University
Presentations & publications
Do task cues influence memory strategy use in rhesus macaques?
Rebello, A., Henley, T., & Hampton, R. — Georgia Southern Psychological Society Conference, April 11, 2026.
An experiment on attention: how break quality and length impact attentional restoration.
Rebello, A., Cordish, B., Womack, J., & Piramal, N. — Psychology Department Research Symposium, Emory University, December 2024.
Evaluating cover crop effects on soil erosion rates at Oxford College Organic Farm.
Rebello, A., Yu, C., & Black, H. — Oxford College Undergraduate Research Symposium, April 2024.
Contact
I’m always happy to discuss comparative cognition, working memory, research methodology, or potential collaborations. Feel free to reach out via email.
Atlanta, GA · PhD Student · Georgia State University
