Memory in the Environment Lab
At New Mexico State University
The lab has moved to New Mexico State University as of Fall 2025! Dr. Soares will be reviewing applications for graduate students in the Ph.D. program at NMSU for admission in Fall 2027. If you have questions about the lab, please send Dr. Soares an email.
Click here to access Dr. Soares's resource hub and guide for applying to graduate school in psychology.
Lab News
Oscar Defends Dissertation!
June 2026
Dr. Oscar Ramirez Perez passes his dissertation defense and is awarded his doctoral degree!
NSF Award!
September 2025
Dr. Soares is awarded a grant through the National Science Foundation's Science of Learning and Augmented Intelligence Program!
The Lab Moves!
August 2025
The lab moves to New Mexico State University
Article Chosen as Editor's Choice!
October 2024
Ramirez Perez, Ditta, & Soares (2024) chosen as JARMAC September 2024 Editor's Choice!
Tanner passes Master's defense!
October 2024
Tanner Grubbs passes her Master's defense!
Our Research
We study the interaction between memory and digital technology (for review, see Soares, 2024; Storm & Soares, 2024). In several studies, we investigate the memory and metacognitive effects of using smartphone cameras (e.g., Soares & Storm, 2018; 2022). We also study how people remember personal events alongside their digital devices and social media feeds (Soares, 2023; Soares, Finley, & Roberts, 2023).
We also investigate how people use memory alongside internet sources and the consequences of using such sources. This includes investigations into how the use of digital technology influences classroom learning. Published studies have investigated the effect of webcam use in digital classrooms (Ramirez Perez, Ditta, & Soares, 2024) and the consequences of taking photos during lectures on learning (Ditta, Soares, & Storm, 2023; Trego, Soares, & Ditta, 2025).
Ultimately, our work aims to develop and test theories that will enhance our understanding of how we extend memory into digital space, and the effects of doing so on internal memory. We hope to inform applied use and development of technologies related to learning and memory and communicate our research broadly within and beyond the academic community.