Maital Neta

Dr. Maital Neta is a distinguished Carl A. Happold Associate Professor in the Psychology Department at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. With a robust academic background, she earned her PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience from Dartmouth College and further honed her expertise through postdoctoral research at the Washington University School of Medicine. Her research is primarily focused on understanding the individual differences in interpreting and responding to emotional ambiguity, a field that bridges emotion, cognitive neuroscience, and social neuroscience. Dr. Neta employs a variety of advanced techniques in her research, including psychophysiology, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and resting-state fMRI. These methodologies allow her to delve into the neural and cognitive processes that contribute to how different individuals perceive and react to emotional stimuli. Her innovative work in this area has garnered significant support, including funding from an R01 grant from the National Institute of Mental Health and a prestigious NSF CAREER Award. Throughout her career, Dr. Neta has been recognized for her contributions to both research and education. She has received several accolades, such as the Harold and Esther Edgerton Junior Faculty Award and the Outstanding Research and Creative Activities Award. These honors reflect her commitment to advancing the field of psychology and her dedication to fostering a dynamic learning environment for her students. In addition to her research and teaching responsibilities, Dr. Neta plays an active role in the broader scientific community. She serves as the President-Elect of the Society for Affective Science, where she contributes to shaping the future of research in affective science. Furthermore, she is a Consulting Editor for prominent journals like Emotion and Social, Cognitive, and Affective Neuroscience, where she helps guide the dissemination of cutting-edge research findings. Dr. Neta's work not only advances our understanding of emotional processing but also has practical implications for mental health interventions and therapies. By exploring the neural underpinnings of emotional interpretation, her research offers insights that could lead to more personalized approaches in treating emotional and cognitive disorders. Her dedication to both scientific inquiry and community engagement underscores her role as a leader in the field of psychology.