Philip Kragel

Dr. Philip Kragel is an esteemed Assistant Professor in the Psychology Department at Emory University, where he brings a rich academic background and a passion for unraveling the complexities of human emotion and cognition. He earned his Bachelor of Science and Engineering and a Masters in Engineering Management, followed by a Ph.D. in Psychology and Neuroscience from Duke University. His academic journey continued with postdoctoral research at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he honed his expertise in the intersection of psychology and computational neuroscience. Dr. Kragel's research is at the forefront of understanding the neural and computational foundations of cognition and emotion. His work delves into the intricate nature of emotions, seeking to distinguish them from other mental processes. By employing advanced techniques in machine learning, he constructs sophisticated multivariate models that predict and interpret brain activity associated with emotional states. These models are not only innovative but are also shared and tested in a prospective manner, contributing significantly to the fields of research transparency and reproducibility. In his quest to objectively understand the brain's representation and transformation of human emotion, Dr. Kragel utilizes computational models to explain affective behavior. His approach involves mapping these models onto brain activity, providing insights into how emotions are processed and manifested in the human brain. This work is pivotal in bridging the gap between theoretical constructs of emotion and their tangible neural correlates. Dr. Kragel's contributions extend beyond his research, as he is actively involved in mentoring students and fostering a collaborative research environment at Emory University. His dedication to integrating psychology, neuroscience, and machine learning not only advances academic knowledge but also inspires the next generation of researchers in these dynamic fields. Through his innovative research and commitment to academic excellence, Dr. Kragel continues to push the boundaries of our understanding of emotion and cognition, making significant strides in the field of computational neuroscience. His work not only enhances our comprehension of the human mind but also holds potential applications in developing interventions for emotional and cognitive disorders.