Adriane Mayda, PhD

Adriane received her PhD from the University of California Davis in neuroscience in 2009. Her doctoral research examined the effect of white matter hyperintensities on age-related changes in memory, executive function, and frontal lobe function using structural and functional MRI. She devoted herself to teaching in the years that followed, and she has enjoyed building courses and working with students at numerous colleges and universities. She has taught many psychology courses both online and on ground, including physiological psychology, cognitive neuroscience, developmental psychology, and general psychology. She is also active in her local community, serving on the local elementary school’s site council and equity committee, as well as volunteering as a science docent in the classroom. She finds that fourth graders are some of the most excited audiences around.

Adriane loves working with adult students from diverse backgrounds, engaging in fascinating discussions about how the mind and body contribute to behavior. She’s amazed that her two passions – teaching and neuroscience – happen to be intrinsically intertwined, and she is lucky to spend every day telling people about their utterly awe-inspiring brains while literally changing their brains through learning. She is so excited to be a part of the exceptional team of faculty and staff at The American Women’s College, and she is passionate about the mission of providing accessible, equitable, and engaging educational experiences for students.

Adriane lives in northern California with her husband, three kids, and a rescued mini aussiedoodle. She enjoys planning and cooking elaborate themed menus for every celebration, reading in every spare moment, and staying physically active while practicing yoga in her living room.