Dr. Karl Szpunar

Dr. Karl Szpunar earned his BSc (Hons.) from the University of Toronto at Mississauga, and MA and PhD from Washington University in St. Louis, before completing postdoctoral training at the Rotman Research Institute and Harvard University.  He is currently an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

The assistant professor’s research focuses on elucidating the cognitive and neural mechanisms of learning, memory, and future-oriented cognition. He uses insights from this work to develop novel interventions to improve educational outcomes and public health. More specifically, Dr. Szpunar is currently directing research programs that aim to help learners overcome the limits of attention in traditional educational settings, people at risk for developing unhealthy lifestyles to think more strategically about their future, and younger and older adults to better consider the impact of their daily choices on the future of society.

Dr. Szpunar has published 46 peer-reviewed research articles in various top-tier journals that include the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Psychological Science, Perspectives on Psychological Science, and Current Directions in Psychological Science. He has also co-authored two edited books and 12 book chapters. His research productivity has garnered Early Career Awards from the Association for Psychological Science and the Psychonomic Society. Dr. Szpunar also currently serves as associate editor at the Journal for Applied Research in Memory and Cognition.

"I am thrilled to be joining the Ryerson family, and am very much looking forward to forging new friendships, collaborations, and integrating both myself and my work into the department, university, and community."