Diana C. Perez Rivera, PhD
I grew up in the Sonoran desert, between Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico and Tucson, Arizona. I graduated cum laude from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor's in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science in 2018. I am an alumnus of the Undergraduate Biology Research Program (UBRP), Latino Mental Health Research Training Program (MHIRT), and York University's Center for Vision Research summer school. In 2026, I obtained my PhD from the Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Program at Northwestern's Psychology department. In 2025, I received an NIA Transition to Aging Research Fellowship. Currently, I am a postdoctoral fellow in the Neurology Department at Northwestern's Feinberg School of Medicine.
Education
July 2026
December 2021
May 2018
Ph.D. in Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience
Psychology Department
Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Thesis: "Precision Mapping of Individualized Networks in Young and Older Adults: On the Utility of Precision fMRI for the Study of Neurocognitive Aging"
Advisor: Dr. Caterina Gratton
MSc in Brain, Behavior and Cognition
Psychology Department
Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Thesis: “Hemispheric Asymmetries of Individual Differences in Functional Connectivity”
Advisor: Dr. Caterina Gratton
BS in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science
Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Department
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Minors: Spanish, Italian Language
Honors: cum laude (GPA 3.56/4.00)
Thesis: “Object Memories Alter the Appearance of Blurry Object Borders”
Thesis Advisor: Dr. Mary A. Peterson
Work and Research Experience
September 2026 - Present
April 2022 - August 2026
July 2019 - August 2026
May 2016 - July 2019
Oct. 2018 - July 2019
May 2018 - August 2018
May 2016 - May 2018
Feb. 2017 - Mar. 2017
Jan. 2016 - May 2016
Postdoctoral Fellow
Human Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory
PI: Dr. Rodrigo Braga
Neurology Department, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University
Chicago, IL
Research Computing Student Consultant
Northwestern IT's Research Computing and Data Services
Evanston, IL
Graduate Research Assistant
PI: Dr. Caterina Gratton
Psychology Department, Northwestern University
Evanston, IL
Research Associate
Visual Perception and Cognition Lab
PI: Dr. Mary Peterson
Psychology Deparment, University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ
Research Technician
Medical Imaging Laboratory
PI: Dr. Nan-Kuei Chen
Biomedical Engineering Department, University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ
Research Trainee
Neurobiology Lab (as part of the Latino Mental Health Research Training Program)
PI: Dr. Eduardo Calixto (Program director: Dr. Steve Lopez)
Department of Neurobiology, National Institute of Psychiatry
Mexico City, Mexico
Research Trainee
Undergraduate Biology Research Program (UBRP)
Program Director: Jennifer Cubeta
Molecular & Cellular Biology Department, University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ
Research Assistant
Gronenberg Lab
PI: Dr. Wulfilla Gronenberg
Neuroscience Department, University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ
Research Assistant
Language Development Lab
PI: Dr. LuAnn Gerken
Psychology Department, University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ
Honors & Awards
2025-Present
2021
2020
2017-2018
2015-2016
2011-2012
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National Institute of Aging Transition to Aging Research Award (F99/K00)
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NINDS/NIH T32 Training Grant in Neuroscience of Human Cognition
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Ford Fellowship Foundation, Honorable Mention
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Western Alliance for Expanding Student Opportunities (WAESO) Grant
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Barbara Hesler Memorial Scholarship
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Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Undergraduate Grant
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Nominated for Outstanding Senior Award: May 2018
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Nominated for Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award
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​T.F. Leehan Memorial Scholarship
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Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Undergraduate Grant
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Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Undergraduate Research Award
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Arizona Scholar Award
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Arizona Board of Regents Award
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Wildcat Excellence Award
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Tucson Hispanic Scholarship Fund Award​
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Minority Scholarship: 2011-2012 academic year
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Teaching and Mentoring
Spring 2024
Spring 2020
Fall 2020
Fall 2021
Fall 2022
Spring 2020
Summer 2020
Spring 2022
2016 - 2018
2020-2022
2020-Present
Graduate Instructor
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Psych 250: Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology
Northwestern University
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Graduate Teaching Assistant
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Psych 212: Introduction to Neuroscience
Northwestern University, Primary Instructor: Caterina Gratton
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Psych 110: Introduction to Psychology
Northwestern University, Primary Instructor: Dr. Sara Broaders
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Psych 244: Cognitive Development
Northwestern University, Primary Instructor: Dr. Sara Broaders
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Psych 324: Perception
Northwestern University, Primary Instructor: Dr. Satoru Suzuki
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Guest Lecturer
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Psych 212: Introduction to Neuroscience
Northwestern University, Topic: Aging in the Brain
Principles of fMRI
Northwestern University, Topic: Precision fMRI
Research Methods in Psychology
Northwestern University, Topic: Measuring brain networks with functional connectivity
Mentor
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NSCS peer mentoring program
University of Arizona
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Psychology peer mentorship program
Northwestern University
Mentoring of undergraduate students in research
Northwestern University​
Community & University Service
2016 - 2018
2020-2024
2021-2025
2021-2024
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Pen Pals Program , University of Arizona
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Student Diversity and Inclusion Committee, ​Northwestern University
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Sneak Peek Organizing Committee Member, Northwestern University
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Graduate and Undergraduate Initiative for Advancement and Resources (GUIAR) Mentorship Program, Northwestern University