Erica S. Shafer is a doctoral candidate in Psychology at Virginia Tech, specializing in Cognitive Neuroscience and Biopsychology. Her research investigates the neural and cognitive mechanisms of episodic memory, using behavioral paradigms, EEG, and fMRI to examine how encoding context and attentional processes shape recognition memory in both younger and older adults. Her work seeks to better understand age-related changes in memory and identify strategies that support cognitive resilience across the lifespan. She has published in peer-reviewed journals and presented her research at national conferences, including the Psychonomic Society and the Cognitive Neuroscience Society, where she has received abstract awards. Beyond research, Erica is deeply engaged in teaching, mentorship, and graduate student leadership initiatives, including founding a departmental emergency fund and helping lead a graduate mentorship program. As a first-generation college student from Southwest Virginia, she is committed to bridging research and policymaking to improve cognitive health outcomes, expand access to education, and promote evidence-based decision-making across the Commonwealth.