Michael D. Nunez

Tenured Assistant Professor (UD1) at the University of Amsterdam

Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands

About

I build computer models (computer simulations based on math) to help us understand how our brains work and why we behave the way we do. For example, I study decision-making by analyzing data from experiments where people play simple games while wearing sensors that record their brain activity (using electroencephalography; EEG). I use modern statistical methods to compare computer models to real data and work on improving these techniques. I work as an Associate Professor (UD1) in the Psychological Methods group at the University of Amsterdam in The Netherlands. I lead the Mathematical Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, and I am a member of the Amsterdam Mathematical Psychology Laboratory. I teach bachelor, master's, and PhD courses on statistics, programming, and model-based cognitive neuroscience. I am also a loving husband & father, and an enthusiastic rock climber. My expertise is in Bayesian statistical analysis, cognitive neuroscience, experimental design, scientific communication, and high-level programming (Python, R, and MATLAB). More academia-related information is available here: https://www.michaeldnunez.com

Experience

  • University of Amsterdam (5 yrs)
    • Associate Professor (UD1)
      Feb 2026 - Present · 5 mos

      I develop my own research program on neurocognitive modeling, decision-making and other topics. I also teach graduate and undergraduate courses, as well as mentor master's students, PhDs, and Postdocs. I lead the Mathematical Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, and I am a member of the Amsterdam Mathematical Psychology Laboratory. I am a part of the Psychological Methods group within the Department of Psychology. *The title "Associate Professor" is the University of Amsterdam's recommended translation for Universitair docent 1 (UD1). However, the translation could also easily be “Senior Lecturer” or “Tenured Assistant Professor”.

    • Assistant Professor (UD2)
      Jul 2021 - Feb 2026 · 4 yrs 8 mos

  • Assistant Project Scientist at UC Irvine
    Aug 2020 - Jul 2021 · 1 yr

    I study neurocognitive models of human cognition with joint fMRI/EEG data and human behavior.

  • Assistant Project Scientist at UCLA Health
    Feb 2019 - Aug 2020 · 1 yr 7 mos

    I studied decision making from recordings of neurons, intracranial data, and behavioral data in NHP.

  • UC Irvine (6 yrs 9 mos)
    • Neuroscientist
      Sep 2017 - Feb 2019 · 1 yr 6 mos

      I classified and statistically modeled markers of epilepsy in human patients using electric potentials recorded directly from the cortex.

    • Assistant Project Scientist
      Sep 2017 - Feb 2019 · 1 yr 6 mos

      I sought to estimate unidentified cognitive models of human decision making with experimental behavior and scalp-recorded EEG.

    • Graduate Student Researcher
      Jun 2012 - Aug 2017 · 5 yrs 3 mos

      Primary Advisor: Ramesh Srinivasan Secondary Advisor: Joachim Vandekerckhove I tested the veracity of combined electrocortical and cognitive models of human decision making. This was typically performed in a hierarchical Bayesian statistical framework with statistical models of EEG and human behavior.

  • Research Assistant at Tulane University
    Aug 2011 - May 2012 · 10 mos

    My research was on auditory EEG Event Related Potentials using Independent Component Analysis (ICA) to advance understanding of normal cognitive aging. Advisor: Ed Golob