Natasha believes that untangling the fundamental properties of memory can be used to alleviate strain on the healthcare system and treat patients with memory disorders. Intelligent design of computer-human patient aids has the potential to improve the quality of life for patients, patient independence, and care-giver burden for millions suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.  Thus, her research seeks to understand the way the human brain operates in order to give rise to memory for past experiences. Her study will address whether there are memory processes happening in brain areas previously thought to be dedicated exclusively to visual perception. She will measure brain activity and localize memory processes using functional MRI, using BOLD contrast.