Project 1: Neuroeconomics of Loss Aversion
An investigation into how prefrontal cortex activity predicts individual differences in willingness to gamble, utilizing high-resolution fMRI data.
View Project Details →
Dr. Melb Roy
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Experimental Research on Money, Incentives, and Technology
Download Full CV (pdf)About Dr. Roy
CV Summary & Background
Dr. Roy is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Oxvard. He is also the coordinator of the graduate program and leads the Human-Computer Lab. Dr. Roy conducts experimental research examining how money, incentives, and technology shape human experience.
Current Research Interests
- The role of attention and memory in complex problem-solving.
- Computational models of risk assessment and reward processing.
- Cross-cultural differences in metacognitive strategies.
- Neurobiology of learning and generalization.
Teaching Philosophy
My teaching is grounded in active learning and critical engagement with primary literature. I aim to equip students with the necessary statistical and methodological skills to become independent, rigorous researchers, emphasizing the translation of laboratory findings into real-world applications and ethical practice.
Education
- PhD (2025) - University of Harford, Dept. of Social Sciences
Advisor: Prof. James Smith - MSc (2018) - University of Harford, Dept. of Social Sciences
- BSc (2016) - University of Harford, Dept. of Social Sciences
Work Experience
- Assistant Professor (2025 - Present) - University of Oxvard, Dept. of Psychology
- Lecturer (2023 - 2025) - University of Oxvard, Dept. of Psychology
- Teaching Associate (2016 - 2018) - University of Oxvard, Dept. of Psychology
- Tutor (2014 - 2016) - University of Harford, Dept. of Social Sciences
Key Research Projects
Project 2: Machine Learning for Cognitive State Classification
Developing deep learning models to classify subject attentional states based on EEG time series data in educational settings.
View Project Details →Project 3: The Influence of Stress on Working Memory Capacity
A longitudinal study examining the physiological and behavioral impact of acute stress on visual and auditory working memory performance.
View Project Details →Selected Recent Publications
Books
- Roy, R. (in press). Understanding psychology. Oxvard University Press.
Journal Articles
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Roy, R., & Smith, J. (2025). The impact of technology on human behavior. Nature, 123(4), 567–578. DOI
Google Scholar -
Roy, R., Johnson, A., & Lee, K. (2024). Incentives and motivation in digital environments. Science, 456(7890), 123–130. DOI
Google Scholar -
Roy, R. (2023). A meta-analysis of money’s influence on psychological outcomes. Psychological Bulletin, 147(5), 456–478. DOI
Google Scholar -
Roy, R., & Doe, J. (2022). Advances in human-computer interaction: Psychological perspectives. Annual Review of Psychology, 71, 100–125. DOI
Google Scholar -
Roy, R. (2021). Experimental investigations into technology-shaped experiences. Psychological Science, 30(8), 1123–1135. DOI
Google Scholar
Teaching and Mentorship
Taught Courses
- Introduction to Cognitive Psychology (Undergraduate)
- Advanced Statistical Methods in Psychology (Graduate Seminar)
- Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (Undergraduate/Graduate)
- Research Methods in Experimental Psychology (Undergraduate)
Teaching materials, syllabi, and student resources are available upon request for colleagues.
Access Teaching MaterialsThe Human-Computer Lab
The Human-Computer Lab is dedicated to understanding the computational basis of human intelligence and error, particularly concerning the interaction with money, technology, and incentives. We utilize advanced techniques, including EEG, fMRI, and behavioral modeling.
Lab Members
Sarah Chen
Ph.D. Candidate
Dr. Marcus Rodriguez
Postdoctoral Fellow
Akash Gupta
Research Assistant
Contact Information
Office & Location
Department of Psychology
University of Oxvard Hall, Room 402
University Boulevard
Oxvard