Our world is overflowing with distractions. From the constant ping of phone notifications to overlapping conversations and background noise, our brains are constantly deciding what to notice—and what to ignore. Haley Bennett, a master’s student in cognitive psychology, investigates how the brain makes these split-second decisions. Her research focuses on working memory, the brain’s “mental whiteboard” that temporarily stores information, helping us prioritize what matters and retain it.

“I’m fascinated by what happens after we first notice something,” Bennett says. “Once it disappears from view, how do we keep it in mind? How do we determine what’s important when our attention is limited?” She studies moments when information must be maintained in working memory, even as the brain filters distractions. Bennett is particularly interested in whether people revisit key mental locations and how interruptions can disrupt this process, offering insight into how attention and working memory work together.

To explore these mechanisms, Bennett is running two separate experiments — one using eye-tracking and another using electroencephalography (EEG). Eye-tracking reveals where participants look, showing what captures their focus. EEG measures electrical activity in the brain, offering insight into shifts in attention that participants may not consciously notice. Although she is not conducting these methods simultaneously, each experiment sheds light on different aspects of attentional allocation, revealing both conscious and subtle unconscious shifts in focus over time.

Early pilot work with eye-tracking has revealed intriguing patterns: participants’ eyes often drift back to previously important locations unless a distraction appears. Bennett’s upcoming EEG study will test related hypotheses about how the brain reallocates focus during these moments. Together, her findings aim to reveal how attention may strengthen working memory for items even after they’re no longer visible. “Every day, our brains are bombarded with stimuli,” Bennett says. “Figuring out how we filter the noise and hold onto what matters is what drives my work.”

A central focus of Bennett’s research is spatial attention—our ability to focus on specific locations or objects, even when they’re no longer in view. Spatial attention helps the brain decide what to keep in working memory and what to filter out, allowing us to navigate busy environments, prioritize competing information, and manage multiple streams of information simultaneously. “Consider a pop quiz,” she says. “You just learned something, but competing information or interruptions can interfere with recall. I want to understand how the brain decides what to hold onto amid all that input.” Her work may ultimately inform strategies for people with attention challenges, such as ADHD, where focusing on key information is often difficult.

Bennett’s journey to cognitive psychology was shaped by curiosity and experience. As an undergraduate at Bloomsburg University, she studied psychology and criminal justice, exploring how people process information differently. After graduation, she worked as a school director, observing firsthand how motivation, distractions, and environment shape learning. “Every student—and every brain—works in its own way,” Bennett says. These observations sparked a deeper interest in cognitive processes and led her toward neuroscience and experimental psychology. Today, that perspective guides the creativity and adaptability she brings to her research.

When she chose to pursue her master’s degree, Bennett sought a program that would challenge her while aligning with her interests. Lehigh University stood out for its supportive academic environment and the opportunity to work with Nancy Carlisle, a leading expert in cognitive psychology. “Dr. Carlisle pushes us every day and breaks down complex ideas so we can build on them,” Bennett says. Her mentorship blends behavioral studies with neurophysiological methods, allowing Bennett to design experiments carefully and extract meaningful insights from complex data.

Research is rarely a straight path. “The most difficult moments often lead to the greatest discoveries, pushing you to learn, adapt, and uncover new solutions,” Bennett explains. From designing experiments to analyzing data and refining hypotheses, she treats each challenge as an opportunity to better understand how attention and working memory interact. Even small interruptions can alter the way information is maintained in working memory, highlighting the brain’s adaptability.

Patience is essential. “Sometimes experiments don’t go as planned, or results are unclear,” she says. “Those moments are frustrating, but they’re also when you learn the most.” Through these challenges, Bennett develops skills that guide every aspect of her work, cultivating curiosity, flexibility, and openness to new solutions.

Bennett balances her research with teaching Introduction to Psychology and Human Development at Lehigh County Community College and Luzerne County Community College. Teaching allows her to test ideas and refine her research, bridging theory and practice.

Outside the classroom, she enjoys reading, traveling, playing sports, and spending time outdoors. “Balance is key,” she says. “It’s not just about research; it’s about maintaining focus and energy across every part of life.” Activities like snowboarding or soccer help her recharge and bring fresh perspective to her work.

For Bennett, Lehigh has been more than just a place to conduct research; it’s a community that inspires curiosity, collaboration, and personal growth. She envisions a rewarding career blending research and teaching, translating her findings into practical strategies that help people stay focused and remember what matters most. She is currently applying to PhD programs, hoping to advance her research on attention, uncover new insights, and mentor students beginning their own journeys in cognitive psychology.

“Every day, our brains decide what to notice and what to ignore,” Bennett says. “Understanding these processes isn’t just about science; it’s about helping people manage attention and working memory in the real world. If we can learn how to strengthen focus and reduce the impact of distractions, we can improve learning, productivity, and overall well-being. I hope my research not only advances knowledge in the lab but also provides tools people can use in their everyday lives.”