Nelly Matorina

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“My earliest memory is of a dream.”
Anne Carson, Every Exit is an Entrance (A Praise of Sleep)
Welcome! I am a psychologist investigating how sleep and dreaming impact our memories for events, with a focus on naturalistic and autobiographical memories. 

I am currently a PhD candidate in Psychology at the University of Toronto working with Dr. Morgan Barense. I am also working on an outside research project with Dr. Brian Levine. Previously,  I completed a MSc in Psychology at Queen’s University, where I was advised by Dr. Jordan Poppenk. I also completed a BSc (Honours) with a major in Psychology and a minor in Film and Media at Queen’s University. 

Research Overview

Our memories for the events of our lives, such as attending a dinner party or going on a trip, are central to our sense of self, our relationships, and our ability to solve problems. 

My research program explores the following questions: how do sleep and dreaming shape our memories for the events of our lives? Does sleep play an active role in memory processing, such that only some memories are selected for long-term retention? How can we design sleep or memory interventions to promote richness for these important memories?