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Faculty Member

Maddy Peterson

Biography

I love learning about the brain, especially specialized networks, such as the language network. As a graduate student (PhD, Brigham Young University), I used functional MRI to better understand these brain networks and explore how their organization is different between autistic and neurotypical individuals. My research continues to take a closer look at differences in network lateralization in autism. Please reach out if this sounds like something you might also enjoy researching!

As an instructor, I have taught courses on Sensation and Perception, Cognition, Orientation to the Psychology Major, Introduction to Psychological Science, and History of Psychology. In Spring 2026, I am teaching Research Methods and Introduction to Brain & Behavior.

Outside of the classroom and research, I enjoy reading, cross-country skiing, and playing the piano.

Education

PhD, Brigham Young University, 2023

Major: Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience

BS, Brigham Young University-Idaho, 2018

Major: Psychology

Teaching

PSY 4880R

Advanced Research Experience in Psychology, Spring 2026

PSY 2710

Introduction to Brain and Behavior, Spring 2026

PSY 2710

Introduction to Brain and Behavior, Spring 2026

PSY 2710

Introduction to Brain and Behavior, Spring 2026

PSY 3030

Research Methods for Psychology, Spring 2026

Presentations

Fears, Zach (Presenter & Author), Lloyd, Maxwell (Presenter & Author), Nielsen, Jared A (Author Only), Peterson, Maddy (Author Only), Mary Lou Fulton Mentored Student Research Conference, "Brain Network Lateralization in Autism_ A Replication and Expansion of Peterson et al. (2024)", Brigham Young University, Brigham Young University. (April 9, 2026)
Grigg, David (Presenter & Author), Fischbeck, Laetner (Presenter & Author), Fox, Adam (Presenter & Author), Peterson, Maddy (Author Only), Nielsen, Jared A (Author Only), Mary Lou Fulton Mentored Student Research Conference, "Supercomputing the brain_ A computational pipeline for lateralization analysis", Brigham Young University, Brigham Young University . (April 9, 2026)
Hinkson, Kent (Presenter & Author), Brooks, Malisa (Presenter & Author), Peterson, Maddy (Author Only), Clarkson, Evan (Author Only), Rocky Mountain Psychological Association (RMPA), "The Wait, Am I Supposed to Know How to Start a Research Lab? Workshop for New Faculty (or Not So New)", Boise, ID. (March, 2026)
Johnson, Kristy (Presenter & Author), Peterson, Maddy , Utah Conference on Undergraduate Research (UCUR), "Brain Lateralization for Left Handers_ Does It Change with a Different Definition of Handedness? ", Ogden, UT. (February, 2026)
Lamoreaux, Dayson (Presenter & Author), Peterson, Maddy , Utah Conference on Undergraduate Research (UCUR), "Examining Language Network Lateralization Between Left- and Right-Handers Across Lateralization Methods", Ogden, UT. (February, 2026)
Lawrence, Jace (Presenter & Author), Peterson, Maddy , Utah Conference on Undergraduate Research (UCUR), "Examining the Effects of Handedness on Language Lateralization in a Matched Sample", Ogden, UT. (February, 2026)

Scholarly/Creative Works

Peterson, Maddy , (2025) "Evidence for a compensatory relationship between left- and right-lateralized brain networks" . Cambridge, MA: Imaging Neuroscience. https://doi.org/10.1162/imag_a_00437