David comes from a background in physics, computers and statistics. As a graduate student at the Center, he worked on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies of the effects of meditation on pain perception, as well as on altruistic behavior and reward circuitry using neuroeconomics methodologies. He has also worked on real-time fMRI neurofeedback.
Other ongoing projects include work with cognitive models of depression and anxiety, combined with emotion and pain; thermal imaging of particular advanced yoga practices; and various methodological and instrumentation developments.
Eventually, he hopes to study the effects of abstract beliefs and cognitive styles on emotion and psychopathology as well as the role of societal factors in this process.