Email liana.machado@otago.ac.nz
Tel:+64 3 479 7622
Associate Professor Liana Machado’s primary areas of expertise are neuropsychology and cognitive psychology. Research in her laboratory investigates the mechanisms and machinery underlying healthy brain functions and the cognitive deficits that emerge as a result of brain disease and healthy aging. Associate Professor Machado has published extensively in high impact international journals, and these articles have been cited in many other research articles around the world. She collaborates with scientists in Europe and the USA, as well as within New Zealand.
In addition to lecturing on her areas of expertise to university students, Associate Professor Machado serves the community through public presentations and media appearances, as well as through fundraising and service on scientific advisory committees.
Liana earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology at UCLA in 1994 and a PhD in Neuroscience at UC Davis in 1998. After conducting postdoctoral research for five years in the laboratory of a neurologist in the UK, she joined the Department of Psychology at the University of Otago in 2003.
Teaching
Research Interests
- Mechanisms and machinery underlying healthy brain functions
- Cognitive deficits that emerge as a result of brain disease and healthy aging
Find out more about Associate Professor Machado's research interests
Media Links
Brain day lecture
Public lecture at Otago Museum, 7 March 2020
The brain on exercise
Brain Buzz Podcast, 13 September 2019
Using electrical brain stimulation (transcranial direct current stimulation) to enhance cognitive functioning
Saturday Morning with Kim Hill, Radio New Zealand National. Interview, 23 May 2015
Research findings from my laboratory on exercise and brain function
Dunedin Television Nightly Interview, 22 Jan 2015
Publications
Ramos, A. A., Galiano-Castillo, N., & Machado, L. (2022). Cognitive functioning of unaffected first-degree relatives of individuals with late-onset Alzheimer's disease: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Neuropsychology Review. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1007/s11065-022-09555-2
Wong, Y.-S., Willoughby, A. R., & Machado, L. (2022). Spontaneous mind-wandering tendencies linked to cognitive flexibility in young adults. Consciousness & Cognition, 102, 103335. doi: 10.1016/j.concog.2022.103335
Ramos, A. A., Garvey, A., Cutfield, N. J., & Machado, L. (2022). Forward and backward spatial recall in Parkinson's disease and matched controls: A 1-year follow-up study. Applied Neuropsychology: Adult. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/23279095.2022.2059372
Wong, Y.-S., Willoughby, A. R., & Machado, L. (2022). Reconceptualizing mind wandering from a switching perspective. Psychological Research. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1007/s00426-022-01676-w
Machado, L. (2022, February). Cognitive functioning as we age: Improving the trajectory. Verbal presentation at the Collaboration of Ageing Research Excellence (CARE) Research Symposium, [Online].
Rafal, R., Machado, L., Ro, T., & Ingle, H. (2000). Looking forward to looking: Saccade preparation and control of the visual grasp reflex. In S. Monsell & J. Driver (Eds.), Control of cognitive processes: Attention and performance XVIII. (pp. 155-173). Cambridge, MA, USA: MIT Press.
Chapter in Book - Research
Nasrollahi, N., Jowett, T., & Machado, L. (2022). Emotional information processing in young and older adults: Meta-analysis reveals faces elicit distinct biases. European Journal of Ageing, 19, 369-379. doi: 10.1007/s10433-021-00676-w
Journal - Research Article
Ramos, A. A., Galiano-Castillo, N., & Machado, L. (2022). Cognitive functioning of unaffected first-degree relatives of individuals with late-onset Alzheimer's disease: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Neuropsychology Review. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1007/s11065-022-09555-2
Journal - Research Article
Ramos, A. A., Garvey, A., Cutfield, N. J., & Machado, L. (2022). Forward and backward spatial recall in Parkinson's disease and matched controls: A 1-year follow-up study. Applied Neuropsychology: Adult. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/23279095.2022.2059372
Journal - Research Article
Stenling, A., Sörman, D. E., Lindwall, M., & Machado, L. (2022). Bidirectional within- and between-person relations between physical activity and cognitive function. Journals of Gerontology Series B, 77(4), 704-709. doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbab234
Journal - Research Article
Wong, Y.-S., Willoughby, A. R., & Machado, L. (2022). Spontaneous mind-wandering tendencies linked to cognitive flexibility in young adults. Consciousness & Cognition, 102, 103335. doi: 10.1016/j.concog.2022.103335
Journal - Research Article
Guiney, H., Keall, M., & Machado, L. (2021). Volunteering in older adulthood is associated with activity engagement and cognitive functioning. Aging, Neuropsychology & Cognition, 28(2), 253-269. doi: 10.1080/13825585.2020.1743230
Journal - Research Article
Nasrollahi, N., Quensell, J., & Machado, L. (2021). Effects of a brief stair-climbing intervention on cognitive functioning and mood states in older adults: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Aging & Physical Activity, 30(3), 455-465. doi: 10.1123/japa.2021-0125
Journal - Research Article
Shoemaker, L. N., Wilson, L. C., Lucas, S. J. E., Machado, L., Walker, R. J., & Cotter, J. D. (2021). Indomethacin markedly blunts cerebral perfusion and reactivity, with little cognitive consequence in healthy young and older adults. Journal of Physiology, 599(4), 1097-1113. doi: 10.1113/jp280118
Journal - Research Article
Stenling, A., Sörman, D. E., Lindwall, M., Hansson, P., Ljungberg, J., & Machado, L. (2021). Physical activity and cognitive function: Between-person and within-person associations and moderators. Aging, Neuropsychology & Cognition, 28(3), 392-417. doi: 10.1080/13825585.2020.1779646
Journal - Research Article
White, N., Kouwenhoven, M., & Machado, L. (2021). Short-term retest performance in young versus older adults: Consideration of integrated speed-accuracy measures. Experimental Aging Research. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/0361073x.2021.1919475
Journal - Research Article
Shoemaker, L. N., Wilson, L. C., Lucas, S. J. E., Machado, L., & Cotter, J. D. (2020). Acute exercise-related cognitive effects are not attributable to changes in end-tidal CO2 or cerebral blood velocity. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 120, 1637-1649. doi: 10.1007/s00421-020-04393-7
Journal - Research Article
White, N., Naldoza-Drake, P., Black, K., Scullion, L., & Machado, L. (2020). Can improving the nutritional content of bread enhance cognition? Cognitive outcomes from a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Cognitive Enhancement, 4, 167-178. doi: 10.1007/s41465-019-00149-0
Journal - Research Article
Guiney, H., Lucas, S. J. E., Cotter, J. D., & Machado, L. (2019). Investigating links between habitual physical activity, cerebrovascular function, and cognitive control in healthy older adults. Neuropsychologia, 125, 62-69. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2019.01.011
Journal - Research Article
Machado, L., & Devine, A. (2019). Endogenous modulation of compatibility effects: An investigation into the temporal dynamics. Visual Cognition, 27(2), 120-126. doi: 10.1080/13506285.2019.1611684
Journal - Research Article
Machado, L., Thompson, L. M., & Brett, C. H. R. (2019). Visual analogue mood scale scores in healthy young versus older adults. International Psychogeriatrics, 31(3), 417-424. doi: 10.1017/S1041610218000996
Journal - Research Article
Shoemaker, L. N., Wilson, L. C., Lucas, S. J. E., Machado, L., & Cotter, J. D. (2019). Cerebrovascular regulation is not blunted during mental stress. Experimental Physiology, 104, 1678-1687. doi: 10.1113/ep087832
Journal - Research Article
Shoemaker, L. N., Wilson, L. C., Lucas, S. J. E., Machado, L., Thomas, K. N., & Cotter, J. D. (2019). Swimming-related effects on cerebrovascular and cognitive function. Physiological Reports, 7(20), e14247. doi: 10.14814/phy2.14247
Journal - Research Article
Stenling, A., Moylan, A., Fulton, E., & Machado, L. (2019). Effects of a brief stair-climbing intervention on cognitive performance and mood states in healthy young adults. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 2300. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02300
Journal - Research Article
White, N., Flannery, L., McClintock, A., & Machado, L. (2019). Repeated computerized cognitive testing: Performance shifts and test–retest reliability in healthy older adults. Journal of Clinical & Experimental Neuropsychology, 41(2), 179-191. doi: 10.1080/13803395.2018.1526888
Journal - Research Article
Chen, P. L., Stenling, A., & Machado, L. (2018). Evidence transcranial direct current stimulation can improve saccadic eye movement control in older adults. Vision, 2(4), 42. doi: 10.3390/vision2040042
Journal - Research Article
Flannery, S. L., Jowett, T., Garvey, A., Cutfield, N. J., & Machado, L. (2018). Computerized testing in Parkinson's disease: Performance deficits in relation to standard clinical measures. Journal of Clinical & Experimental Neuropsychology, 40(10), 1062-1073. doi: 10.1080/13803395.2018.1485880
Journal - Research Article
Guiney, H., & Machado, L. (2018). Volunteering in the community: Potential benefits for cognitive aging. Journals of Gerontology Series B, 73(3), 399-408. doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbx134
Journal - Research Article
Guiney, H., Keall, M., & Machado, L. (2018). Physical activity prevalence and correlates among New Zealand older adults. Journal of Aging & Physical Activity, 26(1), 75-83. doi: 10.1123/japa.2016-0393
Journal - Research Article
White, N., Forsyth, B., Lee, A., & Machado, L. (2018). Repeated computerized cognitive testing: Performance shifts and test–retest reliability in healthy young adults. Psychological Assessment, 30(4), 539-549. doi: 10.1037/pas0000503
Journal - Research Article
Bierre, K. L., Lucas, S. J. E., Guiney, H., Cotter, J. D., & Machado, L. (2017). Cognitive difficulty intensifies age-related changes in anterior frontal hemodynamics: Novel evidence from near-infrared spectroscopy. Journals of Gerontology Series A, 72(2), 181-188. doi: 10.1093/gerona/glw061
Journal - Research Article
Brett, C. H. R., & Machado, L. (2017). Manual versus saccadic assessment of cognitive inhibition and switching in young and older adults. Psychological Assessment, 29(11), 1420-1425. doi: 10.1037/pas0000453
Journal - Research Article
Chen, P. L., & Machado, L. (2017). Developing clinically practical transcranial direct current stimulation protocols to improve saccadic eye movement control. Journal of Eye Movement Research, 10(3), 5. doi: 10.16910/jemr.10.3.5
Journal - Research Article
Morton, S. E., O'Hare, K. J. M., Maha, J. L. K., Nicolson, M. P., Machado, L., Topless, R., Merriman, T. R., & Linscott, R. J. (2017). Testing the validity of taxonic schizotypy using genetic and environmental risk variables. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 43(3), 633-643. doi: 10.1093/schbul/sbw108
Journal - Research Article
Chen, P. L., & Machado, L. (2016). Age-related deficits in voluntary control over saccadic eye movements: Consideration of electrical brain stimulation as a therapeutic strategy. Neurobiology of Aging, 41, 53-63. doi: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2016.02.010
Journal - Research Article
Forsyth, B., Machado, L., Jowett, T., Jakobi, H., Garbe, K., Winter, H., & Glue, P. (2016). Effects of low dose ibogaine on subjective mood state and psychological performance. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 189, 10-13. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.05.022
Journal - Research Article
Cameron, T. A., Lucas, S. J. E., & Machado, L. (2015). Near-infrared spectroscopy reveals link between chronic physical activity and anterior frontal oxygenated hemoglobin in healthy young women. Psychophysiology, 52(5), 609-617. doi: 10.1111/psyp.12394
Journal - Research Article
Guiney, H., Lucas, S. J., Cotter, J. D., & Machado, L. (2015). Evidence cerebral blood-flow regulation mediates exercise-cognition links in healthy young adults. Neuropsychology, 29(1), 1-9. doi: 10.1037/neu0000124
Journal - Research Article
Bos, H., & Machado, L. (2013). Aging delays strategic modulation of the fixation reflex. Psychology & Aging, 28(3), 796-801. doi: 10.1037/a0032015
Journal - Research Article
Guiney, H., & Machado, L. (2013). Benefits of regular aerobic exercise for executive functioning in healthy populations. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 20(1), 73-86. doi: 10.3758/s13423-012-0345-4
Journal - Research Article
Machado, L., Guiney, H., & Struthers, P. (2013). Identity-based inhibitory processing during focused attention. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 66(1), 138-159. doi: 10.1080/17470218.2012.701651
Journal - Research Article
Wyatt, N., & Machado, L. (2013). Distractor inhibition: Principles of operation during selective attention. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception & Performance, 39(1), 245-256. doi: 10.1037/a0027922
Journal - Research Article
Wyatt, N., & Machado, L. (2013). Evidence inhibition responds reactively to the salience of distracting information during focused attention. PLoS ONE, 8(4), e62809. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0062809
Journal - Research Article
Machado, L., Guiney, H., & Mitchell, A. (2011). Famous faces demand attention due to reduced inhibitory processing. PLoS ONE, 6(5), e20544. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0020544
Journal - Research Article
Murray, J. E., Machado, L., & Knight, B. (2011). Race and gender of faces can be ignored. Psychological Research, 75(4), 324-333. doi: 10.1007/s00426-010-0310-7
Journal - Research Article
Machado, L., Devine, A., & Wyatt, N. (2009). Distractibility with advancing age and Parkinson's disease. Neuropsychologia, 47(7), 1756-1764. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2009.02.018
Journal - Research Article
van Koningsbruggen, M. G., Pender, T., Machado, L., & Rafal, R. D. (2009). Impaired control of the oculomotor reflexes in Parkinson's disease. Neuropsychologia, 47(13), 2909-2915. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2009.06.018
Journal - Research Article
Arend, I., Machado, L., Ward, R., McGrath, M., Ro, T., & Rafal, R. D. (2008). The role of the human pulvinar in visual attention and action: Evidence from temporal-order judgement, saccade decision, and antisaccade tasks. Progress in Brain Research, 171, 475-483. doi: 10.1016/S0079-6123(08)00669-9
Journal - Research Article
Machado, L., Wyatt, N., Devine, A., & Knight, B. (2007). Action planning in the presence of distracting stimuli: An investigation into the time course of distractor effects. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception & Performance, 33(5), 1045-1061.
Journal - Research Article
Kellman, P. J., Garrigan, P., Shipley, T. F., Yin, C., & Machado, L. (2005). 3-D interpolation in object perception: Evidence from an objective performance paradigm. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception & Performance, 31(3), 558-583.
Journal - Research Article
Marí-Beffa, P., Hayes, A. E., Machado, L., & Hindle, J. V. (2005). Lack of inhibition in Parkinson's disease: Evidence from a lexical decision task. Neuropsychologia, 43, 638-646.
Journal - Research Article
Machado, L., & Franz, E. (2004). Effects of unilateral distractors: A comparison of eye movement and key press responses. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology Section A, 57(7), 1173-1190.
Journal - Research Article
Machado, L., & Rafal, R. D. (2004). Control of fixation and saccades during an anti-saccade task: An investigation in humans with chronic lesions of oculomotor cortex. Experimental Brain Research, 156, 55-63.
Journal - Research Article
Machado, L., & Rafal, R. D. (2004). Control of fixation and saccades in humans with chronic lesions of oculomotor cortex. Neuropsychology, 18(1), 115-123.
Journal - Research Article
Machado, L., & Rafal, R. D. (2004). Inhibition of return generated by voluntary saccades is independent of attentional momentum. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology Section A, 57A(5), 789-796.
Journal - Research Article