Dr Liana Machado, Our People, Department of Psychology, University of Otago, New Zealand

Liana Machado

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

PSYC 211 Brain and Cognition
PSYC 313 Cognition and Neuropsychology

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

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Publications

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

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. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1007/s10433-021-00676-w

Nasrollahi, N., & Machado, L. (2021). Effects of wearing face masks on cognitive functioning and mood states: A randomised controlled trial in young adults. New Zealand Medical Journal, 134(1547), (pp. 137). Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

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

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. Advance online publication. 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., & Machado, L. (2021). Bidirectional within- and between-person relations between physical activity and cognitive function. Journals of Gerontology Series B. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbab234

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

Rafal, R., McGrath, M., Machado, L., & Hindle, J. (2004). Effects of lesions of the human posterior thalamus on ocular fixation during voluntary and visually triggered saccades. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 75, 1602-1606.

Journal - Research Article

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