Thomas J. Covey PhD
Thomas J. Covey
PhD
Assistant Professor
Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Specialty/Research Focus
Ageing; Biostatistics; Clinical Neurophysiology; Electrophysiology; Multiple Sclerosis; Neurobiology; Neurology; Neuropsychology; Neuroscience; Psychology
Professional Summary:
I am interested in brain processes that enable cognitive functions and contribute to individual differences in cognitive abilities. My particular focus is assessing brain function associated with stimulus categorization and resource allocation during working memory. Working memory involves a complex set of mental processes that are at the core of human cognition, general intellectual functioning and aspects of daily life. I study working memory and related cognitive processes (i.e., executive functions and cognitive control) in normal human populations and in patients with clinical disorders that compromise these cognitive abilities. This research utilizes a variety of methodological approaches, including dense-electrode EEG and event-related potential (ERP) measures of brain function, psychometric and neuropsychological measurement and MRI measures of brain structure and function.
A central aim of my work is characterizing the nature of large-scale brain network activity that underlies impaired cognitive performance, particularly in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The relationship between the brain and behavior is an emphasis of this research. A major goal of this work is to establish measures of cognitive processing that have clinical value and are useful as outcome measures for translational research.
Another primary area of my work is the examination of neuroplasticity of working memory and other cognitive processes. Along these lines, I am exploring the impact of targeted training of working memory and stimulus interference/distraction control processes on cognition and brain function. This research aims to disentangle the specific neurocognitive mechanisms that are affected by different forms of cognitive training, and to understand the generalizability of these kinds of interventions. My long-term goal is to determine the viability of cognitive training for improving outcomes in cognitively impaired clinical populations, such as patients with MS.
Education and Training:
- PhD, Neuroscience, University at Buffalo (2016)
- MS, Neuroscience, University at Buffalo (2010)
- BS, Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Rochester (2008)
Employment:
- Director, Neurology Resident Research Program, Neurology, University at Buffalo (2021-present)
- President (2021) Vice President/Organizer (Present), Neuroscience Program, Buffalo Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience (2021-present)
- Faculty, Center for Cognitive Science, University at Buffalo (2019-present)
- Assistant Professor, Neurology, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2017-present)
- Graduate Faculty, Neuroscience Program, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2017-present)
- Director, Neurology, Neurology Resident Research Program (2021–2025)
- Research Assistant Professor, Neurology, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2016–2017)
- Laboratory Manager, Division of Cognitive and Behavioral Neurosciences, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2011–2016)
Awards and Honors:
- Excellence in Teaching Award (2025)
- National Institutes of Health LRP Award Renewal (2023)
- National Institutes of Health LRP Award (2021)
- Dean‘s Award for Outstanding Dissertation Research (2017)
- Neuroscience Thesis Award (2017)
- Gina M. Finzi Memorial Summer Graduate Fellowship (2012)
- Society for Neuroscience Graduate Student Travel Award (2011)
- Gina M. Finzi Memorial Summer Graduate Fellowship (2011)
Research Expertise:
- Cognitive impairment: Cognitive functioning in patients with Multiple Sclerosis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Cognitive processes: Working memory; executive functions; cognitive control; response inhibition; problem solving and reasoning ability
- Cognitive training: Targeted training of cognitive processes such as working memory, interference control, and selective attention
- Electroencephalography (EEG) and Event-Related Potential (ERP) methods: Using ERP components derived from the ongoing EEG as indices of specific cognitive processes; specific expertise with N2 and P3 ERP component measures
Research Centers:
- Jacobs Neurological Institute
Grants and Sponsored Research:
- October 2024–October 2026
Mapping complex dynamics in natural networks
National Science Foundation
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
$32,000 - August 2025–August 2026
Innovative methods for enhancing cognitive rehabilitation and promoting neural recovery in people with multiple sclerosis
UB Neuroscience Program Pilot Grant
Role: Principal Investigator
$25,000 - January 2025–January 2026
Investigation of the neural underpinnings of declining driving performance in aging adults
UB CTSI, NCATS
Role: Principal Investigator
$42,000 - October 2023–October 2025
Neural indices of cognitive decline and cognitive resiliency in people with neurological disturbances.
National Institutes of Health
Role: Principal Investigator
$28,321 - September 2021–September 2025
Investigation of behavioral and neural indices of multisensory information processing in Multiple Sclerosis: A novel approach
Department of Defense Multiple Sclerosis Research Program
Role: Principal Investigator
$232,022 - September 2021–September 2023
Investigation of novel neural indices of cognitive decline and methods for cognitive rehabilitation in people with neurological disturbances
National Institutes of Health Loan Repayment Program Award
Role: Principal Investigator
$38,343 - October 2020–September 2023
A novel method for the investigation of the neural underpinnings of performance on the Symbol Digit Modalities Test in Multiple Sclerosis
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Role: Principal Investigator
$55,000 - January 2022–July 2023
Investigation of drivers with cognitive decline in highly automated driving
Stephen Still Institute for Sustainable Transportation Logistics Pilot Grant
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
$49,758 - October 2020–September 2022
Supporting an aging workforce in future transportation and delivery work
National Science Foundation
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
$149,580 - January 2021–January 2022
Human-machine interaction and aging
SUNY Research Seed Grant Program
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
$30,000
Journal Articles:
- Haller, M, Nyarady, H, & Covey, TJ. (2025) Letter identification and spatial localization during visual working memory are enabled by unique sequences of stimulus-dependent neural operations. Brain and Cognition (Jul)(187) doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bandc.2025.106302
- Zanotto, T, Kumar, DP, Golan, D, Wilken, J, Doniger, GM, Zarif, M, Bumstead, B, Buhse, M, Weller, J, Morrow, SA, Penner, I-K, Hancock, L, Covey, TJ, Ofori, E, Peterson, DS, Motl, RW, Bogaardt, H, Barrera, M, Bove, R, Karpatkin, H, Sosnoff, JJ, Gudesblatt, M. (2025) Does cognitive performance explain the gap between physiological and perceived fall-risk in people with multiple sclerosis?. Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders (Mar), 95: 106322. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2025.106322
- Abraham, R, Waldman-Levi, A, Barrera, M, Bogaardt, H, Golan, D, Bergmann, C, Sullivan, C, Wilken, J, Zarif, M, Bumstead, B, Buhse, M, Covey, TJ, Doniger, GM, Penner, I-K, Hancock, LM, Morrow, SA, Giroux, E, Gudesblatt, M. (2024) Exploring the relationship between manual dexterity and cognition in people with multiple sclerosis: 9-hole peg and multiple cognitive functions. Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders (Aug), 88: 105696. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2024.105696
- Covey, TJ, Shucard, JL, Bukoskey, E, Shucard, DW. (2024) History of playing video games is associated with better neuropsychological performance in people with multiple sclerosis. Journal of Cognitive Enhancement (Mar), 8: 107-117. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s41465-024-00291-4
- Quiesi, M, Attarian, H, Cipriani, V, Azzi, S, Kaczmarek, O, Bumstead, B, Buhse, M, Zarif, M, Golan, D, Wilken, J, Covey, TJ, Gudesblatt, M. (2024) Multiple Sclerosis, Fatigue, Expanded Disability Status Scale: A cross-sectional exploration of sleep efficiency and quantitative sleep parameters. International Journal of MS Care (Feb), 2(26): 57-60. doi:https://doi.org/10.7224/1537-2073.2022-118
- Covey, TJ, Golan, D, Sergott, R, Wilken, J, Zarif, M, Bumstead, B, Buhse, M, Kaczmarek, O, Doniger, G, Penner, I-K, Hancock, LM, Bogaardt, H, Barrera, MA, Morrow, SA, Galetta, S, & Gudesblatt, M. (2024) Peering into the mind’s eye: Combining visual evoked potential and optical coherence tomography measures enhances “insight” into factors underlying the variance in cognitive functioning in multiple sclerosis. Journal of Neurology (Jan)(271): 658-673. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-023-12075-5
- Weinstock, ZL, Jaworski, M, Dwyer, MG, Jakimovski, D, Burnham, A, Wicks, T, Youngs, M, Santivasci, C, Cruz, S, Gillies, J, Covey, TJ, Suchan, C, Bergsland, N, Weinstock-Guttman, B, Zivadinov, R, & Benedict, RHB. (2023) Auditory Test of Processing Speed: Preliminary validation of a smartphone-based test of mental speed. Multiple Sclerosis Journal (Oct) doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/13524585231199311
- Bergmann, C, Becker, S, Sullivan, C, Wilken, J, Golan, D, Zarif, M, Bumstead, B, Buhse, M, Kaczmarek, O, Covey, TJ, Doniger, G, Penner, I-K, Hancock, LM, Bogaardt, H, Barrera, M, Morrow, S, & Gudesblatt, M. (2023) Multiple Sclerosis and Quality of Life: The Role of Cognitive Impairment on Quality of Life in People with Multiple Sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders (Oct)104966. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2023.104966
- Bogaardt, H, Barrera, MA, Attrill, S, Kaczmarek, O, Zarif, M, Bumstead, B, Buhse, MJB, Wilken, J, Doniger, GM, Hancock, LM, Penner, IK, Halper, J, Morrow, SA, Covey, TJ, & Gudesblatt, M. (2023) Cognitive impairment, fatigue and depression in multiple sclerosis: Is there a difference between benign and non-benign MS?. Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders (May), 73: 104630. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2023.104630
- Nakuci, J, Covey, TJ, Shucard, JL, Shucard, DW, & Muldoon, SF. (2023) Single trial variability in neural activity during a working memory task reveals multiple distinct information processing sequences. NeuroImage (Apr), 269: Article 119895. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.119895
Books and Book Chapters:
- Covey TJ, Shucard, DW, Meynadasy, M, Mang, T, Arany, PR. (2019) Photobiomodulation in the Brain. In: Photobiomodulation as a potential therapeutic strategy for improving cognitive and functional outcomes in traumatic brain injury. Elsevier, 1-28.
Professional Memberships:
- Cognitive Neuroscience Society (2019–present)
- Society fo Psychophysiological Research (2014–present)
- Society for Neuroscience (2010–present)
- International Honor Society in Psychology, Psi Chi (2009–present)
Presentations:
- "Cognitive skill learning promotes beneficial neuroplasticity and resiliency to cognitive decline" Cognitive Science Colloquium Series, Rochester Institute of Technology (2025)
- "Strengthening generalizable cognitive skills promotes resiliency to cognitive decline" Department of Neurology Grand Rounds, UB (2024)
- "Cognitive skill learning is a fundamental component of human cognition: Investigation of neural underpinnings and and implications for lifelong cognitive resiliency" Neuroscience Program Seminar Series, UB (2023)
- "Pairing structural neuroimaging with real-time neural indices of cognitive dysfunction and rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis" Rapid Fire Talk, Imaging Research Symposium, Center for Biomedical Imaging (2023)
- "Electrophysiological indices of neural dysfunction and recovery in multiple sclerosis" Department of Neurology Grand Rounds, UB (2022)
- "The neural underpinnings of cognitive performance and enhancement in healthy and neurologically impaired individuals: A research talk and discussion regarding an academic career path" Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Webinar to the California State University Brain alliance, CSU System (2021)
- "Cognitive performance and enhancement in healthy and neurologically impaired individuals" Academic Talk and Q&A as part of a Graduate Recruitment Webinar for the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (2020)
- "Cognitive training in normal and neurologically impaired individuals." Behavioral Neuroscience Brown Bag Seminar; University at Buffalo (2020)
- "Cognitive training in normal and neurologically impaired individuals" Behavioral Neuroscience Brown Bag Seminar (2020)
- "Decoding the neural dynamics of complex cognitive operations: An event-related potential approach" Department of Neurology Grand Rounds; University at Buffalo (2020)
Service Activities:
- Society for Psychophysiological Research "PSYCHOPHYS IS" video submission competition.; Reviewer/Judge (2025)
- Career Day Presentation/Participant and interactive educational neuroscience demonstrations – Frank Sedita Academy, Buffalo Public School, Buffalo, NY; Career Day Presentation (2025)
- Selection Committee, Jacobs School Community Outreach Awards.; Committee Member (2025)
- Jacobs School Graduate Education Curriculum Committee; Committee Member (2024–present)
- Multiple Sclerosis Australia, Research Incubator Grant Applications; Grant Proposal Reviewer (2024)
- Selection Committee, Joseph Robert Love Scholastic Leadership Award; Committee Member (2024)
- Executive Committee for the Center for Cognitive Science, University at Buffalo; Ad-Hoc Member (2024–present)
- Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology; Member of Editorial Board (2024–present)
- University at Buffalo Faculty Senate; Senator (2023–2025)
- Genentech Gait Study Sessions interdisciplinary advisory panel for identifying markers of movement/walking performance and their relationship with cognitive dysfunction.; Genentech Gait Study Sessions Research Advisor (2023–2024)
- Jacobs School first Annual Research Day; Faculty Facilitator (2023)
- Alternate Senator, State University of New York Faculty Senate (SUNY-wide Faculty Senate); alternate attendee at Spring 2023 SUNY Faculty and Staff Senate Plenary Meeting in Syracuse, NY, and at 2024 Winter Virtual meeting; Alternate Senator (2023–2024)
- Institute for Strategic Enhancement of Educational Diversity (iSEED), Collaborative Learning and Integrated Mentoring in the Biosciences Undergraduate Program (CLIMB UP); Application Reviewer (2023)
- Jacobs School first Annual Research Day; Co-Chair of Planning Committee (2023)
- Review Panel of the FY22 Multiple Sclerosis Research Program, Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs.; Grant Proposal Reviewer (2022)
- Biomedical Education subcommittee, Education/Workforce Group; Member (2022–2023)
- Center for Biomedical Imaging 3 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Pilot Studies Program, UB Clinical and Translational Science Institute; Proposal Reviewer (2022)
- Society for Psychophysiological Research Travel Awards; Reviewer (2022)
- Director/Committee Chair, Scientific Research Review Committee, part of the Neurology Resident Research Program (2021–present)
- Society for Neuroscience Buffalo Chapter; Buffalo Neuroscience Research Day Planning Committee; Vice-President, Organizing Committee (2021–present)
- National Junior Honor Society Induction Ceremony, North Park Middle School; Keynote Speaker (2021–present)
- Diversity and Outreach Committee, Society for Psychophysiological Research; Committee Member (2020–present)
- Helped develop NEU 600 - course designation for graduate students trained by faculty members in the Neurology Dept. (2020–present)
- Early Career Investigator Research Proposal, National Science Center of Poland; Grant Reviewer (2020–present)
- CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group; Book Proposal Reviewer (2020–present)
- KL2 Mentored Career Development Award Application Reviewer; Application Reviewer (2020–present)
- Chair, Buffalo Neuroscience Research Day Planning Committee; President, Buffalo Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience (2020–2021)
- Beverly Petterson Bishop and Charles W. Bishop Neuroscience Graduate Student Travel Award; Committee Member (2020–present)
- Brain Museum and Neuroscience Careers Presentation to students at Nardin Academy; Community Presentation (2020–present)
- Alternate Senator, UB Faculty Senate; Alternate Senator (2019–present)
- North Park Middle School, Lockport, NY; Career Day Presentation (2019–present)
- Committee Member, Buffalo Neuroscience Research Day Planning Committee; President-elect and Committee Member (2019–2020)
- Neuroscience Program Graduate Education Committee; Committee Member (2019–present)
- Member, Diversity and Inclusion Recruitment Committee (2019)
- Poster Judge, University at Buffalo Neuroscience Research Day (2018–2019)
- Poster Judge, UB Postdoctoral Research Symposium (2018–2019)
- Presentation Judge, Neurology Resident Research Day (2018–present)
- Grant Applications for Research and Evaluation on Decision-Making, National Institutes of Justice; Grant Application Reviewer (2018)
- Arthur O. Eve Elementary School, Buffalo, NY; Career Day Presentation (2018–present)
- Interviewing prospective students for PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences Interview Days; Prospective Student Visit Interviews (2018–present)
- I have reviewed manuscripts for 60+ different journals. The total number of reviews I have completed (counting multiple reviews of the same paper) has been as follows for the following years: 2018: 10 reviews 2019: 16 reviews 2020: 29 reviews 2021: 20 reviews 2022: 22 reviews 2023: 40 reviews 2024: 34 reviews 2025: 16 reviews to date.; Reviewer (2018–present)