Zachary A. Caddick, PhD
AAAS Science & Technology Fellow | Cognitive Scientist | Science Policy | Program Evaluation
Alexandria, VA
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Alexandria, VA
Email
Github
Google Scholar
LinkedIn
ORCID
OSF
ResearchGate
About Me
I am a cognitive psychologist with a strong foundation in research, currently advancing my career in science policy at the National Science Foundation (NSF) in Alexandria, Virginia. With over a decade of expertise in psychology, research design, data analysis, statistics, and programming, I am passionate about using scientific insights to inform policy and address complex societal challenges.
In my current role, I have the privilege of applying my research skills to evaluate and shape initiatives that drive innovation, foster strategic partnerships, and advance public outcomes. My work bridges the gap between academic research and policy implementation, ensuring evidence-based approaches to some of today’s most pressing issues.
Throughout my career, I have been driven by a curiosity to understand how people process information. My research has explored the interplay between prior experiences, personal beliefs, motivation, and states of consciousness—such as fatigue and circadian rhythms—on decision-making and learning. This focus underscores my commitment to generating insights that improve human performance and promote well-being.
Research History
My research journey has delved into how psychological factors like prior experiences and beliefs influence learning and decision-making. My master's thesis at San José State University explored how motivations impact judgments about climate change arguments, published in Thinking & Reasoning. Another significant project during my master’s at the University of Pittsburgh examined learning dynamics in complex environments, resulting in a publication in Cognitive Science.
During my PhD, I focused on the development of expertise among physicians, conducting a comprehensive literature review that led to five published manuscripts and a special journal issue on the cognitive science of medical expertise. Before my doctoral studies, I was a research associate at NASA’s Human Systems Integration Division, where I tackled human performance issues and contributed to guidelines for sleep environments on long-duration space missions.
My dissertation, funded by a Mellon Fellowship, created a novel framework to explore collective decision-making in voting, producing insights on voter preferences and understanding of different voting systems.
My postdoctoral research at Oregon Health & Science University melded my interests in decision-making and sleep. I spearheaded innovative research on how insufficient sleep influences susceptibility to misinformation. Additionally, I led studies examining the effects of sleep and circadian rhythms on health and cognitive performance.
Currently, I am a Science & Technology Policy Fellow with the AAAS, working in the National Science Foundation’s Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP) Directorate. Within the TIP Directorate, I focus on program evaluation for initiatives within the NSF Engines program, which aims to catalyze regional innovation ecosystems. My work emphasizes using data-driven approaches to assess program impacts, ensuring their alignment with U.S. science and technology priorities and global competitiveness.
Personal Hobbies & Interests
In my free time, I indulge in a variety of hobbies that span music—listening, playing, and attending concerts—hockey, hiking, and rock climbing. I also enjoy programming, statistical challenges, and design-related side projects. My culinary interests include baking and food fermentation. Additionally, I am keen on watching interviews and lectures, exploring random topics deeply, and continually embracing new hobbies.
I am a cognitive psychologist with a strong foundation in research, currently advancing my career in science policy at the National Science Foundation (NSF) in Alexandria, Virginia. With over a decade of expertise in psychology, research design, data analysis, statistics, and programming, I am passionate about using scientific insights to inform policy and address complex societal challenges.
In my current role, I have the privilege of applying my research skills to evaluate and shape initiatives that drive innovation, foster strategic partnerships, and advance public outcomes. My work bridges the gap between academic research and policy implementation, ensuring evidence-based approaches to some of today’s most pressing issues.
Throughout my career, I have been driven by a curiosity to understand how people process information. My research has explored the interplay between prior experiences, personal beliefs, motivation, and states of consciousness—such as fatigue and circadian rhythms—on decision-making and learning. This focus underscores my commitment to generating insights that improve human performance and promote well-being.
Research History
My research journey has delved into how psychological factors like prior experiences and beliefs influence learning and decision-making. My master's thesis at San José State University explored how motivations impact judgments about climate change arguments, published in Thinking & Reasoning. Another significant project during my master’s at the University of Pittsburgh examined learning dynamics in complex environments, resulting in a publication in Cognitive Science.
During my PhD, I focused on the development of expertise among physicians, conducting a comprehensive literature review that led to five published manuscripts and a special journal issue on the cognitive science of medical expertise. Before my doctoral studies, I was a research associate at NASA’s Human Systems Integration Division, where I tackled human performance issues and contributed to guidelines for sleep environments on long-duration space missions.
My dissertation, funded by a Mellon Fellowship, created a novel framework to explore collective decision-making in voting, producing insights on voter preferences and understanding of different voting systems.
My postdoctoral research at Oregon Health & Science University melded my interests in decision-making and sleep. I spearheaded innovative research on how insufficient sleep influences susceptibility to misinformation. Additionally, I led studies examining the effects of sleep and circadian rhythms on health and cognitive performance.
Currently, I am a Science & Technology Policy Fellow with the AAAS, working in the National Science Foundation’s Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP) Directorate. Within the TIP Directorate, I focus on program evaluation for initiatives within the NSF Engines program, which aims to catalyze regional innovation ecosystems. My work emphasizes using data-driven approaches to assess program impacts, ensuring their alignment with U.S. science and technology priorities and global competitiveness.
Personal Hobbies & Interests
In my free time, I indulge in a variety of hobbies that span music—listening, playing, and attending concerts—hockey, hiking, and rock climbing. I also enjoy programming, statistical challenges, and design-related side projects. My culinary interests include baking and food fermentation. Additionally, I am keen on watching interviews and lectures, exploring random topics deeply, and continually embracing new hobbies.