Scientific Research

Stella is a Ph.D. candidate in Psychology with a focus on cognitive sciences at Georgia State University. Her research explores cognitive offloading in both human and non-human primates, as showcased in award-winning presentations and publications in scientific journals. With a B.A. in Anthropology and Psychology from the University of Wisconsin—Madison, Stella's academic journey is decorated with honors, including winning first place in the Georgia State University Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Master’s Competition and multiple fellowships. She is a passionate science communicator and educator, blending her expertise in primate cognition with outreach and mentorship to inspire future generations in STEM.

Stella’s full CV can be found here.

SELECTED AWARDS AND HONORS

Taylor/Blakeslee Graduate Fellowship (2025 – 2026)

Council for the Advancement of Science Writing

Science Communication Fellowship (2025 – 2026)

Heising-Simons Foundation

Pam King HAEA Scholarship (2025)

Hereditary Angioedema Association

Certificate of Excellence in College Teaching (2025)

Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning, & Online Education, Georgia State University

First Place Winner in the Three Minute Thesis Master’s Competition (2023)

Georgia State University

Science Communication Fellowship (2020)

Science ATL

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Ciacci, F., Mayerhoff, S., De Petrillo, F., Gastaldi, S., Brosnan, S. F., & Addessi, E. (2023). State-dependent risky choices in primates: Variation in energy budget does not affect tufted capuchin monkeys' (Sapajus spp.) risky choices. American Journal of Primatology, e23542. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.23542

Mayerhoff, S. R., Saldaña Santisteban, J. M., Brosnan, S. F. (2021) Social Cooperation in Primates. In: Schwartz, B. L. & Beran, M. J. (Eds.), Primate cognitive studies. Cambridge University Press.

Mayerhoff, S. R. & Brosnan, S. F. (2019) Co-operation. In: Vonk, J. & Shackelford, T. K. (Eds.), Encyclopedia of animal cognition and behavior. Springer.

​​Haseltine, E. L., Mayerhoff, S. R., Szikman, I., McKeon, J., Jackson, B. N., Beran, M. J., & Parrish, A. (in prep). Children spontaneously use color to offload information and locate hidden objects.

SELECTED PRESENTATIONS

Mayerhoff, S. R., Ciacci, F., De Petrillo, F., Gastaldi, S., Brosnan, S. F., & Addessi, E. (2024). State-dependent risky choices in primates: Variation in energy budget does not affect tufted capuchin monkeys' (Sapajus spp.) risky choices. American Society for Primatologists Annual Meeting. Riviera Maya, Mexico.

Mayerhoff, S. R. (2024). What’s the Plan? A comparative study of cognitive and physical offloading. Cognitive Psychology Graduate Student Conference. Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA.

Mayerhoff, S. R., Babb, M., Beran M. J., & Brosnan, S. F. (2023). File, save, forget: Cognitive offloading in non-human primates. American Society for Primatologists Annual Meeting. Reno, NV.

Mayerhoff, S. R., Saldaña Santisteban, J. M., Truscott, C. G., Bonnie, K. E., Brosnan, S. F. (2021). Social foraging in tufted capuchins (Cebus [Sapajus] apella): An experimental approach. American Society for Primatologists Annual Meeting. Oklahoma City, OK.

TEACHING

Teaching Awards

Certificate of Excellence in College Teaching, Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning, & Online Education, Georgia State University (2025)

Graduate Teaching Assistant Pedagogy Award Nominee, Georgia State University (2025)

Diversity Teaching Award Nominee, Georgia State University (2024)

Instructor of Record

Spring 2025: Psychopathology and Abnormal Psychology (PSYC 3140)

Fall 2024: Developmental Psychology (PSYC 4040)

Spring 2024: Animal Behavior (PSYC 4560)

Fall 2023: Developmental Psychology (PSYC 4040)

Teaching Assistant

Summer 2024: Advanced Research Design and Analysis (PSYC 3530)

Spring 2024: Graduate Psychological Statistics II: Regression (PSYC 8420)