The main focus of my work is sensory perception, primarily the sense of smell, and how it influences and is mediated by emotion, learning, memory, and behavior. Current goals involve education, research and advocacy on how olfaction can be leveraged to enhance mental and physical health, social interactions, cultural preservation, clmiate change, and technology. I also work on the psychology and neuroscience of food and eating behavior (neurogastronomy), and how a better understanding of neurogastronomy can foster a healthier relationship with food. 

Dr. Herz has been conducting research on olfaction, emotion and cognition since 1990 and is considered one of the world's leading experts on the psychological science of smell. Her research has shown how scent-evoked memory is emotionally unique and evocative compared to other memory experiences, how emotional associations can change scent perception, and how scents can be conditioned to emotions and subsequently influence behavior. Her work also addresses how language and context alter olfactory perception, the role of body-odor and fragrance in heterosexual attraction, and mechanisms involved in scent-marketing. Additional recent research directions include studying the connection between the sense of taste and moral responses; examining changes in taste and smell sensitivity as a function of BMI aand sleep and circadian phase; and investigating how numerous facets of how sensory perception, emotion and cognition bidirectionally influence food consumption and taste perception. Dr. Herz is currently engaged in a number of research collaborations exploring how scent can be used: to curb addictions, manage emotional and physical health, in virtual reality, and in developing technology for cultural presevation and mitigating climate change. 

Research Grants: Principal Investigator
1995-1996 Olfactory Research Fund: "The emotional distinctiveness of odor-evoked memories." ($35,000)

1996-1997 Olfactory Research Fund: "The emotional quality and accuracy of memories associated to olfactory versus musical stimuli." ($35,000)

1996-1997 NIH/NIDA, B/START: "Caffeine state-dependent memory: Relation to dose & mood." ($60,000)

1998-2001 H & R Florasynth: "Mechanisms involved in the perception of odor pleasantness." ($95,000)

2001-2002 Oakland Innovation: "Olfactory emotional conditioning: Effects on perception and cognition." ($35,000)

2001-2002 Brown University Faculty Development Fund ($1,500)

2001-2002 Brown University Magnetic Resonance Foundation/Itlleson Foundation: "An examination of the neural areas involved in emotional versus non-emotional olfactory and visual memory." ($10,000)

2003 Sense of Smell Institute: "Women's psychology of fragrance through the life stages." ($15,000)

2003-2004 International Flavors and Fragrances: "Emotion and Olfactory Perception." ($15,000)


Research Grants: Co-Investigator or Consultant
1997-1998      Olfactory Research Fund: Collaborator with Gisela Epple, Ph.D. "The influence of odor-evoked memories on child behavior."
1997-1998      NIH/NIA Center Grant for CNLM, University of California, Irvine: Collaborator with Larry Cahill, Ph.D. "Emotional arousal, olfactory memory and the amygdala: Implications for understanding Alzheimer's disease."

2014-2018      NIH/NIDDK “Food Choices in Overweight & Normal Weight Adolescents―Sleep & Circadian Rhythms”.  Role= Consultant. PI Mary Carskadon, Ph.D., Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University Alpert Medical School. Providence RI. 1 R01 DK101046-01

2014-2018      NIH/NCI   “An Olfactory Method for Controlling Cigarette Craving.” Role = Consultant. PI Michael Sayette, Ph.D., Department of Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA. 1 R01 CA184779-01

2019              Circadian Positioning Systems and E.P. Bradley Hospital, Rhode Island. Rol e= Expert consultant on olfaction.

2020-2025      NIH/NICCIH “Cognitive and Affective Mechanisms Underlying an Olfactory Approach to Modify Cigarette Craving: A Neurobehavioral Investigation”. Role =   Consultant.  PI  Michael Sayette, Ph.D., Department of Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.  R01 AT010896

2024-2027       Belmont Forum: Climate & Cultural Heritage Collaborative Research Action. “Climate Changes and Scent Heritage: The Urgent Need for Capturing and Preserving Olfactory Landscapes in a Changing World.” Role = Consultant. PI Idelfonso Nogueira, Norwegian University of Science and Technology 

2024-2027       NIH/NCI An Innovative Digitally-Delivered Olfactory Method for Reducing Cigarette Cravings and Supporting Smoking Cessation. Role= Consultant. PI Lorra Garey, University of Houston

 

 

Castillo, A., Bajec, M. & Herz, R.S. (in preparation). The relationship between gender identity and food types on the accuracy of caloric estimations.

Herz, R.S., Müller, K-M., Murins, S. (2024, in press). Basic science behind scents and possible futures of scent technologies. Positionen.

Herz, R.S., Cunningham, C.M. & White, T.L. (2024). Advancing investigations into the effects of sweet and bitter tastes on agreeableness and hostility. Food Quality & Preference, 121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2024.105254

Marsh, E.L. Goodwin, M. E., Sayette, M.A., Marchetti, M.A. & Herz, R.S. (2023). Natural mood state and hedonic responses to pleasant odors. Journal of Sensory Studies, 1-8. e12826 https://doi.org/10.1111/joss.12826

Herz, R.S., Larsson, M., & Trujillo, R., Casola, M.C., Ahmed, F.K., Lipe, S. & Brashear M.E. (2022). A three-factor benefits framework for understanding consumer preference for scented household products: psychological interactions and implications for future development. Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications, 7(28). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41235-022-00378-6

Herz, R.S. & Bajec, M. R. (2022). Your money or your sense of smell? A comparative analysis of the sensory and psychological value of olfaction. Brain Sciences, 12, 299. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci12030299

Herz, R.S. (2021). Olfactory Virtual Reality: A new frontier in the treatment and prevention of posttraumatic stress disorder. Brain Sciences, 11, 1070. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11081070

Herz, R.S., Herzog, E. D., Merrow, M & Noya, S.B. (2021). The circadian clock, the brain, and COVID-19: the cases of olfaction and the timing of sleep. Journal of Biological Rhythms, 36(5), 423-431. doi: 10.1177/07487304211031206

Herz, R.S. (2021). Scent perception and its therapeutic potential for pain management. International Journal of Professional Holistic Aromatherapy, 10(1), 17-22.

Weiss, J. J., Attuquayefio, T. N., White, E. B., Li, F., Herz, R. S., White, T. L., Campbell, M., Geng, B., Datta, R., Wyllie, A. L., Grubaugh, N. D., Casanovas-Massana, A., Muenker, M. C., Moore, A. J., Handoko, R., Iwasaki, A., Martinello, R. A., Ko, A. I., Small, D. M., Farhadian, S. F., … Yale IMPACT Research Team (2021). Tracking smell loss to identify healthcare workers with SARS-CoV-2 infection. PloS one, 16(3), e0248025. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0248025

Herz, R.S., Van Reen, E., Gredvig-Ardito C. & Carskadon, M.A. (2020). Insights into smell and taste sensitivity in normal weight and overweight-obese adolescents. Physiology & Behavior, 221.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2020.112897.

Sayette, M.A. Marchetti, M., Herz, R.S., Martin, L.M. & Bowdring, M.A. (2019). Pleasant olfactory cues can reduce cigarette craving. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 128, 327-340. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/abn0000431

Johnson, M.B., Kingston, R., Utell, M.J., Wells, J.R., Singal, M., Troy, W.R.,  Horenziak, S., Dalton, P., Ahmed, F.K., Herz, R.S., Osimitz, T., Prawer, S. & Yin, S. (2019). Exploring the science, safety and benefits of air care products: perspectives from the inaugural air care summit.  Inhalation Toxicology, 31, 12-24.

White, T.L., Cunningham, C. & Herz, R.S., (2018). Individual differences and the ‘selfish’ relationship between empathy and disgust.  American Journal of Psychology, 131, 439-450.

Herz, R.S., Van Reen, E., Barker, D., Hilditch, C., Bartz, A. & Carskadon, M.A. (2018). The influence of circadian timing on odor detection. Chemical Senses. 43, 45-51. doi:10.1093/chemse/bjx067 

Ershadi, M., Russell, J.A. & Herz, R.S. (2017). The (non)-effect of induced emotion on desire for different types of foods. Food Quality and Preference, 62, 214-17. doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2017.06.009

Herz, R. S. (2016). The role of odor-evoked memory in psychological and physiological health. Brain Sciences, 6(3),22. doi:10.3390/brainsci6030022.

Herz, R.S. (2016).  Birth of a Neurogastronomy Nation: The inaugural symposium of the international society of neurogastronomy. Chemical Senses, 41, 101-103. doi:10.1093/chemse/bjv073

Sugiyama, H., Oshida, A.,  Thueneman, P.,  Littell, S.,  Katayama, A.,  Kashiwagi, M., Hikichi, S. & Herz, R.S. (2015). Proustian products are preferred: The relationship between odor-evoked memories and product evaluation.  Chemosensory Perception. DOI: 10.1007/s12078-015-9182-y

Herz, R.S. (2014). Verbal priming and taste sensitivity make moral transgressions gross. Behavioral Neuroscience, 128, 20-28. DOI:10.1037/a0035468

Herz, R.S. (2014). Strohminger versus McGinn and the meaning of disgust.  Emotion Review, 6, 218-219. DOI: 10.1177/1754073914523042

Herz, R.S. & Hinds, A. (2013).  Stealing is not gross: Language distinguishes visceral disgust from moral violations.  American Journal of Psychology, 126, 275-286. DOI: 10.5406/amerjpsyc.126.3.0275

Herz, R.S. (2011). PROP taste sensitivity is related to visceral but not moral disgust. Chemosensory Perception, 4, 72-79. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12078-011-9089-1

Herz, R.S. (2010). Trygg Engen: pioneer of olfactory psychology. Chemosensory Perception, 3, 135-136.

Herz, R.S. (2010). Trygg Engen. American Psychologist, 65, 294.

Herz, R.S. (2009). Basic processes in human olfactory cognition: Current questions and future directions. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1170, 313-317.

Herz, R.S. (2009). Aromatherapy facts and fictions: A scientific analysis of olfactory effects on mood, physiology and behavior. International Journal of Neuroscience, 119, 263-290.

Herz, R.S. (2005). Odor-associative learning and emotion: Effects on perception and behavior. Chemical Senses, 30, i250-i251.

Herz, R.S., Beland, S.L. & Hellerstein, M. (2004). Changing odor hedonic perception through emotional associations in humans. International Journal of Comparative Psychology, 17, 315-339.

Herz, R.S., (2004). A comparison of autobiographical memories triggered by olfactory, visual and auditory stimuli. Chemical Senses, 29, 217-224.

Carskadon, M., & Herz, R.S. (2004). Minimal olfactory perception during sleep: Why odor alarms will not work for humans. Sleep, 27, 402-405.

Herz, R.S., Schankler, C. & Beland, S. (2004). Olfaction, emotion and associative learning: Effects on motivated behavior. Motivation and Emotion, 28, 363-383.

Herz, R.S., Eliassen, J.C., Beland, S.L., & T. Souza. (2004). Neuroimaging evidence for the emotional potency of odor-evoked memory. Neuropsychologia, 42, 371-378.

Herz, R.S. (2003). The effect of verbal context in olfactory perception. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 132, 595-606.

Herz, R.S., & Inzlicht, M. (2002). Gender differences in response to physical and social signals involved in human mate selection: The importance of smell for women. Evolution and Human Behavior, 23, 359-364.

Herz, R.S., & Schooler, J.W. (2002). A naturalistic study of autobiographical memories evoked to olfactory versus visual cues. American Journal of Psychology, 115, 21-32.

1989-1991 Ontario Graduate Student Scholarship
1991-1992 Life Sciences Graduate Degree Completion Award
1992-1994 NSERC Post-Doctoral Fellowship
1994 Ajinomoto USA Inaugural Award to Promising Young Scientists in the Chemical Senses
1998-2000 Morley R. Kare Fellow, Monell Chemical Senses Center
2002 Moskowitz Jacobs Award for Research Excellence in the Psychophysics of Taste and Smell
2004- Member of the Society of Sigma Xi
2004-2008 Distinguished Lecturer, Institute of Food Technologists

2018  Applied Neurogastronomy Challenge Gina A. Mullin Award 

Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School, Brown University

RSH Enterprises, LLC, President/Owner

Sniffiggle, LLC, Co-Founder and Co-Owner

 

The Sensory and Psychological Science of Food and Eating Behavior, CLPS1555

How do our senses—what we see, hear, smell, feel and taste, influence what, when, and how much we eat? How do our moods, expectations, and the situation we are in influence our feelings of hunger and satiety, and even how we metabolize food? How does what we eat influence our emotions, and how do our moods and personalities influence what we eat? What are the factors that negatively or positively influence our cravings, and how can we control them? Finally, how does what we eat affect our moral and social behavior with others? These are the topics that will be addressed in this seminar course that involves critical reading, class presentations, research projects, and active participation.

 

CLPS 1565 - The Sense of Smell: Perception, Cognition, Health & Technology, CLPS 1565

In this course online, synchronous, highly interactive seminar, students will discover the fascinating and unique features of the human sense of smell with a special focus on how the sensory, perceptual, and psychological mechanisms of olfaction are involved in our emotions, thoughts, behavior, health, and the latest innovations and applications in technology. These topics will be addressed with critical reading, class presentations, research idea development, written assignments, and active participation. This course has no prerequisites, is WRIT designated, and serves as an elective that can fulfill the seminar requirements for the department of Cognitive, Linguistic and Psychological Sciences (CLPS).