Research
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Current projects explore the role of implicit prosody during silent reading, the link between prosody sensitivity and reading abilities, and the relationship between musical aptitude and language skills. In the lab, we use a combination of behavioral measures, eye-tracking and electroencephalography (EEG) .
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You can read on to find out more about our current projects below.
Biological Foundations of Prosody
Our research delves into the fascinating connection between the "music" of language (intonation and rhythm) and how we understand what we hear. Using electroencephalography (EEG), behavioral measures, and genetic analysis, we investigate how the brain processes these subtle cues to extract meaning from speech. . By uncovering the intricate interplay between prosody, the brain, and genes, I aim to shed light on individual differences in language processing and contribute to a deeper understanding of communication-related disorders.
Representative publications:
Noun/verb distinction in English stress homographs: An ERP study
Prosody Sensitivity and Reading Skills
We investigate the connection between prosody sensitivity—the ability to perceive and interpret the rhythm and melody of speech—and literacy skills, including reading and spelling. Our research utilizes a combination of EEG to measure brain activity during prosodic processing, online tasks to evaluate real-time responses to variations in speech, and advanced statistical analyses (cross-random effects models, item response theory). This comprehensive approach aims to clarify how prosody sensitivity contributes to literacy development, with potential implications for identifying individuals at risk for difficulties and developing targeted interventions.
Representative publications:
Test of Prosody via Syllable Emphasis ("TOPsy"): Psychometric Validation of a Brief Scalable Test of Lexical Stress Perception
Cross-Modal Priming Effect of Rhythm on Visual Word Recognition and Its Relationships to Music Aptitude and Reading Achievement
Music and Cognitive Abilities
Does language processing rely on domain-specific or domain-general neurocognitive resources? To answer this question, we are using music as a comparative model. Additionally, we are investigating the implications of these overlaps, specifically the potential for musical aptitude to relate to language skills.
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Representative publications:
Speech rhythm sensitivity and musical aptitude: ERPs and individual differences
Validity of Mobile EEG Use for Language Research
In this line of research, we explore the effectiveness of using mobile EEG technology to study language. By comparing mobile EEG recordings to traditional lab-based EEG systems, we seek to determine whether this more portable and accessible technology can reliably capture brain activity related to language processing. The study involves examining the quality of data obtained from mobile EEG in various environments and during different language tasks, assessing the sensitivity of the systems to established neural markers of language processing (N400, P600), and investigating its potential for capturing individual differences in language abilities. Ultimately, this research seeks to validate mobile EEG as a tool for language research, potentially opening new opportunities for studying language in more natural and ecologically valid settings.
Representative Publication:
