The N.E.R.D. Lab: Neurobiology of Language, Learning, and Development
Course Credit?
NoPaid Position?
NoPreferred Majors
Biology | Child Development | Educational Psychology | Educational Research | English As Second Language | Psychology | Special Education | Speech Language PathologyFaculty
Laura MorettDescription
The Neuroscience of Education Research on Development (or N.E.R.D.) Lab at UA studies how the human brain supports learning across the lifespan by examining the neurobiology of language processing and acquisition, focusing in particular on gesture. We use a variety of behavioral (eye tracking) and neuroimaging (EEG, fNIRS) methods to investigate how speech and gesture contribute to learning from childhood through adulthood in diverse populations. Undergraduate research assistants will have the unique opportunity to receive training in working with typical and atypical adult and adolescent populations, community outreach and advocacy, and several neuroimaging techniques. Our current projects address the following questions: ● What are the neural signatures of gesture's contribution to language acquisition, and how do they develop from childhood through adulthood? ● How does the neural organization of speech and gesture develop differently in autism spectrum disorder, and how does it affect communication and learning in this population? ● How can a better understanding of the neural bases of the gesture-speech relationship be used to improve learning in diverse populations? The position is open to undergraduates of all concentrations, and would be of special interest to students in majors related to neuroscience (e.g., psychology, linguistics, human development, computer science) who are interested in how the brain learns and develops. The minimum weekly commitment for this position is 10 hours, and it can be pursued as a volunteer or a credited opportunity, if the student is in a program capable of granting interdisciplinary research credit. For any student involved, it may be possible to extend the position into the spring and later semesters if desired. Participating RAs will also have the opportunity to analyze project data for their own purposes, e.g. as the basis of an Honors thesis, over the longer term, with the guidance of the senior research team.
Special Directions
To apply, please submit a 1 page cover letter and vita with your application. In your cover letter, please explain your interest in the position. In your vita, please include a list of all relevant coursework with grades received, your major(s) and minor(s), your departmental GPA, and your overall GPA. Please also disclose any relevant skills (e.g., programming experience, research experience, experience working with developmental and/or clinical populations). Finally, please include the name and contact information of a UA faculty member willing to serve as a reference for you. Please visit our website to learn more about the N.E.R.D. Lab: nerdlab.ua.edu. If you have any questions or would like to submit an application, please send them to nerdlab@ua.edu.
Special Skills
Minimum overall GPA of 3.25 and GPA in relevant major of 3.5 required for consideration. Desirable traits include detail-orientedness, problem-solving ability, and good rapport with the public and team members. Experience working with children, teens, or adults with developmental disabilities is very helpful. Experience with programming, data analysis/experimental design, and running psychological and neuroscience experiments is a plus. Emerging scholars are especially encouraged to apply.