Language is a fundamental

human capacity. Aspects of language

are crucial to our social interactions, communication, and quality of life,

and are linked to other higher level

cognitive processes, such as

cognitive control.

 

In particular, understanding spoken language poses an incredible computational challenge for the brain’s auditory and language systems. Most listeners carry out this process with ease, however, the numerous ways that language processing breaks down in the clinic and the classroom underscores its complexity. My work examines multiple issues in speech perception and

language learning.

 

To address these issues, I use a variety of methodologies, including eye-tracking, electroencephalography (EEG), and electrocorticography (ECoG). I also

utilize machine learning techniques

to decode speech information

directly from neurophysiological

data.