Heather Read

Heather Read is a Professor at the University of Connecticut's Department of Psychological Sciences, where she leads research in sensory neuroscience and auditory processing. Her work investigates how mammals perceive sound frequency, shape, and rhythm, with implications for understanding cortical developmental disorders like dyslexia and autism. She directs the Read Lab, focusing on neural mechanisms from single neurons to behavior, aiming to develop innovative diagnostic tools and prosthetic hearing devices.

Research spans neurobiology of sound perception, including:

• Neural circuit anatomy underlying auditory processing
• Perceptual deficits in developmental disorders
• Computational models of natural sound encoding
• Novel neurotechnologies for auditory rehabilitation

Her publications (2018-2024) demonstrate evolving focus: earlier work established thalamocortical auditory pathways and neural coding principles, while recent research emphasizes closed-loop neuromodulation systems, wearable EEG technology, and translational applications for hearing disorders. Studies consistently integrate neurophysiological recordings, computational modeling, and behavioral analysis across species.

Awards and honors include:

• Kavli Frontiers Fellow (National Academy of Science)
• Schmitt Dissertation Award
• Marine Biological Laboratories Undergraduate Fellowship
• Graduate Merit Fellowship

She teaches undergraduate courses in Sensation/Perception (PSYC 3501) and Sensory Neuroscience Lab (PSYC 3253). Contact: heather.read@uconn.edu | Office: Bousfield 114, Storrs Campus.