Jonathan Peelle

Jonathan Peelle is an Associate Professor at Northeastern University with affiliations in the Department of Psychology and the Bouvé College of Health Sciences. He holds a master’s in cognitive psychology and a PhD in neuroscience from Brandeis University, followed by postdoctoral training at the University of Pennsylvania and the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit in Cambridge, UK.

His research focuses on the neural and cognitive mechanisms underlying human communication, particularly how sensory, cognitive, and social factors influence speech comprehension. He explores aging-related changes in auditory processing, hearing impairment effects, and the interplay between auditory input and higher-order cognitive functions. Notable contributions include studies on listening effort in cochlear implant users, neural plasticity in sensory systems, and methodological advances in neuroimaging (e.g., fNIRS and fMRI).

Peelle’s work bridges cognitive neuroscience and clinical applications, addressing challenges in speech perception across populations. He co-hosts academic podcasts and advocates for open science practices, evidenced by his roles in reproducibility initiatives like the fNIRS Reproducibility Study Hub. His lab emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to understanding language processing, with particular attention to aging and neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Key areas of expertise include neuroimaging techniques, auditory neuroscience, and the cognitive neuroscience of language. His recent studies highlight the neural correlates of listening effort, sensory-cognitive interactions in speech comprehension, and the impact of hearing loss on brain function.

Peelle’s research has been published in high-impact journals and spans over two decades of contributions to understanding human communication mechanisms. He maintains an active lab group and collaborates globally on projects addressing hearing health and neurocognitive aging.