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Qi ChengView profile

Assistant Professor

• Language Processing
• Neurolinguistics
• Psycholinguistics
• +3 more

Dr. Qi Cheng is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Washington, leading the Neuroplasticity and Language Lab (NLL). She holds a Ph.D. in Linguistics and Cognitive Science from the University of California, San Diego (2020). Her research focuses on the neuroplasticity of language development in deaf individuals, particularly how early language deprivation impacts syntactic processing, brain structure, and cognitive mechanisms. She employs interdisciplinary methods including neuroimaging (MEG, DTI, MRI), psycholinguistic experiments, and longitudinal studies. Education: Ph.D., Linguistics and Cognitive Science, UC San Diego, 2020 Research Interests: Language processing in deaf populations, neural foundations of sign language, early language deprivation effects, bilingualism (bimodal/unimodal), and cognitive neuroscience. Lab Activities: The NLL collaborates on projects involving ASL and CSL syntax, visual mismatch responses in MEG, and cognitive control mechanisms in bilinguals. Dr. Cheng mentors graduate students (e.g., Yuting Zhang, Yoojin Oh) and undergraduate researchers through the Linguistics Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program (LURAP). Recent Contributions: Her work highlights reduced brain connectivity in language-relevant regions for late ASL learners and reveals how cognitive control influences sentence comprehension in deaf readers. Ongoing projects explore cross-modal neural mechanisms and the impact of early language exposure on syntactic flexibility.

Akira OmakiView profile

Assistant Professor

• Psycholinguistics
• Syntax
• First Language Acquisition
• +3 more

Akira Omaki is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Washington. His research focuses on the intersection of language development and sentence-level language processing, particularly how abstract structural representations are identified despite ambiguous input and multiple grammatical hypotheses. Dr. Omaki established the Language Development and Processing (LDP) Lab, where he investigates constraints from linguistic knowledge and cognitive mechanisms like attention and memory. Ph.D. in Linguistics from the University of Maryland (2010) Co-PI on NSF grant #BCS-1631993 (2016-2019) PI on NSF grant #BCS-1423117 (2014-2018) Taught LING 457: Language Development (Summer 2016) Dr. Omaki's research explores: Active dependency completion mechanisms Syntactic representations in comprehension/production Language learning under uncertainty Cognitive-linguistic interactions Neural basis of syntactic processing His publications include studies on wh-island acceptability and visual cortex activation in syntactic tasks . Current projects examine executive control in sentence production and grammatical adaptation mechanisms. Advising: Mentored graduate students including Alli Germain, whose dissertation addressed non-nominative subjects in Russian and Lithuanian. Grants: Secured over $968,000 in NSF funding for language processing research.

Ratree WaylandView profile

Professor

• Phonetics
• Linguistics
• Cross-language speech perception
• +4 more

Dr. Ratree Wayland is a Professor in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Florida, affiliated with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on cross-language speech perception/production, lexical tone processing, Southeast Asian languages, speech biomarkers, and natural language processing. She teaches courses such as LIN 3201 (Sounds of Human Language), LIN 4205 (Fundamental Phonetics), and LIN 6208 (Phonetics for Linguists). Dr. Wayland is the author of the textbook Phonetics: A Practical Introduction (Cambridge University Press, 2019), which provides comprehensive coverage of articulatory, acoustic, and perceptual aspects of speech. Her work integrates empirical methods with computational tools to explore speech production, perception, and their applications in clinical and linguistic research. Her research interests include sociophonetic variation, tone sandhi phenomena in languages such as Lahu Nyi and Mandarin, and the use of speech as biomarkers for neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease. She employs advanced methodologies including electromagnetic articulography and neural network analysis to quantify phonetic features. Dr. Wayland's contributions span theoretical linguistics, applied phonetics, and interdisciplinary studies linking speech to biomedical applications. Notable projects include studying perceptual asymmetries in lexical tone perception among tonal and non-tonal language speakers, analyzing lenition in L2 Spanish and Parkinson's patients, and developing pseudo-palate technologies for speech analysis. Her publications frequently address cross-linguistic speech patterns, acoustic correlates of speech disorders, and the role of musical training in tone perception.

Daniel WalterView profile

Associate Professor

• Second Language Acquisition
• Morphosyntax
• German as a Second Language
• +3 more

Daniel Walter is an Associate Professor of German and Linguistics at Emory University's Oxford College, specializing in second language acquisition, psycholinguistics, and German language pedagogy. He earned his BA from Dickinson College, MA from Michigan State University, and PhD from Carnegie Mellon University. His research examines cognitive mechanisms in language learning, focusing on morphosyntax acquisition, pedagogical interventions, and heritage language contexts. Walter's work integrates experimental psycholinguistics with classroom applications, exploring how linguistic theory informs effective teaching practices. Recent publications investigate labor market benefits of heritage languages, technology-enhanced instruction, and pandemic impacts on language educators. He teaches courses spanning elementary German to psycholinguistics and advises undergraduate research projects.

Gahl BerkeleyView profile

Professor

• Linguistics
• Psycholinguistics
• Bilingualism
• +7 more

Dr. Gahl Berkeley is a Professor in the Department of Linguistics and Cognitive Science Program at the University of California, Berkeley. Their research bridges computational linguistics and behavioral studies, focusing on lexical access, aphasia, bilingualism, and speech production. They teach courses such as Linguistics 47 (Communication Disorders), 109 (Bilingualism), and graduate seminars in psycholinguistics. Current advisees include Dakota Robinson and Mingyu Yuan. Their work emphasizes how 'peripheral' phenomena like pronunciation variations reflect 'central' cognitive processes. Dr. Berkeley’s research has explored bilingualism’s impact on stuttering, pseudoword processing, and age-related changes in speech patterns. Key research themes include usage-based models of language, computational modeling of lexical processing, and the interplay between phonetics and syntax. They collaborate with institutions globally and have contributed to corpora like the 'Up' corpus studying speech across adulthood. Their outreach activities address applied linguistics challenges, such as communication disorders and educational interventions for deaf students. Publications span journals like Journal of Phonetics , Behavior Research Methods , and Aphasiology , with a focus on lexical processing, bilingualism, and aphasia. Their work challenges traditional assumptions about language structure and learning, emphasizing empirical and statistical approaches to understanding language dynamics.

Brechtje PostView profile

Professor

• Phonetics
• Phonology
• Prosody
• +4 more

Brechtje Post is Professor of Phonetics and Phonology at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow of Jesus College. She serves as Co-Director of the Language Sciences Interdisciplinary Research Centre and was Director of Studies in Linguistics at Jesus College from 2010 until going on leave for the 2024-2025 academic year. Her educational background includes: MA in French Literature and Linguistics from University of Nijmegen (now Radboud University Nijmegen) MA in English Literature and Linguistics from University of Nijmegen PhD in Linguistics from University of Nijmegen Professor Post's research focuses on the intersection of phonetics, phonology, and cognitive processing. Her work examines how prosody and intonation function in speech production and comprehension, with particular interest in how these elements are acquired by language learners and processed in the brain. She investigates the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying speech prosody, contributing to our understanding of the psychological dimensions of linguistic structure. As Co-Director of the Language Sciences Interdisciplinary Research Centre, she helps facilitate cross-departmental collaboration on language-related research across the University of Cambridge. Though currently on leave from her Director of Studies role at Jesus College, she has been a Fellow of the college since 2008, contributing to the academic community for over fifteen years.

• Psycholinguistics
• Music Perception/Cognition
• Language Production
• +7 more

L. Robert Slevc is an Associate Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Psychology at the University of Maryland, with affiliations in the Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science (NACS) and the Maryland Language Science Center. He holds joint roles as Director of Graduate Studies and leads the Language and Music Cognition Lab. His research bridges psycholinguistics, music cognition, and language production, with a focus on cognitive mechanisms in normal and brain-damaged populations. He completed his Ph.D. at UC San Diego and a postdoc at Rice University before joining UMD. Education : Ph.D. in Psychology, University of California, San Diego B.A. in Psychology, University of Colorado, Boulder Research Interests : Dr. Slevc explores how language and music processing share cognitive resources, including studies on bilingual code-switching, aphasia, second-language acquisition, and the interplay between musical ability and cognitive functions. His work employs behavioral and neuroimaging techniques to uncover neural correlates of language and music syntax, attentional mechanisms in bilingualism, and developmental milestones. Articles Trends : Recent work emphasizes bilingualism’s cognitive effects, the role of musical training in language learning, and cross-domain priming between music and speech. His research highlights shared neural substrates for syntactic processing in both domains and the impact of auditory temporal processing on language skills. Advising & Grants : Currently not recruiting PhD students for Fall 2025. His grants and mentorship focus on promoting equity in music cognition research and advancing interdisciplinary methods in cognitive science. Labs/Teams : Directs the Language and Music Cognition Lab , investigating how language and music interact with cognition, memory, and attention through experimental and computational approaches.

Carmen Benito-VesselsView profile

Professor

• Medieval Studies
• Early Modern History
• Hispanic Philology
• +3 more

Carmen Benito-Vessels is a Professor of Medieval and Early Modern Studies in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at the University of Maryland's School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of California-Santa Barbara and an M.A. from the University of Salamanca. Her research focuses on medieval historiography, language evolution, and Hispanic philology, with notable works exploring Spanish colonial history in the Americas and the intersection of language and power in medieval texts. She has authored/co-authored influential books like Lenguaje y valor en la literatura medieval española (2014) and La palabra en el tiempo de las letras (2007). Her recent projects include the 2024 digital collection The Missing Link , examining Spain's early presence on the U.S. Atlantic coast, and the 2025 short story collection Caleidoscopio . She is a member of the North American Academy of the Spanish Language and has presented widely on topics such as colonial narratives and language preservation. Her teaching includes courses on medieval literature and the history of the Spanish language. Benito-Vessels’ scholarship bridges historical analysis with creative interpretation, emphasizing how textual choices reflect cultural and political dynamics. She has edited volumes on the picaresque genre and women’s roles in medieval Iberian economies, contributing to feminist historiography. Her work often highlights marginalized voices, such as in Women at Work in Spain (1998), which documents women’s economic contributions from the Middle Ages onward. Current initiatives include digital humanities projects that visualize colonial histories through interactive platforms.

Stefan FrankView profile

Associate Professor

• Computational Psycholinguistics
• Language Comprehension
• Bilingualism
• +2 more

Stefan Frank is Associate Professor at Radboud University's Centre for Language Studies and Educational Developer for Radboud AI. Education: PhD, Radboud University MSc, VU University Amsterdam Research develops computational models of language processing, focusing on bilingual cognition, neural network simulations of comprehension, and multilingual neurocognition. Leads projects examining how language statistics reveal mechanisms of multilingual minds. Publications integrate cognitive modeling with experimental data from eye-tracking, EEG, and behavioral measures to explain human language capabilities. Teaches courses in Computational Psycholinguistics and Data Science. Supervises PhD candidates modeling bilingual sentence production and syntactic processing.

• Psycholinguistics
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• +1 more

Paul Engelhardt is an Associate Professor in Psychology at the University of East Anglia, specializing in psycholinguistics and cognitive neuroscience. His research investigates language comprehension, production, and clinical disorders including autism spectrum disorder and dyslexia using experimental methods. His work employs eye-tracking, individual differences approaches, and experimental philosophy techniques to study syntactic ambiguity resolution, prediction in language processing, and metaphor comprehension across neurotypical and clinical populations. Current projects examine how linguistic prediction manifests in ASD and metaphor processing in dyslexia. Teaching responsibilities include quantitative research methods and psychology of language courses. He leads research collaborations on experimental philosophy and cross-linguistic studies of perception and cognition.

Tracy LoveView profile

Professor

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Aphasia
• Language Disorders
• +4 more

Tracy Love is a Professor in the School of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at San Diego State University (SDSU) and the inaugural Dean of the College of Graduate Studies. She holds a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience from UC San Diego and has extensive experience in neurocognitive research, particularly in aphasia and language disorders. Her roles include directing the Joint SDSU/UCSD Doctoral Program in Language and Communicative Disorders and leading the Center for Clinical and Cognitive Neuroscience. Education: B.A., Psychology, Brandeis University (1991) M.A., Psychology, UC San Diego (1994) Ph.D., Cognitive Neuroscience, UC San Diego (1998) Research Focus: Neurocognitive mechanisms of language processing, aphasia rehabilitation, bilingual language processing, and neuroimaging techniques. Her awards include the 2019 Distinguished Faculty Award and recognition for Outstanding Faculty contributions. Tracy advocates for diversity in graduate education and leads initiatives to enhance research capacity and international collaboration. Her work spans over $4 million in grants, including NIH-funded studies on language recovery and bilingual aphasia. Labs/Teams: Director of the Language and Neuroscience Group and member of the Center for Clinical and Cognitive Neuroscience at SDSU.

• Sociolinguistics
• Spanish Language Contact
• Bilingualism
• +4 more

Dr. Monica de la Fuente Iglesias is an Assistant Professor of Spanish Linguistics and Translation/Interpreting Studies at the University of Texas at Arlington's Modern Languages department since September 2020. She holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Hispanic Linguistics from the University of Minnesota (2020 and 2016) and a B.A. in Translation/Interpreting from the University of Vigo, Spain (2013). Her research focuses on sociolinguistics, language contact in Spanish, bilingualism, and phonetics/phonology. Notable awards include the 2022 College of Liberal Arts Outstanding Teaching Award and 2020 Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award. Her work explores Galician-Spanish bilingualism, Andean Spanish phonology, and second language acquisition processes. She has received grants for fieldwork in Peru and Galicia, including funding from the Galician Regional Government and the Spanish Ministry of Education. Teaching specialties include business Spanish, legal interpreting, and translation methodologies. She currently directs the Certificate in Spanish Interpreting program and chairs the department’s Scholarship Committee. Education: Ph.D./M.A. Hispanic Linguistics (University of Minnesota), B.A. Translation/Interpreting (University of Vigo) Certifications: Sworn Translator/Interpreter (Spanish Ministry), CARLA Fellow Grants: 9 awarded since 2009 including Summer Research Fellowships and travel grants Service: Organized conferences like the Cultural Construction Conference (2020-2023), participates in hiring committees Her research bridges sociolinguistic theory with applied practices, examining how language contact shapes phonetic patterns and how bilingualism influences speech production. Recent work analyzes vowel variation in Galician Spanish and voicing patterns in Peruvian Andean Spanish.

Kaitlyn ZavaletaView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Bilingualism
• Multilingualism
• Second Language Acquisition (SLA)
• +5 more

Dr. Kaitlyn Zavaleta is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at De Montfort University, affiliated with the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences and the School of Applied Social Sciences. Her research focuses on bilingualism, second language acquisition (SLA), and cognitive processes underlying language production, comprehension, and control. PhD in Cognition and Neural Systems in Psychology, University of Arizona MA in Cognition and Neural Systems in Psychology, University of Arizona BA in Linguistics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Dr. Zavaleta’s work investigates how bilingual and multilingual individuals manage language switching, speech errors, and individual differences in language learning. Her methodologies include eye-tracking, experimental tasks, and digital tools like podcasts for public engagement. She co-hosts The Language Scientists podcast to disseminate research and promote language learning accessibility. Her funded projects include the British Academy Talent Development Award (2021-2022) for research on multilingual education and internal grants at DMU to study working memory in language learning, digital barriers, and language control mechanisms. She currently accepts PhD supervision applications. British Psychological Society (2022–present), CPsychol American Psychological Society (2020–2022) Psychonomic Society (2019–2022) Society for the Teaching of Psychology (2014–2016, 2020) American Association for Applied Linguistics (2013–2016, 2020) Dr. Zavaleta leads the Language Lab at DMU, integrating digital tools like mouse-tracking and virtual reality to explore language learning dynamics. Her recent projects emphasize heritage language education and community engagement.

Kathryn J. GreensladeView profile

Associate Professor

• Social Communication
• Speech-Language Pathology
• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• +4 more

Kathryn J. Greenslade, PhD, CCC-SLP is an Associate Professor in the University of New Hampshire Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. As Graduate Program Coordinator, she teaches courses in speech-language pathology research methods and school-age language disorders, while maintaining active involvement in professional organizations like ASHA and INSAR. Research Interests : Social communication analysis Autism spectrum disorders Traumatic brain injury rehabilitation Aphasia therapy Discourse analysis in neurogenic populations Publications Trends : Dr. Greenslade's recent work focuses on discourse analysis methodologies for aphasia and TBI populations, with increasing emphasis on pragmatic language assessment and neurorehabilitation outcomes. Her research spans both clinical and developmental domains, particularly examining narrative structures and mental state attribution. Education : PhD - University of Washington MS - University of Arizona BS - Vanderbilt University Professional Affiliations : American Speech-Language-Hearing Association International Society for Autism Research UNH Neurodiversity Center Task Force

Wendy S. FrancisView profile

Professor

• Bilingual Memory
• Cognitive Psychology
• Language Processing
• +3 more

Dr. Wendy S. Francis is Professor and Department Chair of Psychology at The University of Texas at El Paso's College of Liberal Arts, where she directs the Bilingual Cognition Laboratory. Her NIH/NSF-funded research examines bilingual memory organization, cross-language transfer processes, and semantic representation, using experimental methods including repetition priming, free recall paradigms, and mathematical modeling. Her core research areas include: Functional organization of bilingual memory systems Transfer processes in human memory Representation of words and concepts Impact of language exposure on vocabulary access Dr. Francis has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles in top journals including Journal of Experimental Psychology: General and Journal of Memory and Language. She received the Joseph A. Gengerelli Distinguished Dissertation Award and Helen M. C. Stern Professorship. She mentors numerous graduate students and has secured continuous external funding since 2001 for her cognitive research on the U.S.-Mexico border.