Aaron Mitchel

Aaron Mitchel is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Bucknell University, where he conducts research on speech perception, language development, and multisensory integration. He teaches courses including Introduction to Psychology, Psychological Statistics, Sensation and Perception, Applied Research Methods in Sensation & Perception, and Face Perception.

Educational Background:

• B.A. with honors in Psychology from Macalester College (2005)
• M.S. in Psychology from Pennsylvania State University (2008)
• Ph.D. in Psychology from Pennsylvania State University (2011)

Mitchel's research investigates mechanisms underlying early stages of speech perception and language development within a multisensory environment. His work focuses on four main areas: 1) how learners utilize facial cues to comprehend speech, 2) perceptual learning mechanisms that track input from multiple senses, 3) individual differences in multisensory integration abilities related to social/cognitive functioning, and 4) using eye tracking technology to reduce medication errors. His research employs behavioral, eye-tracking, genetic, and neuroimaging techniques, often involving undergraduate students in the research process.

His publication record demonstrates a strong focus on multisensory integration in speech perception and language development, with particular attention to visual contributions to speech processing. The research spans cognitive psychology, linguistics, and neuroscience, often examining how visual information complements auditory information in speech perception tasks. Mitchel frequently collaborates with colleagues like D.J. Weiss and has engaged in interdisciplinary work with clinicians at the Geisinger Autism and Developmental Medicine Institute.

Mitchel has received support from the Bucknell-Geisinger Research Initiative for his work investigating clinical determinants of multisensory integration functioning. He collaborates with faculty in engineering and pharmacists at Geisinger Health System on projects aimed at reducing medication errors through eye tracking technology.

Mitchel directs the Multisensory Speech Perception (MSP) Lab, where he works closely with undergraduates on research projects. His lab has produced numerous publications highlighting the role of visual information in speech perception and language development, with particular emphasis on how facial cues help in segmenting continuous speech.