Heather Bortfeld

Heather Bortfeld is a Professor in the departments of Psychological Sciences and Cognitive and Information Sciences at the University of California Merced. Her research focuses on developmental cognitive neuroscience, auditory processing, infant language development, bilingualism, and neuroimaging techniques such as functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). She has a dedicated office in the Social Science and Management building (Room 247B) and can be reached at hbortfeld@ucmerced.edu.

Her research interests include understanding how auditory and sensory experiences shape cognitive and linguistic development in infants, children, and bilingual populations. Recent work explores the neural mechanisms underlying speech processing in cochlear implant users, the impact of bilingualism on executive function, and the interplay between auditory and visual cues in multisensory perception. She employs advanced neuroimaging tools to study brain development in hearing-impaired populations and typically developing infants.

Bortfeld’s articles highlight themes such as neuroplasticity in early hearing loss, cross-linguistic influences in bilingual speakers, and the neural correlates of music perception. Her studies often bridge cognitive neuroscience with clinical applications, aiming to inform interventions for developmental disorders and sensory impairments. She has contributed to interdisciplinary research, emphasizing global developmental science and the integration of machine learning in neuroimaging analysis.

No scientific awards or grants are explicitly listed in the provided texts. Her advising record is not detailed here, but her lab’s focus suggests involvement in mentoring students in developmental and cognitive neuroscience. She collaborates with colleagues in audiology, pediatrics, and neuroimaging, reflecting her commitment to collaborative, translational research.