Research

KIDLAB has two overarching aims: (1) to investigate the relationship between talent and disability and (2) to pioneer methods for better representing "real world" cognition in the artificial functional MRI environment. KIDLAB does this using behavioral paradigms and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate the cognitive neuroscience of reasoning and attention processes in adults and children. KIDLAB's goal is to contribute new insight into how the brain develops, learns, creates, and solves problems throughout the lifespan under normal circumstances and in the cases of pathologies such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, autism, and Alzheimer's Disease.

Current Research Projects

• Behavioral and fMRI studies of attention and reasoning in typically functioning adults and children
• fMRI studies of attention and reasoning processes in autistic children and children with ADHD
• Behavioral studies of cognitive function in typically functioning senior adults and those with mild cognitive impairment
• Behavioral studies on visual perception and optimal architectonic learning conditions
• fMRI studies of cross modal learning

Research Activities

MRI Safety and Operations, George Mason University, Director

Establishment of MRI facility, functional neuroimaging capabilities, safety awareness training, standard and emergency policy and procedures, June 2006 - present

Neuroimaging Core of the Krasnow Institute (NICKI), George Mason University , Co-Director

Establishment of MRI facility, building preparation, scientific governance, April 2005 - present

KIDLAB & Center for Functional and Molecular Imaging, Georgetown University

Behavioral and fMRI investigations of reasoning and attention in relation to: normal adults and children, Chinese reading, memory processing, and autism spectrum disorders, July 2003 – March 2005