Numeracy and Educational Neuroscience Lab
Welcome
Thank you for visiting the NENS Lab webpage!
In the Numeracy and Educational Neuroscience (NENS) Laboratory, we investigate the impact of language experience on the cognitive and neural foundations of numeracy. The questions we ask relate to understanding how humans are able to process numerical information. How do children learn numbers and become proficient in arithmetical operations? However, we also investigate how the learning process and level of proficiency affect the brain networks supporting number and arithmetic processing. In the NENS lab, students have the opportunity to acquire a wide range of skills in neuroimaging methods such as fMRI and EEG, as well as with computer-based behavioral testing and standardized testing with adults and children.
This is the 2024 NENS team! Top from left to right: Xin Lu Wall, Nicholle Bradach, Alona Zfati, Lusia Skjeveland, Casey Spelman, and Ilaria Berteletti. Bottom from left to right: Avem Volcucris, Elizabeth Mayes, Shayla Rochette, and Bridget Lam.
Missing: Alina Williamson and Erika Ramirez
Happening now: recruiting participants for our fMRI study.
October 10, 2024
Thanks to the support of an NSF award (DRL ECR-2349782), Casey Spelman, a 4th-year graduate student, is starting her data collection for her dissertation. For this project, she will explore the impact of using sign language on the neural correlates for arithmetic processing. Specifically, she will look at the parietal activations involved in visual processing (more on our Current Projects page).
The Mathematical Cognition and Learning Society Conference was hosted at Gallaudet University!
June 26-28, 2024
The NENS lab, in collaboration with the Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience lab, hosted the MCLS conference. Almost 400 people from around the world attended the conference. Thanks to an NSF award (DRL-2348499), the conference was made fully accessible with ASL-English interpreters and live captions for the 4 parallel sessions. Interpreters were also available during all poster sessions, social events, and during breaks.
Besides the logistic preparation, Casey Spelman presented preliminary data on the longitudinal developmental study on how sign language supports early number concept acquisition in 3 to 5-year-old children (DRL ECR-1916524).
The NENS Lab was at MCLS in Antwerp!
June 1-3, 2022
The NENS lab had high visibility at the Mathematical Cognition and Learning Society's 2022 conference in Antwerp, Belgium from June 1-3. PEN graduate students Sarah Kimbley and Casey Spelman presented posters on their lab and dissertation research. Dr. Berteletti serves as the secretary of MCLS and also presented a talk that showcased data from the NENS lab on the neural underpinnings of arithmetic in Deaf early signers.
Find more information about our research projects and priorities.
The lab is always interested in welcoming motivated research assistants. If you are interested to join, contact us!
Interested in joining our paid studies? Please sign up to be added to our database and we will let you know when a study for you opens up!
Are you a parent looking for more information for your ASL signing child? Check out our For Parents tab for resources and links to other VL2 Center related webpages.
Are you a prospective graduate student and want to know more about the PhD Program in Educational Neuroscience? Please click here for more information about joining the program.
