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The Larson Language and Cognition Lab (LLC) at the University of Missouri examines relationships between language and other cognitive factors in individuals with language disorders, including Developmental Language Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder, using behavioral and functional neuroimaging methodologies. The long-term goal of our research is to answer foundational questions about language development and language processing in neurotypical and clinical populations. The translational goals of this research are to improve differential diagnosis and treatment of individuals with language disorders.
LLC Lab members, Fall Semester '25
LAB NEWS
LAB NEWS
June 2026
June 2026
This summer, Dr. Larson and PhD Student April Heien joined the whole SHAPE Project team for a kickoff conference in Paris! They enjoyed getting to hear from and meet experts in the fields of language, psychology, and more, and they've come back with lots of great ideas for our group to work on.
May 2026
May 2026
PhD Student April Heien presented a talk entitled, "How Do Key Language Regions Talk to the Left Versus Right Hemisphere?" at Show-Me Mental State, a local conference hosted by Mizzou's Department of Psychological Sciences. The conference featured talks about attention, memory, and decision making from leading researchers in the Midwest.
April 2026
April 2026
While the students were presenting here on campus, Dr. Larson represented the lab with a poster at the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) Conference in Prague. We're jealous!
April 2026
April 2026
As part of Mizzou's Show Me Research Week, LLC Lab students Tatyanna Blankinship and Ellie Stahr (first photo) and Emily Pearson and Olivia Benedict (second photo) presented their semester projects via research posters. It's always rewarding to see their hard work communicated to others across the university!
April 2026
April 2026
Dr. Larson recently completed the two-year Learning and Expanding Abilities for Professoriate (LEAP) Cohort Fellowship Program! The LEAP program supports assistant professors in developing faculty-level teaching, mentoring, research, and networking skills. Participants attend workshops and develop professional goals, allowing them to grow as individuals, mentors, and leaders at MU and in their fields.
February 2026
February 2026
The Neuroscience Graduate Student Organization (NGSO) and Tigers In Neuroscience held a Valentine's Day-themed data blitz on February 12th. Josh Bailey, LLC Lab PhD student and NGSO Vice President, co-hosted the event. Our lab manager, Sophie Barth, gave a 2-minute flash talk about how children rely on shape to learn what is and is not labeled a "heart." Thank you to everyone who made it to the event!
January 2026
January 2026
The LLC Lab is excited to be working with two rotating PhD students for the spring semester! Welcome April Heien and Lucia Tu!
September 2025
September 2025
Dr. Larson and family welcomed a healthy baby boy!
May 2025
May 2025
LLC Lab members Josh Bailey and Sophie Barth presented their work at the 2025 Symposium on Research in Child Language Disorders. We had so much fun exploring Madison and learning from those at the forefront of language disorders research!
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