Thank you for visiting Zhang Lab @

Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

bg_header.jpg
brainspace4.jpg
Understanding and Modeling the Brain

Mission Statement

The acquisition of language skills is a quintessential human characteristic reflecting how the brain reinvents itself in endless possibilities through symbolic representations. Despite maturational and age constraints, the brain possesses amazingly versatile computational power to adapt quickly and rewire itself in response to internal changes, structural insult, external stimulation, and learning experience.

The overall goal of research in the Zhang Lab is to characterize brain plasticity across the life span, define what the neural signature markers are for normal and pathological development of speech and language, and create new methods and tools to overcome barriers in learning. Three populations for speech-language-hearing research are represented, namely, developmental, cross-linguistic, and pathological.

We rely on behavioral experimental protocols and brain imaging tools such as high-density electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG), integrated with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and functional MRI (fMRI), to examine regional temporal and spatial details and cross-region interactions for different levels of information processing and performance. We also apply computational models (including machine learning) to investigate specific aspects of information processing in language and social/affective cognition in association with developmental changes, sensory deprivation, and various physical/physiological conditions.

Our interdisciplinary research aims at an insightful examination of the relationship between brain and behavior with a focus on studying the language input, learning/coding mechanisms, and individual differences that make the sonic and optical experiences uniquely human in service of communicative functions.

Keywords: Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience; Infant and Child Speech Perception; Bilingualism; Second Language Acquisition; Autism; Hearing Loss

bg_header.jpg

Updates

{"module":"feed\/FeedModule","params":{"src":"https:\/\/zhanglab.wikidot.com\/feed\/forum\/ct-533014.xml","limit":"2","module_body":"%%date|%b %d, %Y%%: %%title_linked%%"}}
{"module":"feed\/FeedModule","params":{"src":"https:\/\/zhanglab.wikidot.com\/feed\/forum\/ct-533009.xml","limit":"1","module_body":"%%date|%b %d, %Y%%: %%title_linked%%"}}
{"module":"feed\/FeedModule","params":{"src":"https:\/\/zhanglab.wikidot.com\/feed\/forum\/ct-533008.xml","limit":"1","module_body":"%%date|%b %d, %Y%%: %%title_linked%%"}}

See more updates at the recent posts page.

Unless otherwise stated, the content of this page is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License