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Cognition and Communication Lab

Location: Cresap 108

In my lab, we investigate a variety of topics related to language processing in both spoken and written contexts.  I regularly supervise undergraduate as well as graduate research. For undergraduates interested in possible research experience in my lab, I encourage you to email me. I also strongly recommend looking at the resources available through Northwestern’s Office of Undergraduate Research.

Former Ph.D. students (with thesis titles)

  • Katya Lysander, 2014: “Mechanisms of convergent and complimentary alignment in conversation
  • Daniel Slaten, 2015: “The role of ordinary memory processes in the activation of common ground
  • Chris Schmader, 2015: “Conceptual effects of grounding reference in outgroup versus ingroup dialogues
  • Arielle Elliott, 2023: “The role of partner knowledge inferences in text-based collaborative workspaces
  • Casey Riedmann, 2024: “Cognitive and contextual factors influencing the production of referential elaborations

Undergraduate honors theses supervised

  • Megan Calhoun, “Effect of inhibitory deficits on age-related differences in communication” (Cognitive Science, 2009-10)
  • Lola Less, “Thinking out loud: The internalization of speech and its role in the development of silent reading.” (Psychology, 2014-15)

Recent undergraduate mentored research

  • Annie Lee, “Conceptual perspective taking,” Undergraduate Research Assistant Program Award, 2017-18
  • Annie Lee, “Bilingualism and interlocutor identity”, Academic Year Undergraduate Research Grant, 2018-19.  (2nd place award, Undergraduate Research Expo, Spring 2019)
  • Joy Zheng, “Reading experience and theory of mind,” Undergraduate Research Assistant Program Award, 2019-20.
  • Joy Zheng, “Role of emoji usage in text messaging,” Summer Undergraduate Research Grant, Summer 2020.
  • Zachary Brustman, “Psychological distance in moral judgments,” Academic Year Undergraduate Research Grant, 2021-22.
  • Vikram Jallepalli, “The influence of perspective and goal on referential elaboration,” Undergraduate Research Assistant Program Award, 2023-24.
  • Vikram Jallepalli, “Emotional intensity and the interpretation of verbal frequency expressions,” Weinberg Summer Undergraduate Research Grant, 2024