Our lab seeks to understand how the brain develops. We answer questions about the functional organizational changes that occur throughout childhood and adolescence. What happens when these developments are impaired? How do these impairments explain developmental disorders such as autism?

To answer these questions, we use a technique called functional magnetic resonance imaging. FMRI uses large magnets to safely take images of the brain while a participant performs a specific task. This can show us what regions are used for a particular activity. We then combine fMRI with structural MRI to provide a high-resolution image of the anatomy of the brain. We also use other methods such as functional connectivity MRI (fcMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to examine network organization and integrity (i.e. how different parts of the brain are connected and how they work together).

In addition to brain imaging, we use neuropsychological and clinical diagnostic tests to compare our findings in the MRI scanner with the participants' performance in cognitive areas such as memory or language. Finally, in some of our studies we apply eye-tracking techniques, which provide information about where participants look while working on a task and how they process visual information. If you are interested in being a participant in one of our studies, please do not hesitate to contact us!