Program

Integrated training program includes:


(1) A Curriculum of Coursework designed to provide a strong cross-disciplinary conceptual and technical knowledge base.

(2) Clinical Experience with communication disorders to help trainees understand the clinical impact of their research.

(3) Community Engagement to foster understanding about how research impacts the community.

(4) Training in the Professional Skills and Ethical Practices necessary for a successful research career.

(5) An interdisciplinary and diverse Community of Scholars focused on Neuroscience of Language research.


Program Specific Requirements


Curriculum of Coursework

Trainees will complete coursework in Neuroscience of Language, Cognitive Neuroscience Methods, Linguistics, and Statistics. Specific coursework will be determined based on an Individualized Development Plan.


Clinical Experiences

Trainees will participate in clinical experiences, including:

  • Neuroscience of Language Clinical Case Rounds, in which videos of individuals with acquired or developmental language disorders are reviewed and discussed interactively alongside speech-language and cognitive test results and brain imaging.

  • Neuropathology Case Rounds: Gross/Micro Pathology Case Conferences devoted to the neuropathology of an individual with a communication disorder.

  • Interactions with Speech-Language Pathologists, including observerships, project-specific training, and lectures.

  • Clinical site visits to provide exposure to clinical care for adults and children with communication disorders.


Community Engagement Activities

Lived Experiences of Communication Disorders Partnerships: Each trainee in the program will be partnered with an individual living with a communication disorder so that they can learn about that individual’s life and experiences through personal encounters over the period of the program.

Visits to Community Sites, such as the Stroke Comeback Center, to discuss research with the community.

NoL Community Research Symposium: A community research symposium will invite individuals with communication disorders, their caregivers, clinicians, and community activists to see presentations about Neuroscience of Language research, including updates on major findings in the field, and on research being conducted by PIs and trainees in the NoL program.


Community of Scholars

The focal point of the NoL community is the Neuroscience of Language Journal Club and Seminar. This activity attracts predoc trainees, postdoc trainees, faculty, Research Speech-Language Pathologists, Linguistics Department PhD students and postdocs, research associates from various labs, alumni who are now post-docs and faculty members at other universities, undergraduates, and faculty at other universities. This series includes Journal Clubs, Primers and Practicums, Clinical Sessions, Health Equity and Ethics discussions, and Open Integrative Discussions.


Training in Professional Skills

Training opportunities are provided for NoL scholars in Grant Writing, Research Presentions, Teaching, Mentorship, Project Management, and Career Development.