Hello first entry!

So technically this isn't my first week of work, but hey I'm going to update anyway! Well I am working at the Sackler Institute of the Weill Cornell Medical Center, which is an institute that specializes in Developmental Psychobiology, but really I just say it's a neuroscience research lab. I'm working with my supervisor Cathy (who is really awesome if she ever reads this :) on a few things.

First I should back up and describe research at the Sackler. Ultimately we are investigating how children perceive different speech sounds, acquire bi-lingualism, and how (and what) different parts of the brain become activated as a result of listening to variations of various (oohh check that alliteration...) sounds and phonemes.

My specific project focuses on a process called "enumeration," which measures reaction time to counting activities. The exact experiment involves a program that flashes a certain number of dots on a screen, either in a random assortment or grouped by some multiple, and then having the participant count the number of dots as quickly as he or she can. The researchers will then use this "reaction data" to analyze different aspects of visual perception and math processing.

Secondly! We are working on developing a curriculum for teachers to use during "Brain Awareness Week," which is a week dedicated to teaching children the science of the brain (neuroscience, I suppose) and promoting discussion about neuroscience issues. As a side note, I just saw a bolt of lightning and it was very frightening. Yes, anyway, this means I have spent a good amount of time researching different kinds of games/activities/lessons for children concerning the brain. Which also means that I have seriously refreshed my memory about all things brain.

This experience, I think, will be extremely enriching for me. As a Psychology major, learning about (let alone being immersed in) actual psychology research is amazing, to say the least. As a person concerned with social justice issues, working towards bridging the gap between neuroscience findings and their implementation in the educational system is also very exciting.


To wrap it up, my experience at the Sackler Institute has been spectacular so far, first because I truly esteem the Sackler team's dedication to research (and their enthusiasm and support for Tyler and I working there), and second because I am dedicated to establishing a much needed link between the often "alienated" realm of research with the real world of New York City public schools and schools across the United States, for that matter. I have faith that my time here will be meaningful and productive, and I look forward to every minute of it.

Thanks for reading!