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Inge-Marie Eigsti, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Department of Psychology
University of Connecticut

406 Babbidge Road, Unit 1020
Storrs, CT  06269-1020

Office: (860) 486-6021, Bousfield 146
Lab: (860) 486-0195, Bousfield 263

Fax: (860) 486-7620
Email: inge-marie.eigsti@uconn.edu

Last Revised: June 2007


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Research interests

My research addresses a fundamental issue in human cognition: how constraints imposed by brain development and core neurocognitive processes impact on more complex aspects of cognition and learning, with an emphasis on language acquisition. As a scientist, I am intrigued by the interaction of language acquisition and brain development. As a clinician, I am motivated by the prospect of understanding the puzzles presented by atypical development and its consequences, and what implications this might have for intervention. Although most research on language acquisition and neurocognitive processes is based on typically developing learners, the study of perturbations in development can often lead to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of growth and change. I use several converging approaches to study these issues, including behavioral paradigms and structural and functional imaging in both atypical and normal populations.

My past work has involved behavioral studies of language development in autism and maltreatment, and language creation in typical adults.

Current projects include

Studies of Autism: To participate in or learn more about this research, please call (860) 486-6021.

Studies of International Adoption: Children adopted by families in Connecticut from international institutions vary tremendously in the quality of care prior to their adoption into loving families. In collaboration with Carol Weitzman of the Yale International Adoption Clinic, we are studying several aspects of development in these children, including those who are "on track" and those who continue to have difficulties. Measures include:
To participate in or learn more about this study, please call (860) 486-6021.

Studies of Cognitive Control:

Current and Recent Students

Background

        Dissertation: Word learning and memory functions in young children with autism (download a pdf ).
        Committee: Loisa Bennetto, Elissa Newport, Dante Cicchetti, and Richard Aslin.
        See some of the "eigles" stimuli from this project, and just how much fun it is testing children!
        Sample Trial A:  An "anonymous" child performing the count-mass noun task .
        Administering the working memory (A not B) task.

Honors and Awards


Publications

Invited Presentations