Three labs in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (COMD) at Louisiana State University (LSU) are recruiting graduate students for Fall 2022. All three labs offer interdisciplinary training with a strong emphasis on conducting neurobiological research (e.g. EEG, fMRI, HD-tDCS, fNIRS, psychophysiological systems) related to language (comprehension and production) and cognition across a range of diverse populations. Students accepted into the program are guaranteed four years of funding, including a stipend, as well as payment of tuition and fees.
Louisiana State University is one of the nation’s premier public land-, sea-, and space-grant institutions, and is recognized as a “Very High Research Activity (R1) institution” under the Carnegie Classification system. LSU maintains high levels of research activity and high standards for teaching excellence, offering Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees. The University is nationally recognized for its commitment to academic excellence, its positive work environment, its student engagement, and its beautiful campus. LSU is located in Baton Rouge, the second largest city in Louisiana, which enjoys a thriving and diverse community.
To apply, please email a CV and letter outlining your research interests to faculty members with whom you are interested in working. The following research groups are recruiting students for Fall 2022:
Julie Schneider, PhD (juschnei@lsu.edu): The Language, Environment and NeuroDevelopment (LEND) Lab aims to enhance our knowledge of the neural basis of word learning, and the role families and communities have in promoting their children’s learning, especially in diverse, underserved populations. The LEND lab combines neural measures (EEG, fMRI) with naturalistic measures of the child’s home language environment to address these questions. For more information, please see our website: https://juschnei.wixsite.com/lendlab
Bijoyaa Mohapatra, PhD, CCC-SLP (bmohap@lsu.edu): The Aphasia-Behavior-Communication (ABC) lab integrates research in psychophysiological measurement of cognitive behavior, biofeedback training, and mind-body complementary and integrative health practices in rehabilitation of adults with communication disorders following acquired brain injury. Both behavioral (performance-based) and neural (functional near infrared spectroscopic imaging; fNIRS) measures are studied in the lab. We are also currently exploring the efficacy of remotely delivered group-based intervention practices and their impact on life participation in individuals with aphasia.
Karim Johari, PhD ( karimjohari@lsu.edu): Human Neurophysiology & Neuromodulation Lab aims to study the neural correlates of speech motor control in healthy adults and patients with neurodegenerative disease such as Parkinson’s. In addition, we study the interaction between the motor system and language production and comprehension. We use EEG and non-invasive neurostimulation (HD-tDCS/HD-tACS) to address our research questions. Students should email a letter of interest describing their research interests and future plans. Programming in one or more computational programs (R, Python, and Matlab) is desirable but not required. Please see our publications: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Karim-Johari/research
The application deadline is February 1. For more information about the application process or to submit an application, please see https://www.lsu.edu/graduateschool/admissions/apply.php. For additional details on the COMD program, visit our website: https://www.lsu.edu/hss/comd/index.php or contact our Chair, Dr. Janet Norris (jnorris@lsu.edu).