UTSA Neurosciences Institute hosts bilingual brain research symposium
(Oct. 28, 2011) -- Scholars, students, Region 20 educators and members of the Defense Language Institute gathered at the UTSA Main Campus Oct. 25 for "The Bilingual Brain," a research symposium featuring some of the country's top bilingual brain scholars. The symposium was hosted by the UTSA Neurosciences Institute.
A panel of some of the country's leading bilingual brain researchers discussed their research and fielded questions from scholars and others.
Judith Kroll, distinguished professor of psychology, linguistics and women's studies and director of the Center for Language Science at Pennsylvania State University, discussed research suggesting that the bilingual brain inhibits its first language when it juggles two languages.
Nicole Wicha, assistant professor of biology at UTSA and assistant professor of the Research Imaging Institute at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, discussed how the bilingual brain gets to the meaning of words.
Lee Osterhout, professor of psychology and director of the Cognitive Neuroscience of Language Lab at the University of Washington, spoke on what the brain's electrical activity says about how people learn (and forget) a second language.
Karen Emmorey, professor of speech, language and hearing sciences and director of the Laboratory for Language and Cognitive Neuroscience at San Diego State University, described how the bimodal, bilingual brain works when language is spoken and signed.
Following the four research presentations, the UTSA Neurosciences Institute led a panel discussion, which will be available on its website.
"The Bilingual Brain" was sponsored by the UTSA Neurosciences Institute and the Specialized Neuroscience Research Program, which is supported by the National Institutes of Health.
Events
This event will acknowledge graduating seniors from the McNair Scholars program at UTSA before inducting the new cohort of scholars into the program.
North Paseo Building (NPB 5.140), Main CampusAt this memorable celebration, UTSA graduates will be introduced one-by-one to cross the stage and accept their doctoral degrees.
Arts Building Recital Hall, Main CampusRoadrunner Walk is an event for graduating students to have a memorable walk on campus to celebrate an important milestone and their achievements. Graduates will walk along the Paseo while being celebrated by the UTSA community, friends, and family members.
Student Union Paseo, Main CampusCelebrate the accomplishments of College of Education and Human Development, College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Sciences and University College.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.Celebrate the accomplishments of Alvarez College of Business, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.