Where do our reading and language abilities come from? How are we shaped by our genes, environment and the complex interplay between them?
Our research teams at the University of Connecticut (UCONN) and University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is tackling this problem for the first time using the latest, non-invasive neuroscience approaches.
This study helps scientists disentangle genetic, prenatal, and postnatal environmental influences in how the brain is shaped. Ultimately, this research will help us understand how we become the way we are.
About Our Study
Family Brain Program
While environmental influences are an important factor in a child’s growth, genes are another component that affects how children think and learn. We are interested in learning how genetic and environmental structures influence the cognitive abilities of children- including reading, math and language skills.
By using non-invasive methods to understand more of your child’s cognitive abilities, we will be able to understand more of the components that influence a child’s learning growth.
Fumiko Hoeft,
MD., PhD.
Principal Investigator
Roeland Hancock,
PhD.
Principal Investigator
Robert Hendren,
D.O.
Investigator
Lauri Pasch,
PhD.
Investigator
Nikola Vukovic,
PhD.
Post-doctoral Researcher
Meet Our Team
Florence Bouhali,
PhD.
Post-doctoral Researcher
Airey Lau,
PhD.
Post-doctoral Researcher
Dennis Wu
Research Co-ordinator
Olivia Belman
Research Co-ordinator
Brianna Kinnie
Research Co-ordinator
News and Updates
Our Response to Covid-19
As faculty of University of Connecticut and University of California, San Francisco, we take the utmost responsibility to ensure the safety of participants. We follow rigorous procedures to ensure not only the safety of our staff but also participants involved in our research program. To ensure the safety of everyone, we have a covid-19 protocol we follow during your families visit here at UCONN and UCSF.
Steps to ensure safety:
-
Research Staff: Researchers will be equipped with facial masks and face shield throughout your family's visit. There may be times research must be within 6 feet of participants. To ensure safety, sneeze guards will be in-placed during neuropsychological testing.
-
Cleaning: Before and during each session, research staff will sanitize and clean all materials including surface areas of tables, chairs, and testing materials. Hand sanitizers and hand soap will be available for participants.
-
Separate rooms: Participants will not be able to meet up during the visit day to prevent the spread of covid-19. Each participant will be eating lunch and taking breaks by themselves. Only one participant and one research staff will be allowed per room.
