I am interested in comparing the roles of automatic, implicit processes and more controlled, explicit processes in language processing. I am looking at the neural signatures of these mechanisms using ERPs.

For my first-year project, I used an attentional blink paradigm to examine the role of awareness in semantic and syntactic processing. We found that the neural signature of both semantic processing (N400) and syntactic processing differed depending on whether the target word was available for explicit report.

I am currently conducting a study examining brain mechanisms involved in novel word learning in a naturalistic context. I am interested in comparing ERP indices of early stages of meaning acquisition with ERP measures that occur during later stages of meaning acquisition. I'm also interested in looking at whether there is a dissociable neural response to words whose meanings have been mapped implicitly compared to words whose meanings are explicitly recognized or recalled.

Other interests include running, playing soccer, hiking, and camping.

Batterink, L., Karns, C. M., Yamada, Y., and Neville, H. (under review). The role of awareness in semantic and syntactic processing: an ERP attentional blink study. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience.

Batterink, L., Karns, C. M., Yamada, Y., Pakulak, E, and Neville, H. (2009). The role of awareness in semantic and syntactic processing: an ERP attentional blink study. Cognitive Neuroscience Society 16.