I am currently conducting an fMRI study on visual letter processing with kindergarteners. I am also interested in examining the changes in the white-matter connectivity among reading-related brain regions in children.
One of my main research interests has been investigating the similarities and differences between first and second language processing. My work so far has been particularly in the domain of syntax (using an ERP technique).
Syntactic processing in late learners (ERPs) This project investigates syntactic processing in late second language learners. By presenting normal English and nonsense (Jabberwocky) sentences, we are examining the effects of semantic information on syntactic processing.
Early reading ability: Letter processing (fMRI) This project investigates the development of early reading ability, specifically of visual letter processing, in kindergarteners (~5 year olds), in collaboration with the College of Education here at the University of Oregon. Changes in neural systems involved in visual letter processing from the beginning of the school year to the end of the first term and the school year are examined.
Batterink, L., Karns, C., Yamada, Y., Pakulak, E., & Neville, H. (2009). The role of awareness in semantic and syntactic processing: An ERP attentional blink study. Cognitive Neuroscience Society, 16;195.
Yamada, Y., Stevens, C., Sabourin, L., Klein, S., Dow, M., Chard, D., Harn, B., Parisi, D., and Neville, H.J. (2008). Changes in cortical activations during visual letter processing across the kindergarten year: A longitudinal fMRI study. Cognitive Neuroscience Society 15.
Yamada, Y. and Neville H.J. (2007). An ERP study of syntactic processing in English and nonsense sentences. Brain Research, 1330: 167-180.
Yamada, Y., Sabourin, L., Klein, S., Dow, M., and Neville, H. (2007). Differential cortical activations during visual letter processing in five-year-old children and adults: An fMRI study. Cognitive Neuroscience Society 14:162
Yamada, Y. and Neville H.J. (2004). Modulation of syntax-related ERP effects by difference in tasks and variations in syntactic violation types. Cognitive Neuroscience Society 11:141.
Coch, D., Sanders, L.D., Skendzel, W., Woods, J., Capek, C., Yamada, Y. and Neville, H. (2002). ERPs to semantic and syntactic errors in natural speech in children and adults. Cognitive Neuroscience Society 9:151.
Pakulak, E., Harris, A.M., Yamada, Y., Coch, D., Schachter, J. and Neville, H. (2002). Syntactic processing without semantic cues in adult monolinguals of varying proficiency: An ERP study. Cognitive Neuroscience Society 9:135.
Yamada, Y., Harris, A.M., Pakulak, E., Schachter, J. and Neville, H.J. (2002). Language proficiency in monolinguals and bilinguals reflected in ERPs during sentence processing. Cognitive Neuroscience Society 9:135.
Sanders, L., Yamada, Y., and Neville, H.J. (1999). Speech segmentation by native and non-native speakers" An ERP study, Society for Neuroscience, 25(1):358.
Yamada, Y. (2006). Automaticity and effects of language proficiency on syntactic processing. Doctoral dissertation.
Yamada, Y. (2000). Processing of syntactic information in English by native and non-native speakers. Unpublished masters' thesis.
Yamada, Y. (1998). On the source of asymmetrical cross-language priming effects in bilinguals. Unpublished undergraduate honors' thesis.