Mentor Areas
Dr. Hamilton’s research focus is on the characteristics and limits of functional neuroplasticity in the adult human brain. He investigates how the brain reorganizes itself in response to injury, and whether or not it is possible to enhance the brain’s potential for reorganization in order to speed rehabilitation using noninvasive electrical or magnetic brain stimulation. A second area of interest is on the use of noninvasive brain stimulation to elucidate and enhance mechanisms of cognition in healthy individuals, and the biological, social, and ethical implications of neural enhancement.
Description:
There are numerous projects that involve healthy subjects and neurologic patient populations (e.g. stroke patients). Broadly speaking, these projects will involve creation of experimental stimuli, scheduling of subjects, collection and analysis of behavioral data, and, if appropriate, collaboration in reporting of results. Depending on the amount of time that students are willing to invest, they may participate in the administration of certain types of neuromodulation (e.g. transcranial direct current stimulation; tDCS).
Preferred Qualifications
A typical time commitment in the lab is approximately 10 hours per week. Requirements depend on the specific tasks being done, however, a high priority is given to students with an academic background in cognitive neuroscience, programming skills, and experience with statistical analysis of behavioral data. The timeline for research participation is flexible, however the goal of the lab with respect to undergraduates is to provide a longitudinal mentorship experience. Therefore students who are able to commit to ongoing work are prioritized over those planning to engage in a brief period of research.
Project Website
Learn more about the researcher and/or the project here. Laboratory for Cognition and Neural Stimulation
Details:
Preferred Student Year
First-year, Second-Year, Junior, Senior
Academic Term
Fall, Spring, Summer
I prefer to have students start during the above term(s).Volunteer
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to volunteers.Paid
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to paying students they engage in their research, regardless of their work-study eligibility.Work Study
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to hiring work-study-eligible students.