We present a new computational model of speech motor control: the Feedback-Aware Control of Tasks in Speech or FACTS model. This model is based on a state feedback control architecture, which is widely accepted in non-speech motor domains. The FACTS model employs a hierarchical observer-based architecture, with a distinct higher-level controller of speech tasks and a lower-level controller of speech articulators.
Daniel Bolt receives Kellett Mid-Career Award
Daniel Bolt, PhD, has been recognized with a Kellet Mid-Career Award. The Kellett Mid-Career award was created to provide needed support and encouragement to faculty at a critical stage of their careers. The award is …
May is ALS awareness month
May is #ALSAwarenessMonth and Waisman investigator Su-Chun Zhang, MD, PhD, uses stem cells to uncover the cause of ALS with the hope of developing treatments and therapies.
Carrie Niziolek, PhD – Slide of the Week
We listen to ourselves while talking, comparing our acoustic output to an internal auditory representation of speech targets. Previous work has shown that speakers are sensitive to their own natural acoustic variability in their native language, steering deviant productions towards auditory targets while speaking.
Denise M. Ney, PhD – Slide of the Week
Low bone mineral density (BMD) and subsequent skeletal fragility have emerged as a long-term complication of phenylketonuria (PKU). The object of this study is to determine if there are differences in BMD and body composition between male and female participants with PKU.
Albee Messing, VMD, PhD – Slide of the Week
Glial cells have increasingly been implicated as active participants in the pathogenesis of neurological diseases, but critical pathways and mechanisms controlling glial function and secondary non-cell autonomous neuronal injury remain incompletely defined.
Marsha R. Mailick, PhD – Slide of the Week
The FMR1 premutation affects millions of people around the globe. Despite the high prevalence, the potential impact of this genetic variant on human health has not been fully explored. Here, we created the first population-based FMR1-informed biobank to discover the pattern of health characteristics in premutation carriers.
Ruth Litovsky, PhD – Slide of the Week
To investigate the feasibility of using functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to image cortical activity in cochlear implant (CI) users and normal hearing (NH) adults, using either visual-speech or auditory-speech.
James Li, PhD – Slide of the Week
Neuroticism is a stable and heritable personality trait that is strongly linked to depression. Yet, little is known about its association with late life depression, as well as how neuroticism eventuates into depression.
How to help low-income children with autism
Speaking with Spectrum News, Waisman Center investigator Maureen Durkin describes the connections between autism prevalence numbers, socioeconomic status and race, and what the connections means for research. To read the full video, visit the Spectrum …