Laila Almotwaly, a dual PhD student in German Studies and Behavioral Neuroscience, has recently joined the NSF-funded TRANSdisciplinary Convergence in Educational Neuroscience Doctoral (TRANSCEND) program focused on transcending the present one-size-fits-all approach and personalizing learning.

Her research addresses attention and memory work in real-world listening situations, specifically the brain’s ability to filter distractions and encode information. By identifying patterns of neural activity that reflect attentional engagement, her work aims to better understand how neurodiverse learners process information, specifically in the ADHD cohort. The long term goal is to support the development of adaptive, neurobiologically informed educational interventions that accommodate attentional variability in neurodivergent learners. 

Congratulations, Laila!