The Mind in Development (MIND) Lab at Smith College studies how children’s brains develop to support complex functions such as attention, memory, and executive function, and how early life experiences—both positive and adverse—shape this process. Childhood and adolescence are times of heightened neural plasticity, when the brain is especially responsive to the environment. While this plasticity supports learning and adaptability, it also means that adversity, such as limited cognitive stimulation or exposure to violence, can have long-term consequences for academic achievement, socioemotional development, and mental health.
Brain Power: From Neurons to Networks (2012)
Our research has three main aims: (1) to understand how the developing brain supports higher-order cognitive functions, (2) to identify the environmental, cognitive, and neural mechanisms underlying socioeconomic disparities in academic outcomes, and (3) to uncover the factors that promote resilience and adaptive functioning in children facing adversity.
How Do We Measure The Brain?
To study these questions, we use tools from developmental psychology and cognitive neuroscience, particularly functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). fNIRS is a safe, non-invasive imaging method that measures changes in blood oxygenation in the brain using light sensors (called “optodes”) placed on the scalp while children complete various tasks. This technology allows us to track brain activity in real time without radiation or harmful exposure. The intensity of the light is less than the amount absorbed during typical outdoor activities and is well below the American National Standards Institute limit for long-term exposure to infrared light, making it well-suited for children from preschool through adolescence.