Welcome to our lab! Huan-gîng (歡迎), Kangei (かんげい), Bienvenida, Bienvenue, Benvenuto!
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Lab Overview
“To completely analyze what we do when we read would almost be the acme of a psychologist’s achievements, for it would be to describe very many of the most intricate workings of the human mind.”
— Edmund Burke Huey (1908)
The Cognitive Sciences of Language (CSL) Lab is dedicated to investigating the cognitive mechanisms behind spoken and written language processing, with a particular focus on bilingualism and multilingualism. Our research employs techniques from cognitive psychology, linguistics, and educational science to examine how listeners and readers recognize spoken and written words and access different lexical representations (phonology, orthography, semantics) during incremental word and sentence processing. We study these processes across diverse groups, including children, adults, individuals with reading difficulties, and bilingual or multilingual speakers. Our team collaborates to deepen our understanding of the interplay between language and cognition, utilizing multi-level methods such as mouse tracking, eye tracking, traditional behavioral paradigms, and computational modeling.
Our ultimate research goal is to refine current computational models and develop a comprehensive cognitive and linguistic theory of word recognition and language processing that not only explains how typical monolingual adults process language but is also applicable to children and linguistically diverse populations.
Learn more about our research by clicking the “Research” link above. If you are interested in working in our Lab see the join us page for more information.
Our ultimate research goal is to refine current computational models and develop a comprehensive cognitive and linguistic theory of word recognition and language processing that not only explains how typical monolingual adults process language but is also applicable to children and linguistically diverse populations.
Learn more about our research by clicking the “Research” link above. If you are interested in working in our Lab see the join us page for more information.
Latest Lab News: Recent Achievements and Updates
Fall 2025 Lab Research Highlights: Celebrating Jazlynn Richie's Undergraduate Research Award
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We are thrilled to announce that Jazlynn Richie has been awarded the 2025 UTRGV Engaged Scholar Award for Undergraduate Research! This prestigious recognition highlights Mayra's exceptional dedication and contributions to our research efforts. Congratulations, Jazlynn! We are so proud of you and excited to see where your talent and hard work will take you next! In her funded project, Jazlynn will use our eye-tracking technology to examine the relationship between reading comprehension, motivation, and executive function in Spanish-English bilingual college students.
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Fall 2024 Lab Research Highlights: Our Former Graduate Student Francisco Sierra Published His
Exciting Thesis Project in the International Journal of Bilingualism
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We are thrilled to announce that our former graduate student, Francisco Sierra, now a Ph.D. student at the University of Texas at Dallas, has made significant contributions to the field of cognitive science of bilingualism. His thesis project at UTRGV has recently been published in the International Journal of Bilingualism and investigates the relationships between degrees of bilingualism and bilateral information processing in both children and adults, alongside Dr. Lin and other esteemed faculty. The study examines the link between bilingualism and dichotic listening accuracy—a measure of bilateral processing—while controlling for age and income. The findings demonstrate that the degree of bilingualism significantly predicts bilateral processing across both bilingual children and adults. You can read our article here.
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Our Mission and Values
Our mission is to support every lab member in their academic journey, providing opportunities to develop skills, deepen knowledge, and build a strong foundation for future careers. Collaboration lies at the heart of our lab culture. We prioritize teamwork and encourage open, constructive discussions that help each other refine ideas and enhance research quality. Rather than competing, we unite to tackle challenges and support one another’s projects, making meaningful scientific progress together. With a focus on elevating cognitive science of language, we strive to create a space where everyone can excel and make contributions that matter. We look forward to welcoming individuals who are as passionate about collaboration and discovery as we are.
Over the past decade, our lab has focused on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in cognitive science. We believe our scientific efforts thrive in a diverse team and actively support the unique qualities of our members, including race, ethnicity, disability, language, age, national origin, and more. We strongly believe in diversity and inclusion. Diversity strengthens our science and broadens our perspectives. These differences not only enrich our lab but also enhance our collective success. We hold respect for everyone as a core value and maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward discriminatory behavior, words, or actions. We value diverse opinions and believe that science can only progress by embracing varied perspectives. Guided by these values, we are committed to fostering a supportive, friendly, and collaborative environment where academic growth and personal well-being go hand in hand. In our lab, “work” and “fun” truly belong in the same sentence, as we believe that a fulfilling research experience can include both.
Over the past decade, our lab has focused on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in cognitive science. We believe our scientific efforts thrive in a diverse team and actively support the unique qualities of our members, including race, ethnicity, disability, language, age, national origin, and more. We strongly believe in diversity and inclusion. Diversity strengthens our science and broadens our perspectives. These differences not only enrich our lab but also enhance our collective success. We hold respect for everyone as a core value and maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward discriminatory behavior, words, or actions. We value diverse opinions and believe that science can only progress by embracing varied perspectives. Guided by these values, we are committed to fostering a supportive, friendly, and collaborative environment where academic growth and personal well-being go hand in hand. In our lab, “work” and “fun” truly belong in the same sentence, as we believe that a fulfilling research experience can include both.
