The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded Scripps College a $411,008 grant to create a state-of-the-art laboratory for student-faculty research on human cognitive functioning using high-density electroencephalography (EEG) for recording brain activity.
“This NSF grant enhances the already significant interdisciplinary neuroscience research taking place at Scripps College,” said President Lori Betttison-Varga. “Although we are a small, liberal arts college, our enviable membership in The Claremont Colleges allows us to provide our students cutting-edge scientific resources typically found at larger universities.”
The EEG will investigate spatial and temporal dimensions of brain activity associated with human cognition in infants, adolescents, and adults from young adulthood to old age. The laboratory will be housed at Scripps College and shared by the three participating institutions. The lead researchers are all recognized for their scientific work in cognitive neuroscience and for training young scientists. NSF particularly commended the plan of the project to train more women for careers in science.
The award is effective October 1, 2010, through September 30, 2013.
Alan Hartley, Molly Mason Jones Professor of Psychology at Scripps College, was lead scientist on the grant proposal, collaborating with Professor Cathy Reed at Claremont McKenna College. Hartley’s research focuses on cognitive neuroscience, particularly the changes in mind and brain that accompany advancing age. His published research incorporates both behavioral studies and brain imaging in attempts to answer such real-world questions as “is it safe for pilots to fly after age 60?” The other faculty involved are Michael Spezio and Stacey Wood at Scripps, Leah Light and David Moore at Pitzer, Gabriel Cook at CMC, and David Leland at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire.
The NSF grant award abstract is available to view online.