August 2009 - Gwen Schmidt

1) What are your research interests?

I am primarily interested in how the brain mediates language processing, and in particular the role of the right hemisphere. My work so far has focused on figurative language and its relationship to the right hemisphere. I am currently extending this interest in a number of directions. One involves linking the difference between semantic processing in the cerebral hemispheres to the differences between the hemispheres in visual processing and even other domains such as auditory processing. Another extention that I  am working on involves exploring the functioning of persons with autism with respect to figurative language, and how that is realized in brain structure differences.

 

 

2) What do you like most about what you do/study?

I love learning, and this is a career where I will never stop doing that. I am constantly challenged to address new ideas and learn more about the world, how we think, and how our brains work, so I will never be bored. I also thoroughly enjoy the mix of independent work plus interacting with others.

 

3) What is your most relevant publication and/or presentation?

Schmidt, G. L., De Buse, C. J. & Seger, C.A. (in press). Right hemisphere metaphor processing? Characterizing the lateralization of semantic processes. Brain and Language, Special issue "Nonliteral language: Neural correlates and processing."

4) To date what is your proudest personal or professional achievement?

I guess it would have to be the writing and revision process that went into having my first peer reviewed paper accepted for publication, while keeping up with numerous personal and professional responsibilities, including writing a fellowship grant application and doing my competency exams.

5) In your opinion, what are some important issues in cognitive neuroscience?

We are getting better at describing what different brain areas do, and even how they work in brain systems. What we still lack is a comprehensive, theoretically motivated model of brain functioning that cuts across all the little pieces we know about. This is true at a very global level as well as within more specific domains or systems. For example, we still don't have a comprehensive model of language that encompasses all aspects of language functioning. There also is a need for integration of knowledge between the cellular level and the broader level that many of us work at.  It will also be interesting to see where the PDP models will take us in the future.

 

6) Why are you a member of CNS?

 

The main reason I belong to CNS has to do with the annual conference, which is a great way to meet and interact with people who share research interests. I have attended each one since I became a member and have found each one to be inspiring. I like the breadth of the poster sessions as well as the fact that the symposia are large and involve the entire group of attendees.

 

7) Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In five years I will be finished my doctoral program, and a few years of post-doc. Once I finish that, I see myself beginning to develop my own research program as a professor in a tenure-track university position or perhaps a medical institution.