Conducted by Wired: Exploration and Study
At the University of Rochester's Center for Advanced Brain Imaging & Ne neurophysiology (CABIN), Sophea Urbi Biswas, a senior biomedical engineering student, is delving into groundbreaking research under the guidance of Dr. Edmund Lalor, a PhD holder and associate professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Department of Neuroscience.
Biswas' research, funded by a Schwartz Discover Grant, focuses on exploring how the brain processes speech syntax. He is studying brain wave signals recorded from a person listening to an audiobook, aiming to see if the syntactic features of the words and phrases listened to are reflected in these signals.
Dr. Lalor's research team is instrumental in fostering learning for undergraduate students, providing them with valuable opportunities to engage in innovative projects and contribute to meaningful advances in understanding human speech and cognition. Lalor values providing these research opportunities, expressing excitement about involving junior students in research and finding it gratifying when undergraduate students show interest in research.
"Research experience for a student like Biswas is part of a broader initiative to nurture and develop future researchers," Lalor said. "It's essential for preparing the next generation of graduate students, postdocs, and professors."
Biswas joined Lalor's research team after a conversation about his research and the projects his lab was planning. His research experience under Lalor's guidance could potentially lead to advanced research opportunities in the future.
The research environment under Lalor encourages the development of the next generation of researchers. Lalor's work contributes to preparing students for specialized roles in neuroengineering, speech and language pathology technology, and brain-machine interface development.
Undergraduate research provides Sophea with immersive, hands-on learning with advanced neuroimaging and biomedical engineering methods. It develops specialized expertise in brain function related to speech syntax, a complex cognitive process. Moreover, it enhances academic credentials and professional readiness for careers or graduate study in biomedical engineering and neuroscience.
Sophea Biswas, originally from Bangladesh, appreciates the opportunities provided by the University of Rochester and Dr. Lalor's research team. He encourages other undergraduate students to consider research opportunities, stating, "Research experience can improve critical thinking, technical skills, and understanding of neurophysiological mechanisms underlying speech syntax, which are essential for careers in biomedical engineering, neuroscience, and healthcare innovation."
References: [1] University of Rochester, Center for Advanced Brain Imaging & Neurophysiology (CABIN). (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.rochester.edu/college/cabin/ [2] National Science Foundation. (2019). Undergraduate Research: Why It Matters. Retrieved from https://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/undergradresearch/why-it-matters.jsp [3] National Institute of General Medical Sciences. (2021). Undergraduate Research Education Programs. Retrieved from https://www.nigms.nih.gov/Education/Careers/Undergrad/Pages/urep.aspx [4] Association of American Medical Colleges. (2018). The Importance of Undergraduate Research in Biomedical Sciences. Retrieved from https://www.aamc.org/initiatives/careercenter/resources/career-exploration/medical-school-admissions/the-importance-of-undergraduate-research-in-biomedical-sciences.html [5] National Institutes of Health. (2021). Undergraduate Research Programs. Retrieved from https://www.nih.gov/undergradresearch/programs.htm
- Sophea Biswas, with his focus on understanding how the brain processes speech syntax, is contributing to essential advancements in health-and-wellness, particularly medical-conditions related to speech and language.
- Through his research, Sophea Biswas is applying scientific principles to the field of neurophysiology, aiming to enhance our understanding of complex cognitive processes, such as speech syntax, which could lead to improved treatment and management of various medical-conditions in the future.
