Lauren M. McGrath

Lauren McGrath is an Assistant Professor in the Psychology Department and Director of the L.E.a.R.N. Lab (Learning Exceptionalities and Related Neuropsychology). With funding from NIH, Lauren’s research investigates risk and protective factors for developmental disorders, especially dyslexia and ADHD. The goal of our work is to develop a deeper understanding of learning that spans multiple levels of analysis (genetics, environment, brain, cognition, behavior) in order to improve early identification and intervention for children at risk for learning disorders. Central to our identity as a research lab is our shared commitment to advocating for equity and access to educational opportunities for individual with learning differences. My students and I are active in disseminating our work on dyslexia and ADHD to the community through partnerships with dyslexia advocacy groups and the Colorado Department of Education. Most recently, our work dispelling myths about “backwards reading” in dyslexia has been featured in several media outlets (NPR, Washington Post, Education Week, Psychology Today).

Lauren’s research on learning informs her identity as a teacher-scholar. She uses the cognitive science of learning to guide her course design and pedagogical approaches. Her research expertise is closely aligned with the graduate courses she teaches in Cognitive Assessment and Developmental Neuropsychology and the undergraduate courses in Research Methods. As a clinical scientist, Lauren promotes the integration of evidence-based practices for children with learning and attention challenges into the clinical training of graduate students in the Developmental Neuropsychology Clinic and the Center for Child and Family Psychology in the Psychology Department.