Volunteer for Research
We have a variety of research projects each year that need volunteer participants. Studies include either 1) payment for the participant’s time or 2) can be used to meet class requirements for research experience. Study times are arranged to fit your schedule.
Current studies examine neural bases of communication and neuroplasticity.
To Volunteer for a study, contact Dr. Malaia at eamalaia[at]ua.edu
Undergraduate students
Working in a lab is a great way to get involved in the research process. You will learn how scientific research advances knowledge and practice in the field of speech-language pathology. It is a great way to enhance your resumé for graduate or medical school applications, and to see if you mightenjoy research as a part of your professional career.
Undergraduates work in the lab
- As volunteers;
- For research hours/course credit (CD 350/360 (Honors), CD 550);
- For independent study credit (CD 325).
Examples of projects that undergraduates have worked on include:
- Studies of neural function using EEG
- Studies of neuroplasticity in learning/language acquisition (behavioral/EEG)
- Studies of neuroplasticity and therapies using tDCS (non-invasive transcranial direct current stimulation)
- Data analysis and development of diagnostic tools (warning: comfort with programming and intense time commitment required)
Undergraduate students typically learn to:
- Good Laboratory Practices in data managment and collection
- Administer standardized tests of speech & language
- Conduct statistical analyses
- Help design stimuli (graphic and linguistic) used in experiments
- Work with preschool children or adults to collect EEG
- Assist with analysis of EEG and fMRI data
Undergraduates aren't expected to have prior experience in Speech, Language, & Hearing Sciences - we have projects that can accomodate all levels of experience. You will receive project-specific training in the lab. Any level of prior research experience - even middle or high school science fairs - has shown to be quite helpful in helping students orient within existing projects, or initiate new ones.
Students typically select a project to work on and contract their work days and hours with Dr. Malaia. Reach out to eamalaia[at]ua.edu with your CWID and resume or CV for additional information on currently abailable opportunities.
Here are some examples of undergraduate publications from the lab:
This work was completed within the 10 weeks of a summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (NSF REU):
Malaia, E., Bates, E., Seitzman, B., & Coppess, K. (2016). Altered brain network dynamics in youths with autism spectrum disorder. Experimental Brain Research, 234, 3425-3431.
An undergraduate publication from my course, CD 425W, where students write a systematic review on a topic of their interest:
Turk, E.G., Malaia, E. (2023). The Unseen Families: A Systematic Review of Alternative Parental Interaction Techniques and Developmental Outcomes. Journal of Science and Health at The University of Alabama, 20, 28-38.
A Randall Research Scholar program publication from Year 1:
McCleod, M., Borneman, S., Malaia, E. (accepted) Neurocomputational Phenotypes in Female and Male Autistic Individuals. Journal of Science and Health at The University of Alabama, 21.
Graduate Students
Students in the master's program may become involved in research at many levels, including:
- As a research participant
- As a volunteer research assistant on an ongoing project
- By completing a master's thesis
Master’s theses completed in the lab typically consist of publishable research project that takes 12 to 20 months to complete (including planning and writing). Students typically arrange to complete a master’s thesis with Dr. Malaia within their first semester in the Mast'ers program, and optimally write their thesis prospectus by taking Fall CD 525 Applied Research course (see sample syllabus). Projects must be approved by Dr. Malaia and typically involve topics closely related to current research in the lab. This assures that the resources of the lab can fully support the master’s thesis project. As soon as you think you might want to complete a thesis project in the lab, contact Dr. Malaia at eamalaia[at]ua.edu.
Example of published versions of previous master's theses in the lab:
Malaia, E., Cockerham, D., & Rublein, K. (2019). Visual integration of fear and anger emotional cues by children on the autism spectrum and neurotypical peers: An EEG study. Neuropsychologia, 126, 138-146.
I am also open to supervising doctoral students who wish to develop novel computational methods for neural data analysis (e.g. those from Mathematics, Physics (dynamical systems), or Engineering (signal processing, machine learning, etc.). The primary advisor and the student can reach out together to ensure that expectations of the collaborations are agreed upon by all.
Representative publications that included doctoral students who were permanent or temporary members of the lab:
Ford, L. K., Borneman, J. D., Krebs, J., Malaia, E. A., & Ames, B. P. (2021). Classification of visual comprehension based on EEG data using sparse optimal scoring. Journal of Neural Engineering, 18(2), 026025.
Bradeley, C., Wilbur, R.B., Malaia, E. A., Siskind, J. (2022). Visual form of ASL verb signs predicts non-signer judgment of transitivity. PLoS One, 17(2): e0262098; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262098
We have a variety of research projects each year that need volunteer participants. Studies include either 1) payment for the participant’s time or 2) can be used to meet class requirements for research experience. Study times are arranged to fit your schedule.
Current studies examine neural bases of communication and neuroplasticity.
To Volunteer for a study, contact Dr. Malaia at eamalaia[at]ua.edu
Undergraduate students
Working in a lab is a great way to get involved in the research process. You will learn how scientific research advances knowledge and practice in the field of speech-language pathology. It is a great way to enhance your resumé for graduate or medical school applications, and to see if you mightenjoy research as a part of your professional career.
Undergraduates work in the lab
- As volunteers;
- For research hours/course credit (CD 350/360 (Honors), CD 550);
- For independent study credit (CD 325).
Examples of projects that undergraduates have worked on include:
- Studies of neural function using EEG
- Studies of neuroplasticity in learning/language acquisition (behavioral/EEG)
- Studies of neuroplasticity and therapies using tDCS (non-invasive transcranial direct current stimulation)
- Data analysis and development of diagnostic tools (warning: comfort with programming and intense time commitment required)
Undergraduate students typically learn to:
- Good Laboratory Practices in data managment and collection
- Administer standardized tests of speech & language
- Conduct statistical analyses
- Help design stimuli (graphic and linguistic) used in experiments
- Work with preschool children or adults to collect EEG
- Assist with analysis of EEG and fMRI data
Undergraduates aren't expected to have prior experience in Speech, Language, & Hearing Sciences - we have projects that can accomodate all levels of experience. You will receive project-specific training in the lab. Any level of prior research experience - even middle or high school science fairs - has shown to be quite helpful in helping students orient within existing projects, or initiate new ones.
Students typically select a project to work on and contract their work days and hours with Dr. Malaia. Reach out to eamalaia[at]ua.edu with your CWID and resume or CV for additional information on currently abailable opportunities.
Here are some examples of undergraduate publications from the lab:
This work was completed within the 10 weeks of a summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (NSF REU):
Malaia, E., Bates, E., Seitzman, B., & Coppess, K. (2016). Altered brain network dynamics in youths with autism spectrum disorder. Experimental Brain Research, 234, 3425-3431.
An undergraduate publication from my course, CD 425W, where students write a systematic review on a topic of their interest:
Turk, E.G., Malaia, E. (2023). The Unseen Families: A Systematic Review of Alternative Parental Interaction Techniques and Developmental Outcomes. Journal of Science and Health at The University of Alabama, 20, 28-38.
A Randall Research Scholar program publication from Year 1:
McCleod, M., Borneman, S., Malaia, E. (accepted) Neurocomputational Phenotypes in Female and Male Autistic Individuals. Journal of Science and Health at The University of Alabama, 21.
Graduate Students
Students in the master's program may become involved in research at many levels, including:
- As a research participant
- As a volunteer research assistant on an ongoing project
- By completing a master's thesis
Master’s theses completed in the lab typically consist of publishable research project that takes 12 to 20 months to complete (including planning and writing). Students typically arrange to complete a master’s thesis with Dr. Malaia within their first semester in the Mast'ers program, and optimally write their thesis prospectus by taking Fall CD 525 Applied Research course (see sample syllabus). Projects must be approved by Dr. Malaia and typically involve topics closely related to current research in the lab. This assures that the resources of the lab can fully support the master’s thesis project. As soon as you think you might want to complete a thesis project in the lab, contact Dr. Malaia at eamalaia[at]ua.edu.
Example of published versions of previous master's theses in the lab:
Malaia, E., Cockerham, D., & Rublein, K. (2019). Visual integration of fear and anger emotional cues by children on the autism spectrum and neurotypical peers: An EEG study. Neuropsychologia, 126, 138-146.
I am also open to supervising doctoral students who wish to develop novel computational methods for neural data analysis (e.g. those from Mathematics, Physics (dynamical systems), or Engineering (signal processing, machine learning, etc.). The primary advisor and the student can reach out together to ensure that expectations of the collaborations are agreed upon by all.
Representative publications that included doctoral students who were permanent or temporary members of the lab:
Ford, L. K., Borneman, J. D., Krebs, J., Malaia, E. A., & Ames, B. P. (2021). Classification of visual comprehension based on EEG data using sparse optimal scoring. Journal of Neural Engineering, 18(2), 026025.
Bradeley, C., Wilbur, R.B., Malaia, E. A., Siskind, J. (2022). Visual form of ASL verb signs predicts non-signer judgment of transitivity. PLoS One, 17(2): e0262098; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262098
