Moriah Sokolowski

Research Focus

My fundamental goal is to understand variability in math learning and use this knowledge to support all children in reaching their potential.

To accomplish this, I plan to:

1) Extend my ongoing research by exploring how inequalities in educational environments influence both the basic building blocks of mathematical thinking and early predictors of selecting and succeeding in academic disciplines that require math.

2) Leverage my discovery of non-traditional predictors of later math abilities (e.g., poor visual imagery abilities; tendencies to avoid math) to develop early screening tools and targeted educational interventions to reduce inequalities in children’s educational environments.

3) Implement a network neuroscience approach to identify common neural substrates of learning disorders across educational content domains. This work will provide a mechanistic explanation for features such as comorbidities and patterns of extreme strengths and relative weaknesses within individuals.

My research will support the development of individualized prevention and intervention methodologies, which hold promise for helping heterogeneous learners identify and excel in their academic niches.