Dr. Scheerer and her team of enthusiastic researchers aim to better understand how the brain processes sensory information (e.g. sounds, sights, etc.) and how differences in the processing of sensory information may influence speech production, language development, and social functioning more broadly.
The Cognisant Lab focuses on studying children and adults with and without neurodevelopmental disabilities (e.g. autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder). The Cognisant Lab also aims to partner with autistic people to help tackle important issues facing this community from a scientific lens. For example, recent work has aimed to reduce stigma against autistic people through an educational intervention. Ongoing work aims to better understand the obstacles parents and (potentially) autistic adults face as they attempt to obtain an autism diagnosis (for their child or themselves).
Group photo of lab members at FURC 2025 conference. Back left to right: Carter Smith, Gloria Pontarollo, Adrianna Molenaar, Nikki Scheerer, Anais Popa, Natalia Van Esch, Molly Hicks; Lower left to right: Sam Covens, Angie Redford, Zara Belanger-Pepper
Dr. Nichole (Nikki) Scheerer