The Bilingual Learning, Education, and Neural Development Laboratory
Principal Investigator:
Dr. Vanessa Rosales Cerda
vanessa.cerda@tamiu.edu
The Bilingual Learning, Education, and Neural Development (BLEND) Lab at TAMIU is directed by Dr. Vanessa Rosales Cerda, an Assistant Professor of Psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences. The BLEND Lab is located in Anthony J. and Georgia A. Pellegrino Hall (PLG) 208 and is dedicated to conducting research on the brain basis of bilingual cognition and learning. The main focus of the lab is investigating the developmental trajectory of how bilingual brains learn and use educational concepts, including simple arithmetic, in both of their languages. Recently, the lab has also expanded this work to address broader questions on attention and the effects of narrative framing on arithmetic processing. To address these research questions, the lab incorporates simultaneous measures of behavior, electroencephalography (EEG), and event-related potentials (ERPs).
TAMIU
Dr. Vanessa Cerda Pellegrino Hall 208
BLEND LAB
Bilingual Learning, Education, and Neural Development
Ongoing Research
Adult Math Brain Study
We’re looking for English-speaking adults (ages 18-35) who are fluent in Spanish or have been exposed to Spanish!
What you'll do
Game: Play math and language games.
Time: 1 session (about 3 hours).
Cognition: Brain activity recorded with EEG (safe and noninvasive).
Why participate?
Compensated Earn compensation.
Participate: Contribute to science.
Neuroimage: Get a picture of your brain waves.
Contact
To make an appointment, email or contact Dr. Vanessa Rosales Cerda, Ph.D., at vanessa.cerda@tamiu.edu or 956.326.2980.
The Space Brain Study
We’re looking for English-Speaking kids who are in 3rd-5th grade (ages 8-11) and who have been exposed to Spanish!
What will your child do?
Game: Play math and language games.
Time: 1 session (about 3 hours).
Cognition: Brain activity recorded with EEG (safe and noninvasive).
Why participate?
Compensated Earn compensation.
Participate: Contribute to science.
Neuroimage: Get a picture of your brain waves.
Contact
To make an appointment, email or contact Dr. Vanessa Rosales Cerda, Ph.D., at vanessa.cerda@tamiu.edu or 956.326.2980.
Lab members
Vanessa Rosales Cerda, Ph.D. | Principal Investigator
Dr. RC is a Developmental Cognitive Neuroscientist who has been investigating the developmental trajectory of bilingual cognition since 2015. She is the director of the BLEND Lab. She addresses her research questions using techniques like electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in both children and adults.
Email: vanessa.cerda@tamiu.edu | Phone: 956.326.2980
Graduate Researchers
Sarah Martinez, B.S. | Graduate Research Assistant
Sarah Martinez is a graduate student in the Master of Science in Psychology program. She is currently completing a thesis project in the BLEND lab entitled, “Math among the stars: an ERP study of narrative framing effects on children’s arithmetic processing”. She is trained in administration of standardized tests and surveys on math and language ability and can collect EEG data independently from both children and adults. She will be moving on to a doctoral program in Fall 2026.
Email: sarah_martinez@dusty.tamiu.edu
Maria R. Diaz | Master in Clinical Psychology Graduate Student
Maria R. Diaz is a second-year student in the Masters of Arts in Counseling Psychology program at Texas A&M International University, with an anticipated graduation date of May 2026. She joined the BLEND lab as a research assistant in Fall 2025 and recently traveled to present a poster at the 2026 International Cognitive Neuroscience Society Meeting in Vancouver, Canada. She is trained in administration of standardized tests in both English and Spanish and can independently collect EEG data from adult participants.
Email: maria_diaz@dusty.tamiu.edu
CaraNina Parker, B.A. | Master in Clinical Psychology Graduate Student
Nina Parker is a graduate student pursuing a Master’s in Clinical Psychology (MACP). She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Communications and is interested in cognitive and behavioral assessment, particularly in math and language ability. She is trained in the administration of standardized tests and surveys and can independently collect EEG data from adult participants.
Email: caraninaparker@dusty.tamiu.edu
Sissy De Los Reyes | Master in Clinical Psychology Graduate Student
Sissy is a graduate student in the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology (MACP) program and a researcher in the BLEND Lab, where she contributes to the Adult Math Brain Study project. She had the opportunity to present her work at the annual Cognitive Neuroscience Society Meeting in Vancouver, Canada. She plans to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and work with families, couples, and young adults, integrating research into her clinical practice.
Email: sburciaga_delosreyes@dusty.tamiu.edu
Fernanda Cuevas | Master of Science in Psychology Graduate Student
Fernanda Cuevas is a graduate student working under Dr. Kate Houston in the Forensic Psychology Lab, where she is completing her thesis project examining how prosopagnosia and ADHD symptoms may affect eyewitness accuracy. She is trained in the BLEND Lab to administer standardized tests and surveys assessing math and language ability, as well as to independently collect electroencephalography (EEG) data from both children and adults.
Email: fernandacuevas@dusty.tamiu.edu
Nancy Garcia | Masters in Clinical Psychology Graduate Student
Nancy is a graduate student in the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology program, with an anticipated graduation date of December 2026. Nancy has been a member of the BLEND Lab since the beginning of the Spring 2026 semester. Through work in the lab, Nancy has developed experience with EEG methodology and gained deepened understanding of the relationship between brain function and language.
Email: ngarcia0127@dusty.tamiu.edu
Sierra Greishaw | Master of Science in Psychology Graduate Student
Sierra is currently wrapping up the second semester as a graduate student in the Master's of Science in Psychology program. Sierra is interested in neuroscience research, specifically examining correlations between biological mechanisms and psychological theory. Sierra is developing a thesis project with Dr. Cerda this upcoming semester, using EEG to examine cognitive processes individuals with symptoms of depression.
Undergraduate Researchers
Amanda Valdez | Undergraduate Research Volunteer
Amanda Valdez is a Senior undergraduate student majoring in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. She will be graduating this upcoming May with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She is trained in administration of standardized tests and surveys on math and language ability and can collect EEG data from both children and adults.
Email: amanda_valdez@dusty.tamiu.edu
Federico Montemayor | Undergraduate Research Volunteer
Federico Montemayor is a Psychology major with a minor in Sociology. His anticipated graduation date is May 2026. His overarching career goal is to become a licensed professional counselor and help those in need. Driven by his interests in studying the mind and brain, he joined the BLEND lab in Spring 2026 and is completing training in collection of standardized measures of language and math ability and EEG data collection.
Contact
Department of Psychology and Communication
Academic Innovation Center (AIC) 313
Phone: 956.326.2465 | Email: psychology-communication@tamiu.edu