At ALES Lab, we study language and music perception, processing, and learning. We aim to use this knowledge to improve clinical and educational practices for school-aged children, especially those with special needs, such as children who are deaf or hard of hearing or children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. We use different research methods in our studies, including behavioral observations, eye tracking, and electroencephalography (EEG).
Specifically, the following lines of research are included:
- Speech and music perception and processing.
- Music and language learning. Bilingualism.
- Music therapy in educational settings.
- Evidence-based educational practices for teaching language and music.
Lab Members
Beatriz de Diego-Lázaro, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Principal Investigator
Beatriz de Diego is a Ramón y Cajal Research Fellow in the Psychology Department at the University of Valladolid and a collaborator in the Institute of Neuroscience at the University of Barcelona. Her research interests are twofold: first, studying the impact of hearing loss on the developing brain. Particularly, she is interested in language learning and executive function in children who are deaf or hard of hearing, including bilingual children. Second, using this information to design and assess the effectiveness of language interventions.
David Carabias Galindo, Ph.D.
Investigator
David Carabias is an Associate Professor in the Department of Music Education at the University of Valladolid and a collaborator at the Katarina Gurska Institute. His research interests focus on the use of musical software and hardware to enhance musical learning, and on musical composition for educational and audiovisual contexts. His goal is to improve music education through evidence-based practices.
Alberto Acebes de Pablo, Ph.D., MTAE
Investigator
Alberto Acebes is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Music Education at the University of Valladolid. His research interests focus on the application of music therapy, particularly Guided Imagery and Music (GIM), to children with educational needs, and on the use of technology and improvisation to enhance non-verbal communication and emotional expression.
Elisa Marrodan, Ph.D. Student
Elisa Marrodan is a Ph.D. student in the Cognitive Science and Language program at the University of Barcelona, working under the supervision of Dr. Laura Bosch and Dr. Beatriz de Diego. Her doctoral dissertation investigates oral syntactic processing and executive function in monolingual and bilingual school-age children.
Jaime Sánchez-Herrero Gallego, Ph.D. Student
Jaime Sánchez-Herrero is a Ph.D. student in the Health Sciences Ph.D. program at the University of Valladolid under the supervision of Dr. Beatriz de Diego. He holds degrees in Psychology and Speech and Language Pathology, and a master’s degree in Methodology in Behavioral and Health Sciences from the Complutense University of Madrid. His research focuses on language development and language disorders in children.
Aida Reguera Martín, Research Assistant
Aida Reguera is a Speech and Language Pathologist from the University of Oviedo and holds a master’s degree in Neuropsychological Rehabilitation and Cognitive Stimulation. Her work focuses on early intervention and treatment of communication disorders.
Alumni
Celeste Flores, MA student from the European Master’s in Clinical Linguistics (EMCL).
