FIRAT SOYLU
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Associate Professor of Educational Psychology and Neuroscience & Program Coordinator
Educational Psychology Program Department of Educational Studies, College of Education The University of Alabama |
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Contact
Office: Tom Barnes Education Center, Room 1038 Lab: ELDEN Lab, Tom Barnes Education Center, Room 1057 Email: fsoylu@ua.edu Mailbox: The University of Alabama, College of Education, Box 870231, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 |
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Research
I use perspectives and methods from learning sciences, cognitive science, and neuroscience to explore mechanisms of learning and cognition and to design learning environments for STEM domains. I am particularly interested in how bodily systems support mathematical cognition and the evolution of mathematical abilities. I use both experimental (behavioral, fMRI & EEG/ERP), and design-based research methods in my studies. Being a dad to three kids, I also consider myself an "action researcher."
Short Bio
I was born and raised in Ankara, Turkey. I graduated from the TED Ankara High School in 1998. I finished my undergraduate studies in computer education and instructional technology and took graduate courses in cognitive science at the Middle East Technical University. During my undergraduate studies I also worked as a Linux systems and network administrator in the private sector and as a private math tutor for high school students. In 2004, I moved to USA to continue my graduate studies. I received a dual PhD in Instructional Systems Technology and Cognitive Science from Indiana University in 2011. I completed my dissertation work on the embodiment of numerical cognition, particularly the relation between fingers and arithmetic processing in the Cognitive Neuroimaging Lab at IU. Following that, I worked as a postdoctoral fellow at the Center for Connected Learning and Computer Based Modeling at Northwestern University for three years. My work mostly focused on the NSF funded ModelSim project, which involved design and scaled implementation of computational model-based science curricula across Chicago-area high schools.
In 2014, I started working as an assistant professor of Educational Psychology and Neuroscience in the Department of Educational Studies, at the University of Alabama. While at UA, I have led the development of the Educational Neuroscience PhD Concentration and the Educational Neuroscience BSc program at UA (http://edneuro.ua.edu), and started the ELDEN Lab (http://elden.ua.edu). I currently serve as the program coordinator for the Educational Psychology PhD/MA and Educational Neuroscience BS Programs. My current research mostly focuses on numerical cognition and mathematics learning. You can download my CV from the link on the top.
I use perspectives and methods from learning sciences, cognitive science, and neuroscience to explore mechanisms of learning and cognition and to design learning environments for STEM domains. I am particularly interested in how bodily systems support mathematical cognition and the evolution of mathematical abilities. I use both experimental (behavioral, fMRI & EEG/ERP), and design-based research methods in my studies. Being a dad to three kids, I also consider myself an "action researcher."
Short Bio
I was born and raised in Ankara, Turkey. I graduated from the TED Ankara High School in 1998. I finished my undergraduate studies in computer education and instructional technology and took graduate courses in cognitive science at the Middle East Technical University. During my undergraduate studies I also worked as a Linux systems and network administrator in the private sector and as a private math tutor for high school students. In 2004, I moved to USA to continue my graduate studies. I received a dual PhD in Instructional Systems Technology and Cognitive Science from Indiana University in 2011. I completed my dissertation work on the embodiment of numerical cognition, particularly the relation between fingers and arithmetic processing in the Cognitive Neuroimaging Lab at IU. Following that, I worked as a postdoctoral fellow at the Center for Connected Learning and Computer Based Modeling at Northwestern University for three years. My work mostly focused on the NSF funded ModelSim project, which involved design and scaled implementation of computational model-based science curricula across Chicago-area high schools.
In 2014, I started working as an assistant professor of Educational Psychology and Neuroscience in the Department of Educational Studies, at the University of Alabama. While at UA, I have led the development of the Educational Neuroscience PhD Concentration and the Educational Neuroscience BSc program at UA (http://edneuro.ua.edu), and started the ELDEN Lab (http://elden.ua.edu). I currently serve as the program coordinator for the Educational Psychology PhD/MA and Educational Neuroscience BS Programs. My current research mostly focuses on numerical cognition and mathematics learning. You can download my CV from the link on the top.