Nicole Mirea, PhD
language-learning scientist ✨ searching for my next adventure ✨ she/her

I recently earned my doctorate in Linguistics with a specialization in Cognitive Science from Northwestern, working with Dr. Matt Goldrick. Currently I’m seeking a role where I can use my analytic skills and expertise in learning and memory science to shape products that empower learners and educators. If this is something your company values, let’s chat!
Background: Since 2017, I’ve been investigating how language learners use what they already know to help them learn sound patterns of a new language, through experiments with both human participants and deep learning models. I have also analyzed survey data for social good in partnership with Bilingualism Matters Chicago and graduate student organizations at Northwestern. In 2020, I did a summer data science internship at Duolingo, where I worked with a cross-functional team to identify learning strategies employed by users and assess their effectiveness. Before graduate school, I was a front-end web developer/designer for UCLA’s Center for Tropical Research and Institute of the Environment & Sustainability.
Name: In English, my full name is pronounced [ni’kʰɔl ‘miɹə]; my last name rhymes with “lira.” It comes from Romanian, which is one of my two native languages, alongside English.
news
Feb 2, 2023 | The analysis files from the speech experiments in my thesis are now publicly available on osf.io, along with audio recordings and transcriptions. |
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Nov 4, 2022 | I successfully defended my thesis! 🎉 Many thanks to my advisor, Matt Goldrick; my committee members Ann Bradlow and Ken Paller; everyone who attended my dissertation defense; and all others who helped me along the way. |
Aug 2, 2022 | I’ll be discussing my thesis work at Psychonomics 2022! Come say hi in person at the 6pm Friday poster session, or check out the virtual presentation (available sometime after October 27). |
Jun 16, 2022 | I will be presenting preliminary results from my thesis work at LabPhon 18. |
Jun 16, 2022 | I’ve updated my website! Hello world! |