Nicole Mirea, PhD

language-learning scientist ✨ searching for my next adventure ✨ she/her

prof_pic.jpg

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.
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!