Hello! I am a Ph.D. candidate in Neuroscience at The University of Texas at Austin, specializing in speech, auditory, and attention neuroscience. I investigate the neural mechanisms of speech and music perception, particularly in naturalistic 'cocktail party' scenarios, using direct brain recordings (stereo EEG) and computational modeling. By investigating implicit (stimulus-driven) and explicit (goal-directed) attention, I aim to inform the design of hearing technologies, AI-driven speech systems (STT/TTS), and therapeutic interventions for cognitive-linguistic disorders.

I am also passionate about UX Research and harnessing research findings to design inclusive technology that improves the way people interact with the world around them. Promoting diversity and mentorship in STEM is deeply important to me. As a woman in STEM, I am interested in empowering the next generation of scientists through mentorship and professional development opportunities.

Outside of work, you will find me trying new restaurants and cuisines, reading books, volunteering at the Austin Animal Shelter, or planning my next travel. :)

Experience

Ph.D. Candidate in Neuroscience, Hamilton Lab
The University of Texas at Austin
Research Assistant, Laboratory of Neurogenetics of Language
The Rockefeller University

Research Interests

Speech, music perception
Auditory attention, multi-sound perception
Computational neuroscience
Applied neuroscience & wearable technology
User experience research

Conference Presentations

  • (Upcoming) R. Agravat, M. Desai, G. Foox, A. Field, A. Watrous, A. Anderson, D. Clarke, E. T. Kabara, H. Weiner, L. Hamilton. Direct Brain Recordings Show Strengthening Prioritization of Speech Over Music in Children.[Poster]
    • Society for Neurobiology of Language (SNL), 2025. Washington, DC.
    • Berkeley Neuroscience Conference, 2025. Lake Tahoe, CA.
    • LLMs & the Brain, 2025. Houston, TX.
    • Advances and Perspectives in Auditory Neuroscience (APAN), 2025. San Diego, CA. [selected podium talk in lieu of poster]
    • Society for Neuroscience (SfN), 2025. San Diego, CA. [abstract selected for press conference, top 0.5%]
  • R. Agravat, M. Desai, G. Foox, A. Field, A. Anderson, D. Clarke, E. T. Kabara, H. Weiner, L. Hamilton. Neural Encoding of Acoustic Features Across Speech and Music in the Human Brain.[Poster]
    • The University of Texas System-wide Brain Research Summit, 2024. Austin, TX.
    • Advances and Perspectives in Auditory Neuroscience (APAN), 2024. Chicago, IL.
    • Society for Neuroscience (SfN), 2024. Chicago, IL.

Service

  • Advisory Board Member, Cellular to Clinical Applied Rehabilitaiton Resaerch and Engineering, UT Austin
  • Mentor, SAGES Women in STEM + STEM Muse Mentorship Program, UT Austin
  • Mentor, Neuroscience Undergraduate Reading Program, UT Austin
  • Reviewer, Biology Academic Conference for Emerging Scholars (BioAcCES)