Section: Research

William McIlvane, Ph.D.

Faculty Appointment(s) In:
   Psychiatry

Other Affiliation(s):
   Clinical and Population Health Research
   Program in Neuroscience
   Shriver Center

Research Interests

Dr. McIlvane directs a broad interdisciplinary program of research that addresses a variety of scientific problems that are relevant to understanding and/or ameliorating neurodevelopmental disabilities. One focus of Dr. McIlvane's program is on the analysis of behavioral relations mapping various symbol forms (e.g., words spoken or printed) with corresponding environmental events (e.g., objects, pictures). A major goal of this program is to develop methods for encouraging rapid symbol mapping in individuals who do not ordinarily show it. Another is to adapt methods of behavioral and cognitive neuroscience to further understanding of neural processes involved in symbolic behavior. To that end, an ongoing program is searching for precursors of symbolic functioning in nonhuman primates and other species; one goal of this aspect of the research is to produce animal models that can be used in studying the neural foundation of symbolic behavior. A second focus of Dr. McIlvane’s program is to develop valid nonverbal neuropsychological testing methods for use with individuals and populations that do not understand verbal instructions. Methods developed in this aspect of his research program have been adapted to further understanding of the behavioral and cognitive profiles associated with neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders (e.g., autism, depression, neurotoxicant exposure, etc.). In addition, Dr. McIlvane's program has a strong research-to-practice emphasis. For example, methods emerging from laboratory research are being used to teach practical skills in regular and special education classrooms in both the United States and in Brasil.

Ongoing Projects

Studies in Stimulus Control in Mental Retardation
Behavioral Studies of Mental Retardation and Depression
Process Analysis in Behavioral Allocation and Persistence in Severe Mental Retardation Translational Studies of Neurobehavioral Effects of Mercury Exposure
Optimizing Discrete-Trial Procedures for Autism Spectrum Disorder Children
Tests of Attention and Memory in Individuals with Intellectual Limitations

Office: Shriver
Phone: 781-642-0153
E-mail: William.Mcilvane@umassmed.edu
Keywords: Child Mental Health, Health Disparities, Learning and Memory, Disability, Obesity

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