Leo Buchanan, Ph.D.
Academic Role: Assistant Professor
Faculty Appointment(s) In:
Pediatrics
Other Affiliation(s):
Shriver Center
Research Interests
Dr. Buchanan's primary research explores the effects of developmental neurotoxicants on auditory neurosensory, and neurocognitive performance of children and adults. Dr. Buchanan is currently collaborating with an international interdisciplinary research team to investigate auditory neurosensory and neurocognitive effects of lead and mercury exposure in children and adults living in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador where lead poisoning from lead-glazing of ceramics, and mercury poisoning from gold mining activities are prevalent. On a second international project, Dr. Buchanan works with Dr. McIlvane of the University of Massachusetts Medical School/Shriver Center, and an interdisciplinary team of U.S. and Brazilian researchers to investigate sensory and neurobehavioral effects of mercury exposure in Brazilian children living in mercury-contaminated villages. Other research interests include hearing loss and aging in persons with intellectual disabilities. Dr. Buchanan discovered that individuals with Down syndrome have an early-onset age-related hearing loss, which is consistent with premature aging. Dr. Buchanan also has research and clinical interests in dichotic listening (processing of disparate auditory stimuli presented simultaneously to both ears) as an index of auditory brain information processing, and how auditory processing disorders impact auditory perception and learning. Other professional interests include early hearing detection and intervention, environmental justice, and pre-college science education.
Ongoing Projects
Previous Research Discovery
Office: Shriver
Phone: (781) 642-0216
E-mail: Leo.Buchanan@umassmed.edu
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200 Trapelo Road Waltham, MA 02452-6319