Brain and language development, Williams syndrome, interactions between genes, brain, and behaviour

Professor Debbie Mills is a member of the Cognitive Development Research Institute

Director for Research at Tir na n'Og Child Development Centre and Nursery

Professor Debbie Mills is a member of the Cognitive Neuroscience Research Institute

Prof Mills' is interested in the effects of experience on brain plasticity and cognition across the lifespan. Current projects include the effects of bilingualism and lifestyle factors on executive functions in a) children from 1 to 4 years of age, and b) adults over age 65.  In another line of research she studies links across genes, brain, and social cognition in neurodevelopmental disorders such as Williams Syndrome. Her research uses a combined behavioural and brain imaging (EEG/fMRI) approach to examine the neurobiology of language and cognitive development.

Professor Mills is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)

She is currently Module Organiser for the MSc module Biological Bases of Neurodevelopmental Disorders and teaches on the MSc Research Methods in Bilingualism module and UG module on Langauge and its Disorders. 

In previous years she was Module Organiser for Methods in Event-related Potentials, and undergraduate modules in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience and Infancy.

Professor Mills regularly supervises research students at the undergraduate, masters, and doctoral levels.

Current PhD research students include:  Caitlin O'Riordan

I am currently accepting applications for PhD, MPhil, and MRes students for projects on 1) Neurobiology of the effects of experiential factors, such as bilingualism, on executive functions in older adults, and 2) Bilingual vocabulary development and speech perception. Students with self- or external funding are welome. I am also interested in PhD researchers applying forESRC Wales DTP studentships in Bilingualism or Psychology.