Trisha B. Thomas, Ph.D.
AI & UX Researcher | Learning Scientist | Cognitive Neuroscientist
I’m a cognitive neuroscientist and researcher exploring how people—especially multilingual learners—interact with AI-powered learning technologies. My work bridges developmental science, language learning, and human-computer interaction, with a focus on inclusive, culturally responsive design. I’ve led projects at institutions including Harvard University, the University of Michigan, and the Basque Center on Cognition, Brain, and Language, and I collaborate with educators, designers, and researchers to create tools that support equity in learning.
What I Do
Design, implementation, and analysis of studies with children, families, and educational tools
Evaluate engagement, comprehension, and learning outcomes
Support EdTech teams in building inclusive, research-informed experiences
Recent projects include :
Evaluating AI storytelling agents for STEM learning
Assessing speech recognition performance with Spanish-English bilingual children
Designing and testing interactive eBooks for heritage language promotion
(see Projects page for more info)
Background
I completed my Ph.D. in Cognitive Neuroscience at the Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language, where I studied how accented speech influences attention and memory using EEG and behavioral methods. I also served as a visiting scholar at UC Irvine, contributing to the Converse to Learn project — a collaboration I continued throughout my postdoc.
At Harvard, my research focused on how children perceive and learn from conversational AI agents, particularly in multilingual and educationally marginalized contexts.
Let’s Connect
If you're developing AI-based educational tools, working on child-centered learning design, exploring UX challenges in multilingual contexts, or building resources to support AI literacy for families and educators, I’d love to explore potential collaboration opportunities.