Welcome to the Wallace Lab at Vanderbilt University!
We’re excited you’re here. Participation in our studies helps us better understand how people experience and process sensory information. Your involvement supports cutting-edge research and contributes to improving how we understand and support individuals with different sensory processing abilities.
We are currently seeking participants ages 5–65 years old to participate in a variety of studies on sensory processing and development. In our lab, we study how the brain combines sights, sounds, and touch to create a unified perception of the world. Participants complete engaging tasks and games—similar to video games—designed to explore how the senses work together.
Each visit lasts approximately 30 minutes to 2 hours. Participants receive $20 per hour of participation in the form of an Amazon gift card. We would love to speak with you and answer any questions you may have. Please reach out to wallace.lab@vanderbilt.edu to learn more and determine you or your child’s eligibility.
Explore the opportunities below and join us in helping advance research on multisensory development.
In this study, we’re interested in how people learn and remember new associations between shapes and sounds. You’ll first get a chance to freely explore and decide which sounds you think go with which shapes. Then you’ll be tested by seeing a shape paired with two different sounds — your job is to pick which sound you think is the correct match. You’ll get feedback so you can learn as you go. Later, you’ll pair the sounds and shapes again based off of what you have learned.
Seeking participants ages 10–65
No diagnosis of genetic or neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g. autism, ADHD, etc.)
This study aims to investigate how the brain performs multisensory integration in normative populations, with the ultimate goal of better understanding how impairments in multisensory integration may give rise to features of certain clinical conditions such as autism, schizophrenia, and loss of sensory function (e.g., deafness).
A battery of experiments will be performed to investigate this process, using behavioral and neuroimaging techniques including EEG, when appropriate.
Seeking participants ages 18–65
No diagnosis of genetic or neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g. autism, ADHD, etc.). Please have normal or correted to normal vision and hearing.
In this study, we’re interested in how people, especially children, react to audio, visual, and haptic stimuli. We will be testing reaction times to beeping sounds, flashing colored squares, and vibrations by having participants press a button as soon as they experience any of the above.
Seeking participants ages 5–65
In this study, we are interested in how people perceive and process different types of sensory information. Participants will complete a game-like activity involving two small robots. One robot will be held in the participant’s hand and moved from right to left, while the other robot produces sounds and vibrations. During the task, participants will be asked to indicate whether the sound or the vibration occurred first.
Seeking participants ages 5–65
Please reach out to schedule a research study appointment or a visit to our lab. We look forward to seeing you soon!
1400 18th Avenue South, Nashville, Tennessee 37212, United States
Office: A3002L (3rd floor)
Please reach us at wallace.lab@vanderbilt.edu if you cannot find an answer to your question.
At the Wallace Lab at Vanderbilt University, we focus on how the brain uses information from all of our senses—like sight, sound, and touch—to understand and respond to the world around us. We study how the brain puts this information together to help us pay attention, remember things, and make decisions. Our research also looks at how problems with this process might be connected to conditions like autism and ADHD.
Yes, participating in our research is completely safe. We take every precaution to ensure your or your child’s well-being during the study. All activities are designed to be age-appropriate and noninvasive. Our team closely monitors each participant to ensure their comfort throughout the process, and we follow strict ethical guidelines to protect privacy and ensure a positive experience for all involved.
To get involved, simply reach out to us via the contact information on our website. We’ll provide you with more details on the study and help determine if your child meets the eligibility requirements. We make it easy to sign up, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Yes, we offer compensation for you/your child’s time and participation in our studies. This includes a payment of $20 in the form of an amazon gift card. We appreciate the time and effort you have made to help contribute to our research.
Eligibility for our studies depend on the study that you are interested. We have research studies for anyone between the ages of 7-65. To find out if you or your child are eligible, simply reach out to us. We’ll provide details on the study requirements and help you determine if it’s a good fit. If you meet the criteria, we’ll guide you through the next steps for participation.
You or your child's name is replaced with an ID code such as (participant #105) and all data is collected through that ID code rather than your name. We may collect your name, email, phone number, and address for the gift card, however, that information is kept in a confidential document that is not accessible by anyone other than our lab and is securely stored and password protected.
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