Psychology University of
Lincoln, U.K.
Post-doctoral fellow,
The Ohio State
University Medical Center
Department of Neurology.
Professional Interests
Dr. Hillier’s main research interests include neuropsychology, psychophysiology, and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The focus of her research is the processing and understanding of affective material among those on the autism spectrum.
Dr. Hillier’s research includes investigations of emotional memory, physiological responsiveness and subsequent memory for emotion eliciting stimuli, and the effects of psychosocial stress on cognition among those with ASD.
Dr. Hillier is also interested in pharmacological modulation of cognition among various patient populations including those with Broca’s aphasia, mild cognitive impairment, and drug abusers. Dr. Hillier’s interests in neuroimaging have included collaborating on projects using fMRI to identify critical functional areas prior to brain tumor resection, examining functional connectivity associated with semantic and phonological processing, and evaluating pharmacological interventions using fMRI.
Dr. Hillier’s applied research program focuses on programs for adolescents and young adults on the autism spectrum including "The Network" Program, the "SoundScape" music program, a Movie Club, a college preparation mentoring program "Horizons", a support group for UML students with Asperger's Syndrome "Connections", and a mentoring program for UMass Lowell students registered with Student Disability Services.