For quick reference, Dr. Yamasaki’s C.V. is outlined below. A PDF version of her full C.V. is available for download here.
EDUCATION
Doctorate in Psychology (Jun. 2018)
University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Bachelor of Science in Psychology, with Honors (Jun. 2012)
University of Washington, Seattle, WA
GRANTS, FELLOWSHIPS, AND AWARDS
Research
Jason Albrecht Outstanding Young Scientist Award (Jul. 2019)
Earl and Mary Lou Hunt Endowed Graduate Fellowship (Jun. 2017-Sep. 2017)
Stroum Endowed Minority Fellowship (Sep. 2016-Jun. 2017)
Society for Text and Discourse Annual Meeting: Travel Award (Jul. 2016)
APA Dissertation Research Award: $1,000 (Nov. 2015-Nov. 2016)
Society for the Neurobiology of Language Annual Meeting: Travel Award (Aug. 2014)
Teaching
University of Washington Excellence in Teaching Award: $5,000 (Apr. 2017)
Department of Psychology Distinguished Teaching Award (May 2016)
PUBLICATIONS
Prat, C. S., Yamasaki, B. L., Peterson, E. R. (2019). Individual differences in resting-state brain rhythms uniquely predict second language learning rate and willingness to communicate in adults. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 31(1), 78-94.
Yamasaki, B. L. & Luk, G. (2018). Eligibility for special education in elementary school: The role of diverse language experiences. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 49(4), 889-901.
Yamasaki, B. L., Stocco, A., & Prat, C. S. (2018). Relating individual differences in bilingual language experiences to executive attention. Language, Cognition, and Neuroscience, 33(9), 1128-1151.
Stocco, A., Yamasaki, B. L., & Prat, C. S. (2018). Human performance across decision making, selective attention, and working memory tasks: Experimental data and computer simulations. Data in Brief, 17, 907-914.
Kim, D. S., McCabe, C. J., Yamasaki, B. L., Louie, K. T., & King, K. M. (2017). Detecting random responders with infrequency scales using an error balancing threshold. Behavior Research Methods, 1-11.
Stocco, A., Murray, N., L. Yamasaki, B. L., Renno, T., J. & Nguyen, J. (2017). Individual differences in the Simon effect are underpinned by differences in the competitive dynamics in the basal ganglia: An experimental verification and a computational model. Cognition, 164, 31-45.
Prat, C. S., Yamasaki, B. L., Kluender, K. A., & Stocco, A. (2016). Resting-state EEG predicts rate of second language learning in adults. Brain and Language, 157-158, 44-50.
Prat, C. S., Seo, R., & Yamasaki, B. L. (2016). The role of individual differences in working memory capacity on reading comprehension ability. P. Afflerbach (Ed). Handbook of Individual Differences in Reading: Text and Context, p. 331-347.
Prat, C. S., & Yamasaki, B. L. (2015). The cognitive and neural correlates of individual differences in inferential processes. A. Cook, B. Lorch, & E. O’Brien (Eds). Inferences during Reading, p. 210-227.
Yamasaki, B. L. & Prat, C. S. (2014). The importance of managing interference for second language reading ability: An individual differences investigation. Discourse Processes, 51(5-6), 445-467.
Stocco, A., Yamasaki, B. L., Natalenko, R., & Prat, C. S. (2014). Bilingual brain training: A neurobiological framework of how bilingual experience improves executive function. International Journal of Bilingualism, 18(1), 67-92.
Yamasaki, B. L. & Prat, C. S. ( Revision Under Revision). Predictors and consequences of individual differences in cross-linguistic interactions: A model of second language reading skill. Bilingualism: Language and Cognition.
Yamasaki, B. L., Stocco, A., Liu, A. S., & Prat, C. S. (Revision Under Review). Effects of bilingual language experience on basal ganglia computations: A dynamic causal modeling test of the conditional routing model. Brain and Language.
Zhou, P., Prat, C. S., Yamasaki, B. L., & Stocco, A. (Under Revision). Monitoring of attentional oscillations through spectral similarity analysis predicts reading comprehension. Brain and Language.
Luk, G., Yamasaki, B. L., & Mancilla-Martinez, J. (In Prep). Academic performance among elementary students with diverse language experiences.
Prat, C. S., Yamasaki, B. L., & Stocco, A. (In Prep). Basal ganglia signal filtering predicts language learning in adulthood.
Yamasaki, B. L., & Booth, J.R. (In Prep). Phonological and Semantic Neural Specialization Predicting Growth in Reading Skill. *Preregistered study: https://osf.io/ek8rc/.
PRESENTATIONS
Yamasaki, B. L. & Prat, C.S. (2019). Modeling Individual Differences in Second-Language Reading Skill using Language Experience, Executive Attention, and Cross-Linguistic Interactions. Oral presentation given at the 29th Annual Meeting of the Society for Text and Discourse, New York, New York.
Yamasaki, B. L., Luk, G., & Mancilla-Martinez, J. (2019). Academic Performance Among Elementary Students with Diverse Language Experiences. Poster presentation given at the Society for Research in Child Development Biennial Meeting, Baltimore, Maryland.
Prat, C. S. & Yamasaki, B. L. (2019). Automaticity and Second Language Reading: A Neurofeedback Investigation of Attention Training. Oral presentation given at the Society for Personality and Social Psychology Annual Convention, Portland, Oregon.
Mottarella, M. J., Prat, C. S., & Yamasaki, B. L. (2018). Working Memory Filtering and Individual Differences in Second Language Aptitude. Poster presentation given at 10th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Neurobiology of Language, Québec City, Canada.
Prat, C. S. & Yamasaki, B. L. (2018). Resting-state qEEG Reveals Intrinsic Network Differences Between Monolingual and Bilingual Adults. Oral presentation given at the Bilingual Brain – A Lifelong Perspective Satellite Symposium, Québec City, Canada.
Yamasaki, B. L. & Prat, C. S. (2018). Relating Individual Differences in Second Language (L2) Reading Skill to Linguistic Interference Management. Poster presentation given at the 28th Annual Meeting of the Society for Text and Discourse, Brighton, United Kingdom.
Zhou, P., Prat, C. S., Yamasaki, B. L., & Stocco, A. (2018). A Wandering Mind is Not a Good Comprehending Mind: Evidence from Brain Oscillations. Poster presentations given at the 31st Annual CUNY Sentence Processing Conference, Davis, California.
Yamasaki, B. L. (2018). The Role of Selective Attention in Reading Skill. Oral presentation given at the Annual Psychology Department Rapid Fire Research Talks, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
Yamasaki, B. L., Ceballos, J. M., & Prat, C. S. (2017). The Role of Basal Ganglia Filtering Mechanisms in Second Language Aptitude. Poster presentation given at the 9th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Neurobiology of Language, Baltimore, Maryland.
Ceballos, J. M., Yamasaki, B. L., & Prat, C. S. (2017). Context-dependent Filtering in the Caudate Nucleus of the Basal Ganglia as a Predictor of Second-Language Learning Aptitude. Poster presentation given at the 9th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Neurobiology of Language, Baltimore, Maryland.
Seo, R., Ceballos, J. M., Yamasaki, B. L., & Prat, C. S. (2017). A Dynamic Causal Modeling Analysis of the Role of the Caudate Nucleus and Prefrontal Cortex in Bilingual Language Control. Poster presentation given at the 9th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Neurobiology of Language, Baltimore, Maryland.
Yamasaki, B. L. & Prat, C. S. (2017). Understanding the Nature of Cross-Linguistic Interference and its Importance for Second-Language Reading Skill. Poster presentation given at the 27th Annual Meeting of the Society for Text and Discourse, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Prat, C. S. & Yamasaki, B. L. (2017). A Neural Information Processing Account of Individual Differences in Reading Skill. Oral presentation given at the 27th Annual Meeting of the Society for Text and Discourse, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Yamasaki, B. L. (2016). Using Neurofeedback to Improve Second-Language Reading Ability. Oral presentation given at the Annual Psychology Department Rapid Fire Research Talks, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
Yamasaki, B. L. & Prat, C. S. (2016). Neural Adaptability and Individual Differences in Native and Second-Language English Readers. Oral presentation given at the 26th Annual Meeting of the Society for Text and Discourse, Kassel, Germany.
Yamasaki, B. L. & Prat, C. S. (2015). Cortical Dynamics and Individual Differences in Reading: Relating Beta Oscillations with Reading Skill. Oral presentation given at the 25th Annual Meeting of the Society for Text and Discourse, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Prat, C. S. & Yamasaki, B. L. (2015). Measuring Changes in Brain and Behavior Following Second Language Training. Poster presentation given at Organization for Human Brain Mapping, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Ceballos, J. M., Stocco, A., Becker, T., Yamasaki, B. L., & Prat, C.S. (2015). The Cognitive Neuroscience of Preparatory Processes: Isolating the “Execute” From Executive Functions. Poster presentation given at Organization for Human Brain Mapping, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Prat, C. S., Yamasaki, B. L., Ceballos, J. M., & Seo, R. (2015). Relating the Demands of Bilingual Language Control to Inhibition: An Individual Differences Approach. Poster presentation given at the Workshop on Bilingualism and Executive Function: An Interdisciplinary Approach, New York, New York.
Yamasaki, B. L., Stocco, A., & Prat, C. S. (2014). The Neural Correlates of Individual Differences in Bilingual Language Control. Poster presentation given at the 6th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Neurobiology of Language, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Yamasaki, B. L. (2014). Second Language Reading Ability: The Importance of Interference Management. Oral presentation at the Higher Level Cognition Seminar, Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
Yamasaki, B. L., & Prat, C. S. (2013). Individual Differences in Executive Functioning and Language Control Indices Predict Second Language Reading Ability. Poster presentation given at the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Society for Text and Discourse, Valencia, Spain.
Yamasaki, B. L. (2012). Explorations of “Mind-Set” in Executive Functioning: The Roles of Language Experience and Task Order. Oral presentation given at the Graduate Research Symposium, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
Prat, C. S., Stocco, A.,& Yamasaki, B. L. (2012). Bilingual Brain Training: Investigating the Overlap Between Language Switching and General Set Switching in Bilinguals. Poster presentation given at the Architectures and Mechanisms for Language Processing Conference, Riva del Garda, Italy.
Yamasaki, B. & Prat, C. S. (2012) Bilingual Brain Shaping: Mental Set Shifting and the Bilingual Brain. Oral presentation given at the Mary Gates Research Symposium, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
MEDIA MENTIONS
Hogan, T. P. (2018, October 24). What SLPS need to know about dyslexia. LSHSS Clinical Forum.
Wrobleski, T. (2017, June). Brianna Yamasaki. The University of Washington Graduate School.
Fields, R. D. (2016, September). Learning when no one is watching. Scientific American Mind.
Yamasaki, B. (2016, August 4). Why it’s hard for adults to learn a second language. The Conversation.
Brazelton, A. (2016, June 2). Mind over mutter. The Daily of the University of Washington.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Post-Doctoral Research Scholar (Aug. 2018-Present)
Brain Development Laboratory
Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University
Primary Investigator: James R. Booth, Ph.D.
Graduate Researcher(Sep. 2012-Jun. 2018)
Cognition and Cortical Dynamics Laboratory
Dep. of Psychology and the Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences, Uni. of Washington
Primary Investigators: Chantel S. Prat, Ph.D.; Andrea Stocco, Ph.D.
Secondary Advisor: Lee Osterhout, Ph.D.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Lecturer
Department of Psychology, University of Washington
Cognitive Neuroscience (Jun. 2016-Aug. 2016)
Cognitive Psychology (Jun. 2018-Aug. 2018)
Cognitive Neuroscience (Jun. 2018-Aug. 2018)
Undergraduate Peer Teaching (Jun. 2018-Aug. 2018)
Guest Lecturer
Department of Psychology, University of Washington
Cognitive Psychology (Feb. 2016)
Cognitive Psychology (Jan. 2018)
Teaching Fellow
Department of Psychology, University of Washington
Introduction to Psychology (Sep. 2014-Mar. 2015)
Introduction to Psychology (Sep. 2017-Dec. 2017)
Predoctoral Teaching Associate
Department of Psychology, University of Washington
Psychobiology of Women (Sep. 2012-Dec. 2012)
Introduction to Psychology (Jan. 2013-Mar. 2013)
Developmental Psychology (Apr. 2013-Jun. 2013)
Abnormal Psychology (Sep. 2013-Dec. 2013)
Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Psychology (Jan. 2014-Mar. 2014)
Statistical Inference in Psychological Research (Mar. 2014-Jun. 2014)
Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Psychology (Sep. 2015-Dec. 2015)
Statistical Inference in Psychological Research (Jan. 2016-Mar. 2016)
Psychobiology of Women (Mar. 2016-Jun. 2016)
Cognitive Psychology (Mar. 2018-Jun. 2018)
SERVICE
Ad Hoc Reviewer
Learning and Individual Differences (since Jun. 2015)
Journal of Neurolinguistics (since Nov. 2016)
Discourse Processes (since Jun. 2015)
Bilingualism: Language and Cognition (since Apr. 2018)
Current Psychopharmacology (since Sep. 2018)
PLOS One (since Oct. 2018)
Journal of Psycholinguistic Research (since Jul. 2019)
Excellence in Teaching Award Selection Committee (Jan. 2018-Feb. 2018)
Center for Teaching and Learning, University of Washington
Website Administrator (Sep. 2013-Sep. 2016)
Cognition and Cortical Dynamics Laboratory, University of Washington
Meeting Coordinator: Higher Level Cognition Seminar (Sep. 2013-Jun. 2014)
Department of Psychology, University of Washington
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Brain Blast (Mar. 2019)
WellFEST (Apr. 2019)
Camp Vandy – Sheep Brain Dissection (Jun. 2019)
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Psychology Research Pool Manager (Dec. 2014-Mar. 2018)
Department of Psychology, University of Washington
RELEVANT SKILLS
Research Experience with: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI and fMRI) and Electroencephalography (EEG)
Software Experience with: SPSS, R, and MATLAB (statistical software); E-Prime and DirectRT (programs for designing and running experiments)
