- I'm working on a
collaborative, interdisciplinary
pilot project with Dr. Jeffrey Katz,
an outstanding cognitive neuroscientist
in the department of psychology.
So, our study aims to
investigate if participating
in a full semester
introductory drawing class,
based on observational
drawing affects changes
in the brain, and if so, in what ways.
And, learning to draw
develops perceptual awareness,
including visual acuity,
eye-hand coordination,
an ability to envision among
other cognitive skills.
So, using FMRI technology,
we're scanning the brains
of voluntary students enrolled
in an introductory drawing
class before instruction,
and again after instruction has concluded.
And these data will be
compared to determine
if learning how to draw affects changes
in brain structure and function.
This study's ongoing,
and it's provided results
that show potential for
future research opportunities.
We're grateful to have
received internal funding
for this pilot project, because this
has enabled us to apply
for an external grant.
