Doctoral student’s autism research earns her prestigious award
[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/depape.jpg” caption=”Anne-Marie DePape has been honoured with the Autism Scholar’s Award. “]
var addthis_config = {
data_track_clickback: true
}
Anne-Marie DePape didn't go looking for an important subject area to research. She says that it found her.
Though the doctoral student had worked with people with developmental disabilities before, she had never worked specifically with cases of autism spectrum disorder (ASD); that is, until she stepped on a plane bound for Nijmegen, Netherlands, where she would end up studying auditory perception and speech production in those with ASD as a junior scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics.
“The whole process was like jumping off a diving board,” said DePape, a third-year PhD candidate in psychology, neuroscience & behaviour. “On one hand I was given this amazing opportunity to mix psychological and linguistic theory into a research model for ASD. On the other hand, I was going to Europe for the first time. I didn't even know how to pronounce the name of the city I was going to!”
The experience, along with DePape's current work under McMaster Professor Laurel Trainor, paid off this month with the announcement of her being honoured with the Autism Scholar's Award. Sponsored by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, the award is valued at $20,000 and was established to ensure that Ontario attracts and retains preeminent scholars such as DePape.
“I've been very fortunate for all the opportunities I've had throughout my schooling,” said DePape. “I've always worked very hard at my work but it still surprises me when I receive recognition like this.”
DePape and Trainor's research focuses on how subgroups of those with ASD use different intonations when they speak and how those intonations affect their ability to communicate effectively. Though this aspect of speech affects the social difficulties of those with ASD, it had received little attention until DePape's doctoral research.
Though such groundbreaking work can often leave students with scant free time, DePape remains an active member of the Canadian Association for Girls in Science's Hamilton chapter, which she founded with fellow graduate student Caitlin Carew. The group meets monthly to do hands-on experiments with girls between the ages of seven and 16.
“There's something very powerful about these early experiences,” said DePape. “It demystifies the sciences and shows that it's actually cool for young girls to be smart.”
Stay connected
