PhD '23 Alumni

Norma Hancock, Ph.D. is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Speech and Language (SAiL) Literacy Lab at the MGH Institute of Health Professions. She is a reading specialist and former public school teacher with research interests in the comorbidity between dyslexia, developmental language disorder (DLD) and ADHD, school-based practice, and measurement. Dr. Hancock is a board member of The Reading League (TRL) MA chapter and secretary of the Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA) MA chapter. Additionally, she serves as a consultant whose work aims to create equitable access to literacy for all students. 

Favorite Children's Book: Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., written by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by Bryan Collier

What was your research setting, mentor’s name, and name of the lab?
Research Setting: Speech and Language (SAiL) Literacy Lab 
Mentor: Dr. Tiffany Hogan 
 

What was your research focused on?
Early Identification of Dyslexia, ADHD, and DLD; the impact of comorbidity on treatment outcomes; and, translation research and implementation science.

What are your plans & goals now that you have completed your PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences?
I begin a postdoc this month on a NIH P50 Learning Disabilities Research Consortium grant. I am looking forward to growing as a researcher and collaborating with Florida Center for Reading Research. Additionally, I am consulting with school districts on improving outcomes for students with specific learning disabilities (dyslexia, DLD, ADHD) and implementing dyslexia screening legislation. I enjoy this work immensely as it is an unique opportunity to directly impact systems with research-based practice. Likewise, I look forward to further collaboration with the MA Department of Education on evidence-base practice and dyslexia screening psychometrics. My long-term goal is to obtain a faculty position and continue my research program on comorbidity, school-based practice, and measurement.