Scientist Discusses Brains, Language on PBS Show

EVANSTON, Ill. --- Don’t miss Northwestern University’s Sundin Professor in Communication Science Cynthia Thompson on the PBS show “Nova ScienceNOW” tonight (Wednesday, Oct. 10) at 10 p.m. Central Time.

In a brief segment of “What Makes Us Human,” Thompson discusses her world-renowned research about the brain, language and aphasia, a condition that affects the ability to speak or read but otherwise leaves people with healthy minds. The segment includes a visit to Thompson’s Aphasia and Neurolinguistics Research Laboratory.

“What Makes Us Human,” hosted by New York Times science and technology columnist David Pogue, explores the traits that separate humans from other species.

“Professor Thompson’s work is in a segment looking at the origins of language,” says director and producer David Murdock. “Though her sequence is brief, she provides an intriguing look into the scientific study of language and the fascinating structure of the human brain.”

Thompson is a professor of communication sciences and disorders in the School of Communication.