Vivian Crooks
multidisciplinary creative | ux/psychology/language researcher | artist | cognitive scientist | 

Vivian Crooks is multidisciplinary creative currently pursuing a Master’s degree in the social sciences at the University of Chicago. A Cognitive Scientist by training, she is interested in exploring consciousness through language, art, research and technology. 


Research Interests: 
Consciousness, Cognitive Neuroscience, Concept Formation, Neuroaesthetics, Language Acquisition/Development, Language Evolution & Emergence, Semantics, Syntax, Pragmatics, Cognition, Neural Substrates of Language, Cognitive Linguistics, Computational Models of Cognition, Language & Thought


CONTACT:
vcrooks@uchicago.edu
linkedin
research

writing

just for fun

CV
Education
University of Chicago (2026)
Master’s of Arts: Social Sciences (M.A.)
Concentration in Psychology of Language
Goldin-Meadow Lab


McGill University (2025) 
Bachelor of Arts and Science (B.A.Sc.)
First Class Honours in Cognitive Science
Concentration in Linguistics
Minor in Classical Studies
MICA Lab

University of Edinburgh (2024)
Visiting Student
School of Philosophy, Psychology, and Language Sciences


Research Experience 
Graduate Student Research Assistant
TMW Center for Early Learning + Public Health 
October 2025-Present

- Conducting qualitative analysis on audio clips of pilot Luet (language acquisition quality detection device) users
- Verifying and annotating data on conversational turn counts between children and caregivers for quality assurance
- Maintaining alignment between database metrics and corresponding audio files to ensure data integrity and accurate analysis
- Curating and retrieving audio samples from the Luet Learner database for use in feedback sessions and AI model training




Graduate Researcher
Goldin-Meadow Lab, University of Chicago
September 2025–Present

Supervised by: Dr. Susan Goldin-Meadow

- Examining neural mechanisms underlying the production of gesture-speech mismatch in children during math learning
- Collecting behavioral and neurological data; Using fNIRS data analysis and preprocessing; Coding data scripts using MATLAB
- Managing and writing an APA style thesis proposal and journal quality manuscript




Undergraduate Thesis Researcher
MICA Lab, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University
June 2024–June 2025

Supervised by: Dr. Boris Bernhardt

- Managed collaborative, interdisciplinary Neuroscience and Linguistics project creating an individualized mapping of the language
system with Dr. Nicole Eichert of Jesus College, Oxford University
- Wrote APA style literature review and thesis
- Utilized fMRI data analysis and lab-specific preprocessing (micapipe)
- Collected 7T MRI scans for open-source data production; Created / modified Python scripts for data analysis and figure creation
- Presented at weekly lab meetings and scientific poster fairs



Undergraduate Research Assistant Christopher Newport University  
May 2021-August 2022

Supervised by: Dr. Nicole Guajardo,

- Project: The Digital Chameleon: Factors Affecting Perceptions of Convergence in Computer-Mediated Communication
- Interviewed participants, aided with data entry, analysis, and annotations of relevant psychological journals for literature review
- Presented in weekly progress review meetings with research team; Reviewed / edited final articles before publishing process





Professional Experience
Co-President
Folio Magazine, Student Society of McGill University
June 2024-June 2025

• Elected to highest position at McGill’s student-run visual arts magazine; Curated branding for the magazine and submissions
• Hired and managed team members; Oversaw logistics of finance, event planning, production, curation and magazine printing

VP Production
Folio Magazine, Student Society of McGill University
January 2023–June 2024

• Used Adobe InDesign to create the layout of each semesterly issue
• Communicated with printing companies around Montreal to negotiate cost and logistics of large-scaleprinting projects
• Collaborated with teammates to select and design the front and back covers and to plan the launch party for each issue



Book Arts Lab Apprentice/Student Project Assistant
Rare Books, ROAAr, McGill Library
October 2022-December 2023

• Preserved and maintained McGill’s collection of antique printing presses and type
• Researched and cataloged new collections of lead type and ornaments
• Learned to design, set type, and print library-based and personal projects
• Used book stabilization and conservation techniques in advance of temporary book displacement for library renovation




Skills
 General:
Research & Survey Design 
Data Collection & Analysis Qualitative & Quantitative Methods (Interviews, Observations, Coding, Linear Models)
Academic & Professional Writing Stakeholder Engagement
Project Management
Languages: French

Technical: 
Python, R, Bash, C 
Linguistic Research Software: Praat, Audacity
Communication & Design Applications: Office 365 Suite, Adobe Photoshop and InDesign, Figma, Procreate
Neuroimaging Methods & Software: fMRI, fNIRS, FSL, Connectome Workbench



Publications and Presentations
(In Press) Eichert, N., Favre, C., Cabalo, D. G., Ngo, A., DeKraker, J., Hwang, Y., Smith, M., Crooks, V., ... & Bernhardt, B. (2026). Hierarchical Signatures of Language in the Human Brain. bioRxiv, 2026-02.https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.02.15.705992 

Crooks, V. (2025, May). Individualized mapping of the language system using ultra high-field fMRI. [Poster presentation] Montreal Neurological Institute’s Epilepsy Day 2025. Montreal, QC. https://www.mcgill.ca/neuro/channels/event/neuro-epilepsy-day-and-
pierre-gloor-lecture-2025-361722

Crooks, V. (2025, April). Individualized mapping of the language system using ultra high-field fMRI. [Poster presentation] Cognitive Science Undergraduate Research Day 2025. Montreal, QC. https://www.mcgill.ca/cogsci/research/researchday

Crooks, V. (2025, March). Individualized mapping of the language system using ultra high-field fMRI. [Poster presentation] McGill Undergraduate Science Showcase 2025. Montreal, QC. https://www.mcgill.ca/ose/initiatives/undergraduate-science-showcase/past-events/2025-poster-gallery

Crooks, V. (2025). The Crowd in Ancient Greek Theatre as a Tool for Psychological and Political Analysis of Fifth-Century Athenian Society, Hirundo: The McGill Journal of Classical Studies, 23, pp. 60-74. https://www.mcgill.ca/classics/teaching/hirundo (published in print only)
read my paper




Awards and Honors
McGill Alumnae Society Bursary ($2,000 CAD),
Spring 2025

Noah Gellner Bursary ($1,600 CAD), Spring 2025

Jennie and Joseph Salomon Memorial Bursary ($730 CAD), 
Winter 2025

Suzanne Fortier Enriched Education Opportunity Bursary ($5,550 CAD), Summer 2023

McGill Classics Department McNaughton Undergraduate Award for immersive fieldwork ($500 CAD), Summer 2023


Extracurriculars
Parco Archeologico di Siponto, McGill University, University of Bari, University of Foggia

Archaeology Field Work Student, Supervised by: Dr. Darian Totten, May 2023–July 2023

• Excavated an archaeological dig on the buried Classical and Medieval port city of Siponto in Manfredonia, Puglia, Italy

• Honed physical and visual-identification skills for each layer of earth and terrain difference

• Practiced field documentation to describe, measure, and sketch features of the site

• Collaborated with other students in the trench and the lab to identify finds and record observations

Cognitive Circuits Research Journal, Cognitive Science Undergraduate Society

Undergraduate Editor, September 2022–May 2023

• Selected submitted research articles to student-run Cognitive Science journal; Reviewed / edited student research writings

• Liaised with experts in Cognitive Science (Psychology, Linguistics, Computer Science, Neuroscience) and student authors

Academic Committee, Arts and Science Undergraduate Society

Student Committee Member, October 2022-May 2023

• Worked as a team to plan and promote academic events for students in the Faculty of Arts & Science

• Reached out to McGill Alumni and Professors for research/networking events and symposia

• Met with the head of the faculty to represent the input of students on the structure of programs
        








Last Updated 24.10.31
Projects

GLM Visualization of Semantic - Phonological activations (n=15) during language task, images coded by me
T2-weighted structural MRI scan, gif: tenor.com
Visualization of neural microstructure via group mean qT1 values (n=15), images coded by me


Individualized mapping of the language system using ultra high-field fMRI
McGill University
Montreal Neurological Institute
MICA Lab

Supervised by: Dr. Boris Bernhardt, Dr. Nicole Eichert

My thesis used ultra high-field fMRI data to map the organization of the language system in the brain at the group and individual level. We studied the distinction between phonological (sound-based) and semantic (meaning-based) processing, finding evidence for a hierarchical organization of linguistic processing both functionally and microstructurally!

Skills: Python, Data Analysis, Literature Review, Research presentation and communication
read my poster!  


Parco Archeologico di Siponto
McGill University
University of Bari
University of Foggia


 Supervised by: Dr. Darian Totten


In this 7-week intensive archaeology dig, I conducted archaeological fieldwork research in the Medieval port city of Siponto in Puglia, Italy. With a group of 12 students, I learned proper methodology of topographical illustration, pottery cleaning, dating and organization, stratiagraphical anaylsis, site surveying, and extraction techniques. 


Skills: Archaeological methodology, Artifact doucmentation, Field notes, Survey mapping/drawing, Environmental sampling, Extraction techniques (uisng pick-axe, shovel, trowel, wheel-barrow, brush, dustpan)  



Folio Magazine 
website | instagramCo-President (2024-2025); VP-Production (2023-2024)

As Co-President of Montreal’s Student Art and Design Magazine, I helped to maintain the traditional style of Folio magazine’s bi-annual release for its 30th issue, hiring and mentoring team members, currating art submissions, approving and modifying layouts, and proofreading/checking for quality assurance. 

However, for the 31st issue, my Co-President and I introduced the theme ‘metamorphosis’ in order to synthesize messages in the artworks, put artists’ work and statements in conversation with one another, and to increase the impact of Folio as an art piece itself.

Skills: Adobe InDesign, Figma, Event Planning, Project Management, Team Leadership, Art Curation, Layout Design, Outreach, Problem-Solving


A few of my layouts during my time in Production:



*all works are the artists’ own, contact Folio Magazine for more information


Luet Device Research Assistant
TMW Center for Early Learning + Public Health
University of Chicago
In my work with the Luet, a wearable tech device for children 0-36 months that records audio and uses AI to track their language development milestones, I have had hands-on experience in data annotation for algorithm training, database management, and interviewing users + analyzing use data to improve user experience and accessibility. 


Skills: Qualitative Data Analysis, User Experience Research, Database alignment/management, Survey data analysis



Printing Press Apprentice
Book Arts Lab
Rare Books
ROARR
McGill Libraries For one academic year, I worked as a printing press apprentice, learning how to set, catalogue, and print on antique lead type at the Book Arts Lab in McGill University’s Rare Book collection. Over the course of the year, I chose a short passage from Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar to set, print, and decorate with ornaments, with full creative freedom to choose paper type, ink color, orientation/alignment, and font. 

Over the summer and following academic year, I worked in the rare book collection, preserving books with dry rot and merging collections. I did additional work in the Colgate Collection of printing and artist books as well as our archive of Moshe Safdie’s architectural work on Habitat 67. 

Skills: Antique printing press use, Object cataloguing, Archive Handling, Quality control, Layout design, Visual composition design, Typograhpy 

Creative Musings...


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