Vanderbilt University

Advancing research in math & reading disabilities

The Barnes Lab studies cognitive, linguistic, and socioemotional processes in reading comprehension and mathematics disabilities — developing interventions that make a difference for students.

The Barnes Lab research team from left to right: Dr. Marcia Barnes, Vishakha Agrawal, Hailey Kepiro, Aparna Vyavaharkar, Stella Mainali, Caitlin Cushing, Courtney Bagwell, Mia Milewski, Ashley Ingram, Leah Cooper, Anna Miller, Lan Yang, BrittanyLee Martin, 2023.

Reading comprehension

Investigating how students process and understand written language, with a particular emphasis on making inferences that connect ideas to make meaning.

Mathematics disabilities

Identifying early cognitive and linguistic markers that predict math learning difficulties.

Assessments

Developing comprehensive assessments of inference-making.

Intervention design

Developing evidence-based tools in reading and mathematics for educators.

Dr. Dr. Barnes leads the Barnes Lab's research of reading and math disabilities, with a career spanning three decades of federallyfunded studies..

Her work bridges basic cognitive science and applied intervention design, aiming to translate research findings directly into classroom practice.

Barnes, M.A., Clemens, N.H., Simmons, D., Hall, C., Fogarty, M., Martinez-Lincoln, A., Vaughn, S. Simmons, L., Fall, A-M, & Roberts, G.A. (2024). A randomized controlled trial of tutor-and computer-delivered inferential comprehension interventions for middle school students with reading difficulties.

Scientific Studies of Reading, 48, 411-440. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888438.2024.2331517 (Second most read article 2024)

Barnes, M.A. (2023). Executive functions: What are they good for? A perspective from intervention research. Mind, Brain, and Education

https://doi.org/10.1111/mbe.12371(Top ten most cited papers in MBE).

Barnes, M.A., Clemens, N.H., Fall, A-M., Roberts, G., Klein, A., Starkey, P., McCandliss, B., Flynn, K., & Zucker, T. (2020). Cognitive correlates of difficulties in math and reading in pre-kindergarten children at high risk for learning disabilities. Journal of Educational Psychology. 112(4), 685–700.

BrittanyLee Martin

Research Associate

Sara McFadden

Research Coordinator

Caitlin Craddock

Education Consultant

National Center for Leadership in Intensive Interventions NCLII-2

Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education. Grant H325H190003.

Preparing Leaders in Special Education to Meet the Intensive Needs of Students with Complex Learning Disabilities

Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education. Grant H325D180086.

Interested in our research, potential collaborations, or joining the lab? We'd love to hear from you.

Email: Brittanylee.n.martin@vanderbilt.edu

Phone: (615) 343-4197

Address: One Magnolia Circle Building,

Peabody College at Vanderbilt University,

110 Magnolia Circle Nashville, TN 37212