Ashleigh Hillier, Psychology
Ashleigh Hillier, Psychology
Associate Professor
Expertise
Neuropsychology, psychophysiology & autism spectrum disorders (ASD)
Research Interest
Dr. Hillier’s main research interests include neuropsychology, psychophysiology, and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The focus of her research is the processing and understanding of affective material among those on the autism spectrum.
Dr. Hillier’s research includes investigations of emotional memory, physiological responsiveness and subsequent memory for emotion eliciting stimuli, and the effects of psychosocial stress on cognition among those with ASD.
Dr. Hillier is also interested in pharmacological modulation of cognition among various patient populations including those with Broca’s aphasia, mild cognitive impairment, and drug abusers. Dr. Hillier’s interests in neuroimaging have included collaborating on projects using fMRI to identify critical functional areas prior to brain tumor resection, examining functional connectivity associated with semantic and phonological processing, and evaluating pharmacological interventions using fMRI.
Dr. Hillier’s applied research program focuses on her social and vocational skills support group, “Aspirations,” for adolescents and young adults on the autism spectrum. Dr. Hillier also runs other programs for adolescents and young adults on the autism spectrum including "The Network" Program, "Fit and Fun" Physical Exercise and Relaxation Program, the "Chapters" Book Club, a Movie Club, a college preparation mentoring program "Horizons", a support group for UMass Lowell students with Asperger's Syndrome "Connections", an employment preparation program "Cafe Career Chat", and the "SoundScape" music program.
Educational Background
Ph.D. Psychology University of Lincoln, U.K.; Post-doctoral fellow, The Ohio State University Department of Neurology.
Biosketch
Before joining the Department of Psychology at UMass Lowell, Dr. Hillier was a Postdoctoral Fellow and Research Scientist at the Department of Neurology at the Ohio State University. Dr. Hillier has also held positions at Ohio University and Westminster University in London. Dr. Hillier has taught General, Cognitive, and Biological Psychology courses.