Sandra Robin Waxman

International expert on relationship between language and conceptual development. Multidisciplinary research includes developmental, cross-linguistic, and cross-cultural evidence to illuminate formative roles of language and culture in early human development. Findings have shown that infants begin task of word-learning with a universal expectation linking novel words to a broad range of commonalities. Research shows that with exposure to their native language, infants gradually acquire more specific expectations linking particular kinds of words to particular kinds of relations (nouns with category-based commonalities, adjectives with property-based commonalities). Also documented how young children's biological concepts are shaped by language and cultural practices. Associate editor, Cognitive Psychology. Founding Review Editor, Frontiers in Language Sciences. Consulting Editor, Psychological Review. Received Ann L. Brown Award for Excellence in Developmental Research, University of IL. Recipient, James McKeen Cattell Award, American Psychological Society, and Guggenheim Fellowship. Fellow, American Psychological Society, American Psychological Association, and American Association for the Advancement of Science.