Dr. Dror Dotan

I aim to understand in detail the cognitive mechanisms underlying several mathematical-thinking abilities such as reading and writing numbers, calculation, algorithmic thinking, and programming.

My lab investigates the general organization of the human cognitive system of numerical and mathematical thinking, but also the origins of individual differences: we wish to understand why some people are better than others in particular aspects of math, and to characterize in high granularity the learning disorders that can disrupt specific mathematical abilities. We examine these issues using a variety of research methods from cognitive psychology and neuropsychology.

We believe that cognitive research should not remain in the lab, but rather be used to improve education. Thus, we create methods and tools to diagnose mathematical learning disorders in individual children and adults, and we develop research-based educational methods that should make math learning easier and more efficient.