Since my PhD I’ve tried to identify methods in the interface of cognitive science and education to train, in preschoolers, cognitive processes that are necessary for school success (i.e., executive functions). Along my career, I trained them through computerized training; math and language school activities; and the school teaching of programming, testing the intervention impact using mostly behavioral measures.

Later, my work introduced the use of cognitive science bases and methods to improve health education (i.e., handwashing, dengue prevention) in low socioeconomic status primary school children and parents. I combined the basic research on core motivations of children learning inspired by cognitive science to examine how placing children in the role of health educators for their parents increased children and parents’ prevention knowledge.

Although my work is applied, it is also situated: the intervention aims, design, application and evaluation are informed by the community; it is also interdisciplinary and uses quantitative methodologies (e.g., mixed methods analysis) to answer educational questions. All my work is conducted in schools and involves teachers and educational authorities as an intrinsic part of the activities, as well as Foundations and ONGs interested in promoting education.