Stephani M. Foraker, assistant professor of psychology, received a $42,000 award from the National Science Foundation to purchase an Eyelink 1000 (SR Research), a device that tracks eye movements.

Foraker, whose current research includes the role of hand gestures in thinking and communication, will use the device to measure how gestures affect observers’ ability to interpret and retain information. The Eyelink 1000 has several flexible and powerful software features as well as equipment configurations that provide precise millisecond timing and fine-grained location-resolution, enabling researchers to measure attentional and cognitive processes.

“This cutting-edge instrument will be valuable to faculty members and students conducting basic and applied behavioral research,” said Foraker. “It supports many different areas such as cognitive, developmental, and clinical psychology, as well as usability applications like advertising.”