Dr. Termara Parker

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Neural Processing of Eye Gaze in Autism Spectrum Disorder

August 22nd, 2025 at 4 pm EST / 1 pm PST​

Link: https://pitt.zoom.us/j/93858309648

Abstract: 

Eye gaze is a powerful social cue, and atypical responses to gaze are a hallmark of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These differences may reflect disruptions in joint attention, a key foundation for social learning. Yet, our understanding of how autistic individuals process gaze in real-life contexts remains limited. Traditional brain imaging tools like MRI often exclude participants with sensory sensitivities, anxiety, or movement challenges, which are particularly common in autistic populations. In this talk, I present findings from two experiments that use accessible, participant-friendly methods: electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). First, using EEG, we tested how directing visual attention to different facial regions influences early-stage face processing in autistic children and adolescents. Next, we used fNIRS and eye-tracking during live social interaction to explore how gaze is neurally encoded in real time. Across both studies, we found that differences in neural responses to gaze in autism are not simply a result of how individuals look at faces, but how the brain interprets that visual information. I will close by sharing reflections on inclusive neuroimaging practices and what it means to design research that truly centers autistic experiences. Finally, we conclude this talk by offering ways to improve inclusivity in social neuroscience research practices to facilitate accurate brain mapping and enhance the extent to which discoveries can be generalized.

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Speaker biography:
Termara Parker, Ph.D. is a neuroscientist, program specialist, and autism advocate. She most recently served as a Health Program Specialist at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), following her role as a Senior Scientific Grants Administrator at the Lieber Institute for Brain Development. Dr. Parker earned her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Yale University, where she studied the neural mechanisms of social interaction in autistic individuals using fNIRS, EEG, and eye-tracking. She also co-authored work on structural exclusion in neuroimaging research. She holds a B.S. in Biology with honors from Howard University, where she investigated the neurophysiological effects of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) in infant macaques. Dr. Parker also conducted summer research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, examining brain differences between autistic and neurotypical individuals using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Dr. Parker's contributions have earned her several prestigious awards, including the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP), Neuroscience Scholar Program Fellowship, induction into the National Bouchet Graduate Honors Society, the Annie Le Fellowship Award, and recognition as one of NIH's 2022 Outstanding Neuroscience Scholars. Committed to advancing equity in STEM, she served as Graduate Director of the Yale BBS Diversity and Inclusion Collective (YBDIC), where she developed initiatives to support and build community among underrepresented students in the biomedical sciences. Dr. Parker is also on the job market seeking medical science liaison, scientific project manager, and clinical development lead roles.

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