Primary research interests: Theoretical & Computational Morphology & Syntax • AI-Informed Cognitive Modeling of the Mental Lexicon • Grammatical Constraints in Developmental & Neurogenic Variation • Germanic & Scandinavian Linguistics • Bilingualism & Lifetime Contact Dynamics
Research: As a scholar of morphology and syntax, I integrate traditional linguistic theory with computational tools and experimental methods to model the structure of lexical items and the texture of the mental lexicon. Beyond my research, I leverage my role as co-editor of Language and other administrative responsibilities that drive innovation at various levels.

Leadership: Throughout my career I have championed graduate and undergraduate excellence by spearheading curriculum reform that integrates modern data-driven methodologies into core linguistic training. During my tenure as Program Director, Penn State Linguistics was recognized among the top 50 worldwide, ranking No. 47 in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject. As Director of the Max Kade Institute for German-American Studies, I work toward fostering international scholarly exchange and interdisciplinary research initiatives. 

Current agenda: My research explores how artificial intelligence (AI), formal linguistics, and cognitive science can be brought into productive dialogue to investigate the texture of the mental lexicon—the system that underlies how words are represented, structured, and accessed in the mind. These computational tools should be viewed as a methodological expansion to my research in formal linguistics and multilingualism that drive new and exciting explorations in linguistics. I am developing collaborations focusing on language pathology, developmental language disorders, cognitive aging, and other clinically relevant populations whose lexical access and/or grammatical/lexical processing may differ from typical developmental patterns.  The work carried out in my lab group (Morphology Circle) - alongside colleagues in linguistics, cognitive science, and other domains - argues that linguistics should play an active role in shaping the future of AI by contributing theoretically grounded, cognitively informed models of language and lexical knowledge. Read my current thoughts on AI-supported linguistic research here. 
Other lab/research group affiliations: 
Throughout my career my research has been supported by generous funding from the following institutions: Centre for Advanced Study at the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (DAAD), Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), Minsterio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, The Max Kade Foundation, Mellon Foundation, The National Science Foundation, Rannís (The Icelandic Research Fund), & The Research Council of Norway.