Dr. Radhika Gosavi

Neuroscientist • Educator • Innovator

As an educational neuroscientist, I work at the intersection of research, innovation, and practice to reimagine education through the science of learning and help learners reach their fullest potential in partnership with teachers, students, and school leaders.

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Latest News & Updates

NEW

Elected to IMBES Board

Honored to be elected as a Board Member of the International Mind, Brain, and Education Society (IMBES).

NEW

Scientist of the Month

Radhika recognized as Scientist of the Month by Global Science of Learning Education Network (GSoLEN)

Watch the interview here

Science of Learning for Education @ UNESCO

Honored to present at UNESCO headquarters for the Global Alliance on the Science of Learning meeting, contributing to a global dialogue on advancing equitable and effective education.

Educational Background

Ph.D. & M.S. in Educational Psychology

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Research explored questions at the intersection of education and neuroscience.

B.S. with honors in Cognitive Science

University of California, San Diego

Specialization in Neuroscience and a minor in Psychology

Research Focus

Cognitive Neuroscience

Studying how brain processes shape learning by investigating the neural mechanisms supporting educationally-relevant topics such as attention, memory, reading, and more.

Research-Practice Partnerships

Partnering with teachers and students to co-create novel research and turn research into actionable strategies that improve classroom learning.

Learning & Memory

Exploring how engaging multiple senses supports learning and memory, using these insights to improve education for learners of all backgrounds.

Teaching Experience

TK-12 Education

I bring the science of learning to life for students, exploring everything from neuroplasticity and memory to adolescent brain development and multisensory learning. I also work with teachers to translate research into dynamic, classroom-ready experiences.

Higher Education

I have taught undergraduate and graduate-level courses at Stanford University, UW–Madison, and IIT-Bombay, covering cognitive neuroscience, educational psychology, and human development. My courses connect research with real-world classrooms, equipping students to apply the science of learning in meaningful, impactful ways.

Education & Science Outreach

I work with K–12 schools, museums, research institutes, and nonprofits to make the science of learning accessible to both teachers and students. Through teacher training and community engagement, I translate research into practice to support educators and enrich classrooms.

Professional Experience

Associate Director

Stanford-Synapse Brainwave Learning Center (BLC)

2021 - Present

At the BLC, a research-practice partnership between Stanford University and Synapse School, I lead research and collaboration with teachers, students, and school leaders to bring the science of learning into classrooms.

Founder

NeuroSavvy Education Research

2021 - Present

Through research and consulting, I design and advise on projects that promote inclusive learning and tackle persistent educational challenges.

Visiting Assistant Professor

Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay
(IIT Bombay)

2021

From graduate teaching to my podcast Talk Brainy to Me, I connected research, practice in educational technology with diverse perspectives to make the science of learning engaging and practical.

Scientist

Exponent, Inc.

2020 - 2021

My work applies cognitive science to real-world challenges—examining how people think, decide, and act in situations ranging from eyewitness memory to product use and transportation safety.

Ph.D. Student

Educational Neuroscience Lab, UW-Madison

2014 - 2019

I studied how multisensory processing shapes memory and learning, combining behavioral and neural (fMRI) research methods to generate insights with direct relevance to education.

Post-Baccalaureate Researcher

Neuroscape

2013 - 2014

Investigated the effect of cognitive training in children with ADHD and used dynamic causal modeling to study neural activity in schizophrenia.

Undergraduate Researcher

Center for Brain and Cognition

2009 - 2013

I explored the neural basis of perceptual and cognitive differences using methods such as GSR, MEG, and EEG. My work included projects on synesthesia, gender representations, autism, sensory referral, and phantom limbs.

Undergraduate Researcher

Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, UC San Diego

2012 - 2013

I studied embodied cognition through visual tracking and emotion recognition using behavioral and neural data (EEG).

Undergraduate Researcher

Interactive Cognition Lab, UC San Diego

2011 - 2013

I examined how environment and cognition interact through research in dance cognition, including fieldwork in London with Dr. Kirsh to study Wayne McGregor’s production Atomos. This work highlighted how creativity, movement, and collaboration shape cognitive processes.

Recognition

Design with, not for: Flexible Pathways for Co-Creation in Educational Neuroscience Research

In Progress

Gosavi, R.S., Toomarian, E. Y., Korisky, A., Hasak, L. R., Bunderson, M., & McCandliss, B. D.

Towards Shared Systems of Inquiry in Educational Neuroscience

In Progress

Gosavi, R. S.

Special Issue on Neuroscience & Education, Oxford Review of Education

Bringing Attention to Education: Revisiting the Neural Mechanisms of Selective Attention in Naturalistic Learning

2026

Korisky, A., Gosavi, R. S., Whittet, S., Toomarian, E. Y., Dewan, V., Kaneshiro, B., & McCandliss, B. D.

bioRxiv, 2026-08

Steady-state EEG captures how elementary classroom instruction drives plasticity for novel visual words

2025

Wang, F., Toomarian, E. Y., Gosavi, R. S., Kaneshiro, B., Norcia, A. M., & McCandliss, B. D.

npj Science of Learning, 10(1), 83

Accelerating outcomes for teachers & researchers

2025

Gosavi, R. S., Toomarian, E. Y., & Eagen, J

National Association of Independent Schools Conference, Nashville, TN

There's a scientist in my school!

2024

Gosavi, R. S.

UNESCO Global Alliance on Science of Learning for Education, Paris, France

Impacts of involving young learners in mind, brain, and education research

2024

Gosavi, R. S., & Toomarian, E. Y.

Mind, Brain, and Education, 18(2), 159-169

Emerging Insights From a Research‐Practice Partnership Approach to Educational Neuroscience

2024

Toomarian, E. Y., Gosavi, R. S., Hasak, L. R., Bunderson, M., & McCandliss, B. D.

Mind, Brain, and Education, 18(4), 437-448

Progress in elementary school reading linked to growth of cortical responses to familiar letter combinations within visual word forms

2024

Wang, F., Kaneshiro, B., Toomarian, E. Y., Gosavi, R. S., Hasak, L. R., Moron, S., Nguyen, Q.T., Norcia, A.M., & McCandliss, B. D.

Journal of Neuroscience

Capturing the Causal Impact of the Words Teachers Teach: Learning & Retention Dynamics in a Naturalistic Classroom Training Study

2023

Gosavi, R. S., Toomarian, E. Y, Moron, S., Roy, E., Hasak L.R., McCandliss, B.D.

Flux Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Meeting, Santa Rosa, CA

Empathy through education: learning is a social and emotional experience

2021

Gosavi, R. S., & Vincent, V.

The Hindu

Black Educators' Experiences of Race and Racism

2021

Cheng, B. H., Gosavi, R.S., Joshi, A., Williams, R., Christensen, S.

Teacher Truth Project

How Synesthesia may lead to Enhanced Memory

2020

Gosavi, R. S., Hubbard, E.M.

Multisensory Perception: From Laboratory to Clinic. K. Sathian & V.S. Ramachandran (Eds.). Academic Press/Elsevier

A colorful advantage in iconic memory

2019

Gosavi, R. S., & Hubbard, E.M.

Cognition, 187, 32-37

Decoding Grapheme-Color Synesthesia using Multivariate Pattern Analysis

2016

Gosavi R.S., Meyering E, Postle B, Hubbard E.M.

Cognitive Neuroscience Society Meeting, New York, NY

Sex Differences during Visual Tracking and Emotion Recognition

2015

Gosavi, R., Chang, V. W., McGivern, R., & Pineda, J. A.

Journal of Education, Society and Behavioural Science, 8(2), 79–93

National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program

Honorable Mention

Graduate Student Award

Cognitive Neuroscience Society

Graduate Travel Fellowship Awards

UW-Madison, Dept. Educational Psychology

Honors with Distinction in Cognitive Science- Neuroscience

University of California, San Diego

Undergraduate Research Grant

University of California, San Diego

UW-Madison School of Business "Entrepreneurial Bootcamp" Fellow

University of Wisconsin-Madison

"Talk Brainy to Me" Podcast

Interdisciplinary Programme in Educational Technology at IIT Bombay

There are about 8 billion people in this world and each one of us has a different perspective that is uniquely ours. Understanding varying points of view not only allows us to learn more about the world, but also deeply connects us with ourselves, and each other.

To explore diverse connections between topics impacting education, technology and how the brain learns, the Interdisciplinary Programme in Educational Technology at IIT Bombay brings to you, "Talk Brainy to Me", a video interview podcast.

Each episode of this podcast features prominent personalities who are musicians, philanthropists, actors, athletes, entrepreneurs, and others who are working at the forefront of their field. While our guests have diverging expertise, they share one thing in common: a passion for science, education, and technology.

By tuning into "Talk Brainy to me" you'll get unique perspectives and thought-provoking insights from a cognitive lens. We hope this podcast inspires personal growth, sparks interdisciplinary collaborations, and creates meaningful connections.

Listen & Watch

YouTube Playlist

Featured Episodes

Episode 4 | Mr Abhinav Bindra

Episode 3 | Mr Atul Kulkarni

Global Education

Bridging Research and Practice Worldwide

I channel my passion for global education through Beyond the Book, a nonprofit organization I founded in 2008 to support learning in villages across India. Using project-based and multisensory strategies, I aim to spark curiosity in students and help them apply knowledge in practical ways as well as conduct professional learning workshops for teachers.

Over many trips to India, I’ve collaborated with teachers, students, parents, school leaders, and government officials to support learners from diverse backgrounds. These experiences have inspired me to develop tools and techniques that empower all students to thrive as learners.

Get in Touch

Are you interested in learning more about my work, discussing collaboration opportunities or simply connecting for a conversation? Please feel free to contact me!

Email

radhika@radhikagosavi.com