Bio

Dr. Eng is a NIH funded T32 Sports Neuroscience Postdoctoral Scholar in the Center for Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences Research. She investigates optimizing immersive interventions that promote neurological, cognitive, and physical health outcomes from a multimethodological approach. Dr. Eng's research program focuses on attentional processes in varying technologically-enhanced contexts, with a focus on the neurophysiological mechanisms that produce differential outcomes using portable functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), a modern neuroimaging technique ideal for children and neurodiverse populations because it is noninvasive and permits mobility in naturalistic settings. She specializes in utilizing behavioral, neurophysiological, and statistical methods across development: standard task-based and clinical norm-referenced assessments of attention, quantitative and qualitative assessments of children’s behavior and learning in ecological contexts; eye tracking, fNIRS, EEG, cardiovascular changes related to performance and stress; mixed effects modeling, multivariate analysis, educational data mining, and modern longitudinal data analysis.

Dr. Eng earned her Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University in Developmental Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience and Program for Interdisciplinary Education Research Certification through an Institute of Education Sciences-funded Predoctoral Fellowship after completing an NIH funded Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program at Virginia Tech. She advocates for educational neuroscience: the field bridging cognitive science, psychology, educational technology, human-computer interaction, computer science and related disciplines to understand the optimal learning contexts that support brain development and cognitive skills crucial for overall wellbeing and success.

Honors & Awards

  • Bio-X Undergraduate Summer Research Program Star Mentor Award, Stanford University (2024)
  • NARSAD Young Investigator Grant, The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (2024)
  • Top Downloaded Article Publication in Developmental Science Certificate of Achievement, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (2024)
  • Winner of Best Postdoc Mentor Award, selected from over 400 global nominations, Proteintech Biotechnology Group (2024)
  • 1st Place Sigma Xi Presentation Competition, Carnegie Mellon University (2023)
  • Bio-X Undergraduate Summer Research Program Star Mentor Award, Stanford University (2023)
  • Early Career Research Contributions Conference Award, Society for Research in Child Development (2023)
  • Flux Society for Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Invited Speaker Award, Jacobs Foundation-Sponsored Science of Learning Scientific Program Committee (2023)
  • Trailblazing Trainee Award Program, Stanford University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (2023)
  • Dick Hayes Departmental Service Award, Carnegie Mellon University (2022)
  • Invited Diploma Ceremony Commencement Speaker, Carnegie Mellon University (2022)
  • National Science Foundation (NSF)-sponsored Diversity Travel Award, Cognitive Development Society (2022)
  • Outstanding Teaching Award, Carnegie Mellon University Dietrich College of Humanities & Social Sciences (2022)
  • Program in Interdisciplinary Education Research Fellowship, Institute of Education Sciences (2022)
  • Outstanding Service Award, Carnegie Mellon University Department of Psychology (2021)
  • People’s Choice Poster Award, International Society for Developmental Psychobiology (2021)
  • Roberta Klatzky Outstanding Publication Award, Carnegie Mellon University (2021)
  • The Society for Research in Child Development Conference Award, Carnegie Mellon University Graduate Student Assembly Provost (2021)
  • Top Presentation Award, Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (2021)
  • Dietrich College Presidential Fellowship Award, Carnegie Mellon University (2020)
  • Dissertation Research Funding Award, Student and Early Career Council Society for Research in Child Development (2020)
  • Distinguished Scientist Award, Meta Reality Labs Research (2020)
  • Graduate Project Research Grant, Carnegie Mellon University Provost and Graduate Student Assembly (2020)
  • Laura Bassi Scholarship, Oxford and Cambridge Universities Editing Press (2020)
  • The International Conference on Immersive Learning Conference Award, Carnegie Mellon University Graduate Student Assembly Provost (2020)
  • Top Presentation Award, Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (2020)
  • Graduate Travel Conference Award, Society for Research in Child Development (2019)
  • International Society for Developmental Psychobiology Travel Award, NICHD, Columbia Division of Developmental Neuroscience in Psychiatry, John Wiley and Sons Publishing (2019)
  • The Society for Neuroscience Conference Award, Carnegie Mellon University Graduate Student Assembly Provost (2019)
  • Top Graduate Student Research Symposium Award, National Science Foundation (NSF)-sponsored Game-based Assessment Conference (2019)
  • Top Presentation Award, Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (2019)
  • International Society for Developmental Psychobiology Travel Award, NICHD, Columbia Division of Developmental Neuroscience in Psychiatry, John Wiley and Sons Publishing (2018)
  • The Society for Neuroscience Conference Award, Carnegie Mellon University Graduate Student Assembly Provost (2018)
  • The Cognitive Development Society Conference Award, Carnegie Mellon University Graduate Student Assembly Provost (2017)
  • International Society for Developmental Psychobiology Conference Conference Award, Carnegie Mellon University Graduate Student Assembly Provost (2016)
  • Superior Academic Achievement Award, The Pennsylvania State University (2015)

Professional Education

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Carnegie Mellon University (2022)
  • Master of Science, Carnegie Mellon University (2019)
  • Diploma, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (2016)
  • Bachelor of Science, Pennsylvania State University (2015)
  • Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University, Cognitive Neuroscience, Developmental Psychology (2022)
  • M.S., Carnegie Mellon University (2019)
  • R25 NIH PREP, Virginia Tech, Developmental Science (2016)
  • B.S., The Pennsylvania State University, Psychology, Neuroscience (2015)

Stanford Advisors

Contact

  • Academic
    cassie24@stanford.edu
    University - Scholar Department: Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Position: Postdoctoral Scholar

Additional Info

Links

All Publications

  • Incorporating Evidence-Based Gamification and Machine Learning to Assess Preschool Executive Function: A Feasibility Study Brain Sciences Eng, C., Tsegai-Moore, A., Fisher, A. 2024; 14 (5): 451

    Abstract

    Computerized assessments and digital games have become more prevalent in childhood, necessitating a systematic investigation of the effects of gamified executive function assessments on performance and engagement. This study examined the feasibility of incorporating gamification and a machine learning algorithm that adapts task difficulty to individual children's performance into a traditional executive function task (i.e., Flanker Task) with children ages 3-5. The results demonstrated that performance on a gamified version of the Flanker Task was associated with performance on the traditional version of the task and standardized academic achievement outcomes. Furthermore, gamification grounded in learning science and developmental psychology theories applied to a traditional executive function measure increased children's task enjoyment while preserving psychometric properties of the Flanker Task. Overall, this feasibility study indicates that gamification and adaptive machine learning algorithms can be successfully incorporated into executive function assessments with young children to increase enjoyment and reduce data loss with developmentally appropriate and intentional practices.

    View details for DOI 10.3390/brainsci14050451

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC11119088

  • Current state of play: Children's learning in the context of digital games JOURNAL OF CHILDREN AND MEDIA Blumberg, F. C., Flynn, R. M., Homer, B. D., Bailey, J. O., Eng, C. M., Green, C., Giannakos, M., Papadakis, S., Gentile, D. A. 2024; 18 (2): 293-299

    View details for DOI 10.1080/17482798.2024.2335725

    View details for Web of Science ID 001197020900001

  • A Literature Review on the Effects of Exergame Interventions on Executive Function in Youth Technology, Mind, Behavior Eng, C. M., Flynn, R., Erik, T., A, F. 2023; 4 (3)

    View details for DOI 10.1037/tmb0000118

  • Longitudinal Investigation of Executive Function Development Employing Task-Based, Teacher Reports, and fNIRS Multimethodology in 4- to 5-year-old Children. Developmental science Eng, C. M., Pocsai, M., Fulton, V. E., Moron, S. P., Thiessen, E. D., Fisher, A. V. 2022: e13328

    Abstract

    Increased focus on resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) and the use and accessibility of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) have advanced knowledge on the interconnected nature of neural substrates underlying executive function (EF) development in adults and clinical populations. Less is known about the relationship between rsFC and developmental changes in EF during preschool years in typically developing children, a gap the present study addresses employing task-based assessment, teacher reports, and fNIRS multimethodology. This preregistered study contributes to our understanding of the neural basis of EF development longitudinally with 41 children ages 4-5. Changes in prefrontal cortex (PFC) rsFC utilizing fNIRS, EF measured with a common task-based assessment (Day-Night task), and teacher reports of behavior (BRIEF-P) were monitored over multiple timepoints: Initial Assessment, 72 Hour Follow-up, 1 Month Follow-up, and 4 Month Follow-up. Measures of rsFC were strongly correlated 72 hours apart, providing evidence of high rsFC measurement reliability using fNIRS with preschool-aged children. PFC rsFC was positively correlated with performance on task-based and report-based EF assessments. Children's PFC functional connectivity at rest uniquely predicted later EF, controlling for verbal IQ, age, and sex. Functional connectivity at rest using fNIRS may potentially show the rapid changes in EF development in young children, not only neurophysiologically, but also as a correlate of task-based EF performance and ecologically-relevant teacher reports of EF in a classroom context. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

    View details for DOI 10.1111/desc.13328

    View details for PubMedID 36221252

  • Contingent Responsivity in E-Books Modeled From Quality Adult-Child Interactions: Effects on Children's Learning and Attention DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY Eng, C. M., Tomasic, A. S., Thiessen, E. D. 2020; 56 (2): 285-297

    Abstract

    Experiences of contingent responsivity during shared book reading predict better learning outcomes. However, it is unclear whether contingent responsivity from a digital book could provide similar support for children. The effects on story recall and engagement interacting with a digital book that responded contingently on children's vocalizations (contingent book) were investigated, with a focus on the role of individual differences in attention. The study used a within-subject design with 3 experiments from 90 3- to 5-year-old children. Children were presented with a contingent book and 3 noncontingent control conditions: a board book (Experiment 1), a static digital book (Experiment 2), and an animated book (Experiment 3). The use of the contingent book significantly increased children's story recall and was found to be especially useful for children with less developed attention regulation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

    View details for DOI 10.1037/dev0000869

    View details for Web of Science ID 000508180800008

    View details for PubMedID 31855013

  • Doctoral Colloquium-Enhancing Brain Plasticity and Cognition Utilizing Immersive Technology and Virtual Reality Contexts for Gameplay Eng, C. M., Calkosz, D. M., Yang, S. Y., Williams, N. C., Thiessen, E. D., Fisher, A., Economou, D., Klippel, A., Dodds, H., PenaRios, A., Lee, M. J., Beck, D., Pirker, J., Dengel, A., Peres, T. M., Richter, J. IEEE. 2020: 395-398

    View details for Web of Science ID 000621216400075

  • Keep it simple: streamlining book illustrations improves attention and comprehension in beginning readers. Nature Science of Learning Eng, C. M., Godwin, K., Fisher, A. V. 2020; 5 (14): 1-10

    View details for DOI 10.1038/s41539-020-00073-5.

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9825-8864