I am a faculty member in computer and cognitive sciences at the University of Toronto. My research explores the intersection of language, cognition, and computation.

Natural language utilizes a finite vocabulary to express an infinite array of ideas. I investigate how we adapt the lexicon to convey emerging meanings and whether the underlying cognitive processes can be understood in computational terms. I am particularly interested in the problems of semantic change and how words acquire new meanings---over history or in child development, and the extent to which computational models can replicate these processes to construct and interpret novel word meanings.

In a related line of work, I have been involved in projects that examine crosslinguistic structures. I also develop computational tools for exploring the relations of language with other domains such as morality.

Lexicon development and evolution

Crosslinguistic structures

Language and morality