Dr. Nina Kraus

Biography

Nina Kraus is a professor in the Department of Neurobiology and Otolaryngology at Northwestern University and the director of the Hugh Knowles Center. She is a scientist and inventor with a passion for music and a focus on the biology of auditory learning. Her career began with measuring responses from single auditory neurons, illustrating the adult nervous system's potential for reorganization through learning. Through her research, Kraus investigates how sound affects brain processing and the broader world. Her work in auditory neuroscience has revealed the profound influence of sound on neurological health, particularly in musicians and bilingual individuals, as well as in relation to language disorders, autism, and other developmental challenges. Kraus has actively advocated for education and health policies that enhance auditory communication, emphasizing the significance of auditory engagement in thought and social interaction. She authored the book "SOUND MIND: Brain Constructs Meaningful Sonic World," which distills her research insights into accessible narratives for a broader audience. Her innovative approaches to measuring sound processing biology in humans have led to significant advances in understanding brain function.

Research Interests

Experience