Geo Kartheiser is a Ph.D. student in Educational Neuroscience at Gallaudet University and a research assistant with the Petitto Brain and Language Laboratory (BL2) and the NSF Center on Visual Language and Visual Learning (VL2). He received his B.S. in advertising and public relations from Rochester Institute of Technology. He has assisted with research on visual attention, brain plasticity, and signed language assessment tools. His work investigates how the timing and modality of language acquisition impacts the neural networks that support language, learning, and higher cognition. He is also interested in how scientists can improve their relationship with the public. When not wearing the lab coat, Geo enjoys cycling, running, and eating exotic food.