Rachel Earl

Room 246, Hughes Building Fax +61 (08) 8303 3770 rachel.earl@adelaide.edu.au

Area of Research

Human cognitive abilities; Child Psychology

Awards

Member of Golden Key International Honour Society.
Australian Postgraduate Award

Psychology Research Interests

Lead (Pb) is an environmental neurotoxicant which deleteriously impacts the human nervous system and can generate behavioural change. My study investigates the relationship between chronic low-level Pb exposure (<10µg/dL) and child outcomes in communities where Pb derived from ore bodies through mining and smelter activities remains a dominant source of exposure to Pb (Port Pirie and Broken Hill). The impetus of the study is determination of whether there is an inverse association of children’s neurocognitive development (IQ and behaviour) and Pb exposure at levels previously thought to be inconsequential. Current research will bring contemporary views of intelligence and thorough treatment of confounders to the study of Pb and cognition.