Hart's Lab of Autism Research

Hart’s Lab of Autism Research is dedicated to advancing a scientifically rigorous and clinically grounded understanding of autism. Led by Dr. Marissa Hartston, the lab bridges experimental science with real-world clinical practice.

The lab’s work builds on Dr. Hartston’s doctoral research on the psychophysics of face processing in autism, which identified perceptually based alterations in internal face representations with important theoretical and clinical implications. The lab has continued to investigate visual perception in autism, publishing in leading journals and presenting at international conferences. Beyond the research on face processing, work with adults with autism has led to diverse areas of autism research, including language, memory and romantic intimacy within autistic adults.

Closely linked to the SPARC Center at the University of Haifa, Hart’s Lab of Autism Research is committed to connecting research with autistic communities and promoting meaningful participation in academic life. By combining scientific precision with lived experience, the lab aims to produce knowledge that is theoretically robust, clinically relevant, and socially impactful.