McCall e Sarrett

About McCall e Sarrett

I am an auditory and cognitive neuroscientist with 10+ years of research experience and a passion for language science and making learning accessible to all. Currently, I utilize my expertise in psycholinguistics and adult second language acquisition as a Learning Scientist in the Efficacy Research Lab at Duolingo!Prior to this, I was a member of the Meta Reality Labs Research - Audio team, and before that, I directed the Brain & Language (BLÜM) Laboratory at Gonzaga University, where my team of 15+ research assistants used advanced electroencephalography (EEG) techniques to investigate key issues in language acquisition and comprehension. Over the course of my career, I have spearheaded end-to-end research projects on second language learning, word recognition, sound symbolism, music cognition, auditory quality preferences, speech intelligibility, and spoken language comprehension, and mentored 30+ young professionals. In my professional life, I value adventure, authenticity, and balance among my colleagues and teammates. I get energized by leading or being a part of teams that are built around collaboration, enthusiasm, and hard work. I thrive best in professional contexts where impact is valued, as well as communication and sustainability. I love being part of an organization that infuses curiosity into their culture, where I can help make a difference in the world.If you’d like to chat more, please reach out!

Experience

1. Learning Scientist

   Duolingo

   Apr 2026 — Present · Pittsburgh, PA, US

Education

• University of Iowa

  Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Neuroscience

• University of Tennessee, Knoxville

  Bachelor's degree, Neuroscience, Portuguese Language & Literature