Dr. Michael J. Orosco

Dr. Michael J. Orosco is a Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Kansas, where he directs the online graduate certificate program in Mind, Brain & Education. His interdisciplinary research in educational neuroscience focuses on developing theoretical models of learning development in English Learners, with particular emphasis on the social, cognitive, and mathematical mechanisms underlying literacy and problem-solving performance.

Dr. Orosco's research program addresses learning difficulties and learning disabilities through the design and implementation of evidence-based interventions that enhance comprehension and mathematical reasoning in English Learners. His scholarship bridges educational psychology, cognitive neuroscience, mathematics education, special education, and general education to meet the unique learning needs of these students across educational contexts.

Central to Dr. Orosco's work is strengthening the sustainability and scalability of interventions through comprehensive professional development initiatives. This approach ensures that evidence-based practices are effectively translated into classroom settings and maintained over time, supporting sustained positive outcomes for English Learners with learning difficulties and disabilities. His research contributes to the growing field of Mind, Brain, and Education by integrating cognitive neuroscience findings with educational practice to advance educational equity and improve outcomes for these students.

Dr. Orosco's research has been funded by the U.S. Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences, the National Science Foundation, and the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. His work appears in leading peer-reviewed journals including Exceptional Children, Frontiers in Psychology, Journal of Educational Psychology, Journal of Learning Disabilities, Journal of Special Education, Learning Disability Quarterly, Learning and Individual Differences, and Teacher Education and Special Education. Dr. Orosco is an elected member of the International Academy for Research in Learning Disabilities.