Understanding

Our scientific goal is to understand the large scale neural dynamics of the human brain in relation to complex cognition and action. Our experimental work involves the application of multiple human neuroimaging approaches to problems of perception, action and cognition. We focus on the investigation of large scale cortical networks and how human complexity arises from the action and interaction of distributed processing regions in the brain. See the Research area for a description of ongoing and upcoming research projects.

Education

Cognitive neuroscience is perched at the crossroads between multiple and varied disciplines including psychology, physics, medicine, robotics, biology and physiology. The interdisciplinary nature of this fields presents challenges for the training of future scientists. A key component of our mission is to foster undergraduate and graduate education and training in cognitive neuroscience. Within the lab student education is nurtured by providing opportunities to engage in experimental research to build skills and knowledge of both theory and technique. The goal is to bring students to a level where they can begin to apply such skills and knowledge to hypothesis driven research that addresses theoretically important questions in cognitive neuroscience.

Application

Basic research in cognitive neuroscience has reaching implications for how we live, work and interact in our daily lives. Possibilities are endless and range from clinical (e.g. understanding cognitive deficits and recovery in clinical conditions such as Parkinson's Disease or mild brain injury) to human factors (e.g. quantifying and combating the effects of fatigue on brain function) to marketing applications. Several of our research projects bridge the gap between research and practice with the goal of improving quality of life.