| Faculty
are listed by Department within their Research Areas,
with descriptions of their active projects.
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY
TIM GARDNER, Assistant Professor of Biology; Ph.D.- Rockefeller University, NY.
Research Interests: The Gardner lab studies the assembly and function of neural circuits, focusing on the well-defined pathways for vocal learning in songbirds. A first priority is the quantitative description of vocal behavior. The lab also explores physiological recordings and circuit perturbations in singing birds, in-vivo imaging, and theoretical models for self-assembly of neural systems.
AYAKO YAMAGUCHI
Assistant Professor of Biology; PhD, University of California at
Davis
Research Interests:We study how the CNS generate sexually differentiated behavior using
vocalization of African clawed frogs (Xenopus
laevis) as a model. We use behavioral, electrophysiological,
anatomical, histochemical, and molecular biological techniques to
understand how the central vocal pathways differ between males and
females, and how these differences arise in response to steroid
hormones.
DEPARTMENT OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
H. STEVEN COLBURN
Professor, Biomedical Engineering; PhD,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Research Interests:Dr.Colburn's research involves the application of signal processing,
statistical communication theory, and computational modeling to
the study of hearing and hearing impairments. He is particularly
interested in the measurement and modeling of binaural hearing performance.
He is also interested in human-machine interfaces for virtual environments
and teleoperators.
DAVID C. MOUNTAIN, Jr.
Professor, Biomedical Engineering; Associate Research Professor,
Otolaryngology, School of Medicine; PhD, University of Wisconsin
Auditory information processing, sensory biophysics, computer simulation,
biomedical electronics, biomedical signal and image processing.
Research Interests:Dr. Mountain's research centers around experimental and theoretical
studies of hearing function including: cochlear biomechanics, otacoustic
emissions, auditory processing of complex sounds, and auditory evoked
potentials. Professor Mountain also collaborates with researchers
from the Boston University Marine Program who are studying olfactory
physiology and behavior.
KAMAL SEN
Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering; PhD, Brandeis University
Research Interests: Our laboratory studies the neural coding of complex vocal communication
sounds in songbirds, a model system that shows striking parallels
to humans. We use electrophysiological techniques to record neural
responses. Theoretical methods from areas such as statistical signal
processing, systems theory, probability theory, and pattern recognition
are applied to characterize how neurons in the brain encode natural
sounds. We also use computational modeling to understand the processing
of natural sounds, both at the single neuron and the network level.
HERBERT F. VOIGT
Professor, Biomedical Engineering; Associate Research Professor,
Otolaryngology, School of Medicine; PhD, Johns Hopkins University
Research Interests:Dr. Voigt is currently engaged in experimental and theoretical studies
of the neuronal circuitry in the cochlear nucleus. He uses single-
and multi-unit recording and analysis techniques to study the responses
of neurons and neural nets to acoustic stimulation. Other interests
include brainstem auditory evoked responses and neural modeling
of the cochlear nucleus.
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DEPARTMENT OF COGNITIVE
AND NEURAL SYSTEMS
MICHAEL A. COHEN
Associate Professor of Cognitive and Neural Systems and Computer
Science; PhD, Harvard University
Research Interests:Neural network models of speech and language processing. Stability
and instability of dynamical systems underlying neural networks.
Models of memory, language comprehension, and auditory psychoacoustics,
statistical neural network models of depression and cardiovascular
control.
STEPHEN GROSSBERG
Wang Professor of Cognitive and Neural Systems, Professor of Mathematics,
Psychology, and Biomedical Engineering; Director,
Center for Adaptive Systems; Chairman, Department of Cognitive and
Neural Systems; PhD, Rockefeller University
Research Interests:Development of neural models of learning, recognition, memory, vision,
audition, speech, cognition, reinforcement, attention, adaptive
sensory-motor control, and biological rhythms. Systematic analysis
and prediction of behavioral and brain data in both normal and clinical
patients. Applications to outstanding technological problems.
FRANK GUENTHER
Professor of Cognitive and Neural Systems; PhD,
Boston University
Research Interests:Areas of research include speech production, speech perception,
and functional brain imaging. These areas are studied with an approach
that combines computational and neural modeling with experimental
investigations that test model performance and guide model development.
Modeling efforts emphasize skill acquisition and flexible performance
under a variety of environmental conditions.
BARBARA G. SHINN-CUNNINGHAM
Associate Professor of Cognitive and Neural Systems and Biomedical
Engineering; PhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Research Interests:My research focuses on modeling auditory perception, with a special
emphasis on binaural and spatial hearing, learning and plasticity
in spatial perception, and multi-sensory interactions. The goal
of this work is to develop physiologically-based, computational
models that describe human and animal behavior. Perceptual experiments
are used to test and refine these models.
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