People

Prof. Zoe Kourtzi: Principal Investigator, Chair of Brain Imaging

My research focuses on imaging the neural processes in the human brain that mediate complex, adaptive cognitive functions and behaviour. The aim of my work is to understand the neural processes that mediate complex cognitive functions (i.e. object categorization, recognition, perceptual decisions) and their experience-based and developmental neural plasticity. In particular, we combine multimodal brain imaging methods (structural and functional MRI, EEG, MEG), established behavioural paradigms from cognitive psychology and state-of-the art mathematical algorithms to understand the link between brain structure, neural function and behaviour. The development of these multidisciplinary and advanced tools has direct applications for translational research in ageing and neurological disorders with potential impact for the prevention and treatment of nervous system disorders. Within this framework research in my lab spans diverse areas in neuroscience: visual brain imaging, learning and plasticity, cognitive development of the intact and impaired brain across the lifespan from infancy to ageing.

Curriculum Vitae

Personal page: Prof. Zoe Kourtzi

Telephone Number:0121 414 8509

Email: Z.Kourtzi@Bham.ac.uk

Hiroshi Ban: Post-doctoral fellow

My current research focuses on investigating human 3D/object perception by using behavioral measurements and EEG-fMRI concurrent recordings. In particular, I am interested in understanding which areas in the human brain are involved in the processing of depth information and whether activity in these regions mediates the observers perception of 3D shape.

Email: h.ban@bham.ac.uk

B. Integrated Human Studies, Kyoto University, Japan
MSc. Human and Environmental Studies (Psychology), Kyoto University, Japan
D.Phil, Human and Environmental Studies (Psychology), Kyoto University, Japan

Shuguang Kuai: Post-doctoral fellow

My current research focuses on perceptual learning and spatiotemporal contour integration. In particular, I combine psychophysical measurements and fMRI recordings to explore brain networks involved in the integration of visual information across space and time. In addition, I am also working on a project to extract classification images from fMRI data.

Email: s.kuai@bham.ac.uk

BSc, Psychology (major) and Computer Science (minor), East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.
PhD, Neurobiology, Institute of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.

Dorita Chang: Post-doctoral fellow

My current research investigates 3D shape processing in the human visual system using a combination of psychophysical and fMRI techniques. More specifically, I am interested in studying the plasticity of the brain mechanisms responsible for processing 3D shapes.

Email: d.chang@bham.ac.uk

Education

BSc (Hons) Psychology - Behavioural Neuroscience, McMaster University, Canada
PhD Neuroscience, Queen's University, Canada

Yang Zhang: Post-doctoral fellow

My current project investigates perceptual learning in the human visual system using a combination of psychophysical and fMRI techniques. More specifically, I am interested in studying the plasticity of the brain mechanisms responsible for statistical learning.

Email: zhangy@bham.ac.uk

Education

BS: Psychology, Northeast Normal University, China
MA: Psychology, Northeast Normal University, China
PhD: Psychology, Northeast Normal University, China

Adrian Garcia: PhD Student

I am interested in the physical science of imaging at the biomedical interface. My current research project is in combining neuroimaging techniques (functional magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging) with spectroscopy to investigate brain plasticity. I am also working on alternative statistical and machine learning approaches to the analysis of brain activity.

Email: adg772@bham.ac.uk

Computing, BSc (Hons), Birmingham City University.
Advanced Computer Science, MSc, University of Birmingham.
Physical Science of Imaging in the Biomedical Sciences, MSc, University of Birmingham.

(Drew) Hua-Chun Sun: PhD Student

Im interested in investigating the mechanisms of depth information integration and processing. My current project is in glass pattern perception and perceptual learning using neuroimaging techniques.

Email: hxs195@bham.ac.uk

Psychology MSc & BSc, National Chengchi University, Taipei, Taiwan

Aimee Goldstone: PhD Student

I am interested in understanding learning ability across the lifespan and how individual differences in cognitive ability, including cognitive decline with age, affect our ability to learn. I aim to combine both functional and structural imaging to investigate the re-organization of brain circuits that support learning ability, which may reflect compensatory mechanisms despite grey and white matter loss in ageing. My research will use advanced computational tools (i.e. machine learning methods) to test whether variability in brain structure and function predicts cognitive performance and learning ability independent of age.

Email: axg847@bham.ac.uk

Psychology BSc (Hons), University of Birmingham.

Matthew Dexter: IT & Administrative Projects Officer

My role is to act as IT and technical support for the members of the Cognitive Neuroimaging lab. I am responsible for ensuring the day-to-day running of the lab including making sure all data is securely backed up and that all IT equipment is fully functional. I also work with students in programming their experiments in MATLAB, C# and C++ and I am also in charge of maintaining this web site.

Personal page: Matthew Dexter

Email: m.dexter@bham.ac.uk

Computer-aided Chemistry B.Sc. Hons,University of Surrey. UK.
Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience MRes. University of Birmingham.

Alan Meeson: Development and application of novel methods for analysis and interpretation of neuroimaging data.

My research interests focus on the development and application of novel methods for analysis and interpretation of neuroimaging data. I am currently involved in a number of projects, including: comparing the effectiveness of different trial estimation methods, investigating alternative performance measures for classification based analyses, and exploring the application of real-time fMRI techniques.

Email: axm339@bham.ac.uk

Natural Computation M.Sc., University of Birmingham
Computer Science/Software Engineering B.Sc., University of Birmingham