Project Reference: TRG27-CBS-KJ1

Project title: Visual cognition in healthy participants and potentially those with mental health conditions using neuroimaging, neurotechnology, and computational modelling (multiple projects available)

Project outline

My lab studies visuo-semantic cognition combining cognitive science, neuroscience, and computational modelling. The lab’s research has focused on probing specific visual dimensions in the context of face, animacy, and object representations more generally. We collect and analyse human behavioural and brain imaging (fMRI and M/EEG) data. We also analyse macaque electrophysiology data obtained through collaborations and perform cross-species comparisons. We use machine learning techniques for neural data analysis and computational modelling with a special interest in biologically-inspired deep learning and AI models (NeuroAI). The computational models we work with include vision deep learning models (including topographical, recurrent, or developmentally inspired models), multimodal vision and language models, and Large Language Models. Please find prior work on Google Scholar. We also began exploring how to apply our expertise in visuo-semantic cognition and AI to neurotechnology (Focused Ultrasound Stimulation) and mental health applications (exposure therapy). 

Overall, PhD projects could involve behavioural experiments (online or in-person), neuroimaging experiments (fMRI, MEG, EEG), computational modelling, neuromodulation (Focused Ultrasound Stimulation), computational modelling or combinations of some or all of these.

Example project ideas could be:

  • Identifying visuo-semantic representations and dimensions in behavioural and brain representations 
  • Alignment between brains and deep neural networks
  • Understanding animacy dimensions 
  • Comparing how animacy is perceived by humans and AI models
  • Evaluating the potential of mobile EEG
  • Targeting regions involved in visuo-semantic processing and potentially emotion processing using focused ultrasound stimulation 
  • Focused ultrasound stimulation experimental design pipeline development

Principal Supervisor

Dr Kamila Maria Jozwik

Email address: kj287@cam.ac.uk

Department / Partner Institute: MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit

Website: https://kamilajozwik.com/

BBSRC strategic theme

Understanding the rules of life