Primate Cognition

Sustained spatial attention accounts for the dynamics of microsaccade production (published study in 2020)

Flexible visuo-acoustic perceptual abilities in marmosets; a cross-modal effects on visual detection and discrimination tasks (study published in 2022).

Standardized automated training of rhesus monkeys on complex cognitive tasks. A study demonstrating that it is not the time spent training, but the amount of failures that make the best training (study published in 2018).

Group-based, autonomous, individualized, stepwise training approach for long-tailed macaques, rhesus macaques, marmoset mo keys, emphasizing the possibility of conducting high throughput of visual perception research (study published in 2022).

Finding that motion, color, and shape all contribute equally high-level cognitive processes and decision-making (study published in 2022).

Advanced the field of visual neurophysiology by wireless recordings from freely moving monkeys operating a touchscreen (study published in 2023).

A cage-based training, cognitive testing, and enrichment protocol for monkeys in captivity, to study flow, preferences and provide visual stimulation (study published in 2023).

Independent processing of motion direction and speed in primate visual cortex. Ongoing study regarding motion direction and depth perception in macaque monkeys (a preliminary description).

Confidence beats competence in dyadic psychophysical game-like tasks with human participants Ongoing study, examining social influences on visual perception, decision-making and coaction (preliminary description)

A Gamified Task for Psychophysics Application in Non-Human Primates. A study finding that gamification improves psychophysics investigation (preliminary description).

Investigating acoustic flexibility through the application of flexible auditory training protocols in non-human primates, I found that marmosets show greater flexibility in learning naturalistic sounds compared to abstract ones. Conversely, it finds that long-tailed macaques have a harder time learning acoustic discrimination tasks. These insights, detailed in a "Nature Communications" paper, enhance our understanding of species-specific capabilities in acoustic perception and flexibility (study published in 2022).

Devising new and more efficient protocols to advance the understanding of auditory processing and acoustic perception in non-human primates. This study contributes significantly to auditory training, psychophysics, and electrophysiology methodologies (studies published in 2022 and in 2023).

Enhancing the utility and efficiency of cognitive training methodologies, including those applicable to acoustic perception, through group-based, autonomous, individualized approaches. This research underscores the potential for broader application in auditory tasks (study published in 2022).

Enhancing learning efficiency through group-based, autonomous, individualized training methodologies. This approach underscores the potential for broader application in cognitive development, especially for non-human primates. The study demonstrates the significant advantages of autonomous training in promoting self-directed learning among monkeys (published studies described here).

Innovating learning methodologies with a gamified task for psychophysics applications. This experiment aims to quantify the benefits of game-like elements in learning and training protocols, highlighting how gamification can enhance engagement and outcome in both humans and non-human subjects. Although primarily designed with psychophysics applications in mind, the gamified approach presents a novel direction for learning research (ongoing studies described here).

Assessing cognitive flexibility in humans and non-human primates through set-shifting and reversal learning paradigms. This study provides insights into the mechanisms of learning and cognitive development, emphasizing the importance of flexibility in the learning process. It highlights comparative aspects of learning between different species (study published in 2022).

My research indirectly addresses memory processes, particularly through the development of training methodologies and cognitive testing in non-human primates. Although not the primary focus, these studies necessitate the recall and application of learned information by the subjects, thus providing insights into memory mechanisms.

Throughout my projects on teaching nonhuman primates complex cognitive sequences, I have indirectly probed memory processes, such as cognitive retention, working memory, and the mechanisms underlying learning and recall (published studies described here).

I have explored the interaction between eye movements and attentional processes. By examining the dynamics of microsaccades in relation to sustained spatial attention in both humans and macaques, I have contributed to understanding how attention is oriented and maintained across species. My work in developing training methods for non-human primates also incorporates aspects of attention, especially in assessing how these animals engage with various stimuli (study published in 2020).

My gamified approach for psychophysics applications aimed at enhancing engagement and attention deployment in humans. This approach leverages game-like elements to potentially improve attentional processes during task performance, presenting a novel method to study attention in a psychophysical context (preliminary description).

Providing a comprehensive examination of cognitive flexibility through set-shifting and reversal learning paradigms across humans and non-human primates. This research highlights the importance of cognitive adaptability, demonstrating significant insights into the mechanisms that allow for task switching and thought process adjustments. The comparative analysis across species offers a deeper understanding of cognitive flexibility's role in complex behaviors (study published in 2022).

Highlighting the remarkable flexibility of marmosets in acoustic discrimination tasks as an example of cognitive flexibility in auditory contexts. This observation, drawn from a study on auditory training, emphasizes marmosets' ability to adaptively distinguish between different sounds, showcasing species-specific variations in cognitive flexibility and processing auditory information (study published in 2022).

Providing insights into the complex cognitive processes underlying reasoning and problem-solving abilities through set-shifting and reversal learning paradigms. This approach demonstrates how cognitive flexibility facilitates adaptive reasoning and effective problem-solving across different species, emphasising cognitive adaptability's critical role in complex decision-making (study published in 2022).

Enhancing understanding of problem-solving and decision-making processes in non-human primates with standardized training protocols. By engaging rhesus monkeys in complex cognitive sequences, this study illustrates structured learning's impact on reasoning and strategic problem-solving skills, offering insights into decision-making mechanisms under challenging circumstances (study published in 2018).

Exploring cognitive strategies in decision-making and problem-solving through a touchscreen-based, multiple-choice methodology. This study assesses individuals' responses to stimuli, contributing to our knowledge of reasoning and choice-making in a controlled setting, showcasing interactive technology's potential in cognitive function and decision-making behavior research (study published in 2023).

Examining the influence of engagement and motivation on decision-making processes via a gamified task for psychophysics applications. This innovative approach investigates how gamification affects problem-solving strategies and decision-making efficiency, suggesting gamification as a valuable tool in cognitive research for exploring complex cognitive tasks (preliminary description).