Research description

The Laboratory of Perceptual Processing (LoPP) is engaged in a series of projects all aimed at describing the neural correlates of sensory and multi-sensory processing in humans. In particular we are interested in the sensory processing of human biological motion (BM).

We have, in collaboration with Professor Olaf Blanke of the Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience at the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL), been exploring multisensory interactions in BM procesing using both psychophysical (see for example Brooks et al 2007) and neuroimaging techniques. We are also investigating uni-sensory processing of BM cues, and applying our findings to areas of human performance including sports and mobility in the elderly.

LoPP Team

Lab Day 2007

Professor Rick van der Zwan and Dr Anna Brooks (co-directors) Mr Russell Reid (PhD student) Ms Lauren Bartsch (PhD student) Ms Coralia MacHatch (PhD student) Ms Lynn Davies (PhD student) Mr Duncan Blair (technician) Ms Erin Woolley Ms Karis O'Brien Ms Edwina Planten Mr Glenn Davey Ms Alira Capararo

Resource Highlights

• PointLightLab: Psychophysical tool for conducting experiments on biological motion processing (auditory and visual)
• VSG card for visual graphics
• Viewpoint EyeTracker Eye-movement gear

Collaborations

• Professor Olaf Blanke: EPFL, Switzerland
• Professor Jesse Purdy: Southwestern University, Texas
• Associate Professor Roberta Daini: University of Milan, Italy
• Dr Stuart Smith: Prince of Wales Hospital, Australia
• Professor Karl Verfaillie: Catholic University, Belgium
• Professor Denis Burnham: University of Western Sydney, Australia

Alumni of the LoPP

University Medalists

• 2005 Tabitha Phelps & Victoria Smith
• 2004 Emily Melbourne

Australian Psychological Society Prize Winners

• 2007 Alira Capararo
• 2006 Lauren Bartsch
• 2005 Victoria Smith
• 2004 Emily Melbourne

LoPP Photos

Ben Schouten visiting from the Laboratory of Experimental Psychology, Belgium	Professor Jesse Purdy and Dr Anna Brooks discuss biological motion of non-human experimental participants... somewhat nervously
Associate Professor Roberta Daini (University of Milan-Bicocca) and the LoPP team	Dr Anna Brooks at CNS conference, San Francisco
Dr Smith, Professor van der Zwan and Dr Brooks with Professor Blanke at EPFL	Professor Rick van der Zwan at the CNS conference, San Francisco
	Visit from Dr David Cottrell

Updated: 27 May 2010