Visual and non-visual processing in spatial perception and spatial navigation

我一直对人类大脑如何处理视觉运动信息以及视觉如何用于运动控制感兴趣。我尤其在探索运动感知的具体机制，包括物体运动(例如，迎面而来的汽车)，以及由于观察者的自我运动而体验到的视觉环境的运动(例如，行走和驾驶)。为了进行我的行为研究，我开发了一种最先进的虚拟现实(VR)技术系统。这种方法之所以具有革命性，是因为VR允许实时操纵动态视觉环境--这在现实世界的场景中几乎是不可能实现的。我的这个研究项目不仅让我能够探索视觉运动控制背后的基本感知原理，而且它还可以用于更好地设计标准化测试和驾驶员/飞行员的培训/康复，以及汽车的设计。路标和驾驶/飞行模拟器。众所周知，视觉信息并不是一个人在环境中导航时接收到的唯一信息来源。我已经探索了在自动运动过程中视觉和非视觉(本体感觉和前庭)信息是如何整合的。我开发的一个项目涉及创建新颖的感觉冲突测试范式，在该范式中，来自视觉和身体感觉的信息在运动过程中同时可用，但指定了不同的运动量(例如，模拟在移动的机场人行道上行走时体验的感觉信息)。这种类型的实验设计让我能够单独评估每个感官线索的作用，并更好地了解这些线索是如何相互作用的。在另一个项目中，我还能够操纵参与者在“虚拟”导航过程中积极参与运动的程度，以此来准确研究人类导航者如何形成“认知地图”并找到自己的路。这项工作通过识别导致不同类型空间表征的空间学习的关键组成部分，为空间记忆的本质提供了新的见解。

I have been interested in how humans brain process visual motion information and how vision is used in movement control.  In particular I am exploring the specific mechanisms that underlie motion perception, including both object motion (e.g., an oncoming car), and the motion of the visual environment experienced as a result of the observer's self-motion (e.g., walking and driving).  In order to conduct my behavioural research, I have developed a state-of-the-art virtual reality (VR) technology system.  What makes this approach revolutionary is that VR allows for the real-time manipulation of dynamic visual environments - something that is practically impossible to achieve in a real world scenario.  This research program has not only allowed me to explore fundamental perceptual principles underlying visuomotor control, but it can also be employed in the design of better standardized tests and training/rehabilitation for drivers/pilots and the design of car, road sign and driving/flight simulators.     Visual information is not the only source of information received when one navigates in an environment.  I have explored how visual and nonvisual (proprioceptive and vestibular) information is integrated during self-motion.  One project that I have developed involves creating novel, sensory conflict testing paradigms in which information from vision and body senses are simultaneously available during locomotion, yet specify different magnitudes of movement (e.g., simulating the sensory information experienced while walking on moving airport sidewalk). This type of experimental design allows me to assess the role of each sensory cue individually and to gain a better understanding of how these cues interact with each other.   In another project, I have also been able to manipulate the degree with which participants actively engage in movement during "virtual" navigation as a way of studying exactly how human navigators form a "cognitive map" and find their way around. This work has provided new insight to the nature of spatial memory by identifying the critical components of spatial learning that result in different types of spatial representations.