VR.NeuroCog
Virtual-Reality & NeuroCognition Lab
Prof. Miriam Reiner @Edu.Technion
Prof. Miriam Reiner
Head of the Virtual-Reality & NeuroCognition lab
I am an associate professor at the Technion, the founder and head of the Virtual Reality and Neurocognition lab. A graduate of the Technion (1st, 2nd and 3rd degrees), visiting Prof at Stanford.
I study brain processes and apply to design of cutting edge technologies that enhance human cognitive potential.
my research targets identifying the conditions under which the brain processes information optimally, and apply my findings to develop brain-inspired novel technologies that match how the brain works and hence enhance human potential. I received more than 1.7 MEuro from the EU to develop the science behind the above technology. In addition my research and development is supported by funds such as Microsoft, Defense Ministry of Israel and Logitech.
I have been centrally active to founding and initiating the new domain of 'remote presence' technologies in the EU, and have chaired or participated as a member in many committees that designed new calls, identified emerging novel technologies, or needs in the EU, and similarly at NSF committees, and studied emerging 3D technologies The Center for media Innovation at NTU Singapore and human-robot interaction at the University College London. I am a visiting Assoc. Professor at Stanford and UCL (UK) Computer Science, and at University of Chapel Hill North-Carolina Computer-Science.
Tami Gelfeld, Lab engineer
Sensor-based 3D modeling, Stereoscopic perception, VR EEG/ERP signals
I am the lab engineer of the NeuroVR group, and am interested in novel methodologies of 3D modelling using data from multi-modal and multi-channel sensors in the physical environment.
In addition, I work on stereoscopic visual representation and perception, and look for conditions for optimal/enhanced human perception. A tangential domain that I find interesting and work on is signal processing of brain measures of EEG. I develop methods for analysis of ERP's correlated with events in virtual reality and search for new physiological correlates of cognitive conditions.
Dr. Chen Ryder
Postdoc research associate
Developing novel virtual reality (VR) applications for ADHD clinical diagnosis and learning enhancement
At present, I am the head of the Brain Research Laboratory at Neurology unit at Ziv Medical Center, Safed. Simultaneously, I hold a position of post-doctoral research associate in the Technion's Virtual-Reality & NeuroCognition lab.
My research interests focus on neurocognitive and electrophysiological techniques for clinical neuropsychological assessment. Today I am developing a new diagnostic battery combining neurocognitive, electro-physiological and virtual reality implements aimed at ADHD subtypes classification. I’m interested in applying the smart virtual classroom to explore behavioral and physiological correlates of participants with ADHD in virtual scenario.
Boris Yazmir, PhD student
Error related potentials evoked by disturbances during continuous motion
I am PhD student in EEG signals field in the lab. My background is Bio-Medical engineering. I have B.Sc. in Bio-Medical engineering and Master degree.
My research is on topic of Error related signals in EEG during continuous motion. I convey motor experiments with parallel EEG recordings and post-processing. These experiments check different erroneous conditions during motion.
Alex Dan, PhD student
EEG comparison of learning with 3D Digital Human Avatar vs. 2D Video
Alex is a visionary professional and researcher. His main focus is multidisciplinary environments applied on learning and instruction, and applied cognitive and physiological measurements. His current focus is on using innovative technology and multimedia in learning and instructional design.
He is also a motivating and talented instructor driven to inspire students to pursue academic and personal excellence. He strives to create a challenging and engaging learning environment in which students become life-long scholars and learners.
Fields of interest: Cognitive load theory, neuroeducation, physiological measures of mental load, innovative educational technologies, distance learning, project management teaching, cognitive biases, judgment and decision-making
Anat Dahan, PhD student
In Search of Motor Biomarkers for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
My main interest is in finding motor and neural markers for ADHD. I am developing a game in a 3d virtual environment that would aid in finding such markers. While subjects play the game, we perform ongoing measurement of their movement kinematics and of the evoked potentials from their brains. We hope to find tools that can aid in precise measures for ADHD diagnostics.
I did my Masters degree at the Technion's Vision-Research lab, in the faculty of Biomedical engineering. My research studied the visual cues minimally-sufficient to activate the brain's Mirror-Neuron-System, and involved running fMRI scans on human subjects, analysis of the resulting signals and their statistical properties, and integrating it theoretically with the research literature and the existing neuroscientific knowledge. I have a B.Sc in computer science, and extensive experience in software engineering.
Amit Rosen, PhD student
Effects of unaware clues on solving problems through insight
My research handles the effects of unaware clues on solving problems through insight. The study includes taking EEG measurements during the solution process. This study has a great importance in understanding the way in which our brain functions during problem solving and the ways to influence the thought processes
Darian Ryder, PhD student
Virtual collaborative Learning Enhancement: Paradigms & Prototypes
My academic background is diverse, an M.Sc in Chemoinformatics from the Hebrew university and a B.Sc in Biotechnolgy. Professional expertise involves Data Mining, Machine Learning, Stochastic Alg. and experience as a data scientist.
My main interests focus on enriching and promoting collaborative learning experiences through technologies. These technologies involve Virtual Realities combined with EEG, haptics and eye tracking, based on theory and insight.
In my current research, I aim to answer the following questions:
- How can we create a collaborative, social, engaging learning experience using Virtual / Augmented Reality (VR/AR) technologies?
- What effects such experiences might have on cognitive development from a societal perspective?
I perceive learning as the essence of understanding and perception, which can result in problem solving.My research aim to facilitate needed shift to enhance humanity dramatically, making Collaborative Learning a tangible reality.
Avivit Dolev, Researcher
Stress and Insight moments in relation to visual stimuli
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As an expert School Psychologist, I often meet stressful situations among children, youths and adults (parents and teachers).
Although stress is mostly synonymous to negative influences, there are also positive effects such as brilliant ideas that comes to mind all of a sudden under pressure.
As a Computer Analyst and expert Programmer, I'm using the advanced technology tools in the Lab for my research.
My research looks into the relationship between stress and insight moments.
This study has a great importance in empowerment of 'Thinking out of the box' and of handling daily stress in schools.
Rotem Bennet, PhD student
Virtually Situated Embodied-Cognition: Theory & Practice
Cognition is deeply rooted in how we physically perceive our body and its interactions with the world. What will happen if we *dramatically* change these perceptions??!
- What can we bring from VR experiments into understanding of real-world Embodied-Cognition?
- How can we create inherently novel learning experiences using VR/AR technologies?
- Will VR experiences significantly modify/enhance human cognitive capacities?
My main interest is in bringing novel insights from human NeuroCognition into Virtual-Reality, particularly using innovative sensing, haptics, and visualization technologies.
Until recently I've been working at Microsoft-Research labs on Virtual/Mixed reality prototypes and projects (e.g. Kinect, HoloLens), mainly using image processing, CGI, and vision algorithms.
I have M.Sc. in CS (Technion, Theory of Computational Learning), B.Sc. in CS & Psychology (Hebrew university), and extensive experience in the industry as software developer, and as research-assistant in various brain research labs.
Lulu Ghara, M.Sc. student
Explicit vs. implicit physics knowledge: Motion of the pendulum
In my research I'm trying to find weather the explicit knowledge of students – as expressed verbally, differ from the implicit knowledge of the students, as recorded using EEG and motor responses.
I finished first degree in Bio-medical Engineering, and right now I'm a physics teacher in High-school.
Remonda Bebar, M.Sc. student
Effect of Arabic language diglossia on students' understanding of physics
I'm a physics teacher in junior high, 9th grade students. I have a B.Sc. In mathematics and physics from the Haifa university, and M.Ed. In physics education from Oranim college.
My study deals with the effect of Arabic language diglossia on Arabic students' understanding of physics. The research is a combination of qualitative and quantitative methodologies. My work as a national physics instructor interacts with, and supports, my academic study.
I'm proud to be part of this lab.
Nir Segal, M.Sc. student
Consolidation of semantic memory through EEG Neurofeedback
Physics teacher, student of a master degree.
I am interested in the functioning of the brain waves EEG on the consolidation of semantic memory to improve the memory ability.
Shimon Komarovsky, M.Sc. student
Research on software enabling development of equations in Physics theories
Constructing a data-base of mathematical operators and a scientific development of models and theories. A collection of operational tools and mathematical expressions (such as equations) in scientific domains, particularly in Physics and Engineering.
M.Sc.Ed student in the education faculty in technion, under Prof. Miriam Reiner supervision.
Guy Zuckerman, M.Sc. student
Enhancing cognition & learning skills via extreme action video game playing
Children fascinate me - The way they look at things for the first time and the way they learn new skills and things forgotten long ago by adults.
Recent studies show that players of action video games, mainly First Person Shooter (FPS) ones, show enhanced cognitive skills, which are related to perceptual and spatial cognition.
In my research, I am trying to find a correlation between playing FPS games by elementary school pupils and enhancement of cognitive skills, which are related to mathematics and geometry learning.
For the last ten years I have been working as an operational requirements and HMI definitions specialist of advanced technology systems.
I have a B.Sc. in Molecular Biochemistry (Technion) and L.Lb. in Law (Tel-Aviv university)