Exploring the brain's response to faces using maps of the cortical surface
Sonia Bishop, Professor
Psychology
Closed. This professor is continuing with Spring 2024 apprentices on this project; no new apprentices needed for Fall 2024.
In this project, we are using multi-feature encoding models to analyse functional magnetic resonance imaging data collected when participants look at naturalistic examples of emotional faces. The goal is to better understand how tuning to facial information (expression, gender, age etc) varies across the cortical surface of the human brain. We also seek to understand how this varies as a function of individual differences in Autism related traits and face processing abilities.
Role: As part of this project, we need to create maps of the cortical surface of participants' brains. We will guide you through leveraging Python packages and applications to build flatmaps, that is flattened images of the brain, that help visualize its 3D surface as a 2D surface, from MRI images.
Working on this project offers the opportunity to learn more about structures in the brain, get experience directly exploring brain images and processing complex neuroimaging data and to improve your understanding of MRI analysis and coding in Python. It will also provide the opportunity to see a large, long-term research project from behind the scenes, and actively participate in lab meetings and discussions.
Qualifications: - Some programming experience in Python
- Basic navigation abilities in Command Line or Terminal
- Interested in the intersection between psychology, neuroscience and computer science
Hours: 9-11 hrs
Off-Campus Research Site: remote working, zoom supervision you need to have a laptop you can remote log in from - either a mac or pc
Related website: http://bishoplab.berkeley.edu
Education, Cognition & Psychology Social Sciences