Alumni and Recent Graduates
Previous Graduates
Michael Mannino
Tatiana Vienna
Mengsen Zhang
Jigar Modi
Will Hanh
Sarah Cohen
Avisa Asemi
Craig Nordham
Timothy Meehan
Mike Norman
I am interested in applying the nonlinear theories of complex and dynamical systems to analyze patterns in behavior and create predictive models.
Joe Norman
I am interested in how living systems generate and maintain patterns of dynamic activity simultaneously at many different spatial and temporal scales.
Tracy Romano
My research interest is to understand neuronal networks of cognitive processes in the brain. I am working on a project that will advance our understanding of working memory (WM) in the monkey. By utilizing new cutting-edge signal processing technology, I will investigate the directed influences between the Prefrontal Cortex (PFC) and Posterior Parietal Cortex (PPC) that are carried by synchronous neuronal activity.
Wei Tang
Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging Research Fellow · Charlestown, Massachusetts
My work at FAU involved a data set from fMRI scans of people doing a visual spatial attention task. Hypothetically the higher-level control regions in the brain is thought to modulate the lower-level visual regions and make the latter prepared for incoming stimuli. We identify this pre-stimulus influence using a statistical tool named 'Granger Causality Analysis', based on which further statistical approaches can give us a deeper view toward large-scale cortical networks in cognitive functions.
Carey Witkov
My research involves nonlinear resonance and its application to hearing. Unlike linear oscillators in which resonance is easily sustained, Duffing-type nonlinear oscillators slip in and out of resonance because their frequency of oscillation changes with their amplitude. Sustained resonance (autoresonance) is possible in Duffing-type nonlinear oscillators by sweeping the drive frequency or an oscillator parameter to maintain a match between drive and oscillator frequency. A paper was submitted by Dr. Liebovitch and myself to the Journal of Sound and Vibration, entitled Predicting optimal drive sweep rates for autoresonance in Duffing-type oscillators: A beat method using the Teager-Kaiser instantaneous frequency. An experiment is planned with Dr. Ali Danesh to test a possible role for autoresonance in otoacoustic emission.
Summer Rankin
My dissertation continued our work on the relationship between subjects' ability to track changes in tempo and the fractal nature of tempi. I am also analyzing multiple skilled pianists' performances of multiple composers to investigate whether the 1/f tempo structure generalizes. These studies are based on Dr. Large's Dynamic Attending Theory.
Meltem Ballan
My motivation is to understand the philosophical and physical aspect of how brain works and apply this knowledge to a specific problem. I have started to work on a project of great significance whose results may help to diagnose dyscalculia from a new perspective.
Reyna Gordon
My current research is focused on the relationship between meter/rhythm in speech and music. Over the past year, I have conducted a behavioral and EEG experiment that examines how stress patterns in song can facilitate or hinder intelligibility of sung language.
Heather Chapin
Using fMRI, I have been exploring the relationship between performance expression in music and the reported emotional and neural responses of listeners. I have also investigated the effects of attention on complex rhythm perception, rehearsal, and production using fMRI, EEG, and behavioral measures.
