On behalf of Sen Cheng, Sandhiya Vijayabaskaran and Laurenz Wiskott from the Institute of Neural Computation, Faculty for Computer Science, Ruhr University Bochum, I invite you to attend a  colloquium series "Brains in Space: An Interdisciplinary Research Colloquium on Spatial Navigation". 

In this colloquium, speakers will present their research in various areas of spatial navigation, including behavioral, neuroscientific, and theoretical approaches. The goal is to foster interdisciplinary discussions along the lines of the review article "A Map of Spatial Navigation for Neuroscience" (Parra-Barrero et al., 2023) that proposes a taxonomy of spatial navigation processes in mammals. The talks will cover a diverse range of topics, from the neural underpinnings of navigation to complex navigation behaviors. Attendees will gain a better understanding of how the mammalian brain represents and navigates through space, as well as learn about several cognitive processes such as learning and memory through the lens of spatial navigation.

The colloquium takes place virtually on Tuesday's from 16:00 to 17:30 (CET) and the complete schedule can be found at https://www.ini.rub.de/teaching/courses/colloquium_brains_in_space_an_interdisciplinary_research_colloquium_on_spatial_navigation_winter_term_2024/ . The first talk is on October 29th 2024.

Confirmed speakers include: Arne Ekstrom, Klaus Gramann, Michael Hornberger, Russell Epstein, Ed Manley and Behnam Ghazinouri.

This colloquium is open to the public. Please feel free to forward this information to any of your colleagues who may be interested.

Zoom link: https://ruhr-uni-bochum.zoom-x.de/j/67839364827?pwd=RfcIgK8OUfjkwWTNCf80ARXy118xe8.1

[Meeting ID: 678 3936 4827; Passcode: 841644]

October 29th: Klaus Gramann - TU Berlin  

Title: Mobile Brain/Body Imaging in Actively Navigating Humans

Abstract: The human brain is embodied, intertwined with our physical form, leveraging this embodiment to enhance perception in complex and dynamically changing environments. Traditional brain imaging techniques have largely ignored these aspects of embodied cognition. However, recent years have witnessed a significant paradigm shift, with established brain imaging technologies being employed outside conventional experimental frameworks to record brain dynamics in actively behaving individuals. This evolution in research methodologies introduces new challenges in both hardware and analytical approaches but allows for unprecedented insights into human brain activity underlying natural cognition. In this presentation, I will provide an overview of research in the Berlin Mobile Brain/Body Imaging Labs that focus on the neural dynamics underlying human navigation using mobile EEG technologies. Utilizing Mobile Brain/Body Imaging (MoBI), I will present findings from experiments that examine multisensory integration during navigation, both within classical laboratory protocols and in scenarios that permit full-body movement in virtual and real-world settings. The results reveal substantial changes in brain dynamics in actively behaving participants compared to traditional brain imaging configurations, highlighting important implications for future research directions.


We look forward to seeing you.

Kind regards,

Vinita

-- 
Vinita Samarasinghe

Science Manager
Arbeitsgruppe Computational Neuroscience
Institut für Neuroinformatik
Ruhr-Universität Bochum, NB 3/73
Postfachnummer 110
Universitätstr. 150
D-44801 Bochum

Tel: +49 (0)234 32 27996
Email: samarasinghe@ini.rub.de