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SUMMARY:Selectivity and dynamics of human face representations - Professor
  Rafael Malach\,  Department of Neurobiology\, Weizmann Institute of Scien
 ce\, Rehovot\, Israel
DTSTART:20180601T153000Z
DTEND:20180601T163000Z
UID:TALK103612@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Louise White
DESCRIPTION:The human visual system is capable of generating a practically
  unlimited number of distinguishable visual images while flexibly grouping
  such images into identities and categories.  An extensive body of researc
 h has mapped cortical representations that are likely to perform such task
 s. However\, we are still in the dark regarding the nature and function of
  the specific neuronal processes that enable such image generating capacit
 y.  In my presentation I will focus on ventral stream human face- represen
 tations as a model system in which these issues can be conveniently studie
 d.  I will describe two prominent features of such representations\, revea
 led through fMRI and intra-cranial recordings in patients: exemplar select
 ivity and non-linear "ignition"-like dynamics.  I will attempt to provide 
 a fresh perspective on plausible neuronal mechanisms that may underlie the
 se features and their possible function in human visual perception. \n\nPr
 of. Rafael Malach received his  PhD in Physiological Optics (1982) from th
 e University of California at Berkeley.  He then spent several years as a 
 postdoctoral fellow studying neuroanatomy at the Massachusetts Institute o
 f Technology (MIT).  Since 1985\, he has joined the staff of the Weizmann 
 Institute where he holds the Levinson professorial chair in Brain Research
 \, and has recently been appointed a Tannenbaum fellow in CIFAR's  Azriely
  Program in Brain Mind and Consciousness. \nMalach's central research aim 
 is to uncover principles by which the human brain underlies the emergence 
 of high level cognitive processes- mainly perceptual awareness and free be
 haviors.  To that end he combines functional brain imaging using magnetic 
 resonance with invasive electrophysiological recordings\, performed for di
 agnostic purposes in patients.  His group has published over 150 papers co
 ntributing to the understanding of the organization and dynamics of human 
 brain areas involved in recognition and perceptual awareness.  More recent
 ly his work extended to the examination of brain activity patterns during 
 naturalistic and spontaneous behaviors and their link to ecological percep
 tion and free behaviors - such as free recall- as well as to individual ne
 uro-cognitive biases. \n\n
LOCATION:Ground Floor Lecture Theatre\, Department of Psychology
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