Dr Alex Clarke

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

Alex.Clarke.3@warwick.ac.uk

Department of Psychology, University of Warwick

Scientific Background

Research Interests

The central question my research tackles is how do we understand what we see? My research investigates the human brain, more specifically, the temporal dynamics through which we access semantic information about the objects we see. Recognising objects is incredibly fast and accurate, driven by the first few hundred milliseconds of brain activity, and my research aims to uncover the mysteries of how signals from the visual system are progressively transformed to support semantic behaviours. Beyond visual object recognition, I am also interested in how context shapes perceptual processes (for instance, why are you faster to recognise a kettle in the kitchen than in the bathroom?); why do we remember some things and forget others; and does what we learn in the lab translate into the real world? I use a range of cognitive neuroscience techniques such as fMRI, MEG, EEG and mobile brain imaging and mixed reality approaches.

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: Collaborative, Supportive, Goal-oriented.

Provision of Training

I prefer to get you actively involved in research early on, building technical skills alongside developing theoretical knowledge. The composition of training during your PhD will be tailored to your individual needs, enabling you to become more confident and independent later in the PhD.

Progression Monitoring and Management

I think having short, medium and long-term goals help with progression, and will be revisited on a regular basis. Goals are best when collectively set and ambitious, to help you reach your full potential.

Communication

Having clear lines of communication is important, so we can discuss issues and come to a collective decision, rather than an instructive approach. However, I am aware that at times the experience and skillset I have means I can recommend a course of action, but am always open to have my view changed.

Meetings

PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me at least once per week. These meetings will be a mixture of face-to-face and via video chat or telephone. I am usually contactable for an instant response (if required) on every working day.

Work Patterns

The timing of work in my lab is completely flexible, and (other than attending pre-arranged meetings) I expect students to manage their own time.

Notice Period for Feedback

I need at least 1 week's notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5,000 words.

MIBTP Project Details

Primary supervisor for:

Trajectories through the brain during object recognition

See the PhD Opportunities section to see if this project is currently open for applications via MIBTP.

Please Note: The main page lists projects via BBSRC Research Theme(s) quoted and then relevant Topic(s).

Trajectories through the brain during object recognition

Secondary Supervisor(s): Dr Friederike Schlaghecken, Dr Andrew Quinn

University of Registration: University of Warwick

BBSRC Research Themes:

Understanding the Rules of Life (Neuroscience and Behaviour)

Project Outline

How do we understand what we see? Visual object recognition is known to rely on the ventral visual pathway through the occipital and temporal lobe in the brain. Successful recognition requires the transformation of neural activity to access the meaning of the visual image. This happens with incredible speed, where semantic information can be read-out from the brain within half a second of seeing an image. The aim of this project is to better understand the brain mechanisms that rapidly transform visual inputs into meaningful representations.

We know that the brain processes lots of different forms of information about objects, and these change over time. One approach to understand brain representations is to map objects onto different positions within a multidimensional space. Two objects with similar brain activity will be in a similar position, while objects with different activity will be in different positions. For example, visual regions will represent a red apple and cricket ball in a similar way, but a banana and apple very differently, while semantic regions will group the banana and apple, and not the apple and cricket ball. Over time, the position of objects move in this space, from a visual to semantic representation, creating a trajectory through a phase space. This project aims to decompose these phase spaces to understand the reasons objects cluster in different ways over time. Doing so, will provide fundamental mechanistic insights into how the brain supports cognition.

The project will use time-sensitive methods such as MEG and EEG which measure neural activity in the human brain with high temporal resolution. Data analyses will use various methods such as multivariate pattern analysis, neural decoding and phase-space analysis. In addition to lab-based brain imaging studies, the project has scope to use mobile EEG recordings and mixed reality technology to investigate object processing beyond the lab, in real-world settings.