Dr.
Wendelken's research focuses on disentangling the neural
mechanisms that support complex reasoning and cognitive control. In his
computer science dissertation research (UC-Berkeley) he extended the
SHRUTI connectionist architecture to create a neurobiologically
inspired model of decision-making and cognitive
control.
Computational modeling has been directed at understanding
working
memory, and has shown that working memory for
structured
information
can be supported by joint the joint operation of control circuits in
lateral PFC and spatial representations in superior parietal
cortex. Recent fMRI studies have examined the implications of
this
model, and
confirmed its main predictions. The role of anterior prefrontal cortex
in reasoning has been another main topic of interest.
Recent fMRI studies have shown that this region is engaged by
relational integration, or second-order relational processing, when
multiple relational representations must be jointly considered.
Chris
Blais
Post-Doctoral
Scholar
cblais@berkeley.edu
cv
Chris’
(BA
’01, MA ’02, PhD, ’06; U Waterloo)
background is in attention and visual word recognition. His doctoral
dissertation in cognitive psychology examined the role of
‘mental set’ in selective attention. His current
interests relate to how and at what level cognitive control is
implemented in brain (e.g., Blais et al, 2007, Psychological Review).
Michael
Souza
Graduate
Student
mjsouza@berkeley.edu
cv
Michael (BA '05, MA '07; University of California, Davis) is
a 5
th-year
Ph.D. student in the Department of Psychology at UC
Berkeley. He is part of a multi-lab research team that is developing a
novel
computer-based tool to manipulate demands on aspects of cognitive
control.
Michael’s dissertation work focuses on the development of
this tool, as well
as its potential applications, including cognitive training and
neuropsychological
measurement. In addition to his research, Michael is an avid
teacher, and
is the instructor of Psychology 2 at UC Berkeley for Fall 2009.
