José L. Contreras-Vidal, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Behavioral and Computational Neuroscience
My research program integrates behavioral and computational neuroscience methods to study the neural mechanisms and computational principles underlying adaptive sensory-motor control in humans during normal and neurological conditions. To accomplish the above goal we use infrared 3D motion recording, digitizing tablets, electromyography, high-density electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG), and computer simulations of large-scale, biologically-plausible, neural networks of motor systems including the spinal cord, fronto-parietal networks, the basal ganglia and the cerebellum.
A second goal of my research is to transfer relevant biological principles (hardware and algorithms) to the design and development of a new generation of artificial hands and arms (bio-robotics). This work also involves instrumentation and actuator design, robots and haptic devices, and Java-enabled robotic platforms.
Areas of Interest:
- Movement Disorders
- Parkinson's Disease
- Aging
- Behavioral and Computational Motor Neuroscience
- Bio-robotics
- Neural Networks
Affiliate Positions:
- Regular faculty, Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Program (NACS)
- Affiliate faculty, Center on Aging
