Neuromorphic engineering takes inspiration from the signal processing structures found in the brain and physical attributes of animals to design new computers and robots capable of the amazing sensorimotor feats seen in nature. From neurons to behavior, the low-power, robust, real-time, and adaptive nature of biological systems serves as a proof-of-concept of the unique implementation developed by evolution. These principles have been applied to software models of sensory processing, VLSI implementations of neural circuits, and robot design.

The diverse group of researchers within NACS addressing these issues spans many departments: Kinesiology, Biology, Psychology, and Electrical Engineering. Projects range from posture control and locomotion in humans to lamprey, to behavior and neurophysiology in the big brown bat, to learning in song birds, to neuromorphic VLSI sensory systems and mobile robotics. In all of these diverse projects, however, the main research objectives are to bring to bear analytical and modeling tools as well as viewpoints from many different disciplines to develop a broad understanding of how sensory motor interactions produce effective behavior.


Abshire, Pamela, Elec. & Computer Eng

Biotechnology, Channel capacity and efficiency of blowfly photoreceptors, Channel capacity and efficiency of silicon photoreceptors, Fundamental limits on switching energy of the CMOS inverter, Silicon-On-Sapphire (SOS) Photodetectors

Clark, Jane, Kinesiology

Dr.Clark's work focuses on understanding the development of movement control and coordination in motor skills. Her current work examines the role of sensory information in the development of upright posture and locomotion in infants. She also has an on-going project to study perception-action relationships with children who have motor coordination problems.

Cohen, Avis, Biology

My colleagues and I study an isolated piece of the nervous system, but an isolated piece that can perform a "behavior." In particular, we study the isolated spinal cord of a primitive vertebrate, the lamprey. The work is focused on the mechanisms underlying the generation of an organized motor behavior, locomotion.

Cohen, Leonardo G., Chief, Human Cortical Physiology Section and Stroke Neurorehabilitation Clinic,

The goal of our activity is to understand the mechanisms underlying plastic changes in the human central nervous system and to develop novel therapeutic approaches for recovery of function based on these advances. We utilize transcranial magnetic (TMS)and DC (tDCS) stimulation, fMRI, TMS in combination with fMRI, MR spectroscopy, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), PET scanning and magnetoencephalography (MEG) alone or in combination with brain computer interfaces (BCI). We investigate mechanisms of human plasticity in healthy volunteers and the impact in treatment of patients with stroke.

Contreras-Vidal, Jose, Kinesiology

Dr. Contreras-Vidal's 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.

Hatfield, Bradley, Kinesiology

The focus of Dr. Hatfield's program in exercise and sport psychology deals with both the health-related and performance-related aspects of humans in exercise/sport settings.

Herberholz, Jens, Psychology

Research in my lab investigates the neural basis of animal behavior. We are interested in identifying and examining neural circuitry that controls aggression, social status, escape, learning & memory.

Hodos, William, Psychology

My current research interests are in the evolution of the nervous system and behavior, comparative psychology, neural basis of sensory processes, animal psychophysics, and physiological optics.

Horiuchi, Timothy, Elec. & Computer Eng

Dr. Horiuchi's research program is centered on the development of neural models of sensorimotor behavior and their implementation in VLSI for use in robotic demonstration systems. The laboratory is currently focused on bat echolocation and other auditory and visual projects.

Jeka, John J., COGMO Lab Director, Kinesiology, Bioengineering

The major research focus of my work is targeted towards understanding the integration of multisensory information in functional behavior such as standing and walking. We use these findings to develop biotechnology for individuals with movement disorders.

Kanold, Patrick, Biology

Mechanisms and circuits involved in the maturation of the cortical circuitry, development of patterned projection in the brain and the relation of synaptic maturation to critical periods, and development of the central auditory system.

Krishnaprasad, P. S., Elec. & Computer Eng

Dr. Krishnaprasad's research interests lie in Mathematical Models in Biophysics, Control Theory, Legged Locomotion, Robotics, Collective Phenomena (flocking, swarming), Geometric Methods in Control Theory and in Data Analysis, Evolutionary Game Theory, Bat Echolocation and Flight Behavior, and Auditory Neuroscience.

Levine, William, Elec. & Computer Eng

Dr. Levine's research interests are in the areas of application of modern control theory to the study of the nervous system's control of movement and; control theory and its applications with emphasis on computer aided control system design; application of computers and computation to network control; and applications of modern control and estimation theory to biomedical and aerospace problems.

Moss, Cynthia, Psychology

Our research program is directed at understanding auditory information processing and sensorimotor integration in vertebrates. In our lab, the echolocating bat serves as a model system for a neuroethologically-based study of hearing and perceptually-guided behavior.

Newcomb, Robert, Elec. & Computer Eng

Dr. Newcomb's interests lie in analog VLSI, biomedical engineering especially ear type systems and heart models), circuit and systems theory (especially semistate theory and multiport synthesis), microsystems, neural networks (hardware & biologically motivated), robotics.

Roesch, Matthew R., Psychology

My laboratory studies the neural mechanisms of cognition and their disturbance in disorders such as addiction and schizophrenia. We are interested in the neural underpinnings of reward, learning, motivation, conflict, attention and decision-making. For example, we are currently investigating how the brain guides decisions based on expected outcomes and violations in those expectations. We address these issues with a variety of approaches in behaving rats, including neurophysiology, pharmacology, lesions and drug self-administration.

Shim, Jae Kun, Kinesiology

Dr. Shim's research is currently focused on biomechanics and motor control of (1) hand and digits and (2) lower extremity amputee locomotion as well as their applications to medicine, rehabilitation, and ergonomics. He is especially interested in understanding the CNS control mechanism for motor redundancy, developments of motor functions in typically developing children as well as children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD), and developmental changes and intervention & adaptation of motor functions in elderly persons and the persons with neurological/genetic disorders or stroke. He uses techniques of biomechanics, motor control and neurophysiology: kinematic analysis using motion capture systems, kinetic/dynamic analysis, neuromuscular training, TMS, EMG, MEG, fMRI, optic fiber Bragg grading (FBG) force sensors, 6-D kinetic pen, etc.

Simon, Jonathan Z., Elec. & Computer Eng, Biology

I am active in a number of research areas, all under the general headings of Auditory Neural Computations and Representations,Computational and Theoretical Neuroscience, and Signal Processing in Biological Systems. My specific research areas are: Magnetoencephalography (MEG): Experimental Research, Analysis, and Signal Processing of Large Scale Neural Data. Coincidence Detection and Neural Coding of Temporal Information in Auditory Brainstem: Modeling. Neural Processing of Spectrotemporal Auditory Information in Mammals: Physiology and Modeling. Signal Processing and Neural Data.

Yager, David D., Psychology

The overarching goal of our laboratory is to find out how insect auditory systems are able to acquire and process acoustic information to yield complex, adaptive behaviors. We are especially interested in the evolution of hearing in insects, and have chosen the very unusual praying mantis ear as a model system.

• Auditory Neuroethology Lab
• Computational Sensorimotor System Lab
• Intelligent Servosystems Laboratory