Research Interests and Publications:

Dr. Sereno studies the neural basis of perception and cognition using experimental and computational approaches. Her recent work has focused on investigating the neural basis of 3-D form perception using non-invasive hi-resolution functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in human and monkey subjects. Results in the monkey suggest that 3D shape from static (e.g., shading) and motion cues is represented in both dorsal and ventral pathways. Recent experiments in humans using the same stimuli and paradigms are aimed at establishing homologies between functionally-defined brain regions in the monkey and human. Other behavioral and imaging experiments in human subjects explore executive function (i.e., the ability to attend to 3D vs. 2D aspects of 3D displays) in artists (subjects with training in drawing) and non-artists (subjects without training in drawing).

Some of Dr. Sereno's other research involves: 1) using brain imaging methods to understand components of cognitive processing during real world tasks such as map reading; 2) investigating the role of working memory in top-down control of selective attention; and 3) building partially pre-specified multistage models of the visual system in which response properties of higher stages develop as the model "learns from experience."

Selected Publications:

Oh, S. & Sereno, M.E. (2007) Attentional control:  Be more specific!  Vision Sciences Society Meeting Abstract.

Sereno, M.E., Augath, M., & Logothetis, N.K. (2005) Differences in processing of 3-D shape from multiple cues in monkey cortex revealed by fMRI. Neuroscience Abstracts.

Sereno, M.E., Trinath, T., Augath, M., & Logothetis, N.K. (2002) Three-dimensional shape representation in monkey cortex. Neuron, 33, 635-652.

Sereno, M.E., & Sereno, M.I. (1999). 2-D center-surround effects on 3-D structure-from-motion. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 25, 1834-1854.

Sereno, M.E. (1993). Neural Computation of Pattern Motion: Modeling stages of motion analysis in the primate visual cortex. Cambridge: MIT Press/Bradford Books.