human vision

Neuroscientist Kalanit Grill-Spector studies the physiology of human vision and says that the ways computers and people see are in some ways similar, but in other ways quite different. In fact, she says, rapid advances in computational modeling, such as deep neural networks, applied to brain data and new imaging technologies, like quantitative MRI and diffusion MRI, are revolutionizing our understanding of how the human brain sees. We’re unraveling how the brain “computes” visual information, as Grill-Spector tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

Chapter Time Stamps:

(00:01:30) Episode introduction: Exploring the fascinating field of cognitive neuroscience and brain development with Kalanit Grill-Spector.

(00:02:45) Dr Grill-Spector's background and research interests: The intersection of cognitive neuroscience, psychology, and computer science.

(00:04:00) The crucial role of experience in shaping brain development: Understanding how environmental factors influence neural specialization.

(00:09:55) The development of word processing regions in the brain: Investigating the emergence and evolution of brain regions associated with reading and word recognition.

(00:11:30) The evolution of word specialization and its implications: Exploring how the brain acquires the ability to read and process words.

(00:14:20) Shift in research focus to studying brain development in infants: Exploring the critical early phases of brain development and the impact of experience on neural circuits.

(00:16:40) Pokemon, Brain Representation, and Perception: The surprising findings on the continued development of word and face processing regions. Discovering the extended period of specialization and plasticity in these brain areas.

(00:19:10) Unexpected decline in specialization for body parts, particularly hands: Examining the trade-off between different cognitive abilities as brain regions specialize.

(00:22:00) Understanding the potential impact of experience on brain organization: Examining how environmental factors shape the neural pathways and cognitive capabilities.

(00:25:00) Investigating the influence of Pokemon on brain representation and perception: Analyzing the effects of exposure to specific visual stimuli on brain organization.

(00:27:15) The unique characteristics of Pokemon stimuli: Exploring how visual features, animacy, and stimulus size affect brain responses.

(00:29:00) Specificity of brain representation for Pokemons: Uncovering whether the brain develops distinct neural pathways for Pokemon stimuli.

(00:31:45) Comparing the effects of word learning: Understanding the potential trade-offs in brain specialization.

(00:32:45) Technical challenges in studying infant's brains: Discussing the need for new tools and analysis methods to study developing brains.

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Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website

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Connect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X

Dr. Gullapalli N Rao, Founder of the LV Prasad Eye Institute in Hyderabad, talks about human vision, eye health, and the transformation of eye care in India on Episode 147 of The Pragati Podcast.

Dr. Rao talks to host Pavan Srinath about how myopia is a growing challenge across the world and in India. They discuss how India's opthalmological practice leads the rest of healthcare in various aspects, how eye care in metropolitan India is now comparable to anywhere in the world, and explore how eye care can be made affordable for all Indians across the country.

Dr. Gullapalli Nageswara Rao is Founder and Chairman of the L V Prasad Eye Institute, which he started in Hyderabad in 1987. Returning to India after a successful career in the United States as an academic ophthalmologist, Dr. Rao and other leaders across South India helped revolutionize the quality and access to eye care across cities and states. Dr. Rao continues to be an active researcher and a key advocate of affordable eye care and prevention of blindness in India, and across the world. He was honored with a Padma Shri in 2002, and was elected to the Ophthalmology Hall of Fame in 2017 by the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

Since Episode 142, The Pragati Podcast is now available in a new rich and interactive format that goes beyond the audio, and enables listeners to explore contextual links, take polls, and more. Visit tinyurl.com/pragati147 and listen to this episode on your web or mobile browser, on or the IVM Podcasts Android App or the Adori iOS App for the full experience.

For all feedback, write in to podcast@thinkpragati.com or reach out to host Pavan Srinath at @zeusisdead on Twitter: twitter.com/zeusisdead .

Follow The Pragati Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/pragatipod & Twitter: twitter.com/thinkpragati & Facebook: facebook.com/thinkpragati . The Pragati Podcast is made possible thanks to the support of The Takshashila Institution and the Independent Public-Spirited Media Foundation (IPSMF).

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