My research: attention & self-control...
Attention is what determines the contents of our mind. Self-control is our ability to resist distraction or temptation and do "something else". My research aims to understand how - in terms of brain processes - attention attenuates distractions and thus dictates self-control. Of particular interest to me is the interaction of these mechanisms with other systems, such as those that determine internal states (e.g., fatigue, anxiety, arousal, vigilance).
Its applications...
Our ability to self-control has obvious value to daily life. By understanding how attentional processes mediate self-control we may be better able to provide concrete strategies for rehabilitation of self-control where it is damaged. For instance, I am currently collaborating with Dr. Sandra Loo, to better understand how attention deficits mediate behavioral disturbances in children with ADHD. I am also working with Mark Cohen to develop a program by which neural feedback will be used to - by way of improving attention - improve self-control, and unlearn craving behaviors (e.g., in smokers).
On methodology...
To answer these question I combine multi-modal neuroimaging technology with multivariate analytical techniques. I work both with f/MRI and EEG, and hope to integrate these tools with MEG in the future. I am currently working with Mark Cohen to evaluate the utility of simultaneously recorded fMRI and EEG for analytically delineating the spatio-temporal profile of neural activity.