Positions funded by a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) grant from the National Science Foundation [abstract] are available for undergraduate students in Computer Science, Engineering, Biology, Psychology or other related fields.

Research efforts include:
  1. Psychophysical experiments on eye-movement contingent display. To precisely control the motion of a stimulus on the retina, images presented on a computer monitor are changed in real-time according to the eye movements of human subjects. Eye movements are monitored by a Dual Purkinje Image eyetracker, the most accurate eyetracker available on the market. Participation in this project will provide an opportunity to learn the experimental procedures of visual psychophysics. Students are expected to help running experiments, analyzing experimental data and interpreting results.
  2. Real-time programming and computer graphics. A crucial aspect of the psychophysical experiments is the design of software for their implementation. The experimental set up includes a state-of-the-art platform based on a dedicated computer graphics board especially designed for vision experiments. This board is programmable using a C++ library. Students will help integrating real-time display of visual stimuli with recording of eyetracker data and subject responses. Students working on this project are expected to have good knowledge of C/C++. Previous experience in real-time programming and/or computer graphics is desirable but not required.
  3. Robotic experiments: The Active Perception Lab hosts a robotic head with 2 mobile cameras. This robot is used to replicate human eye movements and interfaced with computer simulations of brain areas to study how the brain process visual information obtained during oculomotor activity. Participation in this project will provide an opportunity to gain knowledge into the motor control of robotic systems and to learn about neuronal modeling. Students with a technical background, for example in Computer Science or Engineering, are preferred.
To apply send a CV and a letter of interest to Professor Michele Rucci.