In 2015 I have completed my PhD at the Institut für Neuroinformatik, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, working on dynamic field models of spatial cognition, visual working memory, and visual attention. These models address how activation distributions in populations of neurons can represent information on spatial locations and visual features, and how these representations can ultimately be used to generate goal oriented behavior
Many of the problems I worked on are directly or indirectly linked to saccadic eye movements. Humans often make several such movements per second to focus their gaze on different parts of their environment. And necessarily, each eye movement shifts the whole visual image. This renders any purely retinal location information that was acquired before the saccade obsolete.
I have developed a model of saccade generation that addresses the selection of visual stimuli as saccade targets and captures the biasing influence that active working memory content can have on this selection. I have also proposed a dynamic field model for transsaccadic spatial working memory, using spatial representations in two dynamically coupled spatial representation to achieve a memory for locations that is stable over gaze changes. The neural mechanism for reference frame transformation used in this context has also formed the basis for work on relational spatial language use in humans and the learning of context-depending reaching movements in macaque monkeys. Finally, I have combined my models of attentional selection and reference frame transformation to adress the problem of feature binding in visual working memory.
Based on my experience in implementing dynamic field models, I have developed the [cosivina](dynamicfieldtheory.org/resources/#/software/) toolbox for Matlab to make it faster and easier to build and test new dynamic field architectures, both for myself and for others.
I am now about to begin a position as postdoctoral research associate in the group of Paul Bays at the University of Cambridge, where I will further explore the mechanisms of human visual working memory.
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Scene memory and spatial inhibition in visual search: A neural dynamic process model and new experimental evidenceGrieben, R., Tekülve, J., Zibner, S. K. U., Lins, J., Schneegans, S., & Schöner, G.Attention, Perception, & Psychophysics
@article{GriebenTekülveZibnerEtAl2020, author = {Grieben, Raul and Tekülve, Jan and Zibner, Stephan K.U. and Lins, Jonas and Schneegans, Sebastian and Schöner, Gregor}, title = {Scene memory and spatial inhibition in visual search: A neural dynamic process model and new experimental evidence}, journal = {Attention, Perception, & Psychophysics}, year = {2020}, doi = {10.3758/s13414-019-01898-y}, }Grieben, R., Tekülve, J., Zibner, S. K. U., Lins, J., Schneegans, S., & Schöner, G.. (2020). Scene memory and spatial inhibition in visual search: A neural dynamic process model and new experimental evidence. Attention, Perception, & Psychophysics. http://doi.org/10.3758/s13414-019-01898-y2018
Sequences of discrete attentional shifts emerge from a neural dynamic architecture for conjunctive visual search that operates in continuous timeGrieben, R., Tekülve, J., Zibner, S. K. U., Schneegans, S., & Schöner, G.In T. T. Rogers, Rau, M., Zhu, X., & Kalish, C. W. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 40th Annual Conference of the Cognitive Science Society@inproceedings{GriebenTekülveZibnerEtAl2018, author = {Grieben, R and Tekülve, J. and Zibner, S.K.U. and Schneegans, S. and Schöner, G.}, title = {Sequences of discrete attentional shifts emerge from a neural dynamic architecture for conjunctive visual search that operates in continuous time}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 40th Annual Conference of the Cognitive Science Society}, editor = {Rogers, T.T. and Rau, M. and Zhu, X. and Kalish, C. W.}, year = {2018}, }Grieben, R., Tekülve, J., Zibner, S. K. U., Schneegans, S., & Schöner, G.. (2018). Sequences of discrete attentional shifts emerge from a neural dynamic architecture for conjunctive visual search that operates in continuous time. In T. T. Rogers, Rau, M., Zhu, X., & Kalish, C. W. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 40th Annual Conference of the Cognitive Science Society.2017
Restoration of fMRI decodability does not imply latent working memory statesSchneegans, S., & Bays, P. M.Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 29(12), 1977–1994@article{SchneegansBays2017, author = {Schneegans, Sebastian and Bays, Paul M.}, title = {Restoration of fMRI decodability does not imply latent working memory states}, journal = {Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience}, volume = {29}, number = {12}, pages = {1977–1994}, year = {2017}, }Schneegans, S., & Bays, P. M. (2017). Restoration of fMRI decodability does not imply latent working memory states. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 29(12), 1977–1994.2015
The Infant Orienting With Attention Task: Assessing the Neural Basis of Spatial Attention in InfancyRoss-Sheehy, S., Schneegans, S., & Spencer, J. P.Infancy, 20(5), 467–506@article{Ross-SheehySchneegansSpencer2015, author = {Ross-Sheehy, Shannon and Schneegans, Sebastian and Spencer, John P.}, title = {The Infant Orienting With Attention Task: Assessing the Neural Basis of Spatial Attention in Infancy}, journal = {Infancy}, volume = {20}, number = {5}, pages = {467–506}, year = {2015}, doi = {10.1111/infa.12087}, }Ross-Sheehy, S., Schneegans, S., & Spencer, J. P.. (2015). The Infant Orienting With Attention Task: Assessing the Neural Basis of Spatial Attention in Infancy. Infancy, 20(5), 467–506. http://doi.org/10.1111/infa.120872014
Autonomous Neural Dynamics to Test Hypotheses in a Model of Spatial LanguageRichter, M., Lins, J., Schneegans, S., Sandamirskaya, Y., & Schöner, G.In P. Bello, Guarini, M., McShane, M., & Scassellati, B. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 36th Annual Conference of the Cognitive Science Society (pp. 2847–2852) Austin, TX: Cognitive Science Society@inproceedings{RichterLinsSchneegansEtAl2014, author = {Richter, Mathis and Lins, Jonas and Schneegans, Sebastian and Sandamirskaya, Yulia and Schöner, Gregor}, title = {Autonomous Neural Dynamics to Test Hypotheses in a Model of Spatial Language}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 36th Annual Conference of the Cognitive Science Society}, editor = {Bello, P. and Guarini, M. and McShane, M. and Scassellati, B.}, pages = {2847–2852}, publisher = {Cognitive Science Society}, address = {Austin, TX}, year = {2014}, }Richter, M., Lins, J., Schneegans, S., Sandamirskaya, Y., & Schöner, G.. (2014). Autonomous Neural Dynamics to Test Hypotheses in a Model of Spatial Language. In P. Bello, Guarini, M., McShane, M., & Scassellati, B. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 36th Annual Conference of the Cognitive Science Society (pp. 2847–2852). Austin, TX: Cognitive Science Society.A neural dynamic architecture resolves phrases about spatial relations in visual scenesRichter, M., Lins, J., Schneegans, S., & Schöner, G.In 24th International Conference on Artificial Neural Networks (ICANN) (pp. 201–208) Heidelberg, Germany: Springer@inproceedings{RichterLinsSchneegansEtAl2014b, author = {Richter, Mathis and Lins, Jonas and Schneegans, Sebastian and Schöner, Gregor}, title = {A neural dynamic architecture resolves phrases about spatial relations in visual scenes}, booktitle = {24th International Conference on Artificial Neural Networks (ICANN)}, pages = {201–208}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Heidelberg, Germany}, year = {2014}, }Richter, M., Lins, J., Schneegans, S., & Schöner, G.. (2014). A neural dynamic architecture resolves phrases about spatial relations in visual scenes. In 24th International Conference on Artificial Neural Networks (ICANN) (pp. 201–208). Heidelberg, Germany: Springer.Dynamic interactions between visual working memory and saccade target selectionSchneegans, S., Spencer, J. P., Schöner, G., Hwang, S., & Hollingworth, A.Journal of vision, 14(11), 9@article{SchneegansSpencerSchönerEtAl2014, author = {Schneegans, Sebastian and Spencer, John P and Schöner, Gregor and Hwang, Seongmin and Hollingworth, Andrew}, title = {Dynamic interactions between visual working memory and saccade target selection}, journal = {Journal of vision}, volume = {14}, number = {11}, pages = {9}, year = {2014}, }Schneegans, S., Spencer, J. P., Schöner, G., Hwang, S., & Hollingworth, A. (2014). Dynamic interactions between visual working memory and saccade target selection. Journal of vision, 14(11), 9.2013
Using Dynamic Field Theory to Extend the Embodiment Stance toward Higher CognitionSandamirskaya, Y., Zibner, S. K. U., Schneegans, S., & Schöner, G.New Ideas in Psychology, 31(3), 322–339@article{SandamirskayaZibnerSchneegansEtAl2013, author = {Sandamirskaya, Yulia and Zibner, Stephan KU and Schneegans, Sebastian and Schöner, Gregor}, title = {Using Dynamic Field Theory to Extend the Embodiment Stance toward Higher Cognition}, journal = {New Ideas in Psychology}, volume = {31}, number = {3}, pages = {322–339}, year = {2013}, }Sandamirskaya, Y., Zibner, S. K. U., Schneegans, S., & Schöner, G.. (2013). Using Dynamic Field Theory to Extend the Embodiment Stance toward Higher Cognition. New Ideas in Psychology, 31(3), 322–339.2012
A neurobehavioral model of flexible spatial language behaviorsLipinski, J., Schneegans, S., Sandamirskaya, Y., Spencer, J. P., & Schöner, G.Journal of experimental psychology. Learning, memory, and cognition, 38, 1490–1511@article{LipinskiSchneegansSandamirskayaEtAl2012b, author = {Lipinski, John and Schneegans, Sebastian and Sandamirskaya, Yulia and Spencer, John P and Schöner, Gregor}, title = {A neurobehavioral model of flexible spatial language behaviors}, journal = {Journal of experimental psychology. Learning, memory, and cognition}, volume = {38}, pages = {1490–1511}, month = {April}, year = {2012}, doi = {10.1037/a0022643}, }Lipinski, J., Schneegans, S., Sandamirskaya, Y., Spencer, J. P., & Schöner, G.. (2012). A neurobehavioral model of flexible spatial language behaviors. Journal of experimental psychology. Learning, memory, and cognition, 38, 1490–1511. http://doi.org/10.1037/a0022643Sensorimotor Learning Biases Choice Behavior: A Learning Neural Field Model for Decision MakingKlaes, C., Schneegans, S., Schöner, G., & Gail, A.PLoS computational biology, 8(11), e1002774@article{KlaesSchneegansSchönerEtAl2012, author = {Klaes, Christian and Schneegans, Sebastian and Schöner, Gregor and Gail, Alexander}, title = {Sensorimotor Learning Biases Choice Behavior: A Learning Neural Field Model for Decision Making}, journal = {PLoS computational biology}, volume = {8}, number = {11}, pages = {e1002774}, year = {2012}, }Klaes, C., Schneegans, S., Schöner, G., & Gail, A. (2012). Sensorimotor Learning Biases Choice Behavior: A Learning Neural Field Model for Decision Making. PLoS computational biology, 8(11), e1002774.The Function and Fallibility of Visual Feature Integration: A Dynamic Neural Field Model of Illusory ConjunctionsLins, J., Schneegans, S., Spencer, J., & Schöner, G.Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience, (128)@article{LinsSchneegansSpencerEtAl2012, author = {Lins, Jonas and Schneegans, Sebastian and Spencer, John and Schöner, Gregor}, title = {The Function and Fallibility of Visual Feature Integration: A Dynamic Neural Field Model of Illusory Conjunctions}, journal = {Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience}, volume = {}, number = {128}, year = {2012}, doi = {10.3389/conf.fncom.2012.55.00128}, }Lins, J., Schneegans, S., Spencer, J., & Schöner, G.. (2012). The Function and Fallibility of Visual Feature Integration: A Dynamic Neural Field Model of Illusory Conjunctions. Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience, (128). http://doi.org/10.3389/conf.fncom.2012.55.00128A Neuro-Behavioral Model of Flexible Spatial Language BehaviorsLipinski, J., Schneegans, S., Sandamirskaya, Y., Spencer, J. P., & Schöner, G.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory and Cognition., 38(6), 1490–1511@article{LipinskiSchneegansSandamirskayaEtAl2012, author = {Lipinski, J. and Schneegans, S. and Sandamirskaya, Y. and Spencer, J.P. and Schöner, G.}, title = {A Neuro-Behavioral Model of Flexible Spatial Language Behaviors}, journal = {Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory and Cognition.}, volume = {38}, number = {6}, pages = {1490–1511}, year = {2012}, }Lipinski, J., Schneegans, S., Sandamirskaya, Y., Spencer, J. P., & Schöner, G.. (2012). A Neuro-Behavioral Model of Flexible Spatial Language Behaviors. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory and Cognition., 38(6), 1490–1511.A neural mechanism for coordinate transformation predicts pre-saccadic remappingSchneegans, S., & Schöner, G.Biological cybernetics, 106(2), 89–109@article{SchneegansSchöner2012, author = {Schneegans, Sebastian and Schöner, Gregor}, title = {A neural mechanism for coordinate transformation predicts pre-saccadic remapping}, journal = {Biological cybernetics}, volume = {106}, number = {2}, pages = {89–109}, year = {2012}, }Schneegans, S., & Schöner, G.. (2012). A neural mechanism for coordinate transformation predicts pre-saccadic remapping. Biological cybernetics, 106(2), 89–109.A neural-dynamic architecture for flexible spatial language: intrinsic frames, the term “between”, and autonomyvan Hengel, U., Sandamirskaya, Y., Schneegans, S., & Schöner, G.In 21st IEEE International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication (Ro-Man) 2012 (pp. 150–157)@inproceedings{van HengelSandamirskayaSchneegansEtAl2012, author = {van Hengel, U and Sandamirskaya, Y and Schneegans, S and Schöner, G}, title = {A neural-dynamic architecture for flexible spatial language: intrinsic frames, the term “between”, and autonomy}, booktitle = {21st IEEE International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication (Ro-Man) 2012}, pages = {150–157}, year = {2012}, }van Hengel, U., Sandamirskaya, Y., Schneegans, S., & Schöner, G.. (2012). A neural-dynamic architecture for flexible spatial language: intrinsic frames, the term “between”, and autonomy. In 21st IEEE International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication (Ro-Man) 2012 (pp. 150–157).2011
A Neurodynamic Architecture for the Autonomous Control of a Spatial Language SystemSchneegans, S., & Sandamirskaya, Y.In ICDL-EPIROB@inproceedings{SchneegansSandamirskaya2011, author = {Schneegans, S. and Sandamirskaya, Y.}, title = {A Neurodynamic Architecture for the Autonomous Control of a Spatial Language System}, booktitle = {ICDL-EPIROB}, year = {2011}, }Schneegans, S., & Sandamirskaya, Y.. (2011). A Neurodynamic Architecture for the Autonomous Control of a Spatial Language System. In ICDL-EPIROB.A representation of projective and topological spatial terms within a neurodynamic framework for spatial language behaviorsvan Hengel, U., Schneegans, S., , Y. S., & Schöner, G.In Front. Comput. Neurosci.: Computational Neuroscience & Neurotechnology Bernstein Conference & Neurex Annual Meeting, BC11@conference{van HengelSchneegansEtAl2011, author = {van Hengel, Ulja and Schneegans, Sebastian and , Yulia Sandamirskaya and Schöner, Gregor}, title = {A representation of projective and topological spatial terms within a neurodynamic framework for spatial language behaviors}, booktitle = {Front. Comput. Neurosci.: Computational Neuroscience & Neurotechnology Bernstein Conference & Neurex Annual Meeting, BC11}, year = {2011}, doi = {10.3389/conf.fncom.2011.53.00184}, }van Hengel, U., Schneegans, S., , Y. S., & Schöner, G.. (2011). A representation of projective and topological spatial terms within a neurodynamic framework for spatial language behaviors. In Front. Comput. Neurosci.: Computational Neuroscience & Neurotechnology Bernstein Conference & Neurex Annual Meeting, BC11. http://doi.org/10.3389/conf.fncom.2011.53.001842008
Dynamic Field Theory as a framework for understanding embodied cognitionSchneegans, S., & Schöner, G.In P. Calvo & Gomila, T. (Eds.), Handbook of cognitive science: An embodied approach (pp. 241–271) Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier@inproceedings{SchneegansSchöner2008, author = {Schneegans, Sebastian and Schöner, Gregor}, title = {Dynamic Field Theory as a framework for understanding embodied cognition}, booktitle = {Handbook of cognitive science: An embodied approach}, editor = {Calvo, P and Gomila, T}, pages = {241–271}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam, Netherlands}, year = {2008}, }Schneegans, S., & Schöner, G.. (2008). Dynamic Field Theory as a framework for understanding embodied cognition. In P. Calvo & Gomila, T. (Eds.), Handbook of cognitive science: An embodied approach (pp. 241–271). Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier.