Scientific interests

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Studies of attention demonstrate that we can only be aware of a small subset of information at a time. Relevant information

reaches awareness if attention operates on it, while irrelevant information filters out of our awareness. However, the mechanisms of attentional modulation, especially across different modalities, are a subject of active investigation. My research plans to elucidate the mechanisms of attention during normal conscious processing:

• How does experience affect attentional selection, specifically in audition?
• How does attention lead to cognitive and affective changes in the pain experience?

Studies of clinical conditions pertinent to awareness serve as interesting and informative pieces in the wider puzzle of consciousness. Some pathologies add or remove parts of conscious awareness, whereas others seemingly abolish awareness altogether. If conscious awareness of the self and environment depend on attention, what changes in attentional systems cause such hampered awareness? My research plans to investigate the changes in attentional systems that occur during these conditions:

• What changes in attentional systems accompany persistent vegetative state?
• What changes in attentional systems accompany blindsight patients?

Humans spend each day in a variety of brain states, which range from fully vigilant attention, through inattentiveness, drowsiness and ultimately sleep. The content of these conscious states varies greatly, prompting 

psychologists to deliberate about component processes that distinguish certain states of consciousness from others. Such states that are significantly different from normal consciousness are known as altered states of consciousness (ASC), and my research intends to understand the changes in attention that occur during these events:

• What changes in attentional systems accompany dream states?
• What changes in attentional systems accompany endogenous substances such as hallucinogens?