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Cognitive Neuroscience Seminar Series: Aya Gomaa
Beckman Institute Room 2269 (2nd floor tower room)
Contact name: Gabriele Gratton
Contact email: grattong@illinois.edu
Aya Gomaa will lecture on "Representational Similarity Analysis on Prediction in Language Comprehension"
Abstract:
Predictive processing stands as a cornerstone of human cognition, profoundly influencing various activities, including language comprehension. Over time, researchers have employed diverse methods to delve into predictive mechanisms within language comprehension, ranging from behavioral measures focusing on eye-tracking measures to electroencephalography (EEG) studies, particularly focusing on the N400 component. Recently, the advent of the Representational Similarity Analysis (RSA) framework has offered new avenues to explore the timing and nature of prediction (pre-activation) signals. Notably, RSA has primarily been applied in conjunction with EEG data in language comprehension studies. One critical aspect yet to be explored is how the number of channels used to quantify the representational signal of the RSA can impact the observed similarity across different conditions. For example, RSA is a technique that correlates spatial distributions of representations across the scalp, enabling the discernment of similarities between representations of different stimuli. By harnessing the power of EEG, by varying or increasing the number of EEG channels, we can enrich the spatial distributions that RSA operates on, thereby enhancing its efficacy.
To address this gap, we embarked on a two-fold investigation. Firstly, we sought to replicate key findings from a previous study by Hubbard and Federmeier (2021). By comparing EEG activity patterns elicited by pre-final and final words in sentences with varying levels of constraint, we observed a peak similarity in an early time window following the presentation of the pre-final word. This peak similarity varied based on the constraint level of the sentences. This suggested that rapid pre-activation occurs following certain cues. Subsequently, we explored the effects of varying the number of EEG channels from 30 to 61 channels. Interestingly, we noted an increase in the peak of the similarity signal across both strongly and weakly constrained conditions. These findings suggest that the maximal power of RSA can be harnessed with an extensive array of electrodes. However, further investigations are warranted to determine the ideal or minimum number of electrodes required to observe the maximum signal. Overall, our study sheds light on the potential impact of spatial dynamics on predictive processing in language comprehension.
Gather in the Garden
Beckman Institute Center Atrium
Contact name: Mollie Stevens
Contact email: mollie@illinois.edu
Contact phone: 217-244-2603
Join members of the Beckman community for informal conversation and coffee in the atrium!
Enter the Beckman Institute Research Image contest by May 1
Contact name: Lindy Carlisle
Contact email: mcarlisl@illinois.edu
The Beckman Institute is now accepting research images for its annual research image contest. The deadline for entries is May 1; limit one entry per person.
The winners will have their images framed and displayed in the Beckman Atrium for about a year. After that, they'll be displayed in the Beckman Director's conference room, then hung elsewhere within Beckman and possibly in other locations around the community. We also will use images on social media, digital signs, and in other communication materials.
We’re accepting entries from undergrads, grad students, postdocs/staff researchers, and faculty members. We also will allow images captured within our core research facilities by non-Beckman affiliates. Read the full rules and submit your image here:
http://go.beckman.illinois.edu/imgcontest
.This year's judges are Beckman Interim Director Cathy Murphy, Microscopy Suite Manager Cate Wallace and Core Facilities Business Manager Teppie Apperson. They judge the entries blind on visual and research interest using a scale of 1 to 10. Each category is averaged across judges and the entry with the highest score wins. If there's a tie, the Beckman director is the tiebreaker.
Beckman Apparel Pop-up Shop
Contact name: Meg Dickinson
Contact email: megd@illinois.edu
The Beckman Communications Office has opened a pop-up shop selling Beckman apparel. Find it at: https://go.beckman.illinois.edu/apparel
You can have your items shipped or pick them up at Beckman. We expect them to be available in mid-May.
We recommend you place your order by April 24. If this experience goes smoothly, we’ll offer pop-up shops several times each year.
Yoga at Beckman
Beckman Institute Room 1714
Contact name: Elena Romanova
Contact email: romanova@illinois.edu
Join us at noon on Wednesdays for yoga with a view! All sessions are free and will be held in Beckman's fifth-floor tower room. All are welcome to bring their own mat!
Beckman Interdisciplinary Safety Seminar: Research and the Stress Continuum – How Expectations Impact Lab Culture
Contact name: Kelly Powderly
Contact email: powderl2@illinois.edu
Join us for a Beckman Interdisciplinary Safety Seminar. Chris Lewis, an embedded counselor in The Grainger College of Engineering and the Counseling Center, will present, "Research and the Stress Continuum – How Expectations Impact Lab Culture."
Please
register
by 5 p.m. Friday, April 19. Pizza will be served to those who register.
Serenity: stress reduction and self-awareness
Beckman Institute Room 5269
Contact name: Shawna Graddy
Contact email: sgraddy@illinois.edu
Participate in the Tamarkoz method: "the art of self-knowledge through concentration and meditation." Please dress comfortably and bring a yoga mat (chairs will also be available if preferred). The instructor is Dr. Saloumeh DeGood, a practicing clinical psychologist, researcher and President of the Sufi Psychology Association. She currently teaches graduate courses on stress management, particularly for healthcare workers. A journal and pen will be provided to attendees upon arrival.
Serenity: Stress reduction and self-awareness
5269 Beckman (Fifth floor tower room)
Contact name: Shawna Graddy
Contact email: sgraddy@illinois.edu
The Beckman DEI Committee is excited to invite you to a workshop on the Tamarkoz method provided by Dr. Saloumeh DeGood. Come learn and participate in the Tamarkoz method which is known as “the art of self-knowledge through concentration and meditation."
Please dress comfortably and bring a journal and yoga mat (chairs will also be available if preferred).
Dr. Saloumeh DeGood is a practicing clinical psychologist, researcher and President of the Sufi Psychology Association. She currently teaches graduate courses on stress management, particularly for healthcare workers.
Registration closes April 23.
Beckman Director’s Seminar: Babak Hemmatian and Matthew Lowerison
Beckman Institute, Room 1005
Contact name: Mollie Stevens
Contact email: mollie@illinois.edu
Contact phone: 12172442603
Babak Hemmatian and Matthew Lowerison will present at the April 25, 2024 Beckman Institute Director's Seminar. The lecture will be held at noon in Beckman Insitute, room 1005. Lunch will be provided to attendees who register in advance.
Gather in the Garden
Beckman Institute Center Atrium
Contact name: Mollie Stevens
Contact email: mollie@illinois.edu
Contact phone: 217-244-2603
Join members of the Beckman community for informal conversation and coffee in the atrium!
Enter the Beckman Institute Research Image contest by May 1
Contact name: Lindy Carlisle
Contact email: mcarlisl@illinois.edu
The Beckman Institute is now accepting research images for its annual research image contest. The deadline for entries is May 1; limit one entry per person.
The winners will have their images framed and displayed in the Beckman Atrium for about a year. After that, they'll be displayed in the Beckman Director's conference room, then hung elsewhere within Beckman and possibly in other locations around the community. We also will use images on social media, digital signs, and in other communication materials.
We’re accepting entries from undergrads, grad students, postdocs/staff researchers, and faculty members. We also will allow images captured within our core research facilities by non-Beckman affiliates. Read the full rules and submit your image here:
http://go.beckman.illinois.edu/imgcontest
.This year's judges are Beckman Interim Director Cathy Murphy, Microscopy Suite Manager Cate Wallace and Core Facilities Business Manager Teppie Apperson. They judge the entries blind on visual and research interest using a scale of 1 to 10. Each category is averaged across judges and the entry with the highest score wins. If there's a tie, the Beckman director is the tiebreaker.
Graduate Student Seminar: Xiao, Ajmera
5602 Beckman Institute
Contact name: Jeanne N'Diaye
Contact email: jndiaye@illinois.edu
Two graduate students will present their research at the final Beckman Graduate Student Seminar of the spring semester: Gang Xiao and Shagun Ajmera. Lunch will be provided to attendees that register in advance. Register here: https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/743323376
The event takes place Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at noon in 5602 Beckman Institute.
Yoga at Beckman
Beckman Institute Room 5269-5th Floor Tower
Contact name: Elena Romanova
Contact email: romanova@illinois.edu
Join us at noon on Wednesdays for yoga with a view! All sessions are free and will be held in Beckman's fifth-floor tower room. All are welcome to bring their own mat!
New-to-Beckman tour
MRI Exhibit
Contact name: Lexie Kesler
Contact email: lkesler@illinois.edu
Come find out more about the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology! Learn about the barrier-busting interdisciplinary research facility and community of innovation. Tours will be offered the first Thursday of the month from 10-10:30 a.m. Register here.
STC for Quantitative Cell Biology Computational Workshop
Contact name: Chris Zwilling
Contact email: zwillin1@illinois.edu
The NSF Science and Technology Center for Qualitative Cell Biology Computational Workshop is hosting a computational workshop. More details coming soon!
Gather in the Garden
Beckman Institute Center Atrium
Contact name: Mollie Stevens
Contact email: mollie@illinois.edu
Contact phone: 217-244-2603
Join members of the Beckman community for informal conversation and coffee in the atrium!
Beckman Institute Town Hall
1005 Beckman Institute
Contact name: Stacy Olson
Contact email: srolson@illinois.edu
Beckman Institute Interim Director Cathy Murphy will share updates about the director search, new faculty and staff, the evolution of Beckman working groups to communities, and more. If you have a question you'd like Director Murphy to answer, please submit it in advance via this form: https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/615990498
Yoga at Beckman
Beckman Institute Room 5269-5th Floor Tower
Contact name: Elena Romanova
Contact email: romanova@illinois.edu
Join us at noon on Wednesdays for yoga with a view! All sessions are free and will be held in Beckman's fifth-floor tower room. All are welcome to bring their own mat!
Gather in the Garden
Beckman Institute Center Atrium
Contact name: Mollie Stevens
Contact email: mollie@illinois.edu
Contact phone: 217-244-2603
Join members of the Beckman community for informal conversation and coffee in the atrium!
Yoga at Beckman
Beckman Institute Room 5269-5th Floor Tower
Contact name: Elena Romanova
Contact email: romanova@illinois.edu
Join us at noon on Wednesdays for yoga with a view! All sessions are free and will be held in Beckman's fifth-floor tower room. All are welcome to bring their own mat!
Cookie Collab
Atrium
Contact name: Mollie Stevens
Contact email: mollie@illinois.edu
Contact phone: 12172442603
Join members of the Beckman community for coffee and cookies in the Beckman Atrium. The Cookie Collab is scheduled for 3 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month.