Head of Laboratory: Human Brain and Learning Laboratory
Research at the HBL laboratory focuses on the neuro-behavioral constraints that are imposed on the ability of humans to acquire, retain and master novel skills (“how to” knowledge). The studies stem from the notion that human learning and especially the generation of long-term memory reflects a set of basic and highly controlled biological processes (neuronal plasticity), at cellular and brain systems level, that need to be accounted for, and satisfied in order to achieve mastery and skill. The goal is to contribute to a neuro-behavioral perspective on learning, across the human life span, so as to better recruit biological memory processes in the practice of teaching, skill acquisition and in the rehabilitation of disabled individuals. In the lab, analyses of behavior, physiological measurements and brain-imaging techniques are employed to study learning and memory in multiple domains; from the generation of novel movement sequences to the mastery of a new language.
