To: hchan@well.com
From: "Anthony M. Norcia" <amn@ski.org>
Subject: RA's in Visual Development at Smith-Kettlewell
</bigger></fontfamily><bigger><fontfamily><param>Palatino</param><bigger>Two
Research Associate positions will be available this summer in the
Infant Vision Laboratory at the Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research
Institute. The first position is on a continuing NIH project and the
second is on an anticipated new NIH project. The first position
involves continuing developmental studies of perceptual binding in
``middle vision" and the second involves new developmental studies of
rivalry and stereopsis.
The continuing project involves studies of two forms of perceptual
integration --- contour integration --- in which local measurements of
orientation are integrated into smooth contours and motion integration
--- in which local motion measurements must be integrated into a global
motion percept. Parallel studies are planned in adults, normally
developing infants and adults with a history of amblyopia. (Amblyopic
observers have deficits in both contour and motion integration).
Integration in both domains will be indexed by novel Visual Evoked
Potential measures. Adults will participate in psychophysical
experiments comparing perceptual and electrophysiological indices of
integration. We anticipate the use of high-density (64-channel)
recordings in both infants and adults. The project thus covers a wide
range of subject matter and techniques. Strong quantitative skills are
an asset, as is an interest in development.
The new project involves studies of the development of rivalry and its
relationship to developing binocular vision in normal infants.
Traditional theories of rivalry and its development view rivalry as a
low-level visual function that emerges simultaneously with stereopsis.
We have found that rivalry appears to be quite immature in infants who
are old enough to demonstrate stereopsis. We base our conclusions on a
new Visual Evoked Potential technique that can track rivalry
alternations directly and in real-time (Brown et al., Invest. Ophthal.
Vis Sci., 1999). The goals of this project are to explain why rivalry
fails in infants and to re-evaluate rivalry in relationship to
stereopsis, using developmental association/dissociation as a means to
test models. The project will utilize Visual Evoked Potential
recordings, behavioral and oculumotor measurements in infants, plus
psychophysical measurements in adults. Research interest in binocular
vision is desirable as is an interest in visual development, combined
with strong quantitative skills.
I will be available at ARVO to meet with prospective candidates.
Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Anthony M. Norcia via
email and to forward Curriculum Vitae to the address below. Additional
information regarding Smith-Kettlewell and the Infant Vision Laboratory
can be found at the Smith-Kettlewell website: www.ski.org.
</bigger></fontfamily></bigger>
Anthony M. Norcia, Ph.D.
Senior Scientist
Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute
2318 Fillmore St. San Francisco, CA 94115
Ph: (415) 345-2052 FAX: (415) 345-8455
<<<<http://www.ski.org/AMNorcia_lab/>>
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