I am pleased to invite you to attend the MiNDS Colloquium TODAY Thursday September 18th at 3:00 in MDCL 2232. Bring your coffee cup for coffee and cookies before the talk at 2:45.

Dr. Sue Becker is a Professor in the department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour at McMaster University, and an associate member in the departments of Electrical and Computer
Engineering and Linguistics and Languages, as well as an adjunct faculty member in the Centre for Vision Research at York University, and an Associate Member of the Canadian Institutes for Advanced Research's Neural Computation and Adaptive Perception Program. Dr. Becker obtained her BSc in Psychology and MSc in Computer Science from Queen's University, and her PhD in Computer Science from the University of Toronto, and was a postdoctoral fellow at the Rotman Research Institute in Toronto for one year before becoming a faculty member at McMaster. Dr. Becker's research focuses on the neural bases of learning and memory. Her lab
employs a variety of methodologies including computational modelling, behavioural and fMRI studies to investigate questions such as how the hippocampus codes episodic and spatial memories, how exercise, stress, depression and adolescent alcohol binging affect hippocampal memory functions, and how the auditory cortex re-organizes after hearing loss and gives rise to tinnitus. Applications of this research include the development of intelligent hearing aids, model-based tinnitus treatments and brain-computer-interfaces. Dr. Becker has authored over 70 peer-reviewed papers and abstracts, and holds a joint patent for her invention of the Neurocompensator, a novel algorithm for intelligent hearing aids that is currently being marketed and sold by Vitasound Audio Inc, a new company based at McMaster's Innovation Park. She received an Innovator of Distinction Award from McMaster and a Hamilton Halton Projects of the year award for the design of the Neurocompensator hearing aid.

Sue will present two current projects in the lab relating to different aspects of the hippocampus. First she will discuss thier analyses of the role of the hippocampus and related structures in spatial and episodic memory and mental imagery, using a variety of techniques, including computational (neural network) modelling, human memory experiments in virtual reality (VR) environments, neuroimaging using fMRI and EEG, and brain-computer-interfaces. Second she will discuss the role of hippocampal neurogenesis in episodic memory, starting with predictions from their computational models and moveing on to experiments in rodents and humans, including the effects of exercise.

We look forward to seeing you all at the talk today.

Regards

Sandra

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Kathryn M Murphy PhD

Hamilton ON L8S 4K1