The Motion-Action-Perception (MAP) Laboratory focuses on how one’s senses and perceptions guide one’s actions. In other words, we study how sensorimotor, perceptual and psychological influences control human movement. The human nervous system uses highly complex and extremely sensitive processes to help a human stand, walk, and reach/grasp/manipulate objects. Any damage or disease to the nervous system can affect how well these processes work and in turn how well a person can function. Clinical populations such as Parkinson’s disease, TBI, PTSD, and various sensorimotor disorders are some of the diseases and injuries that we investigate. One approach to solving these problems involves the use and development of advanced technologies including virtual reality goggles and smart phone applications to find portable and economically accessible solutions to investigating the human nervous system.
Additionally, with cutting-edge research-grade equipment such as motion capture cameras for studying body movements, video-oculography for studying eye movements, force plates for studying balance, electromyography equipment for studying muscle activity, and MRI for studying brain activity, we are able to map out how perception and action reciprocally shape our experience. In this way, we can more accurately detect and treat sensory, motor and cognitive impairments, leading to healthy independent living.
Director
