Ms Angela langdon

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2010 Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarship

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“Despite recent advances in the non-invasive measurement of brain activity in humans, a comprehensive understanding of the biophysical processes that give rise to cognitive functions, such as perception, is still lacking.”

Angela Langdon, a PhD candidate at the University of New South Wales has won a 2010 Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarship.

Through her Fulbright, Angela will spend 12 months at the Centre for Neural Science, New York University developing a mathematical model of the brain that can give insight into brain function. The project will form part of her current PhD research.

She will examine the question: how does neuronal activity in the human brain give rise to sensory perception? To this end, she aims to develop mathematical models that predict how networks of neurons react to sensory signals. These models will give insight into the fundamental biophysical processes of brain function.

“I will work with Professor John Rinzel at New York University, to undertake a collaborative project in the field of computational neuroscience,” Angela said.

“We will work on developing mathematical models that describe how patterns of brain activity change in response to incoming sensory information and give rise to perception. Such investigations are at the forefront of interdisciplinary research in neuroscience.”

“The project will allow me to apply my knowledge of physics, neuroscience and mathematics in collaboration with a world leader in the field, accessing the greater depth of this field in the United States to the benefit of local research efforts.”

Angela says that ultimately this project will contribute to understanding how these biophysical processes enact the computation that underlies all aspects of cognitive function, be it decision making, working memory, perception or executive function.”

“Such an understanding in turn has the potential to inform all aspects of neuroscience, including the development of clinical and diagnostic applications, as well as influence a broad range of fields that are inspired by examples of biophysical computation, such as artificial intelligence and robotics.”

Angela has a Bachelor of Science with honours in Physics and a Bachelor of Fine Art with honours in Photomedia from University of New South Wales.