Complex Decisions: New Frontiers in Brain Science
In the real world information is uncertain and decisions involve a complicated interplay with the environment. Learn how new technologies are allowing us to bring this complexity to the lab, where we combine precise behavioral analysis with cutting-edge neuroscience to define the computations the brain performs during real-world choices.

Sensing and Deciding in the Real World: How Physics Shapes Our Choices
David Gire, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of Washington
Sensing and deciding are connected – our senses gather information to guide decisions and these decisions lead to more information.  How do our brains collect information and use it to guide decisions? Dr. David Gire will explore how physics shapes the strategies that brains across the animal kingdom use to efficiently gather information and make choices.

Rajesh Rao, PhD*, Director, Center for Sensorimotor Neural Engineering
Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering
University of Washington
Advances in the Field of Brain-Computer Interfaces
Recent advances in the field of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) have allowed direct brain control of cursors and prosthetic arms, artificial sensations, and even direct brain-to-brain communication. These advances rely on our ability to decode human intentions directly from the brain and encode artificial sensations and other information into the brain. This talk will present an overview of BCIs and recent developments in the field, with highlights from BCI research at the University of Washington and the Center for Sensorimotor Neural Engineering. Applications of BCIs range from enabling communication in locked-in patients and restoration of movement in paralyzed and disabled individuals to broader non-medical applications such as security, lie detection, alertness monitoring, entertainment, gaming, education, and potentially, human augmentation.

This free, public series is made possible by generous bequests from Professor Allen L. Edwards and Roger B. Loucks.

*Dr. Rao is replacing Dr. Zachary Mainen from the Centre of the Unknown, Portugal, who unfortunately had to cancel his appearance due to a family emergency. We hope to bring Dr. Mainen to the University of Washington for a future lecture.

Registration requested.