In everyday experience, we effortlessly recognize faces, objects and scenes, yet the mechanisms underlying how we perceive the world remain elusive. Moreover, it is unclear how cognitive processes such as selective attention and memory interact with object recognition. The conference on Object Perception Attention and Memory (OPAM) is a one-day conference that showcases young investigators (i.e. undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral trainees) and their theoretical and empirical work on object processing in terms of attention, perception and memory. In addition, this conference highlights different methodological approaches to understand object processing including psychophysics, neuroimaging and neuropsychology. The goal of OPAM is three- fold: (1) to foster scientific research from junior investigators, (2) to facilitate interactions between junior and senior investigators, and (3) to provide a venue for a concentrated discussion on the role of attention and memory on object perception.

Public Health Relevance

This conference will enhance our understanding of how attention and memory intersect with object and scene perception through fresh perspectives from junior investigators. The knowledge gained from discussions of basic research give rise to the development of clinical tools -- new ways to measure or diagnose deficits in object and scene perception. It also provides insight into therapies that might ameliorate perceptual, attention or memory deficits in special populations such as ADHD, autism, Williams Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome and dyslexia. 2

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Conference (R13)
Project #
5R13EY021087-02
Application #
8123239
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZEY1-VSN (10))
Program Officer
Steinmetz, Michael A
Project Start
2010-09-01
Project End
2013-08-31
Budget Start
2011-09-01
Budget End
2012-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$7,200
Indirect Cost
Name
University of South Carolina at Columbia
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
041387846
City
Columbia
State
SC
Country
United States
Zip Code
29208