Professor Zhong-Lin Lu Photo

Zhong-Lin Lu

Research

Research Question

How does the brain compute for perception and cognition?

Research Synopsis 

The goal of our research is to construct computational brain models for perception and cognition--- models sufficiently computational such that they can be represented in a computer program or in mathematical theory. Psychophysical experimentation, physiological investigation, clinical testing, and computational modeling are essential elements in our research. We are currently working on: (1) Computational & psychophysical studies of visual perception, attention, and perceptual learning, (2) Functional brain imaging studies of sensory and attentional processes, learning, reading, and human decision-making, (3) Behavioral and physiological studies of visual deficits and rehabilitation in amblyopia and myopia, and (4) Applications of hierarchical Bayesian models in adaptive testing, psychophysics, perceptual learning, and brain networks.

Education

  • 1992 Ph.D., Physics, New York University. Thesis Title: Neuromagnetic Investigation of Sensory Evoked and Spontaneous Activity of Human Cerebral Cortex (Advisor: Samuel J. Williamson).
  • 1991 M.S., Physics, New York University.
  • 1989 B.S., Theoretical Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, thesis title: Berry Phase Factor --- multi-dimensional generalization, classic correspondence and applications in optics (Advisor: Yong-De Zhang).

Positions Held

  • College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Professor of Psychology, Ohio State University (September 2017 -).
  • Distinguished Professor of Social and Behavioral Science and Professor of Psychology, Ohio State University (October 2011- August 2017).
  • Director, Center for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, The Ohio State University (July 2012 -).
  • Director, Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Brain Imaging, The Ohio State University (October 2011-).
  • Co-Director, Humanities and Cognitive Sciences Summer High School Institute, OSU (August 2014 -).
  • Professor of Optometry, School of Optometry, Ohio State University (August 2013 - ).
  • Member, Translational Data Analytics, Ohio State University (August 2015 - ).
  • William M. Keck Chair in Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Southern California (August 2006 – September 2011).
  • Chair, College Neuroscience Committee, USC College of Letters, Arts and Sciences (January 2008-October 2011).
  • Professor of Psychology and Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California (January 2005 -September 2011).
  • Co-Director, Dana and David Dornsife Cognitive Neuroscience Imaging Center, College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, University of Southern California (September 2005 to December 2011).
  •  Scientific Director, Dana and David Dornsife Cognitive Neuroscience Imaging Center, College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, University of Southern California (September 2004 to August 2005).
  • Associate Professor, Departments of Psychology and Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California (May 2000 to December 2004).
  • Assistant Professor. Department of Psychology and Program in Neural, Informational and Behavioral Sciences, University of Southern California (September 1996 to April 2000).
  • Assistant Researcher (Supervisor: George Sperling). Human Information Processing Laboratory, Department of Cognitive Sciences and Institute for Mathematical Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Irvine (September 1992 to August 1996).
  • Postdoctoral Fellow (Supervisor: Samuel J. Williamson and George Sperling). Neuromagnetism Laboratory and Human Information Processing Laboratory, Physics and Psychology Departments and Center for Neural Science, New York University (April 1992 to August 1992).

Awards

  • 2007 Fellow, Association for Psychological Science.
  • 2003 Early Investigator Award & Fellow elected, Society of Experimental Psychologists.