Recently devised in vivo ultra-high-field (UHF) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has begun to directly reveal laminar-specific brain activity in the human brain. In this project, we focus on developing the new laminar fMRI method and applying it to understanding human cognition from a laminar neuroimaging perspective. Understanding cortical layers will open a new window in elucidating the basis of severe mental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases, as specific impairments accompany these disorders in laminar-specific circuitry in the brain.

In the somatosensory system, haptic perception originates through continuous exploratory contact with objects, and the human brain has to accumulate sensory information continuously across time to understand an object through touch. Our lab focuses on understanding human haptic perception from behavior to brain function.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is now widely used to explore the underlying neural mechanisms of human perceptual processing. However, MRI employs intense magnetic fields that are easily disturbed by the presence of metallic objects and conductive materials. These objects or electronic devices pose serious safety concerns to human subjects and increase the image quality as well. Our lab also develops custom-designed MRI-compatible stimulation devices for specific fMRI experiments.