Stand up straight: Cognitive representations of verticality and upright posture

Project summary

This proposed research sets out to determine how we use our senses to accurately perceive the orientation of our upright body with respect to the environment, an ability which is crucial for us to interact with the surrounding world in a meaningful way. I will use unique research platforms, including robotic balance simulators and altered gravity environments, to explore how we form a conscious perceptual representation of our bodies during bipedal activities like standing.

This research will serve to benefit scientific communities (psychologists, neuroscientists, space exploration research), clinical populations (elderly) and the general public.