Amy Zwicker
MA Candidate
Department of Psychology
University of British Columbia
Phone604-875-2345 (ext. 7853)Snail MailDepartment of Ophthalmology University of British Columbia
Fax604-875-2683Room A146
B.C.’s Children’s Hospital
4480 Oak Street
Vancouver, BC V6H 3V4
Education
MA Candidate in Psychology, University of British Columbia (present)
Bachelor of Science (Honours), Acadia University (2003)
Research Interests
The visual system is better understood than all other sensory systems. For this reason, the visual system provides an excellent domain within which to study the relationship between brain mechanisms and perception of the external world. Further study of the visual system and underlying cortical processing may provide useful models of cortical processing that can be extended well beyond the visual domain.
Extrastriate area MT (the medial temporal area) has been identified as a cortical region that is critical for visual motion processing. Research has indicated that a large majority of cells within area MT are tuned to particular speeds and directions of motion. However, it is not clear whether MT responds equally well to all directions and speeds of motion. I am currently addressing perceptual response patterns to different directions and speeds of motion using psychophysical techniques. Because perceptual responses have been shown to strongly correlate with neuronal activity in MT, I am also assessing the cortical response in area MT to different directions and speeds of motion. Convergence of both behavioural and neural data should provide a strong model of motion processing in MT.
Awards
University Graduate Fellowship, University of British Columbia (2004)
Elizabeth Lacey Scholarship in Psychology, University of British Columbia (2003)
Certificate of Academic Excellence, Canadian Psychological Association (2003)
Clarke K. McLeod Scholarship, Acadia University (2001-2003)
Nova Scotia Medical Association Bursary (2000-2003)
Faculty of Science Dean’s List, Acadia University (2001-2003)
Acadia Achievement Award (1999)
Governor General’s Medal (1999)
Research Experience
Master’s Research, Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia (Dr. Debbie Giaschi), present
Honours Research, Department of Psychology, Acadia University (Dr. Peter McLeod), 2002-2003
Research Assistant, Department of Psychology, Acadia University (Dr. Darlene Brodeur), 2002-2003
Research Assistant, Department of Psychology, Acadia University (Dr. Peter McLeod), 2001-2003
Teaching Experience
Teaching Assistant, Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia
(Dr. Gillian Watson—Culture and Evolution in Social Behaviour), 2004
(Dr. Linda Scratchley—Analysis of Behavioural Data), 2004
(Dr. Debbie Giaschi—Sensory Systems), 2003
Teaching Assistant, Department of Psychology, Acadia University
(Dr. Karmen Bleile and Dr. Peter McLeod—Research Design and Analysis), 2001-2003
(Dr. Susan Potter—Human Neuropsychology), 2002
Presentations
Zwicker, A.E. (2004, May) The effects of motion direction and visual field location on global motion perception. Speaker at UBC Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Annual Research and Alumni Day, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Zwicker, A.E. & Giaschi, D.E. (2004, May) Directional anisotropies for full-field and hemifield global motion processing. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Vision Sciences Society, Sarasota, FL, USA
Zwicker, A.E. (2003, May) Depression in adolescents under stress: A study of first year university students. Speakers at the Atlantic Provinces Council on the Sciences Psychology Conference, St. John’s, NFLD, Canada