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From visual snapshots to allocentric representation of a 3D world

Award Number: F32EY036266
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/01/2024
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2027

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From visual snapshots to allocentric representation of a 3D world - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Spatial neuroscience has uncovered a great deal about how animals—primarily rodents—form allocentric (world-centered) spatial maps of the world. Rodents explore by moving their bodies through the world. In contrast, primates explore the world visually, and recent work suggests this could dramatically impact their formation of allocentric maps. The current project investigates the brain systems that allow humans to form allocentric maps of 3D spaces from afar, without physically visiting the locations being represented. This work will use fMRI to detect map-like representations of viewed locations in a 3-dimensional “scene space” and to compare these to map-like representations of visited locations in a virtual “navigable space”. This work is divided into 2 aims, the first optimized for experimental power and the second optimized for ecological validity. Aim 1 is to identify map-like representations of scene space and understand their relationship to cognitive maps of navigable space. Representational similarity analysis (RSA) will be used to quantify map-like allocentric representations of locations in scene space. Experiment 1a will identify brain regions that support viewpoint-independent (allocentric) maps of viewed locations in scene space. Experiment 1b will use an analogous procedure to identify brain regions that support viewpoint-independent maps of navigable space and relate them to viewpoint-independent maps of scene space. Aim 2 is to identify representations of scene space and navigable space using dynamic, ecologically relevant tasks. This aim will leverage voxelwise encoding models to detect map-like neural representations of viewed and visited locations while participants actively explore their environments. Experiment 2a will look for maps of scene-space by scanning participants while they view the virtual courtyard from different viewpoints and actively searching for a hidden target item. Experiment 2b will look for maps of navigable space by scanning participants while they freely navigate through the virtual environment searching for hidden rewards. This research will take place in the ideal training environment for the applicant. The sponsorship team's expertise in the field of spatial navigation, advanced fMRI analysis and designs, and the computational modeling of freely- navigating participants data are critical to the applicant's training goals. Further training is available through coursework in machine learning and data science, computing resources, and a diverse set of relevant lab meetings and seminars. This work addresses a critical gap in the literature between the fields of vision science and spatial neuroscience. Understanding the role of the visual system in forming spatial maps in sighted individuals could inform interventions aimed at mitigating navigational and other challenges faced by those with low vision or other differences in sensory processing.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2026	2025	TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, THE	3451 WALNUT STREET	PHILADELPHIA	PA	19104	PHILADELPHIA	USA	Vision Research	000	2	1/28/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$71,537
2026	2025	UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN	110 INNER CAMPUS DR	AUSTIN	TX	78712	TRAVIS	USA	Vision Research	001	3	1/29/2026	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	$71,537
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $78,040 )
2025	2025	TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, THE	3451 WALNUT ST STE 440A	PHILADELPHIA	PA	19104	PHILADELPHIA	USA	Vision Research	000	2	8/13/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$78,040
														Subtotal = $78,040

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $74,284 )
2024	2024	TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, THE	3451 WALNUT ST STE 440A	PHILADELPHIA	PA	19104	PHILADELPHIA	USA	Vision Research	001	1	5/30/2024	NEW	$4,784
2024	2024	TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, THE	3451 WALNUT ST STE 440A	PHILADELPHIA	PA	19104	PHILADELPHIA	USA	Vision Research	002	1	5/30/2024	NEW	$0
2024	2024	TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, THE	3451 WALNUT ST STE 440A	PHILADELPHIA	PA	19104	PHILADELPHIA	USA	Vision Research	000	1	3/29/2024	NEW	$69,500
														Subtotal = $74,284

Grand Total All Awards = $152,324

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From visual snapshots to allocentric representation of a 3D world

Award Number: F32EY036266

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/01/2024

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2027

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