Carlos Ponce
Carlos Ponce, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor of Neurobiology

The goal of our lab is to define how neurons from different cortical areas interact to realize our perception of shape and motion.

We study the brain of the rhesus macaque, recording action potentials from neurons that span the entire cortico-visual hierarchy, from V1, V2, V4, MT and inferotemporal cortex (IT). We believe that the best explanation for visual processing is mathematical – thus we work to ensure that all of our results can be implemented in computational models like deep neural networks.

To achieve this goal, we need animals to perform behavioral tasks, and so we use modern techniques (including computer-based automated systems) to train the animals humanely and efficiently. We record from their brains using chronically implanted microelectrode arrays, which yield large amounts of data quickly, and sometimes also using single electrodes for novel exploratory projects (i.e. our moonshot division!). While recording, we also can use activity manipulation techniques (like cortical cooling, optogenetics and chemogenetics) to affect cortical inputs to the neurons under study, and establish results that are causal, not just correlational.

Our experimental work is influenced by machine learning. We use a variety of deep neural network types (including convolutional, recurrent and generative adversarial) to test preliminary hypotheses, interpret results and generate interesting stimuli for biology-based experiments. Our programming languages of choice are Matlab and Python.

Solving the problem of visual recognition at the intersection of visual neuroscience and machine learning will yield applications that will improve automated visual recognition in fields like medical imaging, security and self-driving vehicles. But just as importantly, it will illuminate how our inner experience of the visual world comes to be.

Publications View
Visual prototypes in the ventral stream are attuned to complexity and gaze behavior.
Authors: Authors: Rose O, Johnson J, Wang B, Ponce CR.
Nat Commun
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The neurons that mistook a hat for a face.
Authors: Authors: Arcaro MJ, Ponce C, Livingstone M.
Elife
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Evolving Images for Visual Neurons Using a Deep Generative Network Reveals Coding Principles and Neuronal Preferences.
Authors: Authors: Ponce CR, Xiao W, Schade PF, Hartmann TS, Kreiman G, Livingstone MS.
Cell
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Seeing faces is necessary for face-domain formation.
Authors: Authors: Arcaro MJ, Schade PF, Vincent JL, Ponce CR, Livingstone MS.
Nat Neurosci
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Posterior Inferotemporal Cortex Cells Use Multiple Input Pathways for Shape Encoding.
Authors: Authors: Ponce CR, Lomber SG, Livingstone MS.
J Neurosci
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End-Stopping Predicts Curvature Tuning along the Ventral Stream.
Authors: Authors: Ponce CR, Hartmann TS, Livingstone MS.
J Neurosci
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End-stopping predicts curvature tuning along the ventral stream.
Authors: Authors: Ponce CR, Hartmann TS, Livingstone MS.
J Neurosci
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Contributions of indirect pathways to visual response properties in macaque middle temporal area MT.
Authors: Authors: Ponce CR, Hunter JN, Pack CC, Lomber SG, Born RT.
J Neurosci
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Stereopsis.
Authors: Authors: Ponce CR, Born RT.
Curr Biol
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Integrating motion and depth via parallel pathways.
Authors: Authors: Ponce CR, Lomber SG, Born RT.
Nat Neurosci
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