PI, IDG/McGovern Institute, Tsinghua University Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Tsinghua University Lab Address: Weiqing Building 506 Lab Phone: (010)62789231 Email: nihongch@tsinghua.edu.cn

[Research Focus]

Understanding the brain’s basic mechanisms for learning is critical for developing lifelong learning programs that target specified circuits to boost performance through training in people with normal or impaired perception. We study visual perceptual learning using psychophysics, functional magnetic resonance imaging, neural modulation, eye tracking, and computational modeling. These techniques allow us to trace how the human brain changes through learning and experience, which is key for understanding the brain’s capacity for plasticity and flexible behavior. We also study the neural mechanisms of human vision and attention, including the processing of basic visual features (e.g., motion, stereoscopy, texture) and complex objects (e.g., face, word).

[Education & Experience]                           

2019-present   Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Tsinghua University

2017-2019        Research Scientist, Department of Psychology, University of Southern California

2015-2017        Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Psychology, University of Southern California

2010-2015        PhD, Peking University

2006-2011        BS, Peking University

[Selected Publications]                           

• Lu J., Luo L., Wang Q., Fang F.*, Chen N.*. (2020). Cue-triggered activity replay in human early visual cortex. Science China Life Sciences.
• Chen N.*, Chen Z., Fang, F.*. (2020). Functional specialization in human dorsal pathway for stereoscopic depth processing. Experimental Brain Research, 238, 2581-2588.
• Chen N.*, Shin K., Millin R., Song Y., Kwon M., Tjan B.. (2019) Cortical reorganization of peripheral vision induced by simulated central vision loss. The Journal of Neuroscience 39(18):3529 –3536.
• Chen N.*, Bao P., Tjan B.. (2018) Contextual-dependent attention modulation on crowded orientation signals in human visual cortex. The Journal of Neuroscience, 38(39), 8433-8440.
• Chen N.*, Lu J., Shao H., Weng X. and Fang F.* (2017) Neural mechanisms of motion perceptual learning in noise. Human Brain Mapping 38(12), 6029-6042.
• Chen N*., Cai P., Zhou T., Thompson B. and Fang F.* (2016) Perceptual learning modifies the functional specializations of visual cortical areas. PNAS 113(20), 5724-5729.
• Chen N.*, Bi T., Zhou T., Li S., Liu Z., Fang F.(2015) Sharpened cortical tuning and enhanced cortico-cortical communication contribute to the long-term neural mechanisms of visual motion perceptual learning. NeuroImage 115,17-29.
• Cai P., Chen N.*, Zhou T., Thompson B., Fang F. (2014) Global versus local: double dissociation between MT+ and V3A in motion processing revealed using continuous theta burst transcranial magnetic stimulation. Experimental Brain Research 232(12), 4035-4041.
• Chen N., Fang F. (2011) Tilt aftereffect from orientation discrimination learning. Experimental Brain Research 215(3), 227-234.