The Biological Intelligence (BioIntel) Research Initiative seeks to understand the links between the brain and intelligent behavior.
Co-Chairs: Monica Fabiani, Cognitive Neuroscience
William T. Greenough, NeuroTech
Research in Biological Intelligence starts with the study of the individual molecules that comprise the brain cells and builds toward an understanding of the anatomy and physiology of brain regions and sense organs. From there, researchers consider the functioning of the brain and how its parts work together to achieve basic abilities, such as perception, attention, learning, and memory. Ultimately, the initiative considers how adapted forms of these abilities can lead to the highest manifestations of intelligence, such as when a child acquires the ability to speak and understand language or learns mathematics in school.
Interdisciplinary research in Biological Intelligence is leading to important applications in a variety of domains. The intelligent hearing aid project brings together researchers from the neurosciences, signal processing, and the speech and hearing sciences. The real-time system that has been developed has great promise for hearing enhancement technology. Similarly, researchers interested in learning and education are making use of video technology to improve the teaching of mathematics and reading. In addition, research important to lifestyle choices is emphasizing the importance of physical exercise to brain function and cognition.
Research groups within Biological Intelligence are:
Bioacoustics Research Laboratory
Bioimaging Science and Technology
Cognitive Neuroscience
Cognitive Science
NeuroTech