In the Predictive Brain Lab at the Donders Institute, we investigate how our brain makes predictions and how they are used to understand the world around us. (Text continues below).
The brain is not a simple machine that just reacts to what we see and hear, but a prediction machine that constantly anticipates what is likely to happen.
My main motivation for research, as with many researchers, is curiosity. For me, being able to work on the fundamental question ‘how does our brain work?’ is the reason I enjoy coming to the lab every day. If we would be able to answer that question better, it could affect our daily lives in a lot of ways. I think the brain's ability to predict, rather than simply process, information is a super-important building block for intelligent behaviour.
When you cross a busy street on your way to school or work, your brain creates a whole range of predictions about how fast and which direction other road users are going, allowing you to quickly make the right decision: wait or keep going. Sometimes this prediction mechanism flies off the handle. In people with schizophrenia, for example, hallucinations occur when thoughts are mistaken for actual perception. And the opposite can happen in autism, where people can become overstimulated by all the information coming in because it is not filtered based on prediction, as it is for many of us.
I am working with a group of talented young researchers who are just as excited to unravel the mysteries of the brain. It is great to work with my team to come up with new ideas, turn them into experiments and see the results of these experiments. Being there at the moment when new knowledge is born is what I love most about my job.
One of the things I am most proud of is the energy in our lab. We have an incredibly nice group of people together, where everyone learns from each other and inspires each other. This really allows us to explore new areas and be creative as a team. During the corona pandemic, it was quite a challenge to maintain that atmosphere, but now I am happy to see that the team is stronger than ever.
What I would like to give you as a visitor to the Brain Museum is the knowledge that, to some extent, we all create our own reality. Our expectations not only colour our perceptions, but can also have a positive impact on how we see and behave ourselves. By adjusting your own perspective, you can sometimes achieve more than you think possible.
People of Donders
Behind every scientific discovery lies a story. A story of scientists and staff driven by curiosity and perseverance. What motivates them to delve into the complex world of the brain day in and day out? What continues to fascinate them? What challenges do they face? And what does their work mean to them personally? In the People of Donders series you will meet the people behind the science, discover their passions, and learn what they think is most fascinating about our brains.