I am a neuroscientist studying how the visual system works. I was trained as a biomedical engineer at Johns Hopkins and came to MIT to do a postdoc in visual neuroscience with Jim DiCarlo. In thinking about cortical sensory processing, a good starting point is the traditional view of a feedforward hierarchy where features of increasing complexity are built in stages. These representations are not static and can be dynamically shaped by inference and learning. Guided by a theoretical framework, I ask how these updates are reflected in the patterns of neural responses that we observe. Currently, I am working toward developing an experimental platform around the common marmoset where we can approach many of the remaining, pertinent questions in high-level vision.
I am starting a new lab at Columbia University in fall 2017.
*Rajalingham R, *Issa EB, Kar K, Schmidt K, DiCarlo JJ (2016). Image-grain comparison of core object recognition behavior in humans, monkeys and machines. Soc. Neurosci. Abstr. 46, #801.11. San Diego, CA. abstr pdf info
Issa EB, Schmidt KM, Ohayon S & DiCarlo JJ (2016). A simple, wireless system for remote, highthroughput behavioral testing of nonhuman primates. Soc. Neurosci. Abstr. 46, #801.10. San Diego, CA. abstr pdf info
Issa E, Cadieu C & DiCarlo J. Evidence that the ventral stream codes the errors used in hierarchical inference and learning. Under review abstr talk
Aparicio P*, Issa E* & DiCarlo J. Neurophysiological organization of the middle face patch in macaque inferior temporal cortex. Journal of Neuroscience 36: 12729-12745. abstr paper sfn
Issa E, Papanastassiou A & DiCarlo J (2013). Large-scale, high-resolution neurophysiological maps underlying fMRI of macaque temporal lobe. Journal of Neuroscience 33: 15207-19. abstr paper cosyne
Issa E & Wang X (2013). Increased neural correlations in primate auditory cortex during slow-wave sleep. Journal of Neurophysiology 109: 2732-2738. abstr | paper | thesis
Issa E & DiCarlo J (2012). Precedence of the eye region in neural processing of faces. Journal of Neuroscience 32: 16666-82. abstr | paper | cosyne | talk
Issa E & Wang X (2011). Altered neural responses to sounds in primate primary auditory cortex during slow-wave sleep. Journal of Neuroscience 31: 2965-2973. abstr | paper | thesis
Issa E & Wang X (2008). Sensory responses during sleep in primate primary and secondary auditory cortex. Journal of Neuroscience 28: 14467-14480. abstr | paper | thesis