Qualifications
BA in Liberal Arts and Sciences (Utrecht), MSc in Neuroscience (Oxford), DPhil in Neuroscience (Oxford)
Academic Background
BA in Liberal Arts and Sciences, University College Utrecht (2004-2007); Junior Research Consultant, Eye tracking at Intomart GfK, Hilversum (2008); Wellcome Trust MSc & DPhil Studentship in Neuroscience, University of Oxford (2008-2013); Postdoctoral Research Associate in Neuroscience, University of Oxford (2013-present).
Undergraduate Teaching
Introduction to Psychology, Cognitive & Behavioural Neuroscience, Perception, Social Psychology.
Research Interests
I have a strong interest in perception – our amazing capacity to take complex patterns of (for instance) light, sound or touch, and extract useful information from them. The study of perception also offers insights into some fundamental questions about the organisational principles of the brain. How do individual brain cells know who to connect to, how does our sensory environment impact the wiring of the brain, and to what extent can the brain keep adjusting to its sensory environment?
In addition, I am interested in how we can use what we know about the visual system to increase the quality of life of people with sight loss using modern technology.
Publications
Van Rheede, J. J., Richards, B. A., & Akerman, C. J. (2015). Sensory-Evoked Spiking Behavior Emerges via an Experience-Dependent Plasticity Mechanism. Neuron, 87(5), 1050–1062.
Van Rheede, J. J., Wilson, I. R., Qian, R. I., Downes, S. M., Kennard, C., & Hicks, S. L. (2015). Improving Mobility Performance in Low Vision With a Distance-Based Representation of the Visual Scene. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 56(8), 4802–4809.
Richards, B. A., Van Rheede, J. J., & Akerman, C. J. (2012). Visuospatial information in the retinotectal system of Xenopus before correct image formation by the developing eye. Developmental Neurobiology, 72(4), 507–519.
Van Rheede, J. J., Kennard, C., & Hicks, S. L. (2010). Simulating prosthetic vision: Optimizing the information content of a limited visual display. Journal of Vision, 10(14), 32.
Volcic, R., Van Rheede, J. J., Postma, A., & Kappers, A. M. L. (2008). Differential effects of non-informative vision and visual interference on haptic spatial processing. Experimental Brain Research, 190(1), 31–41. http://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-008-1447-0
Hobbies
Music - listening to it, going out to see it live, and trying to play, produce and mix my own. Travel. Books, films & plays.