Undergraduate Institution and Major/Degree:

• Arizona State University, BSE Bioengineering, 2005

Major Advisor(s):

• Dan Kersten, Ph.D.
• Cheryl Olman, Ph.D.

Research Description:

My research focuses on high-resolution functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and the role of local neural inhibition in early human visual areas. Inhibition is a fundamental aspect of visual processing, playing a role in neural computations both between and within cortical areas of the brain. Understanding local inhibition in vision is important for its role in viewing and parsing natural scenes, such as separating figure from background. My thesis work thus far involves developing fMRI methodology to precisely define specific spatial locations in human primary visual cortex (V1) over time and investigating the blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) response to local neural inhibition via contextual modulation. Later avenues of research will include using natural textures to further study the neurophysiological mechanisms of inhibition and exploring the efficacy of video games for psychophysical experiments and perceptual learning.

Lab Rotations:

• David Redish
• Matthew Chafee
• Dan Kersten
• Cheryl Olman

Courses Taken Beyond the Core Courses:

• BMEn 5401 - Advanced Functional Biomedical Imaging
• PSY 5036W - Computational Vision
• PSY 5960 – Signal Detection Theory
• PSY 8036 – Feedfoward/Feedback Interactions in Visual Processing
• PSY 8960 – Biological Basis of BOLD Seminar
• PSY 8993 – Hands-On fMRI Training

Conferences Attended:

• Brain ’07 biennial meeting – May 2007
• Vision Sciences Society annual meeting – May 2007
• Society for Neuroscience 2004, 2005, 2007
• Gordon Research Conference: Brain energy metabolism and blood flow - August 2006

Publications:

• Lin W., Schumacher J. , Helms Tillery S.I., He J. “Measures of Recording Stability in Chronically Implanted Microwire Arrays Recorded for over Three Years.” First International Conference on Neural Interface and Control Proceedings (IEEE) , China, May 2005: 111-114.

Abstracts:

• Schumacher, J.F. & Olman, C.A. (2007). “BOLD Response to Local Neural Inhibition” [Abstract]. Journal of Vision 7(9): 80a.
  
• Schumacher J.F. , Olman C.A. “Contextual Modulation of the High-Resolution 3T GE BOLD fMRI Response” (poster presentation). 23 rd International Symposium on Cerebral Blood Flow, Metabolism, and Function; Osaka, Japan (May 20-24, 2007).
  
• Schumacher J.F. , Halloway-Nahum A, Olman C.A. “BOLD Response to Local Neural Inhibition” (poster presentation). Gordon Research Conference: Brain Energy Metabolism & Blood Flow; Oxford, England (August 20-25, 2006).

Presentations:

• BOLD fMRI Response to Local Neural Inhibition, J.F. Schumacher, C.A. Olman.  Presented at the 23rd International Symposium on Cerebral Blood Flow, Metabolism, and Function (“Brain ‘07”), Osaka, Japan; May 2007.

• BOLD fMRI Response to Local Neural Inhibition, J.F. Schumacher, C.A. Olman.  Presented at the Vision Sciences Society Annual Meeting, Sarasota, Florida; May 2007.

• BOLD fMRI Response to Local Neural Inhibition, J.F. Schumacher, A. Halloway-Nahum, C.A. Olman.  Presented at the GRC: Brain Energy Metabolism and Blood Flow Conference, Oxford, England; August 2006. 

• BOLD fMRI Response to Local Neural Inhibition, J.F. Schumacher, A. Halloway-Nahum, C.A. Olman.  Poster presented at the Presidential Symposium on Neuroscience, Minneapolis, MN; September 2006. 

Awards and Honors:

• NIH-NPCS Graduate Training Fellowship: 2005-2007

Professional Memberships:

• Society for Neuroscience
• Vision Sciences Society
• Tau Beta Pi

Home Town:

• Air Force Brat (i.e. everywhere)