My current research goal is to understand reward and risk perception in the human brain. I use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to record brain activity during gambling tasks.

In a first step, I sought to find out if and how expected reward and risk are encoded in the brain, in particular in subcortical structures. I found that the ventral striatum reflects both, expected reward and risk. The representation of expected reward is linear in probability, whereas risk is quadratic in probability.

As expected reward has been rather well studied, I now focus more on exploring representations of risk.

I also collaborate with Tony Bruguier and Peter Bossaerts to apply new data analysis methods to functional imaging data to extract additional information about connectivity and computation in the brain.

My ongoing work with Peter Bossaerts and John O'Doherty explores the neural basis of ambiguity.

Past research projects

[Winter 2002, Shimojo Lab, Caltech]

• Orienting Behavior and Emotional Experience

[1999-2000, CERN, Switzerland]

• Field Optimization of a Superconducting Quadrupole Corrector Magnet for the LHC Project Using Analytical and Numerical Methods

[1999, TU Berlin, Germany]

• Analysis and Modelling of Coplanar Transmission Lines on MIS-substrates