We host a monthly Boston Action Club, where prominent scientists from Boston, US and international laboratories share their perspectives on a topic falling under a broad interdisciplinary umbrella of Human Motor Control. The talks engender extensive thought exchange, discussions and new insights.
Fall 2022 Schedule
All seminars are held in-person on Thursdays every three weeks at 4-5:30 pm.
The location is 306 Egan building at Northeastern University.
If you would like to be on the mailing list to receive information and updates, send an email to d.sternad@northeastern.edu.
Dagmar Sternad, Sept 22, 2022 @ 4 PM
Biology, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Physics, Northeastern University
Title: From simple to complex to real skills: A task-dynamic approach to motor control with clinical applications
Abstract: How do humans learn new motor skills or re-learn basic behaviors after injury, such as reaching to drink from a glass without spilling? Much of traditional and current research on motor control has analyzed highly simplified movements in tightly controlled and often virtual experiments to permit rigorous quantitative analysis. However, the challenge is to obtain reliable insights without compromising the challenges of realistic task performance. Our research has examined complex interactive skills in both virtual and real environments with the goal to understand real-life interactions with objects in the environment. To gain quantitative insights, we have developed a task-dynamic approach that starts with analysis of how the task constrains and enables actions and their improvement with practice. Based on mathematical analyses of the modeled task, we study how humans develop strategies that meet complex demands. Using a suite of interactive tasks – throwing or bouncing a ball, transporting a “cup of coffee”, and cracking a whip – we show that humans develop skill by: 1) finding error-tolerant strategies and channeling noise into task-irrelevant dimensions, 2) exploiting solutions with dynamic stability, 3) optimizing predictability of object dynamics. Extending from these experimental platforms, we have also examined how humans interact with a robotic device and how we may assess or help restore functional behavior in neurological patients.
Seungmoon Song, Oct 20, 2022 @ 4 PM
Mechanical Engineering, Northeastern University
Title: Neuromechanical simulation of human locomotion – and its potential usage in developing assistive devices
Abstract: TBA
Nidhi Seethapathi, Nov 10, 2022 @ 4 PM
Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT
Title: A theoretical framework for locomotor adaptation across timescales
Abstract: TBA
David Lin, Dec 1, 2022 @ 4 PM
Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University
Title: Neurologic perspectives on motor control after stroke
Abstract: TBA
Byron Yu, Dec 15, 2022 @ 4 PM
Electrical and Computer Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University
Title: Brain-computer interfaces for basic science
Abstract: TBA
Recorded Talks
Past Action Club Schedule
- Spring 2021
- Spring 2020
- Fall 2019
- Spring 2019
- Fall 2018
- Spring 2018
- Fall 2017
- Spring 2017
- Fall 2016
- Spring 2016
- Fall 2015
- Spring 2014
- Fall 2013
- Spring 2013
- Fall 2012
- Spring 2012
- Fall 2011
- Spring 2011
- Fall 2010
- Spring 2010
- Fall 2009
- Spring 2009
| January 21 | Eric Perreault Biomedical Engineering and Physical Rehabilitation, Northwestern University “The mechanics of human limbs: how they are regulated by the nervous system and how they influence neural control” |
| February 11 | Aaron Batista Bioengineering and Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh “Neural population mechanisms in action” |
| March 11 | James Finley Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, University of Southern California “Neuromechanical Principles of Locomotor Learning: From Adaptation to Rehabilitation” |
| April 1 | Robert Sainburg Neurology and Kinesiology, Pennsylvania State University “Bimanual coordination and impaired coordination in stroke” |
| April 29 | Aude Billard Robotics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology on Lausanne (EPFL) “Human-robot interaction” |
| January 16 | Kreg Gruben Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin “Biomechanics of postural control in healthy and clinical populations” Abstract |
| February 06 | Carlos Vargas-Irwin Neuroscience and BrainGate, Brown University “Motor Cortex: past, present, and future” Abstract |
| March 05 | Gabriel Diaz Psychology and Neuroscience, Rochester Institute of Technology “Online and predictive control strategies for guiding gaze and the hand when catching” Abstract |
| March 26 | Ben Dongsung Huh (Cancelled due to Covid-19 lockdown) Massachusetts Institute of Technology and IBM “Velocity-curvature relation in free movements” Abstract |
| April 16 | Daniel Wolpert (Cancelled due to Covid-19 lockdown) Neuroscience, Columbia University “Probabilistic Models of Sensorimotor Control and Decision Making” Abstract |
| September 26 | Steve Chase Bioengineering, Carnegie Mellon University “Dissecting motor learning processes with brain-computer interfaces” Abstract |
| October 17 | Steve Collins Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University “A discussion of how we design lower-limb exoskeletons and prosthetic devices” Abstract |
| October 31 | Paul Dizio Psychology and Neuroscience, Brandeis University “Sensorimotor and cognitive processes in real and simulated balancing tasks” Abstract |
| November 21 | Alexander Mathis Rowland Institute, Harvard University “DeepLabCut: a deep learning tool for fast, robust, and efficient 3D pose estimation” Abstract |
| December 5 | Mehrdad Jazayeri Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT “Understanding control through the lens of cortical latent dynamics” Abstract |
| January 24 | Lena Ting Bioengineering, Emory University “Revisiting muscle spindle function to understand impaired sensorimotor control” Abstract |
| February 21 | Pawan Sinha Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT “Autism as an impairment in prediction” Abstract |
| March 21 | Jon Matthis Psychology, UT Austin “The Visual Control of Locomotion over Real-world Rough Terrain” Abstract |
| April 11 | William Warren Psychology, Brown University “Flocks, Schools, and Crowds: How Multi-Agent Systems Solve the Degrees-of-Freedom Problem” Abstract |
| April 25 | Sandeep Robert Datta Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School “Inferring Internal from External State Using Motion Sequencing” Abstract |
| May 9 | Meghan Huber Mechanical Engineering, MIT “Enhancing Acquisition and Performance of Complex Motor Skills” Abstract |
| September 20 | Gabe Nelson and Shervin Talebi Boston Dynamics “Exploiting dynamics to improve mobility and balance at Boston Dynamics” Abstract |
| October 11 | David Lin Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, BrainGate “Stroke Motor Recovery: Insights from Neural Structure and Function to Inform Health Systems” Abstract |
| October 25 | Lisa Barrett Psychology, Northeastern University “From essences to predictions: A brain-based understanding of emotion” Abstract |
| November 8 | Madhusudhan Venkasedan Mechanical Engineering, Yale University “On form and function of feet and fins” Abstract |
| December 13 | Cara Lewis and Sandra Shefelbine Cara: Associate Professor in Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Science, and Medicine, Boston University Sandra: Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering and Bioengineering, Northeastern University “Hip pain and femoroacetabular impingement syndrome: what?s really happening?” Abstract |
| January 18 | Randy Trumbower Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding “Acute intermittent hypoxia: a breath-taking approach to restore function after spinal cord injury” Abstract |
| February 15 | Karen Adolph Psychology, New York University “Learning to move and moving to learn” Abstract | Video |
| March 22 | Steve Scott Neuroscience, Queen’s University “Faster than a blink of an eye: fast feedback processing for voluntary motor control” Abstract |
| April 5 | Sangbae Kim Mechanical Engineering, MIT “MIT Cheetah robot: a new design paradigm for physical interaction” Abstract |
| April 26 | James Monaghan Neurobiology, Northeastern University “Neuroplasticity during CNS and limb regeneration in a salamander” Abstract |
| September 21 | Ed Large Psychology, University of Connecticut “Synchronizing movement to music” Abstract |
| October 5 | Andrew Schwartz Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh “Recent progress toward a high-performance brain-computer interface” Abstract |
| October 19 | Dagmar Sternad Biology, Elect & Computer Engineering, Northeastern University “Variability, stability and predictability in the control of dynamic objects: A task dynamic approach” Abstract |
| November 2 | Neville Hogan Mechanical Engineering and Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT “How do we do it? The paradox of human performance” Abstract |
| November 30 | Ludovic Righetti Mechanical Engineering, NYU and Max Planck Institute Tübingen “Control of contact interactions in robot locomotion and manipulation” Abstract |
| December 7 | L. Mahadevan Neurobiology and Anatomy, Harvard University “Error amplification in strategies and decision making” Abstract |
| January 19 | Brian Umberger Kinesiology and Organismic Biology, University of Massachusetts “Energetics of human locomotion” Abstract |
| February 9 | John Peter Whitney Mechanical Engineering, Northeastern University “Low-impedance robot mechanics: Notes from human physiology and biomechanics” Abstract |
| March 16 | David Vaillancourt Applied Physiology, University of Florida “How spatial visual information exacerbates tremor: from brain to motor unit to behavior” Abstract |
| April 6 | Simon Giszter Neurobiology, Drexel University “Motor modularity: amphibians and mammals after SCI – plasticity versus circuit conservation” Abstract |
| April 21 | Manoj Srinivasan Mechanical Engineering, Ohio State University “Stability and Control in Human Locomotion” Abstract |
| September 15 | Paul Dizio Psychology and Neuroscience, Brandeis University “Control and perception of dynamic balance” Abstract |
| October 13 | Harry Asada Mechanical Engineering, MIT “Humans can control supernumerary limbs independently and simultaneously with their natural limbs” Abstract |
| October 27 | David Ostry Psychology and Neuroscience, McGill University & Haskins Laboratory “Structure and acquisition of sensorimotor maps” Abstract |
| November 10 | Scott Frey Rehabilitation Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine “Plasticity in the adult brain: lessons from current and former amputees” Abstract |
| December 1 | Joo-Hyun Song Cognitive, Linguistic and Psychological Sciences, Brown University “Paradoxical modulation of motor actions by attention” Abstract |
| January 21 | Aaron Batista Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh “Learning about learning by directly driving networks of neurons” Abstract |
| February 18 | Mario Sznaier Electrical and Computer Engineering, Northeastern University “Perception of human movement based on control theory” Abstract |
| March 17 | Leia Sterling Aeronautics and Astronautics, MIT “Surface electromyography as a control input for human-system interaction” Abstract |
| March 31 | Monica Perez Neurological Surgery, University of Miami “Neural control of hand movements (transcranial magnetic stimulation)” Abstract |
| April 21 | Christopher J Hasson Physical Therapy, Movement Science, Northeastern University “In-vivo manipulation of musculo-skeletal properties in humans” Abstract |
| September 24 | Robert Ajemian McGovern Institute, Brain and Cognitive Science, MIT “Neural networks, noise and motor learning” Abstract |
| October 15 | Art Kuo Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan “The (apparently) contradictory costs of human motion and locomotion” Abstract |
| November 12 | Eugene Tunik Physical Therapy, Movement and Rehablitation Sciences, Northeastern University “New insights into M1 function: Mapping hand representation and visuomotor adaptation” Abstract |
| December 10 | Conor Walsh Wyss Institute, Bioengineering, Harvard University “Enhancing and restoring mobility with soft wearable robots” Abstract |
| January 23 | Jooeun Ahn Mechanical Engineering, MIT “A Simple but Adequate Model of Human Walking” Abstract |
| February 13 | Vittorio Caggiano McGovern Institute, Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT “Optogenetics in Motor Control” Abstract |
| March 13 | Terry Sanger Neurology, Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California “Risk-Aware Control of Movement” Abstract |
| April 10 | Dava Newman Aeronautics, Astronautics and Engineering Systems, MIT “Assessing Astronaut Performance across the Spectrum of Gravity” Abstract |
| May 8 | Armin Fuchs Center for Complex Systems & Brain Sciences and Department of Physics Florida Atlantic University “Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries – Acute State and Short-Term Recovery” Abstract |
| May 22 | Peter Strick Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh “Neuroanatomy of the Brain – Two Stories: Basal Ganglia Circuits: Thinking Outside the Traditional ‘Loops’ What is the Neural Basis of the ‘Mind-Body Connection?'” Abstract |
| September 12 | Dagmar Sternad Biology, ECE, Physics, Northeastern University “Variability and Stability in Skill Learning and Retention” Abstract |
| October 3 | Neville Hogan Mechanical Engineering, Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT “Controlling Physical Interaction” Abstract |
| October 24 | Andy Ruina Mechanical Engineering, Cornell University “Gilders, Bicycles, and Walking Robots – From Passive Dynamics to Active Control” Abstract |
| November 21 | Bence Olveczky Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University “Functional Modularity in Motor Skill Learning” Abstract |
| December 12 | Matthew Goodwin Health and Computer Science, Northeastern University “Developing and Applying Wireless Physiological Activity Sensors to Study Individuals with Autism” Abstract |
| January 10 | Hermano Igo Krebs Mechanical Engineering, MIT “Distinct Robotic Training Protocols Differentially Alter Motor Recovery in Chronic Stroke” Abstract |
| February 7 | Brett Fajen and Jonathan Matthis Cognitive Science, RPI “Guiding Locomotion in Complex and Dynamic Environments” Abstract |
| February 28 | David Paydarfar Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School Wyss Institute, Harvard University “Neural Oscillators on the Edge: Harnessing Noise to Promote Stability” Abstract |
| March 21 | Frank Guenther Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, BU “The Neural Mechanisms of Speech: From Computational Modeling to Neural Prosthesis” Abstract |
| April 11 | Tamar Flash Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Weizmann Institute, Israel “Motor Planning, Timing, Perception and Coordination: Seeking Common Principles across Tasks and Levels of Representation” Abstract |
| May 23 | Alvaro Pascual-Leone Neurology, Harvard Medical School “Modulating Brain Networks to Promote Functional Rehabilitation” Abstract |
| September 20 | Michael Turvey Psychology, University of Connecticut “Human Odometry: Experiments and Theoretical Implications” Abstract |
| October 25 | Dan Ferris Bioengineering, University of Michican “Robotic Exoskeletons and Mobile Brain Imagings for Human Locomotion” Abstract |
| Novermber 8 | Sandro Mussa-Ivaldi Rehabilitation institute of Chicago, Northwestern University “Learning to Move and Learning to Push” Abstract |
| December 13 | Rob Howe Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Science “Why do simple robot grippers work as well as human hands?” Abstract |
| January 12 | Eve Marder Biology, Brandeis University “A Variability, Homeostasis, and Modulation in a Rhythmic Motor Network” Abstract |
| February 2 | CJ Heckman Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago “Reverse engineering motor output to identify the detailed structure of motor commands” Abstract |
| February 23 | Cara Stepp Biomedical Engineering, Boston University “Voluntary Control of Anterior Neck Musculature in Individuals with Dysphagia” Abstract |
| March 15 | Heidi Schambra Neurology, Columbia University “Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) – A Primer: What it Does, How it Works” Abstract |
| March 29 | Mark Shelhamer Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University “Prediction and Adaptation in Saccades, and the Role of Fractal Correlations” Abstract |
| April 12 | Daniel Corcos Neuroscience, University of Illinois at Chicago “A Comparison of the Effects of Progressive Resistance Exercise and Flexibility and Balance Exercise on Parkinson’s Disease” Abstract |
| June 7 | Devin Jindrich Kinesiology, California State University “The LIMB Lab: Comparative Biomechanics and Motor Control, with Applications to Ergonomics and Rehabilitation” Abstract |
| August 2 | Andrea d’Avella Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, University of Rome “Muscle Synergies for Motor Control” Abstract |
| September 8 | Tamar Flash Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Weizmann Institute, Israel “Motion Planning, perception and compositionality: Time arising from a mixture of geometries” Abstract |
| September 15 | Matthew Tresch Biomedical Engineering, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Northwestern University “Actions and activations of hindlimb muscles in the rat” Abstract |
| October 6 | Edwin Robertson Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard University “Interference between Different Memory Systems” Abstract |
| October 20 | Ed Large Center of Complex Systems and Brain Sciences and Psychology, Florida Atlantic University “Resonating to Rhythm” Abstract |
| November 10 | Andrew Biewener Biology, Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University “Assessing in vivo neuromuscular function: implications for control of muscle function across locomotor behaviors” Abstract |
| December 1 | Amy Bastian Neurology, Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins University “Understanding and Optimizing Human Motor Learning” Abstract |
| December 8 | Dinesh Pai Computer Science, University of British Columbia, Canada “Computational Models of Sensorimotor Biomechanisms” Abstract |
| January 13 | Natalia Dounskaia Life Sciences, Arizona State University) “Directional preferences of arm movements: A window to factors influencing formation of multi-joint movements” Abstract |
| February 3 | Jack Dennerlein School of Public Health, Harvard University “Motor Control in Ergonomics: Applications in Human Computer Interfaces” Abstract |
| February 17 | Paul Dizio Psychology and Neuroscience, Brandeis University “Coordination of Reaching Movements with Whole-body Motion” Abstract |
| March 10 | Andrew Spence Royal Veterinary College, University of London, England “Insects on rubber and dogs on springs: Sensing and perturbing moving animals to understand the neuromechanical basis of locomotion” Abstract |
| March 17 | Richard Marsh Biology, Northeastern University “Preflexes or Reflexes? Mechanisms for maintaining stability on uneven terrain during rapid running” Abstract |
| April 14 | Francisco Valero-Cuevas Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California “Computational models as a means to test hypotheses about neuromuscular systems: How far have we come?” Abstract |
| May 19 | John Krakauer Neurology, Johns Hopkins University “Motor learning: Is it one thing or many different things?” Abstract |
| June 2 | Rebecca Spencer Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Massachusetts at Amherst “The role of sleep in consolidation of motor learning in young and older adults” Abstract |
| June 30 | Avijit Bakshi Physics and Neuroscience, Brandeis University “Analysis of Human Balance in Various Force Environments” Abstract |
| September 16 | Dagmar Sternad Biology, ECE, & Physics, Northeastern University “Variability and stability in interactive tasks: from motor learning to neuro-recovery” Abstract |
| September 30 | Tom Roberts Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Brown University “Fast, cheap and out of control: dynamic interactions of elastic structures and muscle motors” Abstract |
| October 14 | Marco Santello Bioengineering, Arizona State University “Learning and Transfer of Dexterous Manipulation” Abstract |
| November 4 | Richard Ivry Cognitive and Brain Sciences, University of California at Berkeley “Competitive and Inhibitory Processes during Action Selection” Abstract |
| December 9 | Vincent Cheung Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT “The Top-down and Bottom-up Approaches to Studying Motor Learning” Abstract |
| January 21 | Cara Lewis Physical Therapy, Boston University “Altering Hip Mechanics during Ambulation” Abstract |
| February 11 | John Jeka Kinesiology, University of Maryland “Control of Multiple Degrees of Freedom during Human Upright Stance” Abstract |
| March 18 | Simon Giszter Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University “Rehabilitation of Spinal Cord Injury: Roles of Voluntary and Reflex Trunk Control and Modularity in Spinalized Rats” Abstract |
| March 31 | Jim Collins Biomedical Engineering, Boston University “Turn Up the Noise: Noise-Enhanced Human Sensorimotor Function” Abstract |
| April 29 | Madhu Venkadesan Engineering & Applied Sciences and Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University “Collisions of Fingers and Feet” Abstract |
| May 13 | William Warren Cognitive and Linguistic Sciences, Brown University “Behavioral Dynamics of Trajectory Formation in Human Locomotion” Abstract |
| June 3 | Robert Ajemian Brain and Cognitive Science, MIT “Re-examining the debate about the functional role of motor cortex” Abstract |
| June 22 | Paul Gribble & Jeremy Wong University of Western Ontario “Sensory Changes Accompanying Motor Learning” Abstract |
| September 3 | Ken Holt Physical Therapy, Boston University “Learning the Dynamics of Human Walking” Abstract |
| September 24 | Joe Perkell Research Laboratory of Electronics, MIT “Movement goals and feedback and feedforward control mechanisms in speech production” Abstract |
| October 15 | Jean-Jacques Slotine Mechanical Engineering and Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT “What Robotics may yet Learn from the Brain” Abstract |
| November 5 | Simon Giszter Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University “The neural basis of motor primitives” Abstract |
| December 3 | Daniel Bullock Cognitive and Neural Systems, Boston University “Modeling basal ganglia contributions in reward prediction, action selection, and performance” Abstract |
| January 22 | Elliot Saltzman Physical Therapy, Boston University “Inter-unit Timing in Speech Production: Pattern, Stability, and Hierarchy” Abstract |
| February 12 | Joseph Ayers Biology, Northeastern University “Controlling Biomimetic Underwater Robots with Electronic Nervous Systems” Abstract |
| March 5 | Igo Krebs Mechanical Engineering, MIT “Neurorehabilitation and Robotics: What Have We Learned So Far” Abstract |
| March 26 | Emilio Bizzi Brain and Cognitive Science, MIT “My Take on What We Know and What We Do Not Know about the Vertebrate Motor System” |
| April 16 | Paul Dizio Psychology, Brandeis University “Motor adaptations to limb and object dynamics in human arm movements” Abstract |
| May 14 | Maurice Smith Engineering and Applied Science & Center for Brain Science, Harvard University “Credit Assignment, Time-scales, and Basic Elements in Motor Learning (Understanding of the Nitty-Gritty Details of Motor Learning and its Practical Import)” Abstract |
| June 4 | Richard Marsh Biology, Northeastern University “Mechanics and Energetics of In Vivo Muscle Function” Abstract |
| July 2 | Round Table Discussion on: “Falsification as Scientific Stragegy in Movement Neuroscience” with short presentations by: Neville Hogan, Mechanical Engineering and Brain and Cognitive Science, MIT Eliot Saltzman, Physical Therapy, Boston University Richard Marsh, Biology, Northeastern University Paul DiZio, Psychology and Neuroscience, Brandeis University Robert Ajemian, Brain and Cognitive Science, MIT Alex Byrne, Philosophy, MIT |