Welcome to the Visual Cognition Laboratory.  Our interests center on human learning in advanced disciplines. Currently we are studying learning in two areas:  neuroanatomy and microscopy in histology (the microanatomy of biological tissues). 

Our primary focus in neuroanatomy is to develop and test new methods for presenting and interacting with 3D computer graphical models of the human brain so as to improve instruction in this discipline.  We have constructed our own computer model of the brain along with several interactive computer programs that enable learning neuroanatomy.  We have completed a variety of tests of learning with these systems and have had a great deal of success in designing learning environments that lead to efficient learning with good long term retention and generalization. Several manuscripts are in the pipeline for publication. The first paper from this project to appear will be Computer-based learning of neuroanatomy: A longitudinal study of learning, transfer, and retention (Chariker, Naaz, & Pani, Journal of Educational Psychology, in press).

Our interest in the study of histology has centered on characterizing the knowledge that students develop in completing the college course in histology.

The methods that we use to explore cognition range from naturalistic studies of experienced practitioners (e.g., of microscopy) through tightly controlled experiments to the development of new computer graphical models and computer-based learning technologies. Most recently we have become active in the testing and development of computer-based learning using 3D graphical models, both in neuroanatomy and in histology.

Our work is interdisciplinary, and we are pleased to have as collaborators Dr. Ronald Fell in the Department of Biology and Dr. Dar-Jen Chang in the Department of Computer Engineering and Computer Science.

The major source of funding for our work has been the National Library of Medicine at the National Institutes of Health. We are proud to be associated with this organization. We also are grateful for funding from the National Science Foundation / Defense Intelligence Agency and the Office of the Vice President for Research at the University of Louisville.

Lab PI: J. R. Pani (Home Page)