CV & Publications
In a nutshell
Hi!
I'm Shachar and i'm currently a PostDoc in the Jacobs lab at Columbia (http://orion.bme.columbia.edu/jacobs/).
My current PostDoc is focused on human representation of space and spatial memory via human ECoG/iEEG, bridging the gap between the human results from behavior and fMRI to the literature and models of spatial cognition from electrophysiology in animal-models. Another key component of my work is the use of Virtual and Augmented Reality paradigms and tools which enable complex behavior while acquiring neural data and offer the ability to create fascinating scenarios which would be difficult, and in the case of some manipulations even physically impossible, to construct in the real world.
I used to be a PhD student in the Amedi lab (www.brainvisionrehab.com) where my work focuses on Sensory Substitution and it's use for both practical visual rehabilitation and for neuroscience and cognitive research. I originally joined the lab with a CS background and spent several years developing new Sensory Substitution devices (EyeMusic, EyeCane etc.) and performing behavioral experiments with them. My final focus there was on using these tools for neuroimaging (fMRI), exploring the way our brain metamodally recruits regions on a task-based organization (rather than a sensory-based one) and exploring questions of spatial cognition using Virtual-reality and game paradigms within an fMRI scanner.
Other academic interests include Digital Humanities and algorithms for the analysis of ancient texts.
I am also very active in Science Communication in communities ranging from elemantary schools through religious institutions to Sci-Fi conventions.
Download CV here.
Academic background
PostDoc in the Jacobs lab
2017 - Present
PhD Candidate in the Amedi Lab
2012 - 2017
Hebrew University, Jerusalem: Ph.D. in Medical neurobiology, in the lab of Prof. Amir Amedi.
"Practical Sensory Substitution in real and virtual environments: engineering, rehabilitation, behavior and neuroimaging"
M.Sc. Student in the Amedi lab
2009 - 2011
Hebrew University, Jerusalem: M.Sc. in Medical neurobiology, in the lab of Dr. Amir Amedi.
"Sight from the depths – using distance information to help the blind and as a tool for exploring neurobiological questions in real and virtual
environments"
Graduated Magna Cum Laude.
Computer Science and Computational Biology B.Sc.
2010 - present
Hebrew University, Jerusalem: B.Sc. in Computational biology, with a minor in Mathematics, as part of the elite "Amirim-Teva" honors program.
Publication stats
Journal Publications: 14 (6 1st)
Conference Publications: 15 (12 1st)
Citations: 326
i-10 index: 9
h-index 8
Invited talks: 20
Google-Scholar profile at:
Teaching experience
TA, Physiology B for Med students (2012-current)
Staff, C, C++ for CS students
(2009-2010)
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IMRF 2013, Israel
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ACM Augmented Human 2015, Singapore
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ACM Augmented Human 2016, Switzerland
Program Committees
Reviewer
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Augmented Human
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Multisensory Research
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PLoS1
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Adaptive Control and Signal Processing
Languages
English (Mother tongue, US citizen)
Hebrew (Mother tongue, Israel citizen)
Peer-reviewed Journal publications
Published:
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Maidenbaum, S., Miller, J., Stein, J. M., & Jacobs, J. (2018). Grid-like hexadirectional modulation of human entorhinal theta oscillations. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 115(42), 10798-10803.
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Amedi, A., Hofstetter, S., Maidenbaum, S., & Heimler, B. (2017). Task selectivity as a comprehensive principle for brain organization. Trends in cognitive sciences, 21(5), 307-310.
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Buchs, G., Simon, N., Maidenbaum, S., & Amedi, A. (2017). Waist-up protection for blind individuals using the EyeCane as a primary and secondary mobility aid. Restorative neurology and neuroscience, 35(2), 225-23
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Maidenbaum S, Buchs G, Abboud S, Lavi-Rotbain O, Amedi A (2016) Perception of Graphical Virtual Environments by Blind Users via Sensory Substitution. PLoS ONE 11(2): e0147501. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0147501
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Sigalov N, Maidenbaum S, Amedi A Reading in the dark: Neural correlates and cross modal plasticity for learning to read entire words without visual experience Neuropsychologia 2015
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Buchs G, Maidenbaum S, Levy-Tzedek S, Amedi A. Integration and binding in rehabilitative sensory substitution: increasing resolution using a new Zooming- In approach RNN 2015
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Chebat, D. R., Maidenbaum, S., & Amedi, A.. Navigation using sensory substitution in real and virtual mazes. PloS one, 10(6), e0126307. 2015 Link
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Abboud S, Maidenbaum S, Dehaene S, Amedi A. A number-form area in the blind Nature Communications 2014 link
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Maidenbaum S, Chebat DR, Levy-Tzedek S, Namer-Furstenberg R, Amedi A. The Effect of Expanded Sensory Range via the EyeCane Sensory Substitution Device on the Characteristics of Visionless Virtual Navigation Multi-Sensory Research 2014 link
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Maidenbaum S*, Hanassy S*, Abboud S, Buchs G, Chebat DR, Levy-Tzedek S, Amedi A. The “EyeCane”, a new electronic travel aid for the blind: Technology, behavior & swift learning Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience 2014
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Maidenbaum S, Abboud S, Amedi A. Sensory substitution: Closing the gap between basic research and widespread practical visual rehabilitation Neurobiological Biobehavioral Reviews 2014 link
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Abboud S, Hanassy S, Levy-Tzedek S, Maidenbaum S, Amedi A. EyeMusic: Introducing a “visual” colorful experience for the blind using auditory sensory substitution Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience 2013
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Maidenbaum S, Levy-Tzedek S, Chebat DR, Amedi A. Increasing Accessibility to the Blind of Virtual Environments, Using a Virtual Mobility Aid Based On the "EyeCane": Feasibility Study PLoS1 2013 link
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Maidenbaum S, Amedi A. Applying Plasticity to Visual Rehabilitation in Adulthood. Plasticity in Sensory Systems (2012): 229 2012
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Levy-Tzedek S, Novick I, Arbel R, Abboud S, Maidenbaum S, Vaadia E, Amedi A. Cross-sensory transfer of sensory-motor information: visuomotor learning affects performance on an audiomotor task, using sensory-substitution Scientific Reports 2012; 2:949
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Levy-Tzedek S, Hanassy S, Abboud S, Maidenbaum S, Amedi A. Fast, accurate reaching movements with a visual-to-auditory sensory substitution device Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience 2012; 30; 313-323
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Reich L, Maidenbaum S & Amedi A. The brain as a flexible task machine: implications for visual rehabilitation using noninvasive vs. invasive approaches. Current Opinions in Neurology, December 2011 link
Peer-reviewed Conference publications
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Chebat, D. R., Maidenbaum, S., & Amedi, A. (2017, June). The transfer of non-visual spatial knowledge between real and virtual mazes via sensory substitution. In Virtual Rehabilitation (ICVR), 2017 International Conference on (pp. 1-7). IEEE.
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Maidenbaum, S. Sensory Substitution Training for users who are blind with Dynamic stimuli, Games and virtual environments ASSETS 2015
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Maidenbaum, S., & Amedi, A. Non-visual virtual interaction: Can Sensory Substitution generically increase the accessibility of Graphical virtual reality to the blind? In Virtual and Augmented Assistive Technology (VAAT), 3rd IEEE VR International Workshop on (pp. 15-17). 2015
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Maidenbaum S, Amedi A. Blind in a Virtual World: Mobility-Training Virtual Reality Games for Users who are Blind IEEE Virtual Reality 2015
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Buchs G, Maidenbaum S, Amedi A. Augmented non-visual distance sensing with the EyeCane Augmented Human 2015
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Maidenbaum, S. Practical Sensory Substitution In Real And Virtual Worlds: Development, Accessibility And Neuroscience. In Proceedings of the 33rd Annual ACM Conference Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems (pp. 211-214). 2015
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Maidenbaum S, Abboud S, Buchs G, Levy-Tzedek S, Amedi A. Demonstrating the EyeCane & EyeMusic Sensory Substitution Devices Assistive Augmentation workshop 2014
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Buchs, G., Maidenbaum, S., & Amedi, A. Augmented non-visual distance sensing with the EyeCane. In Proceedings of the 6th Augmented Human International Conference (pp. 209-210). 2015
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Maidenbaum, S., Chebat, D. R., Levy-Tzedek, S., & Amedi, A. Navigation patterns and spatial perception with and without vision using assistive technology for the blind. Journal of Vision, 14(10), 1355-1355. 2014
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Baumer, E. P. …, Maidenbaum S,…, & Yip, J. CHI 2039: speculative research visions. In CHI'14 Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems (pp. 761-770). 2014
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Maidenbaum S*, Arbel A*, Shapira S, Buchs G, Amedi A. Vision through other senses: practical use of Sensory Substitution devices as assistive technology for visual rehabilitation The 22nd Mediterranean Conference on Control & Automation 2014
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Buchs G*, Maidenbaum S*, Amedi A. Obstacle Identification and Avoidance Using the 'EyeCane' EuroHaptics 2014
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Maidenbaum S, Amedi A. Sensory Substitution and Augmentation – what's happening "under the hood" in our brain? Assistive Augmentation workshop 2014
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Maidenbaum S, Chebat DR, Levy-Tzedek S, Amedi A. Blind in a Virtual World: Vision-deprived Virtual Navigation Patterns Using Depth Cues and The Effect of Extended Sensory Range CHI-WiP 2014
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Maidenbaum S, Chebat DR, Levy-Tzedek S, Amedi A. Depth-To-Audio Sensory Substitution for Navigation in Virtual Environments UAHCI 2014
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Maidenbaum S, Arbel R, Abboud S, Chebat D R, Levy-Tzedek S, Amedi A Virtual 3D shape and orientation discrimination using point distance information, Proc. of the 9th Intl Conf. Disability, Virtual Reality & Associated Technologies 2012
Talks
(without publications)
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SFN (2018)
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“A grid cell signal in human entorhinal theta oscillations”
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iNav (2018)
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“Hexadirectional modulation of theta power”
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IMRF (2018)
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“Spatial perception and interaction with augmented senses”
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Cognitive Maps (2018)
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“Grid-like Hexadirectional Modulation of power in Human entorhinal cortex during virtual navigation”
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CEMS (2018)
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“Grid-like Hexadirectional Modulation of power in Human entorhinal cortex during virtual navigation”
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ISCoP (2016)
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"Neural Correlates and Cross-modal Plasticity for Learning to Read Entire Words without Visual Experience" http://israel-cognition.huji.ac.il/ISCOP_2016_ABSTRACTS_FullFinal.pdf
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Ein-Gedi ELSC retreat (2016) "Seeing with your ears in a virtual world – Combining Virtual Reality, Neuroimaging and Visual Rehabilitation for the blind via Sensory Substitution"
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BrainTech 2015
"What does visual rehabilitation in the blind tell us about brain specialization and development?"
http://conference.israelbrain.org/schedule/
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World Science Conference Israel (WSCI 2015)
"Playing with the senses - the effects of learning to see through your ears on your behavior and
brain"
http://www.wsci.org.il/
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Trans-disciplinary Innovation Program (TIP 2015)
"Sensory Substitution – visual restoration, computer vision and sensory augmentation"
http://www.transdisciplinary-innovation.com/
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BrainiHack israel (2015)
"Mixing up the brains I/O channels for assistive and augmented sensory perception"
http://portal.idc.ac.il/documents/brain_10_2_2015.pdf
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The 6th international conference on disabilities: Uinty and diversity in action (Beit-Issi 2015)
"Practical visual Rehablitation with Sensory Substitution: EyeCane & EyeMusic"
http://eng-conf.beitissie.org.il/program/
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The 3rd Israeli Human-Computer Interaction Research Conference (ISRHCI 2015)
"Vision through other senses: practical use of Sensory Substitution devices as assistive technology for visual rehabilitation"
http://www.israhci.org/#!program/cmtq
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ISRAELI SOCIETY FOR VISION AND EYE RESEARCH 35th annual meeting (ISVER 2015)
"Exploring non-visual Allocentric Navigation using Sensory Substitution"
http://isver.org.il/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/ISVER-2015-24.02.15-11-am-to-print.pdf
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3rd IMRIC center conference (2015)
"Numbers & Letters: What does visual rehabilitation in the blind tell us about brain specialization
and development?"
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"Light and Blindness" (2015)
"Let the light enter trough your ears: seeing with ther senses"
http://tinyurl.com/nb74dup
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The 2nd Israeli Conference on Cognitive Research (ISCOP 2015)
"Sensory substitution in real & virtual worlds: rehabilitation and cognitive research"
http://israel-cognition.huji.ac.il/hebrew.html
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The Second Israeli Human-Computer Interaction Research Conference (ISRHCI 2014)
"Increasing Accessibility to the Blind of Virtual Environments"
http://www.israhci.org/#!program/c1k7t
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2 * ISRAELI SOCIETY FOR VISION AND EYE RESEARCH 34th annual meeting (ISVER 2014)
1. "Navigation patterns and spatial perception in visual and vision-deprived navigation with
assistive devices"
2. "The brain as a task machine – implications for combining invasive and non-invasive
approaches"
http://isver.org.il/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/ISVER-2014-10.03.2014-Final-for-print1.pdf
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The 1st Jerusalem Neuroaesthetics Symposium
"Mixing up the senses Practical sensory substitution & Augmentation"
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MedTech 2014
"new horizons in sensory replacement & augmentation technologies"
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The Association for research in Vision and Opthamology annual conference (ARVO 2014)
"Blind in a virtual world: Color, spatial perception & navigation for blind people with audio sensory
substitution in virtual environments"
http://iovs.arvojournals.org/solr/searchResults.aspx?author=Maidenbaum
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ISRAELI SOCIETY FOR VISION AND EYE RESEARCH 33rd annual meeting (ISVER 2013)