Senior Scientist
Chief Scientific Officer
Ph.D.
The research in my lab examines the neural processes, strategies and adaptations that humans use to interact with objects in the real world. We investigate these questions using psychophysics, eye movements, computational modeling and neuroimaging. Our goal is to understand the mechanisms of normal vision and action, as well as the basis of attention and visual adaptation in clinical populations. This work includes attention deficits in amblyopia, and the potential for binocular vision in individuals with age-related macular degeneration.
Contact Information:
Email: preeti@ski.org
Office Phone: (415) 345-2072
2318 Fillmore Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
Publications
Projects
ActiveBinocular rivalry as a detection tool for amblyopiaThe project aims to develop a rapid, objective vision screening tool for identifying amblyopia in preschool children using abnormal binocular rivalry dynamics. Amblyopia is a leading cause of monocular vision loss, affecting 3.3% of the US population. Early intervention before age 7 yields better outcomes, making a scalable screening test for preschoolers an unmet public health need.
We investigate abnormal binocular rivalry dynamics as a behavioral biomarker for amblyopia in adults, exploring diagnostic power in a patient sample and determining the minimum rivalry data collection duration for…
- ActiveVergence and Stereopsis in Amblyopia & Strabismus
Vergence to disparity targets in the central visual field is impaired in individuals with amblyopia and strabismus.
ActiveModeling Smooth Pursuit Eye-Movement Deficits in Macular DegenerationThe project investigates the deficits in smooth pursuit in individuals with age-related macular degeneration within the framework of a Bayesian model.
ActiveStereopsis in Macular DegenerationMacular degeneration affects the central retina, often causing asymmetrical damage to the two eyes. How does this asymmetrical loss affect stereopsis — the percept of depth generated by the small separation of image features in the two eyes?
ActiveTracking a target in depth with central field lossBilateral field loss due to maculopathy creates a scotoma that extends in depth — a volume scotoma. Morevoer the size of the scotoma depends on whether observers turn their eyes to track a target as it comes closer. This project investigates how the volume scotoma affects the ability to track oncoming targets in these individuals, and in controls with a simulated volume scotoma.
CompletedUpper Depth Limit Across Visual FieldStereopsis is important for tasks of daily living such as eye-hand coordination. It is best in central vision but is also mediated by the periphery. Previously we have shown that individuals with central-field loss who have residual stereopsis in the periphery perform better at an eye-hand-coordination task. Here we sought to determine what sets the limit of stereopsis, defined as the largest disparity that supports the sustained appearance of depth, in the near periphery in healthy individuals.
ActivePostdoctoral Training in Vision ResearchThe Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute (SKERI) is an NEI Institutional Training Grant Awardee. The grant was awarded to provide postdoctoral training in basic and clinical science relevant to translational vision research and rehabilitation.
ActiveBlindness and Low Vision Support GroupJoin Annemarie Rossi, Occupational Therapist, and scientists at Smith-Kettlewell to share experiences and learn about resources for members of the blind and low vision community through the Blindness and Low Vision Support Group, founded by Dr. Donald Fletcher, M.D.
CompletedMotion Perception in Central Field LossThe project investigates motion perception in individuals with vision loss due to central retinal lesion, but who retain healthy peripheral retina. Healthy peripheral retina is exquisitely sensitive to fast speeds, however, there is limited and conflicting information about motion processing in residual peripheral retina in patients with central field loss, often due to macular degeneration. We use psychophysical and eye tracking approaches to systematically probe speed and direction sensitivity in this population.
ActiveAdaptive Visual Strategies for Individuals with Macular DegenerationIn this project we try to gain a better understanding of what visual strategies people use to gather information in the world.
Labs
Verghese LabOur laboratory studies the mechanisms of healthy vision and action, as well as the basis of attention and visual adaptation in clinical populations.
Centers
Rehabilitation Engineering Research CenterThe Center's research goal is to develop and apply new scientific knowledge and practical, cost-effective devices to better understand and address the real-world problems of blind, visually impaired, and deaf-blind...
