Projects
The organization and function of the mirror system. KU Leuven
Using functional MRI in the non−human primate, I will study the organization and function of the mirror neuron system. A better understanding of the function of the mirror system is timely and of significant importance, given recent proposals that a dysfunctional human mirror system constitutes the basis of autism, a still highly controversial view. This research also involves the study of grasping motor behavior in the monkey. The ...
Imitation, understanding of intengionality and joint attention in autism spectrum disorders: mutual connections and the role of the mirror neuron system Ghent University
Imitation, understanding of intentionality and joint attention are early deficits in autism spectrum disorders, and have also been linked to the mirror neuron system. The current research investigates possible malfunctions of the mirror neuron system in young children with autism spectrum disorder, and the relation to their problems in imitation, understanding of intentionality and joint attention.
The role of similarity and experience on the mirror and the mentalizing system Ghent University
Two brain circuits seem to be involved in interpreting our social environment; the mirror system and the mentalizing system. It is suggested that the basic principle of these systems is simulation. This implies that we only activate these brain networks when trying to understand behaviour that is performed by similar others and that we have experienced ourselves. In this project I will investigate these two predictions.
The multi-actor mirror neuron system: Can the human brain represent multiple observed actions simultaneously? Ghent University
Research has shown that the behavior of others is represented in the motor cortex of the observer. However, the research hitherto has focused exclusively on representing the actions of a single individual. In the current project, we will investigate whether individuals are also capable of representing the actions of multiple others simultaneously in their motor system.
Culture in the 'Mirror of Flanders' Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Impact of weathered-like micro- and nanoplastics on the aquatic model systems S. mediterranea and D. magna. Hasselt University
Expertise centre micro- and nano: chips and systems Ghent University
The expertise centre offers know how and technology for the realisation of micro- and nanosystems and aims to open up the state-of-the-art UGent clean room infrastructure for all UG-groups, from domains as diverse as biotechnology, medical and health applications, musicology, advanced (smart) textiles, pharmacy, displays, archeology, nanosciences, chemistry….
Sacred Power and Sacrificial Punishment. On Sacrifice as a Politico-Theological Paradigm for the History of Criminal Law KU Leuven
Sacrifice, this interdisciplinary investigation asserts, offers a fascinating hermeneutical paradigm to shed new light on the history of criminal law and political power from about the later Middle Ages until the fall of the ancien régime. By teasing out sacrificial tenets of Western political theology, the sacrificial interpretation of penal history which I propose can be contextually embedded. René Girard, above all others, ...