News Archive (2011-2018)

DECEMBER 2018

• CATSS Newsletter: December 2018
      - FROM THE DIRECTOR
      - CATSS ADDS NEW SOUND BOOTH
      - FALL CATSS HIGHLIGHTS
      - NSF RESEARCH TRAINEESHIP (NRT) UPDATES
      - CATSS MEMBER PROFILE: Matthew Winn

NOVEMBER 2018

• Peggy Nelson and CATSS are featured in an Inquiry article titled "15 Research Highlights from the Liberal Arts" by Kevin Coss. (See "2. Bringing Clarity to Sensory Deficiencies".)

OCTOBER 2018

• For CLA's 150th anniversary, the Nash Gallery is having an exhibition of photographs by Xavier Tavera called "View On Purpose: Portrait of the Liberal Arts". One of those photographs is of CATSS graduate student Erin O'Neill, along with a study participant, in the CATSS sound booth; narrative on CATSS by Peggy Nelson.
• Renovation of S41 Elliott Hall begins, in preparation for CATSS Booth 3! (See "before" photos.)

AUGUST 2018

• CATSS has an information booth at the Minnesota State Fair.
• CATSS Newsletter: August 2018
      - FROM THE DIRECTOR
      - BUILDING ON SUCCESS: Expanding CATSS Research Facilities
      - GRADUATE STUDENT PERSPECTIVE: My Internship at 3M
      - CATSS SUMMER ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE: Liza Sylvestre

JULY 2018

• Two CLA-produced videos about CATSS are finished, in addition to the three CATSS podcasts being uploaded as videos (with captioning)! To see the list of videos, click here.

JUNE 2018

• The Office of the Vice President for Research's (OVPR) Research Infrastructure Investment Program approves the funding of an expansion of the CATSS Lab, including a second testing chamber and various additional equipment, to be added to Elliott Hall room S41 after its renovation for CATSS use!
• CATSS creates an educational website: Understanding Hearing Loss. A site to provide a better understanding of hearing loss and what CATSS does to research and improve hearing. (Thanks to CATSS intern Logan Remington!)
• CATSS takes over management of the CLA Interdepartmental EEG Facility, along with its ANT Neuro ASALab EEG system, on the fourth floor of Elliott Hall.

MAY 2018

• Dr. Hubert Lim's research is featured in an article on The Scientist titled "Ultrasound Fires Up the Auditory Cortex - Even Though Animals Can't Hear It" by Abby Olena.
• Dr. Juergen Konczak receives an NIH grant to examine a new approach to treat the voice and speech problems of people with spasmodic dysphonia (SD). (Click here to read more.)

MARCH 2018

• Dr. Gordon Legge receives the inaugural Inspirational Vision Research Award from NIH "established in recognition of the 50th Anniversary of the National Eye Institute honors research to preserve the independence and quality of life of individuals with low vision or blindness." (Click here to read more.)

• CATSS Newsletter: March 2018
      - FROM THE DIRECTOR: CATSS Stats
      - NRT PROGRAM UPDATE
      - NEW SENSORY SCIENCE COURSE: The Human Experience of Sensory Loss: Seeking Equitable and Effective Solutions (GCC 5022)
      - Optimizing the Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System for Visual Functioning

JANUARY 2018

• The raptor auditory testing project heads down to Oklahoma and Sia: The Comanche Nation Ethno-Ornithological Initiative, for testing of golden eagles! (Click here for photos!).

2017 CATSS/MSP Lab Usage

DECEMBER 2017

• CATSS is loaned a NIRScout lab-based system from NIRx Medical Technologies, LLC for functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).
• CATSS hosts a two-day follow-up to our initial raptor auditory testing, this time with more complex stimuli, such as amplitude and frequency modulation. (Click here for photos!)
• The Star Tribune (Rochester, MN) features an article titled "Minnesota home care workers will get training on detecting hearing loss among seniors".

SEPTEMBER 2017

• CATSS, SAFL, the UMN Raptor Center, and Boys Town National Research Hospital collaborate for auditory testing of eagles and hawks in CATSS! (Click here for more photos!)
• CATSS Newsletter: September 2017
      - CATSS at the Minnesota State Fair!
      - CATSS and CCS Interdisciplinary Graduate Training Program
      - New Frontiers in Hearing Measurement
      - CATSS Summer Intern Experience 

AUGUST 2017

• CATSS has an information booth at the Minnesota State Fair.
• The National Science Foundation (NSF) awards CCS/CATSS funding for "Graduate Training Program in Sensory Science: Optimizing the Information Available for Mind and Brain" (PI: Victoria Interrante). Visit the NRT homepage, or click here for application information.

JULY 2017

• The project "Optimizing the Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System for Visual Functioning Using Brain Signals" (PI: Gordon Legge) received grant support from the Engdahl Family Research Award. Part of the funding will support postdoc Yingchen He in the collaboration between CATSS, Ophthalmology, and SecondSight.

JUNE 2017

• CATSS Podcast #3: Dr. Andrew Oxenham, produced by Ken Mills.
• A Larson Davis Model 831 sound level meter is added to the lab.
• An Otometrics AURICAL hearing aid fitting system is added to the lab.

• CATSS Newsletter: June 2017
      - Summer in CATSS
      - CATSS PODCAST #2: Dr. Gordon Legge and MNREAD
      - CATSS Summer Brown Bag Series
      - CATSS Member Profile: Andrew Freedman

MAY 2017

• A Display++ LCD monitor (Cambridge Research Systems) is added to the lab for the presentation of calibrated visual stimuli, with precision timing and synchronization with external equipment, for use with vision research.
• Read the "Community network for deaf scientists" Letter to the Editor in Science Magazine.
• A Tobii Pro Glasses 2 mobile eye tracking system is added to the lab, including wireless 100-Hz tracking and prescription lens for subjects without normal vision or contacts.

APRIL 2017

• CATSS Podcast #2: Dr. Gordon Legge & MNREAD, produced by Ken Mills. 

MARCH 2017

• CATSS Podcast #1: An Overview, produced by Ken Mills. 

• CATSS Newsletter: March 2017
      - Winter 2017 CATSS Scientific Symposium
      - From the Executive Director
      - 2017 CATSS Small Grant Application Deadline
      - CATSS PODCAST #1: An Overview
      - CATSS Hoping to Launch Summer Brown Bag Lunch Series
      - CATSS Member Profile: Adam Svec, PhD

FEBRUARY 2017

• The UMN Inquiry article "The sound of music" features research from the Wojtczak, Mehta, and Oxenham (2017) PNAS article. 
• The CATSS Symposium 2017 featured lectures by Lotfi Merabet (Harvard University) and Andrew Oxenham.

JANUARY 2017

• The ABC reality show "Shark Tank" featured the Minneapolis company Vibes on Friday, January 27th. (See Star Tribune article.) Vibes recently introduced high-fidelity (musicians) earplugs that were tested in CATSS by the Schlauch Lab.

• CATSS Newsletter: January 2017
      - 2017 CATSS Symposium
      - From the Executive Director
      - 2017 CATSS Small Grant Application Deadline
      - CATSS Podcasts Under Development
      - Summer 2016 Internship

OCTOBER 2016

• Doctoral student Erin O'Neill (Advisor: Andrew Oxenham) is featured in an MN Daily article titled "University Researchers Work to Advance Cochlear Implants".

SEPTEMBER 2016

• CATSS Newsletter: September 2016
• The first meeting of the CATSS Advisory Board, composed of representatives from the community and CATSS industry affiliates.
• CATSS Scientific Co-Director Andrew Oxenham is featured in an article titled "A New Center Brings New Opportunities".

AUGUST 2016

• CATSS/Davies-Venn undergraduate RA Sandra Osei is featured in an article titled "Students gain STEM experience as interns in MnDRIVE labs".
• The original MSP Lab website (msp.psych.umn.edu) is merged into the CATSS site (catss.umn.edu/about-msp-lab).

JULY 2016

• CATSS Director Peggy Nelson is featured in an article titled "A Scholar of the Senses".

MAY 2016

• The CATSS Spring Symposium: "Neural Interfaces for Sensory Loss" featured lectures by Robert Shannon, Geoff Ghose, and Inyong Choi.

APRIL 2016

• CATSS Newsletter: April 2016

MARCH 2016

• Visual acuity and contrast sensitivity charts are added for visual screening. Charts included are: ETDRS/Colenbrander mixed contrast charts, Pelli-Robson contrast sensitivity charts, Mars letter contrast sensitivity tests, MNRead continuous text charts, IResT: International reading speed texts.
• An AMTI AccuSway Optimized force platform, with NetForce software, is added to the MSP Lab for the assessment of balance and the measurement of postural sway.

FEBRUARY 2016

• A Maico MA-40 Air/Bone Audiometer, with both standard and insert phones, is added to CATSS and the MSP Lab for hearing screening.
• A Nidek Technologies Microperimeter MP1 is added to CATSS, courtesy of the Minnesota Laboratory for Low-Vision Research (Legge Lab), for the generation of sensitivity maps of the retina and retinography.
• Elizabeth Anderson becomes the Project Manager for CATSS.

JANUARY 2016

• Peggy Nelson is filmed in the MSP Lab for "Faculty Research Highlights" and "A Brighter U". (Click for YouTube video.)
• An ANT Neuro MyLab (mobile, 64-channel) EEG system is added to the MSP Lab, along with additional sensors such as an accelerometer, GSR, breathing, and temperature sensors.
• An infrasound generating device, a TRW-17 rotary woofer from Eminent Technology, is installed and tested in CATSS. (Click for photo.)
• Balance assessment equipment, provided by Michael Sullivan, is added to CATSS, including Otometrics ICS Chartr 200 Systems for central/peripheral vestibular system testing and auditory evoked responses, as well as a water caloric stimulator (Model NCI-480) for caloric reflex testing.
• Michael Sullivan joins CATSS as a participating scientist focusing on balance assessment.

DECEMBER 2015

• Etymotic Research ER1 insert earphones are added to MSP Booth 2. 
• A second Biosemi ActiveTwo (64-channel) EEG system is added to the MSP Lab (for use in Booth 2), along with the skin conductance module.
• Eugene Brandewie joins CATSS as a participating scientist from the hearing-aid company GN ReSound.

NOVEMBER 2015

• CATSS begins accepting applications for its Small Grant Award and Student Travel Award.
• The MSP Lab's Booth 2 is set up with the Tobii TX300 eye tracker, as well as headphones and speakers for audio presentation.

OCTOBER 2015

• October 30th, 2015: The Center for Applied and Translational Sensory Science's Grand Opening!
• A second sound-attenuating chamber is constructed in the (expanded) MSP Lab. (See construction animation.)
• CATSS faculty member Evelyn Davies-Venn is featured by Campus Climate in an article titled "From McNair Scholar to U Professor"
• The MSP Lab (along with former staff member Akshat Arneja) is featured in a new CLA campaign.
• Renovation of the CATSS/MSP space nears completion. (See "after" photos.)

SEPTEMBER 2015

• Renovation of the CATSS/MSP space continues. (See "under construction" photos.)

AUGUST 2015

• Akshat Arneja leaves the MSP Lab to begin graduate school at the University of California - Irvine.

JULY 2015

• CATSS was featured in the U of M Research: Inquiry Blog (from the Office of the Vice President for Research) titled "Center to advance sensory research across disciplines", by Kevin Coss.
• Renovation of the CATSS space in Elliott Hall begins, along with the expansion of the MSP Lab. (See "before" photos.)
• The Office of the Vice President for Research's (OVPR) Research Infrastructure Investment Program approves the funding of an expansion of the MSP Lab, including a second testing chamber, various additional equipment, as well as the renovation of the CATSS space in Elliott Hall! 
• July 6th, 2015: The Center for Applied and Translational Sensory Science (CATSS) officially starts.

(PRE-CATSS) MSP LAB NEWS

May 2015

• A Tobii TX300 eye tracker is added to the lab for measurements at a higher sampling rate than the lab's current Tobii T60XL, as well as the potential for improved synchronization with EEG recordings. 

April 2015

• The new Center for Applied and Translational Sensory Science (CATSS) is approved and funded by The Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR). The Center will be located adjacent to the MSP Lab, and a future merger of the MSP and CATSS is likely. 

March 2015

• Over the first three months of 2015, the average weekly use of the lab (40 hours/week) exceeded the maximum week's usage from 2014 (39 hours). 
• The MSP's Tobii T60XL eye tracker malfunctions and is temporarily replaced by the same model on loan from Tobii Technology LLC. 

December 2014

• The 2014 lab usage totals are in, with eye tracking being the primary use of the lab in its first full year of operation. 

November 2014

• The MSP is given a pair of Tobii Glasses 1 (for mobile eye tracking) by Engel Lab. 

May 2014

• Additional foam insulation is placed around the metal pipes, which support the speaker array and projectors within the booth, to reduce reverberation. 

April 2014

• The Multi-Sensory Perception Lab's Grand Opening!
• An emotion tracking system is added to the lab, consisting of iMotions: Attention Tool/FACET facial expression recognition software combined with a Shimmer GSR+ Module for skin conductance and pulse measurements. 

February 2014

• The lab's website (msp.psych.umn.edu) is launched. 

January 2014

• Andrew Byrne joins the MSP as Lab Coordinator. 

December 2013

• The Multi-Sensory Perception Lab's Open House!
• Epson PowerLite 485W projectors are installed in the booth along with a new three-screen setup. 

October 2013

• The first research groups begin running experiments in the lab.
• A Tobii T60XL eye-tracking system is added to the lab. 

May 2013

• The EEG system is expanded to 64 channels. 

March 2013

• A Vicon Motion Systems infrared motion-tracking system is added to the lab.
• The booth's 48-channel speaker array is completed.  

December 2012

• The initial projectors for the booth are installed along with a curved, panoramic screen. 

November 2012

• Eugene Brandewie joins the APC group as a Postdoc and as a programmer for the MSP Lab. 

October 2012

• Akshat Arneja joins the MSP and APC Labs as a Junior Scientist.
• The sound-attenuating chamber is constructed. 

September 2012

• Renovation of S22 Elliott Hall, the new home for the MSP Lab, is completed. 

July 2012

•  A Biosemi ActiveTwo EEG (8-channel) system is added to the lab.

October 2011

• Dorea Ruggles joins the APC group as a Postdoc and as Coordinator of the MSP Lab. 

June 2011

• The University of Minnesota grants nearly $1 million to build the Multi-Sensory Perception (MSP) Laboratory - a facility that will be open to investigators throughout the University to pursue perception-related research.