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ӰԺ Fernandino Laboratory

Welcome to the Semantic Cognition Lab

Our team investigates how concepts and language meaning are encoded in the brain. We use functional brain imaging (fMRI and MEG), transcranial magnetic stimulation, and behavioral assessment of neurological patients and healthy participants.

A current focus of our work is the application of fMRI, semantic modeling and machine learning techniques to investigate how word meaning is represented in high-level association areas of the cortex and how these representations relate to sensory-motor and affective neural systems.

The ultimate goal is to elucidate the representational code for conceptual knowledge, leading to a deeper understanding of the language and memory deficits caused by neurological disorders, as well as to advancements in artificial intelligence and brain-machine interface technology.

Leonardo Fernandino Lab Logo

Fernandino Lab Featured Studies

Neural Map of Word Meaning

A Neural Map of Word Meaning

In this study, we asked which areas of the cerebral cortex represent information about the meanings of words. Previous neuroimaging studies had indicated that large portions of the temporal, parietal, and frontal lobes participate in processing language meaning, but it was unknown which regions actually encoded information about individual word meanings.


Tong, Binder, Humphries, Mazurchuk, Conant, and Fernandino (2022). The Journal of Neuroscience.

Fernandino Lab Research

The Stuff of Thought is the Stuff of Experience

In this study, we addressed the question of how the contents of our thoughts – concepts, ideas, beliefs – are related to the physical world that we experience through our senses.


Fernandino, Tong, Conant, Humphries, and Binder (2022). PNAS.

Fernandino Lab Recent Publications & News

Publications


Fernandino & Conant (2024). Neuropsychologia.


Mazurchuk, Fernandino, Tong, Conant, & Binder (2024). Cerebral Cortex.

Concept Representation: , 2nd edition, Elsevier
Fernandino & Binder (2024).


Fernandino & Binder (2024). Brain and Language.


Mazurchuk, Conant, Tong, Binder, and Fernandino (2023). Language, Cognition and Neuroscience.

News

Leonardo Fernandino, PhD, receives $2M grant to study how language meaning is encoded in brain activity using functional neuroimaging
ӰԺ News | May 7, 2024


The Morning Show, WPR | March 17, 2022


Organization for Human Brain Mapping | February 17, 2017


HuffPost | July 21, 2016

Fernandino Lab Members

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Leonardo Fernandino, PhD

Assistant Professor of Neurology, Biophysics, and Biomedical Engineering; Interim Vice Chair, Faculty Affairs and Development, Department of Neurology

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Sidney Schoenrock, MA

Program Manager

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Jiaqing (Tony) Tong, PhD

Postdoctoral Researcher

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Jed Mathis, BS

Engineer II

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Joe Heffernan, MS

Engineer III

Fernandino Lab Collaborators

Andrew J. Anderson, PhD
Assistant Professor of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Biomedical Engineering

Jeffrey R. Binder, MD
Professor of Neurology and Biophysics

William Gross, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Biophysics

Hernan G. Rey, PhD
Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery and Biomedical Engineering

Priyanka Shah-Basak, PhD
Assistant Professor of Neurology and Biomedical Engineering

Contact the Fernandino Lab

Leo Fernandino, PhD
Director, Semantic Cognition Lab
lfernandino@mcw.edu

 

The Fernandino Lab is supported by the .

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Department of Neurology
8701 Watertown Plank Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53226

 

We are affiliated with the Department of Neurology, the Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, the Neuroscience Research Center, and the doctoral programs in Neuroscience and Biophysics.

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