Srijita Karmakar
sometimes what's real is something you can't see
Follow @srijitakarmakarCalifornia, USA
srijita@ucsb.edu
Skills
Python, MATLAB, R
EEG, Eye-Tracking, Pattern Recognition, Machine Learning, Deep Learning
Bayesian Ideal Observers, Signal Detection Theory, Psychtoolbox, EEGLAB
Photoshop, Latex
About
I am a graduate student working with Prof. Miguel Eckstein at the Vision and Image Understanding Lab, Dept. of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara. I am interested in exploring questions that can potentially allow a better understanding of vision and the brain's role in it. Previously, I explored human visual cognition in the context of face perception under the supervision of Prof. Koel Das, at the Neuro Lab, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata, India. I am currently chasing a better understanding of the temporal dynamics involved in the intricate interplay and trade-offs between foveal and peripheral vision. I am also deeply interested in uncovering the black box of artificial intelligence, at least in the realm of vision, to get a create a stronger understanding of how the biological brain and the artificial brain may differ from each other, and (more importantly) learn from each other. When I am not doing vision science or honing my computational skills, you would probably find me writing poetry, playing my guitar, watching obscure films, or trekking Himalayan mountains.
Projects
Anticipatory Orienting of Covert Attention using Dynamic Gaze Cueing
I utilized eye-tracking and reverse correlation to investigate the temporal dynamics of the integration of information from the visual fovea and the periphery involved in gaze-following behavior. I presented this work as a poster at the Vision Sciences Society Annual Meeting (May 2024, conference abstract linked below).
Investigating the Benefit of Deep-Learning Based Algorithms in Medical Image Analysis
I worked with (Dr., circa 2024!) Devi Klein under the supervision of Dr. Miguel Eckstein, to delineate the advantages and disadvantages of using CNN-CAD tools for the diagnosis of disorders from medical images such as CT scans (publication linked below).
Dynamics of Gaze-Following Saccades During Search
As part of my second-year PhD project, I utilized eye-tracking to investigate the visual perceptual mechanisms that guide gaze following behavior using dynamic and naturalistic stimuli. I presented this work as a talk at the Gordon Research Conference on Eye Movements and as a poster at the Gordon Research Seminar on Eye Movements (July 2023). I also presented this at our departent Minicon for second year graduate students (May 2024, linked below).
https://www.youtube.com/live/GdxziXtdyxM?si=j0AcKfSFPjTmZD7A
Effect of Visual Experience with Face Masks on Face Perception during COVID-19
For my Masters' Thesis, under the supervision of Dr. Koel Das, Dept. of Mathematics and Statistics, IISER Kolkata, focused on utilizing psychophysics and EEG to understand the effect of extensive usage of face-masks in light of COVID-19 on the perceptual abilities of human beings. I presented this work at the Visual Sciences Society Annual Meeting (May 2022, conference abstract linked below).
Reward and Emotion Interaction - An fMRI Data Analysis Project
In the summer of 2022, I was part of a team at the Neuromatch Academy program who worked to explore a link between reward processing and emotion using the HCP fMRI dataset
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1HxTTPJLCty0zqCUq8xyeXwzgsiJ4ygy7LHVWC1x8uSs/edit?usp=sharing
Machine Learning and Network Analysis (MA4207 Machine Learning Course Project)
In 2021, for a course project, I was part of a team where we used random forest classifier and PCA to extract meaningful information from a pre-recorded dataset.
Feeding Preference of Free-Ranging Gray Langurs in an Urban Context
In the summer of 2019, I was part of a team that explored the adaptive feeding behavior of primates in an urbanized setting under the guidance of Dr. Manabi Paul, Calcutta University (publication linked below).
Work Experience
Graduate Teaching Assistant, PSY 130 (Perception and Vision)
University of California, Santa Barbara
Fall 2022, was a teaching assistant to 100-odd undegraduate students. Duties included holding office hours. proctoring, and grading
Teaching Assistant, LS3102 (Cell Biology) and LS2201 (Evolutionary Biology)
Indian Institute of Science Education and Reseach, Kolkata
Fall 2021 and Spring 2022, duties involved proctoring, and grading
Teaching Staff
Ek Pehal, IISER Kolkata
2019-2022, volunteered with Ek Pehal, a student-led initiativen associated with my undergraduate institute campus, to teach young children from neigbouring localities
Education
Ongoing PhD
University of California, Santa Barbara
September 2022-present, pursuing a PhD in the Dept. of Psychological and Brain Sciences at UCSB (GPA 4.0)
Dual Degree (BS-MS, Life Science major)
Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata
2017-2022, earned Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in a 5-year Integrated program (GPA 9.46/10)