Sign in

Sander van Bree

@sandervanbree.bsky.social
602 followers 495 following 62 posts

Postdoc JLU Giessen — how is cognition realized by the brain? Oscillations aficionado, mind sciences omnivore, hip-hop head sandervanbree.com

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Sander van Bree
Andrea Luppi, PhD @loopyluppi.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
1/ 🚨 Just out in @natneuro.nature.com! 🧠 We profiled >6,000 features of brain dynamics across humans, macaques, marmosets, mice, fish and worms 🧑🐒🐒🐁🐟🪱 to find a shared neural endpoint of anaesthesia: spatiotemporal isolation of local activity 🧵👇 🔗 doi.org/10.1038/s41593-026-02460-4
23922
Reposted by Sander van Bree
Alessandro Gifford @alessandrogifford.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
New Colab notebook for in silico neuroscience discovery: explore functional selectivity to visual images over the whole cortex through fMRI activation maximization. colab.research.google.com/drive/1kXOzb...
colab.research.google.com
Google Colab
052
Reposted by Sander van Bree
Ole Jensen @olejensen.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
I would like to highlight two postdoctoral positions in the project Neuronal Mechanisms of Reading in Children Using OPM-MEG at the University of Oxford: my.corehr.com/pls/uoxrecruit… my.corehr.com/pls/uoxrecruit��� Deadline 30 Sep.
my.corehr.com
03737
Reposted by Sander van Bree
Maxence Pajot @maxencepajot.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
New AI models now show incredible math skill, solving problems that had stumped mathematicians for years. But what about basic geometric abilities? In our new paper in PLOS Computational Biology, we investigate this in vision models: doi.org/10.1371/jour... 1/8
doi.org
Can neural networks model the human perception of geometric shapes?
Author summary Recent neural networks have achieved remarkable success across a wide range of visual tasks, often rivaling or surpassing human performance. Yet, it remains unclear whether these system...
1356
Sander van Bree @sandervanbree.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Congrats! Well deserved
020
Sander van Bree @sandervanbree.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Congrats!
010
Reposted by Sander van Bree
Susan Ajith @suzibot.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
How does the brain track an object even when it is occluded and in constrained, non-linear motion? 👁️🧠 In a new preprint, we use EEG+behavior to study how we mentally track motion (w/ @dkaiserlab.bsky.social, @luchunyeh.bsky.social, @kathadobs.bsky.social,...) www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6... 1/5 🧵
biorxiv.org
Cortical alpha rhythms predictively track occluded motion trajectories
Objects in the real world frequently move along complex, non-linear trajectories shaped by their environment. As they do, they often pass temporarily out of sight, occluded by the surrounding environm...
1428
Sander van Bree @sandervanbree.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
I suggest a fourth principle: have a publicly findable email address!
240
Reposted by Sander van Bree
Martin Hebart @martinhebart.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
I have been meaning to write a post about a preprint that I'm pretty excited about: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6... In neuroscience we often assume that we can learn something general about “the brain” using different species. But is this true? Do monkeys even see the world the way we do?
On the left, an image of a rhesus macaque looking towards its left, and on the right, an AI-generated zoomed-out rendering of a human in the same pose. Both are looking.
36022
Reposted by Sander van Bree
Heleen Slagter @haslagter.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
PhD position (4 years, paid) on an NWO-funded project on the Role of Foveal Processing in Spatial Attention at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands, supervised by Dr. Mieke Donk (main PI) and me! For more information: workingat.vu.nl/vacancies/ph...
workingat.vu.nl
Vacancy — PhD position (4 years) on the Role of Foveal Processing in Spatial Attention
Are you interested in understanding how attention shapes what we see? Would you like to combine behavioural experiments, psychophysics, and eye tracking to uncover how the brain selects and prioritise...
03934
Sander van Bree @sandervanbree.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
If you’d like to dig into more results and interpretations, the full paper is here: biorxiv.org/content/10.6... We thank Paolo Papale and colleagues for the macaque data, and Florian Mahner for sNMF code. Further acknowledgments are in the paper.
biorxiv.org
Shared and Distinct High-Dimensional Object Spaces in Human and Macaque Inferotemporal Cortex
Human and macaque studies of inferotemporal cortex (IT) have shaped our understanding of object vision, yet the extent of their representational alignment and the precise nature of this correspondence...
010
Sander van Bree @sandervanbree.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Finally, we noticed orthographic stimuli (symbols, icons, multi-object ensembles) loading strongly onto some shared axes. Follow-up analyses confirmed a shared neural signature for this content, consistent with precursor mechanisms in macaques for human orthographic rep's.
110
Sander van Bree @sandervanbree.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
- An imbalance in representations of animacy, with artificial objects vs living objects expressed differently - A conspecificity bias, with human body parts enriched in the human space & monkey stimuli in the macaque space - Different emphases of visual vs conceptual information
100
Sander van Bree @sandervanbree.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Factorizing this cross-species space, we find interpretable dimensions, many of which combine visual features and concept-level properties. E.g., factors 6 and 7 both capture animals, but distinguish right- vs left-facing pose. Next up, we also find several key differences:
100
Sander van Bree @sandervanbree.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
We find that macaque and human IT share a surprisingly rich geometry of object space. In total, we recover around 90 reliably shared axes, many of which show interpretable clusters of content. Even the first two axes already contain a lot of richness:
100
Sander van Bree @sandervanbree.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
We analyzed human fMRI and macaque multi-unit IT responses to the same 8640 naturalistic object images. Specifically, we built a framework for cross-species alignment that seeks to discern similarities and differences without specifying beforehand what that might look like.
110
Sander van Bree @sandervanbree.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Excited to share our preprint! w/ @martinhebart.bsky.social To understand how primates visually process objects in the world, we rely on both research in human and macaque IT. But what representations of object space are actually shared between them? biorxiv.org/content/10.6... Quick thread 🧵
biorxiv.org
Shared and Distinct High-Dimensional Object Spaces in Human and Macaque Inferotemporal Cortex
Human and macaque studies of inferotemporal cortex (IT) have shaped our understanding of object vision, yet the extent of their representational alignment and the precise nature of this correspondence...
26626
Reposted by Sander van Bree
Lenny van Dyck @levandyck.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Excited to be at #CCN2026 in New York to present brand-new work with @kathadobs.bsky.social 🥳 By testing hundreds of categories, we found striking differences in functional specialization between visual cortex and DNNs 🧠 Come find me at poster F81 on Thursday 1:45-3:30 p.m. Happy to chat!
1235
Reposted by Sander van Bree
Ingmar de Vries @ingmardevries.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
🔭JOB ALERT🔬 Fully-funded PhD (+ soon postdoc) openings in my lab @cimecunitrento.bsky.social in Italy, as part of an Italian FIS3 starting grant. TOPIC: Investigating predictive neural representations in naturalistic settings using MEG-based dynamic RSA
11917
Reposted by Sander van Bree
katja seeliger @seelikat.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
I'm at #CCN2026 in NYC with the following work: "System identification from raw EEG during clinical propofol sedation with an interpretable latent SDE model" 2026.ccneuro.org/poster/?id=m... Poster Session A, A12, Tuesday/August 4, 9:30 - 11:15 am.
2026.ccneuro.org
Poster Presentation
092
Reposted by Sander van Bree
Kate Nave @kathrynnave.eurosky.social · 29/07/2026
My postdoc is coming to an end, so I'm looking for work! Let me know if you, or anyone you know, wants to hire a philosopher of biology/cognition with a knack for cross-disciplinary work, a focus on autonomy + agency, and experience writing for the broader public (10+ yrs in sci/tech journalism).
35032
Reposted by Sander van Bree
Peter Kok @peterkok.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
The postdoc position in our lab closes 20 July - get applying! :)
02221
Reposted by Sander van Bree
Luca Kolibius @lucakolibius.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Excited to see our work (Kolibius, Josselyn & Hanslmayr, TICS 2025) was cited in the most recent Kurzgesagt video on “How Is a Memory Stored Inside Your Brain”. It’s a fantastic video and I recommend watching it! Video: youtube.com/watch?v=Pqtg... Paper: www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
youtube.com
How Is a Memory Stored Inside Your Squishy Brain?
YouTube video by Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell
1122
Reposted by Sander van Bree
Simon Kern @skjerns.de · 15/06/2026
🧠 New preprint! How well can current algorithms *actually* detect neural "replay" in the human brain under absolutely optimal conditions? We built FASTIMAGES: A combined MEG + fMRI benchmark with KNOWN neural sequences, so replay-detection methods can finally be validated against a ground truth.
cimh-clinical-psychology.github.io
FASTIMAGES: Validating replay detection methods in human neuroimaging
A combined MEG + fMRI benchmark dataset with known neural sequences to validate replay detection methods (TDLM and SODA).
1279
Reposted by Sander van Bree
Martin Hebart @martinhebart.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Can’t wait to see everyone at #VSS2026! We hope you can make it to our lab’s presentations! (see below) Come and visit us at the talks and posters, and make sure you come to our workshop about the community replication initiative re:vision. Low bar for entry! Details on the day of each presentation!
14511
Reposted by Sander van Bree
Kaiser Lab @dkaiserlab.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Kaiser Lab is at @vssmtg.bsky.social with 6 posters and 3 talks! 👁️🏖️☀️ Come check out our works!
0226
Reposted by Sander van Bree
Katharina Dobs @kathadobs.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
It's #VSS2026 time! We're super excited to be back and presenting some exciting, ongoing projects in the lab. Come by and say hi! 🤗
0256
Sander van Bree @sandervanbree.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Are you attending #VSS2026? Come check out my talk on cross-species alignment for finding shared and distinct representational geometries in primate IT. Saturday, May 16, 2026, 3.30pm, Talk Room 1
0258
Reposted by Sander van Bree
Randolph Helfrich @randolph-helfrich.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
Two postdoc opportunities @yale.edu in human neurophysiology. One position in my lab @wutsaiyale.bsky.social focusing on human cognitive neurophysiology. Details at helfrich-lab.com/news/ Plus a possible collab with anesthesiology 👇 #NeuroTwitter #NeuroJobs #neuroskyence #EEG Please share.
15251
Sander van Bree @sandervanbree.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
If you're looking for a PhD position, I recommend this. Benedikt is great to work with!
050
Reposted by Sander van Bree
Simon Kern @skjerns.de · 10/04/2026
Can we really measure replay in humans using MEG with current methods? In our most recent paper we simulated replay under realistic conditions via a novel hybrid approach with astonishing results. we're delighted that it has now been published @elife.bsky.social! elifesciences.org/articles/108...
cimh-clinical-psychology.github.io
TDLM-Resting-State Simulation
How sensitive is TDLM really? Can we actually find replay when we know it is present?
37133
Reposted by Sander van Bree
micha heilbron @mheilbron.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
📢 PhD position in the NeuroAI of Language Why can LLMs predict brain activity so well? We're hiring a PhD student to find out -- AI interpretability meets neuroimaging Deadline March 20 Please RT 🙏 👇 mpi.nl/career-education/vacancies/vacancy/fully-funded-4-year-phd-position-neuroai-language
25239
Reposted by Sander van Bree
Federico Adolfi @fedeadolfi.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
Original is from 2021. Still relevant 🧠🟦 🧪 I wonder how many kinds of templates would be needed to capture most “canned” cog/neuro science out there…
091
Reposted by Sander van Bree
Susan Ajith @suzibot.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
🧨 Preprint alert Is it easier to find a ball than a shoe? The answer lies in how variable we think these objects are in the real-world. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6... w/ the amazing @dkaiserlab.bsky.social & @luchunyeh.bsky.social 🦄 🧵1/8
biorxiv.org
1208
Reposted by Sander van Bree
Pierre Mégevand @vanmedge.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
New PhD and post-doc job openings! Join me and Prof. Nina Kazanina @ Uni Geneva, Switzerland, to take part in an exciting project on relations and binding in language and vision, explored with cutting-edge neurophysiology (#iEEG and MEG). Full details in the job offer below.
12818
Reposted by Sander van Bree
lucakaemmer.bsky.social @lucakaemmer.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
Finally out in eLife!! "Early foveal cortex predicts the features of saccade targets through feedback from higher cortical areas." elifesciences.org/articles/107...
elifesciences.org
Feedback of peripheral saccade targets to early foveal cortex
Low-level features of peripheral saccade targets are fed back to early foveal retinotopic cortex in a signal that resembles activation elicited by direct foveal presentation.
03211
Reposted by Sander van Bree
ispsm @ispsm.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
🔔✨Call for papers and symposia on Frances Egan’s (@francesegan.bsky.social) ‘Deflating Mental Representation’ (13/04 - 15/04) alongside Neural Mechanisms Online and Philosophy and the Mind Sciences (@phimisci.bsky.social)! More info: tinyurl.com/NMO-ISPSM and tinyurl.com/Phimisci-Egan #philsky
Poster advertising symposia on Frances Egan’s book ‘Deflating Mental Representation’ (13/04 - 15/04). More info: https://tinyurl.com/NMO-ISPSM and https://tinyurl.com/Phimisci-Egan
11710
Reposted by Sander van Bree
Natalie Schaworonkow @nschawor.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
main goal for this year: find a new job! 🙂 looking for a role with fun & complex technical challenges & within a great community. my main expertise is in signal processing/EEG/MEG, but topic-wise I am quite flexible. science/industry both great! starting mid-year. nschawor.github.io/cv
310466
Reposted by Sander van Bree
Casper Kerrén @ckerren.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
New preprint: Inference over hidden contexts shapes the geometry of conceptual knowledge for flexible behaviour. In this pre-reg study, our core claim was that we don’t just learn stimulus-reward. We infer hidden context and that inference re-wires attention and neural state space on the fly. 1/8
13816
Reposted by Sander van Bree
The Transmitter @thetransmitter.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
A “universal” pattern of cortical brain oscillations may be less ubiquitous than previously proposed. By @claudia-lopez.bsky.social #neuroskyence www.thetransmitter.org/brain-waves/...
thetransmitter.org
Dispute erupts over universal cortical brain-wave claim
The debate highlights opposing views on how the cortex transmits information.
13211
Sander van Bree @sandervanbree.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
Good postdoc opportunity ⬇️
020
Reposted by Sander van Bree
Grace Lindsay @neurograce.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
Spread the word: I'm looking to hire a postdoc to explore the concept of attention (as studied in psych/neuro, not the transformer mechanism) in large Vision-Language Models. More details here: lindsay-lab.github.io/2025/12/08/p... #MLSky #neurojobs #compneuro
lindsay-lab.github.io
Lindsay Lab - Postdoc Position
Artificial neural networks applied to psychology, neuroscience, and climate change
212791
Reposted by Sander van Bree
Sam Schwarzkopf @sampendu.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
If you calculated noise ceilings (NC) based on split-half reliability - e.g. to compare models - this one is important! Seems many published studies miscalculated it, overestimating model performance. First, let's make this crystal clear: NC = 2*r / (1+r) where r is split-half correlation.
1214
Reposted by Sander van Bree
Martin Hebart @martinhebart.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
We recently stumbled upon a surprisingly common misunderstanding in computing noise ceilings that can be quite consequential. So if you care about noise ceilings, please check out Sander’s thread and our preprint! 👇
0185
Sander van Bree @sandervanbree.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
Thanks for sharing! I enjoyed this exchange. My apologies for citing your book in a suboptimal spot, that one's on us.
110
Sander van Bree @sandervanbree.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
6/ We'd like to thank all researchers who answered our questions on how noise ceilings were computed, and we thank several folks listed in the Acknowledgments for their discussions and efforts. PDF: osf.io/preprints/ps...
osf.io
OSF
020
Sander van Bree @sandervanbree.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
5/ We also share some simulations and proofs to illustrate the core point. Overall, our aim is to make the computation of noise ceilings more consistent across future work, and we share several tips for achieving this.
110
Sander van Bree @sandervanbree.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
4/ To this end, we offer a basic intuition with math & visuals to explain how reliability maps onto model performance. In a nutshell, split halves both contain measurement noise, but a True model does not; so the former is doubly attenuated, causing ceiling underestimation.
120
Sander van Bree @sandervanbree.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
3/ We analyzed the literature and found that about 60% of the sampled literature uses a mapping that makes models appear closer to ceiling than intended. The goal of this paper is to show the statistical underpinnings of why the above mappings follow.
110
Sander van Bree @sandervanbree.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
2/ The pitfall is that although this reliability-based ceiling is expressed as a correlation coefficient, it does not reflect a ceiling on model corr (r), but on model explained var. (R²) Specifically: Model metric R² maps onto reliability Model metric r maps onto sqrt(reliability)
100