Federico de Martino (F.)

My research focuses on three topics. The first is the development of brain imaging methods that link computational models and in vivo measures of brain function. The second is the study of the functional organization of the auditory sub-cortical and cortical pathway. The third is the use of high field high-resolution functional and anatomical imaging for the investigation of sub-millimetre structures in the human brain.

I teach at the Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience (FPN), the Maastricht Science Program (MSP) and the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE).

I am one of the founding members of the Maastricht Young Academy (MYA), a group of young researchers of Maastricht University involved in science outreach and policy at Maastricht University. Since 2020 I am member of the global Growing Up in Science (GUS) organizing group. Together with the MYA, I have started the Maastricht Chapter of GUS.

Expertises

My research is focused on linking computaitonal models of sensory processing (and in particular audition) to mesoscopic measures of brain activity. I focus on the use of high spatial resolution functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) and ultra high fields (7 Tesla and above). This allows me to investigate the processing in both subcortical structures and within cortical layers and columns. 

I use these approaches to investigate how mesoscopic computaitons allow us to make sense of contextual infomraiton in sounds and for predictions of what we are most likely going to hear next.

 

Keywords

Machine Learning, Pattern Recognition, Encoding, Decoding, Ultra High field MRI/fMRI, Auditory Perception, Predictive Coding.

Career history
  • High-school 60/60 at the Liceo Scientifico "Leonardo Da Vinci" Salerno, Italy.
  • Master in electronic engineering at the university "La Sapienza" Rome, September 2003.
  • (2003) Graduated with maximum number of credits (110/110, "cum Laude"): The research for the thesis was conducted at the department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience of the University of Maastricht, The Netherlands (supervisors Dr. Elia Formisano and Prof. Rainer Goebel): Multi parametric characterization FMRI independent components.
  • (2008) Doctorate degree at Maastricht University (Cum Laude; supervisors Dr. Elia Formisano and Prof. Rainer Goebel): Pattern Recognition of Brain Signals
  • (2008-2011) - Post Doctoral Fellow at Maastricht University.
  • (2009-2012) - Research Associate at the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
  • (2011 - 2017) - Assistant professor at Maastricht University, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience.
  • (2013 - present) - Adjunct researcher at the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
  • 2017 - 2022. Associate professor at Maastricht University, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience.
  • Jun 2022. Professor - Specialised Remit at Maastricht University, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience.