Prof. Karl R. Gegenfurtner
![Karl Gegenfurtner Karl Gegenfurtner](media/latest.jpeg)
Giessen University
Department of Psychology
Alter Steinbacher Weg 38
35394 Giessen (Germany)
- Phone:
- +49 641 99 26 100
- Fax:
- +49 641 99 26 119
- E-Mail:
- gegenfurtner@uni-giessen.de
- Office:
- Room 320, Building F1
The emphasis of my current research is on information processing in the visual system. Specifically, I am concerned with the relationship between low level sensory processes, higher level visual cognition, and sensorimotor integration.
My goal is to answer the question how complex scenes and objects are perceived in a natural environment, how they are represented in the brain, and how the visual information is used to drive the motor system.
Selected Publications
Title:
Emergent color categorization in a neural network trained for object recognition.
Read the paper
Visit the publication
![CB 2022](media/elife-cover-a4.jpg)
Title:
The role of color in the perception of three-dimensional shape.
Read the paper
Visit the publication
![CB 2022](media/CurrentBiology2022.gif)
Title:
Ice hockey spectators use contextual cues to guide predictive eye movements.
Read the paper
Visit the publication
![CB 2021](media/CurrentBiology2021.jpg)
Title:
Individual differences in visual salience vary along semantic dimensions
Read the paper
Visit the publication
![PNAS 2019](media/pnas116-24-cover.jpg)
![Annual Review 2018](media/ar-visionsci.jpg)
Title:
Execution of saccadic eye movements affects speed perception
Read the paper
Visit the publication
![PNAS 2018](media/pnas115-9-cover.jpg)
![Current Biology 2017](media/CurrentBiology2017.jpg)
Title:
Dynamic re-calibration of perceived size in fovea and periphery through predictable size changes
Read the paper
Visit the publication
![Current Biology 2016](media/CurrentBiology2016.jpg)
![Current Biology 2015](media/CurrentBiology2015.jpg)
Title:
Selection of visual information for lightness judgements by eye movements
Read the paper
Visit the publication
![Philosophical Transactions 2013](media/philosophical_2013.jpg)
Title:
Optimal sampling of visual information for lightness judgments
Read the paper
Visit the publication
![PNAS 2013](media/pnas_2013.jpg)
Title:
Dynamic integration of information about salience and value for saccadic eye movements
Read the paper
Visit the publication
![dynamic_integration](media/dynamic_integration.jpg)
Title:
Visual Processing, Learning and Feedback in the Primate Eye Movement System
Read the paper
Visit the publication
![trends_neuroscience_09](media/trends_neuroscience_09.jpg)
Title:
Improved visual sensitivity during smooth pursuit eye movements
Read the paper
Visit the publication
![nature_neuro_08](media/nature_neuro_08.jpg)
![current_biol_08](media/current_biol_08.jpg)
![nature_neuro_06](media/nature_neuro_06.jpg)
Title:
Neuronal processing delays are compensated in the sensorimotor branch of the visual system
Read the paper
Visit the publication
![current_bio_03](media/current_bio_03.jpg)
![cortical_color](media/cortical_color.jpg)
![annual_rev](media/annual_rev.jpg)
Title:
Sensory and cognitive contributions of color to the perception of natural scenes
Read the paper
Visit the publication
![current_bio_00](media/current_bio_00.jpg)
Title:
Grasping Visual Illusions: No Evidence for a Dissociation Between Perception and Action
Read the paper
Visit the publication
![Psychological Science 2000](media/psychological_science_2000.jpg)
![nature_99](media/nature_99.jpg)
Title:
Interactions between color and motion in the visual pathways
Read the paper
Visit the publication
![trends_neuroscience_96](media/trends_neuroscience_96.jpg)
Title:
Contrast dependence of colour and luminance motion mechanisms in human vision
Read the paper
Visit the publication
![nature_94](media/nature_94.jpg)
Curriculum Vitae
1981 – 1986:
Psychology Student at the University of Regensburg, Diploma in Psychology, 1986
Visit J. Drösler
![j_droesler](media/j_droesler.jpg)
1986 – 1990:
Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology, New York University, New York
Visit G. Sperling
![g_sperling](media/g_sperling.jpg)
1986 – 1990:
Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology, New York University, New York
Visit J. Krauskopf
![j_krauskopf](media/j_krauskopf.jpg)
1990 – 1993:
Postdoc at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and at the Center for Neural Science of the New York University
Visit J. Movshon
![t_movshon](media/t_movshon.jpg)
1993 – 2000:
Research scientist at the MPI for Biological Cybernetics in Tübingen 1998: Habilitation for Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology
Visit H. Büthoff
![h_buelthoff](media/h_buelthoff.jpg)
2000 – 2001:
Professor for Biological Psychology at the Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg
Visit OVGU
![uni_magdeburg](media/uni_magdeburg.jpg)
Since 2001:
Professor for General Psychology at the Justus-Liebig-University Giessen
Visit JLU
![jlu_phil](media/jlubow.jpg)
2014
Rank Prize Funds Lecture at the European Conference of Visual Perception 2014
Visit Publication
![rank_prize](media/RankPrizeFundsLecture.jpg)
Since 2015
Member, German National Academy of Science (Leopoldina) Deputy senator since 2017
Visit Leopoldina
![leopoldina](media/leopold.png)
2016
Wilhelm Wundt medal of the German Society for Psychology (DGPS)
See press release
![wilhelm wundt medal](media/wiwumedal.png)
since 2017
Member of the Wilhelm Wundt society
Visit Wilhelm Wundt Society
![wilhelm wundt soc](media/wiwuges.jpg)
2019
Palmer Lecture of the Colour Group (GB)
Visit Colour Group (GB)
![Palmer lecture](media/PalmerLecture.jpg)
2019
Turrell Lecture Berlin
See Luther's Light
![Turrell Lecture](media/TurrellLec.jpg)
Services
Editorial board Journal Physiology (2002-2009)
Visit the journal![journal_of_physiology](media/journal_of_physiology.jpg)
Editorial board Vision Research (2007-2018)
Visit the journal![vision_research](media/vision_research.jpg)
Editorial board Visual Neuroscience (2008-2013)
Visit the journal![visual_neuroscience](media/visual_neuroscience.jpg)
Editorial board Journal of Vision (since 2009), Associate editor (since 2018)
Visit the journal![journal_of_vision](media/journal_of_vision.jpg)
Editorial board Perception (2009-2018)
Visit the journal![perception](media/perception.jpg)
Psychological Research (2010-2014)
Visit the journal![psychological_research](media/psychological_research.jpg)
2010-2014: Board of Directors Vision Science Society, President 2012/2013
Visit VSS![vision_science_society](media/vision_science_society.jpg)
Psychological Review (2015-2020)
Visit the journal![psychological_review](media/psychrev-150.gif)
2016-: Fellowship selection committee Alexander von Humboldt-Foundation
Visit AvH![humboldt_foundation](media/avh.png)
2021-2023: Member, Henriette Hertz scouting program, Alexander von Humboldt-Foundation
Visit AvH![humboldt_foundation](media/henriette.png)
Funding
2020 – 2025:
ERC Advanced Grant – Color 3.0: an object-oriented approach to color
More Information
![color30](media/color30.png)
2014 – 2021:
DFG-SFB/TRR 135 – Cardinal mechanisms of perception: Prediction, Valuation, Categorization
More Information
![sfb](media/sfb-logo.jpg)
2013 – 2022
International Research Training Group (DFG-IRTG 1901): The Brain in Action – BrainAct
More Information
![irtg](media/brain_in_action.jpg)
2017 – 2022:
Dynamics in vision and touch
More Information
![dyvito](media/dyvito.png)
2012 – 2016:
Perceptual representation of illumination, shape and material (EU) Partner Marie-Curie Initial Training Network
More Information
![prism](media/prism.jpg)
2010 – 2013:
Mesopic Vision (DFG)
![mesopic_vision](media/mesopic_vision.jpg)
2009 – 2014:
Perception of material properties (DFG Reinhart Koselleck-Projekt)
![material_properties](media/material_properties.jpg)
2008 – 2012:
Co-ordination for optimal decisions in dynamic environments (EU) Partner Marie-Curie Initial Training Network
More Information
![dynamic_environments](media/dynamic_environments.jpg)
2008 – 2011:
Augenbewegungen beim Lesen in unterschiedlichen Medien (LOEWE Teilprojekt im Schwerpunkt Kulturtechniken und ihre Medialisierung)
More Information
![augenbewegung](media/augenbewegung.jpg)
2006 – 2009:
Gaze-based communication (EU Partner STREP, FET-Open)
More Information
![gazecom](media/gazecom.jpg)
2004 – 2011:
Research Group „Perception and Action“ (DFG) Speaker
More Information
![perception_action](media/perception_action.jpg)
2004 – 2008:
Summer school „Visual Neuroscience“, head organizer (Volkswagen Foundation)
More Information
![summer_school](media/summer_school.jpg)
2003 – 2010:
Research training network NeuroAct „Gehirn und Verhalten“ (DFG), Co-Speaker
![neuroact](media/neuroact.jpg)
2003 – 2007:
Perception for recognition and action (EU) Partner Marie-Curie Initial Training Network
More Information
![pra](media/pra.jpg)
2002 – 2006:
Perception of natural scenes (DFG)
![deutsche_forschungsgemeinschaft](media/deutsche_forschungsgemeinschaft.jpg)
2002 – 2005:
Verbundprojekt Neue Verfahren der Informations- verarbeitung auf der Basis neurokognitiver Modellierung – ModKog
More Information
![bundesministerium_forschung](media/bundesministerium_forschung.jpg)
2001 – 2005:
Cortical mechanisms of color vision
![deutsche_forschungsgemeinschaft](media/deutsche_forschungsgemeinschaft.jpg)