Kyle E. Mathewson, PhD
Associate Professor, Faculty of Science - Psychology
Director, Attention Perception and Performance Lab (APPLab)
University of Alberta
Edmonton, AB
Email: kmathews@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 492-2662
Office: P-455 Bio Science - Psychology Wing
CV: Complete CV (Google Doc)
University Directory: Faculty Profile
Lab Website: APPLab
GitHub: https://github.com/kylemath
Photography: Photo Album
YouTube: YouTube Channel
Twitter: @mathkyle
Instagram: @kylemath
LinkedIn: Kyle Mathewson
Google Scholar
Navigation
Recent Projects
- homePage - Main homepage for kylemathewson.com and helper scripts
- voice2print - From my voice to plastic
- FreethrowEEG - Recording EEG during freethrow basketball shooting
- digitalClock - 3d printed digital clock for esphome and homeassistant
- 3dprint - set of .stl files and other 3d files I find useful, no credit claimed
- nehiyoMTB - Nehiyawewin trail signs for Edmonton
- IllumiStack - 3d Printing with Stacked colour layers web app
- reConstruction - GitHub repository
- EEGEdu - Interactive Brain Playground - Browser based tutorials on EEG with webbluetooth and muse
- matlab_Psychtoolbox_course - GitHub repository
- RetinotopyMatlabCode - GitHub repository
- strokeEEG - GitHub repository
- voyageAnalysis - GitHub repository
- StoryTrees3 - Story Trees 3 - RAVEN
- psych403_Fall2022 - GitHub repository
- p5.eegedu - A live coding environment in p5 which includes bluetooth transmitted brain activity as input variables
- p5.eegedu.art - GitHub repository
- StoryTrees2 - GitHub repository
- abcovid - GitHub repository
- webcamHR - P5.js webcam HR
- matlab_video_hr - GitHub repository
- Mathewson2009 - Phase analysis from Mathewson 2009
- faceoff - Latent GAN State Brain Surfing
- gmailPower - Power User for Gmail
- WhisperingPines - Webcam Responsive AudioVisual Art
- MOpt3d - A matlab optical imaging analysis and 3d reconstruction toolbox
- Apparition - Apparition make a live video puppet with pix2pix based on old youtube videos
- DeepEEG - Deep Learning with Tensor Flow for EEG MNE Epoch Objects
- pyoptical - Imagent optical imaging interface to MNE loading
- 375Data_2020 - Shared Datasets and analysis files for 375 Final Paper
- SSAEP - miceeg
- MathewsonMatlabTools - Toolbox of tricks, gadgets, gizmos, and automated emailers
- cross_colour - Overlay saturated crosshatch grid onto grayscale image for illusory colours
- pyERP - python ERP framework using MNE structures
- garmin_graphs - Load in data from garmin connect and plot over time in matlab
- TimeFreqWorkshop - Presentation and code for time frequency workshop
- necker_move - moving necker cube
- micb - Motion Induced Change Blindness - Yao, Wood, Simons 2019 - Psychtoolbox code
- nomad - Near-infrared Optical Montage Automated Design
- Muse_LSL_Environments - A set of python environments for running MUSE LSL experiments, record data, visualize, and send markers, using Alex B. muse-lsl
- MoralWordEEG - Experiment, Materials, and Analysis code for Moral Word EEG project
- AudienceEEG - GitHub repository
- FitnessMemory - GitHub repository
- DuckBunny2 - Analysis and results for duckbunny2 project
Contributor Projects
- hueforge-at-home - Basic javascript implementation of color mixing for 3d printing using p5js (5 commits ahead)
- pytutorial - Contributor project (12 commits ahead)
- muse-js - Muse 2016 EEG Headset JavaScript Library (using Web Bluetooth) (contributor to original)
- HNN-AEF - Data and code to replicate the main findings associated with the manuscript “Neural Mechanisms Underlying Human Auditory Evoked Responses Revealed by Human Neocortical Neurosolver”. (contributor to original)
- eeg-notebooks - A collection of classic EEG experiments implemented with Python and Jupyter notebooks (contributor to original)
- mne-python - MNE : Magnetoencephalography (MEG) and Electroencephalography (EEG) in Python (35 commits ahead)
- pycovid - Python package to easily access the most updated Coronavirus data using Python/PIP (contributor to original, 9 commits ahead)
- eeg-notebooks_v0.1 - A collection of classic EEG experiments implemented with Python and Jupyter notebooks (130 commits ahead)
- react-game-kit - Component library for making games with React & React Native (9 commits ahead)
- muse-lsl - Python script to stream EEG data from the muse 2016 headset (1 commits ahead)
- ml4a-guides - practical guides, tutorials, and code samples for ml4a (contributor to original, 2 commits ahead)
- visual-illusions - Can we teach a machine to classify visual illusions and generate new ones? (17 commits ahead)
- EEG-Classification - This project was a joint effort with the neurology labs at UNL and UCD Anschutz to use deep learning to classify EEG data. (18 commits ahead)
- face2face-demo - pix2pix demo that learns from facial landmarks and translates this into a face (1 commits ahead)
- Muse-LSL-Matlab-Tools - chadcwilliams.weebly.com/muse (9 commits ahead)
Web Development & Interactive Projects
Interactive web applications and digital experiences developed using modern web technologies including JavaScript, P5.js, WebGL, and Web APIs.
- EEGEdu - Interactive Brain Playground: Browser-based tutorials for learning EEG and neuroscience using Web Bluetooth and Muse headsets
- p5.eegedu - Live coding environment combining P5.js creative coding with real-time brain activity input via Bluetooth EEG
- p5.eegedu.art - Creative brain-art gallery showcasing interactive visualizations driven by neural activity
- IllumiStack - 3D printing web app for creating multi-color prints using stacked layers and color mixing algorithms
- webcamHR - Real-time heart rate detection from webcam using computer vision and signal processing in P5.js
- cross_colour - Interactive demonstration of illusory colors created by overlaying crosshatch patterns on grayscale images
- necker_move - Animated Necker cube optical illusion with interactive controls for studying visual perception
- hueforge-at-home - JavaScript implementation of color mixing algorithms for multi-material 3D printing using P5.js
- WhisperingPines - Webcam-responsive audiovisual art installation combining computer vision with generative audio
- faceoff - Interactive exploration of latent GAN space using brain signals for navigating generated face landscapes
- Apparition - Real-time video puppetry system using pix2pix neural networks trained on historical video footage
- Juventus 2013 Boys - Team website for youth soccer club featuring schedules, statistics, and team information
Recent Publications
- Combining the Los Angeles Motor Scale and the Muse Portable Electroencephalography System Improves the Accuracy of Large Vessel Occlusion Detection in Acute Stroke Syndrome. - M Kate et al. (2025)
- Abstract TMP30: Combining the Los Angeles Motor Scale and the Muse Portable Electroencephalography System Improves the Accuracy of Large Vessel Occlusion Detection in Acute … - M Kate et al. (2025)
- Quantitative electroencephalography to assess post-stroke functional disability: a systematic review and meta-analysis - I Sood et al. (2024)
- The moving wave: Applications of the mobile EEG approach to study human attention - KE Mathewson et al. (2024)
- Fast Optical Signals for Real-Time Retinotopy and Brain Computer Interface - D Perpetuini et al. (2023)
- B. 4 Quantitative electroencephalography to predict post-stroke disability: a systematic review and meta-analysis - I Sood et al. (2023)
- An# EEGManyLabs study to test the role of the alpha phase on visual perception (a replication and new evidence) - M Ruzzoli et al. (2023)
- Recommendations and publication guidelines for studies using frequency domain and time‐frequency domain analyses of neural time series - A Keil et al. (2022)
- To see, not to see or to see poorly: Perceptual quality and guess rate as a function of electroencephalography (EEG) brain activity in an orientation perception task - SS Sheldon et al. (2022)
- Metabolomic fingerprint of behavioral changes in response to full-spectrum cannabis extracts - ZH Maayah et al. (2022)
- Surrounding Traffic Matters: Increases in Traffic Volume Are Related to Changes in EEG Rhythms in Urban Cyclists - D Robles et al. (2022)
- Low cost, portable electroencephalograph may improve the accuracy of prehospital stroke diagnosis and detection of large vessel occlusion - CM Wilkinson et al. (2022)
- Abstract tp56: low cost, portable electroencephalograph may improve the accuracy of prehospital stroke diagnosis and detection of large vessel occlusion - CM Wilkinson et al. (2022)
- Abstract WMP46: Quantitative Electroencephalogram To Assess Neurovascular Coupling Post Endovascular Thrombectomy - N Ishaque et al. (2022)
- INCREASES IN TRAFFIC VOLUME ARE ASSOCIATED WITH MEASURABLE CHANGES IN EEG IN URBAN CYCLING LANES - D Robles et al. (2022)
- Connecting Covert Attention and Visual Perception to the Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Alpha Band Activity, Cross-Frequency Coupling (CFC), and Functional Connectivity using … - SS Sheldon et al. (2022)
- EEG in motion: Using an oddball task to explore motor interference in active skateboarding - D Robles et al. (2021)
- DECODING COVERT ATTENTION ON AN ORIENTATION PERCEPTION TASK FROM EEG ALPHA ACTIVITY - S Sheldon et al. (2021)
- Predicting stroke severity with a 3-min recording from the Muse portable EEG system for rapid diagnosis of stroke - CM Wilkinson* et al. (2020)
- A ride in the park: Cycling in different outdoor environments modulates the auditory evoked potentials - JEM Scanlon et al. (2020)
- The time course of moral perception: an ERP investigation of the moral pop-out effect - A Gantman et al. (2020)
- Application of the Muse portable EEG system to aid in rapid diagnosis of stroke - CM Wilkinson et al. (2020)
- Aerobic fitness unrelated to acquisition of spatial relational memory in college-aged adults - MC Chandler et al. (2020)
- Attention in Motion: Using an Oddball Task to Record Brain Activity in Skateboarders - D Robles et al. (2020)
- EFFECTS OF COVERT ATTENTION ON ORIENTATION DETECTION AND PERCEPTION: AN EEG STUDY - S Sheldon et al. (2020)
- APPLICATION OF THE MUSE PORTABLE EEG SYSTEM TO AID IN RAPID DIAGNOSIS OF STROKE - J Burrell et al. (2020)
- DIFFERENCES IN TRAFFIC CONDITIONS ARE RELATED TO N1 AMPLITUDE CHANGES DURING CYCLING - D Robles et al. (2020)
- BLINDED BY MAGIC: ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL CORRELATES OF CHANGE BLINDNESS - M Yuan et al. (2020)
- Large-area MRI-compatible epidermal electronic interfaces for prosthetic control and cognitive monitoring - L Tian et al. (2019)
- Taking off the training wheels: Measuring auditory P3 during outdoor cycling using an active wet EEG system - JEM Scanlon et al. (2019)
- The ecological cocktail party: Measuring brain activity during an auditory oddball task with background noise - JEM Scanlon et al. (2019)
- Electrophysiological correlates of hyperoxia during resting‐state EEG in awake human subjects - SAD Kizuk et al. (2019)
- Real brains in virtual worlds: Validating a novel oddball paradigm in virtual reality - JWP Kuziek et al. (2019)
- Blinded by magic: Electrophysiological correlates of change blindness - M Yuan et al. (2019)
- Effects of random fluctuations in alpha oscillations on orientation detection: an EEG study - SS Sheldon et al. (2019)
- The time-course of moral perception: An electroencephalography investigation - AP Gantman et al. (2019)
- Aerobic Fitness Does Not Predict Acquisition of Hippocampal-dependent Memory in College-aged Adults - MC Chandler et al. (2019)
- Large-area MRI-compatible epidermal electronic interfaces for prosthetic control and cognitive monitoring (vol 3, pg 194, 2019) - L Tian et al. (2019)
- Publisher Correction: Large-area MRI-compatible epidermal electronic interfaces for prosthetic control and cognitive monitoring - T Limei et al. (2019)
- Two‐layered and stretchable e‐textile patches for wearable healthcare electronics - TG La et al. (2018)
- Noncontact measurement of emotional and physiological changes in heart rate from a webcam - CR Madan et al. (2018)
- Increasing the mobility of EEG data collection using a Latte Panda computer - JWP Kuziek et al. (2018)
- Does 10-Hz cathodal oscillating current of the parieto-occipital lobe modulate target detection? - SS Sheldon et al. (2018)
- Entrainment of theta, not alpha, oscillations is predictive of the brightness enhancement of a flickering stimulus - JK Bertrand et al. (2018)
- Duck Eats Rabbit: Exactly which type of relational phrase can disambiguate the perception of identical side by side ambiguous figures? - KE Mathewson (2018)
- Electrophysiological correlates of hyperoxia during resting-state EEG in awake human subjects - W Vuong et al. (2018)
- EFFECTS OF RANDOM FLUCTUATIONS IN ALPHA POWER ON COLOR DETECTION: AN EEG STUDY - S Sheldon et al. (2018)
- FEEDBACK ERROR-RELATED NEGATIVITY AS A CONTROL SIGNAL FOR THE ATTENTION SYSTEM - D Robles et al. (2018)
- BRAIN WAVES MEET REAL LIFE: RECENT ADVANCES IN MOBILE EEG - KE Mathewson et al. (2018)
- MODULATIONS IN BASELINE OSCILLATIONS AND AUDITORY ERPS AS A FUNCTION OF REAL-WORLD ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE - JEM Scanlon et al. (2018)
- A RIDE IN THE PARK: CYCLING IN DIFFERENT OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTS AFFECTS THE AUDITORY N1 - J Scanlon et al. (2018)
- " Power and phase of alpha oscillations reveal an interaction between spatial and temporal visual attention": Erratum. - SAD Kizuk et al. (2018)
- Power and Phase of Alpha Oscillations Reveal an Interaction between Spatial and Temporal Visual Attention (vol 29, pg 480, 2017) - SAD Kizuk et al. (2018)
- High and dry? Comparing active dry EEG electrodes to active and passive wet electrodes - KE Mathewson et al. (2017)
- Power and phase of alpha oscillations reveal an interaction between spatial and temporal visual attention - SAD Kizuk et al. (2017)
- Transitioning EEG experiments away from the laboratory using a Raspberry Pi 2 - JWP Kuziek et al. (2017)
- Your brain on bikes: P3, MMN/N2b, and baseline noise while pedaling a stationary bike - JEM Scanlon et al. (2017)
- Reorganization of neural systems mediating peripheral visual selective attention in the deaf: An optical imaging study - JL Seymour et al. (2017)
- Regulating the access to awareness: Brain activity related to probe-related and spontaneous reversals in binocular rivalry - BA Metzger et al. (2017)
- Does viewing nature and urban environments change neuro-cognitive markers of attention? - J Kuziek et al. (2017)
- YOUR BRAIN IN THE WORLD: INVESTIGATING THE N1 AND P2 FOR ECOLOGICAL STIMULI. - T McLean et al. (2017)
- DO EXOGENOUSLY ENTRAINED OSCILLATIONS IN BRAIN ACTIVITY INFLUENCE PERCEPTION? - S Sheldon et al. (2017)
- Combining energy and Laplacian regularization to accurately retrieve the depth of brain activity of diffuse optical tomographic data - AM Chiarelli et al. (2016)
- The Vision Rhythm? Entrainment at Multiple Frequencies Reveal Differential Interactions Between Neural Oscillations and Visual Perception - SAD Kizuk et al. (2016)
- Taking Off the Training Wheels: Measuring Brain Activity During Outdoor Cycling Using an Active Wet EEG System - J Scanlon et al. (2016)
- Red Light, Green Light: Understanding the Perceptual Qualities of alpha Inhibition and the Role of Attention in Entrainment - J Kuziek et al. (2016)
- MAKING WAVES IN TWO STREAMS OF CONSCIOUSNESS: AN INTERACTION BETWEEN SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL ATTENTION - SAD Kizuk et al. (2015)
- NON-CONTACT MEASUREMENT OF COGNITIVE, EMOTIONAL, AND PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES IN HEART RATE WITH A WEBCAM - CR Madan et al. (2015)
- PROBING BINOCULAR RIVALRY: PRE-STIMULUS ALPHA DETERMINES WHETHER SUPPRESSED-EYE PROBES ELICIT A SWITCH IN PERCEPTUAL DOMINANCE - BA Metzger et al. (2015)
- Soft microfluidic assemblies of sensors, circuits, and radios for the skin - S Xu* et al. (2014)
- Rugged and breathable forms of stretchable electronics with adherent composite substrates for transcutaneous monitoring - KI Jang et al. (2014)
- Dynamics of Alpha Control: Preparatory Suppression of Posterior Alpha Oscillations by Frontal Modulators Revealed with Combined EEG and Event-related Optical Signal - KE Mathewson et al. (2014)
- Providing views of the driving scene to drivers’ conversation partners mitigates cell-phone-related distraction - JG Gaspar et al. (2014)
- Amelioration of the distracting effect of cellphone driving - WN Street et al. (2014)
- Keep your mind on the road: Predicting mind-wandering while driving using classification of pre-probe oscillatory brain activity and driving performance - J He et al. (2014)
- Not all probes are created equal: Suppressed probes presented during binocular rivalry draw attention to the suppressed image - BA Metzger et al. (2014)
- Retinotopic visual mapping of brain oxygenation and neuronal activity using simultaneous fast and slow near-infrared optical brain imaging in humans. - KE Mathewson et al. (2014)
- Fabrication Procedure for Rugged and Breathable Forms of Stretchable Electronics with Adherent and Composite Substrates - JA Rogers et al. (2014)
- Providing conversation partners views of the driving scene mitigates cell phone-related distraction - JG Gaspar et al. (2013)
- Making Waves in the Stream of Consciousness: Entraining Oscillations in EEG Alpha and Fluctuations in Visual Awareness with Rhythmic Visual Stimulation - KE Mathewson et al. (2012)
- Dissociable neural representations of reinforcement and belief prediction errors underlie strategic learning - L Zhu et al. (2012)
- Different slopes for different folks: Alpha and delta EEG power predict subsequent video game learning rate and improvements in cognitive control tasks - KE Mathewson et al. (2012)
- Pulsed out of awareness: EEG alpha oscillations represent a pulsed-inhibition of ongoing cortical processing - KE Mathewson et al. (2011)
- Learning to multitask: effects of video game practice on electrophysiological indices of attention and resource allocation - EL Maclin et al. (2011)
- Simultaneous perception of both interpretations of ambiguous figures - MS Jensen et al. (2011)
- WHO'S CONTROLLING THE BRAKES? PULSED INHIBITORY ALPHA EEG CORRELATES WITH PREPARATORY ACTIVITY IN THE FRONTO-PARIETAL NETWORK MEASURED CONCURRENTLY WITH THE EVENT-RELATED … - KE Mathewson et al. (2011)
- Who's controlling the brakes? Pulsed inhibitory alpha EEG is linked to preparatory activity in the fronto-parietal network measured concurrently with the event-related optical … - KE Mathewson et al. (2011)
- DISCO: DETECTORS, IMAGES, SOURCES AND CORTICAL OPTIMIZATION OF LIGHT CHANNELS FOR THE EVENT-RELATED OPTICAL SIGNAL (EROS) - DA Steines et al. (2011)
- Rescuing stimuli from invisibility: Inducing a momentary release from visual masking with pre-target entrainment - KE Mathewson et al. (2010)
- Making waves in the stream of consciousness: Eliciting predictable oscillations in visual awareness with pretarget entrainment at 12 Hz - KE Mathewson et al. (2010)
- Who will learn best? Electrophysiological markers of cognitive control predict subsequent complex task learning in the space fortress game - KE Mathewson et al. (2010)
- Controlling the timing of oscillations in neural activity and consciousness with rhythmic visual stimulation - K Mathewson et al. (2010)
- ENTRAINING NEURAL OSCILLATIONS WITH RHYTHMIC VISUAL STIMULATION ELICITS SIMULTANEOUS FLUCTUATIONS IN VISUAL AWARENESS - KE Mathewson et al. (2010)
- To see or not to see: prestimulus α phase predicts visual awareness - KE Mathewson et al. (2009)
- Illuminating awareness: Investigating the temporal and spatial neural dynamics of metacontrast masking using the event-related optical signal - K Mathewson et al. (2009)
- Making waves in the stream of consciousness: Eliciting predictable oscillations in visual awareness with visual entrainment at 12 Hz - KE Mathewson et al. (2009)
- Pre-stimulus activity predicts subsequent target detection in meta-contrast masking - K Mathewson et al. (2008)
- Training on a complex task affects dual task event-related brain potentials - KA Low et al. (2008)
- Now you see it, now you don't: Pre-stimulus electrophysiological predictors of subsequent visual awareness in metacontrast masking - KE Mathewson et al. (2008)
- The detrimental effects of working memory load on a sustained attention task: The elimination of a cueing effect with distraction - K Mathewson et al. (2007)
- Sequence learning and medial-front cortex: External versus internal error evaluation - O Krigolson et al. (2007)
- The role of medial-frontal cortex in sequence learning - OE Krigolson et al. (2006)
In the News
- Inside the mind of the machine - Geoff McMaster, Folio (October 2, 2023)
- Check Your Head - Steven Sandor, Edify Edmonton (May 1, 2023)
- Metabolic 'fingerprint' predicts impairment from medical cannabis - Gillian Rutherford, Folio, University of Alberta (April 20, 2022) (Collaboration)
- How Many Circles Do You See Here? - Andrew Daniels, Popular Mechanics (July 7, 2020)
- These headsets are changing the way U of A neuroscience students learn - Kelsey Dyer, CTV News Edmonton (September 3, 2020)
- A new frame of mind: EEG headsets transform learning for neuroscience students - Katie Willis, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta (September 2, 2020)
- This ancient optical illusion is a 14,000-year-old puzzle - Tom McNamara, Popular Science (March 23, 2020)
- Make some noise: How background noise affects brain activity - Andrew Lyle, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta (September 19, 2019)
- Is This a Rabbit or Raven? - Andrew Daniels, Popular Mechanics (August 20, 2019)
- Driving the future: New chair of the Department of Psychology focuses his sights on growth - Jennifer Pascoe, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta (August 6, 2019) (Mention)
- Driving? Your Phone Is A Distraction Even If You Aren't Looking At It - Christie Aschwanden, FiveThirtyEight (June 21, 2018)
- Next up in neuroscience - Katie Willis, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta (May 29, 2018)
- Duck, duck, rabbit: How we see what we see - Katie Willis, Faculty of Science/Folio, University of Alberta (March 5, 2018)
- Being Outdoors May Change the Way Your Brain Works, Study Says - Jamie Ducharme, TIME (February 2, 2018)
- This is your brain. This is your brain outdoors. - Katie Willis, Folio, University of Alberta (January 29, 2018)
- New equipment maps brain activity and blood flow in state-of-the-art neuroscience lab - Katie Willis, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta (August 23, 2017)
- The Factors of Focus - Staff, New Trail / Edmonton Sun (May 19, 2017)
- Episode 6: My Phone - Brothers DePaul (Jordan Foisy, host), Should I Be Scared of This? Podcast (September 21, 2015)
- Health Check: Driving Distraction - Claudia Hammond (host), BBC World Service (November 26, 2014)
- Study: Talking while driving safest with someone who can see what you see - Diana Yates, Illinois News Bureau (October 8, 2014)
- Video: Controlling brain waves to improve vision - Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology (April 23, 2014)
- Fellows Corner: Kyle Mathewson - Beckman Institute (September 27, 2011)
Research: Pervasive Brain Sensing for Everyone
A Systematic Vision: From Lab to Everyday Life
The Attention Perception and Performance Lab follows a strategic four-stage approach to democratize neuroscience through pervasive, accessible brain sensing technology. Our goal: develop robust, portable systems that can help everyone understand and optimize their cognitive performance in real-world environments.
Stage 1: Advanced Measurement Devices
We engineer portable, high-quality neural recording systems that work beyond traditional lab constraints. Our portable EEG platforms enable 3-minute stroke diagnosis, while projects like flexible neural interfaces and MRI-compatible epidermal electronics push toward seamless, comfortable brain monitoring. Future directions: Developing ultra-miniaturized, wireless neural dust and breathable electronic tattoos for continuous, imperceptible brain monitoring.
Stage 2: Accessible Software Ecosystems
We create open-source software infrastructure that makes brain recording as simple as using a smartphone. Tools like muse-js (Web Bluetooth EEG), EEGEdu (interactive brain playground), and comprehensive analysis libraries (DeepEEG, fooof, pyoptical) democratize access to neurotechnology. Future directions: Real-time AI-powered brain state decoding and personalized cognitive optimization recommendations through everyday devices.
Stage 3: Real-World Validation
We validate neuroscience findings in natural environments—measuring brain activity during cycling through traffic, skateboarding, basketball shooting (FreethrowEEG), and exploring how environmental factors modulate neural responses. This work reveals which lab findings translate to real life and which require revision. Future directions: Large-scale ecological studies using crowd-sourced brain data to understand cognitive performance across diverse populations and environments.
Stage 4: Translational Applications
We deploy validated technologies across four domains: Research (open-source tools, reproducible workflows), Education (interactive learning platforms, programming courses), Consumer (creative brain-art interfaces, physiological monitoring via webcamHR), and Clinical (emergency stroke assessment, post-stroke rehabilitation). Projects span from Indigenous language preservation (nehiyoMTB) to creative fabrication (voice2print, IllumiStack). Future directions: Personalized cognitive enhancement, predictive mental health monitoring, and brain-responsive smart environments.
Emerging Frontiers: AI-Enhanced Perceptual Engineering
Our newest work explores whether machines can understand and generate visual illusions (visual-illusions, cross_colour), opening pathways to AI-human cognitive collaboration. We're developing computational methods that combine multivariate pattern analysis with web technologies to create the next generation of brain-computer interfaces that enhance rather than replace human cognition.
Teaching
- PSYCH 275 - Brain and Behavior: An introduction to brain mechanisms involved in sensation, perception, movement, motivation, learning, and cognition, as studied in both humans and lower animals. [YouTube Playlist]
- PSYCH 375 - Cognitive Neuroscience: An advanced study of cognitive processes from a neuroscientific perspective, examining how the brain supports functions such as attention, perception, memory, and executive control. [YouTube Playlist 1] | [YouTube Playlist 2]
- PSYCH 396, 398, 496, 498 - Independent Research Projects: Supervised independent research projects for undergraduate and graduate students.
- Supervision of Masters and Doctoral Students' Theses: Mentoring graduate students through their research projects and thesis completion.
- PSYCH 403/505 - Recent Advances in Experimental Psychology / Conference Course in Psychology: Advanced concepts and theories in experimental psychology and emerging research areas. I have taught five versions of this course in various years:
- Computer Programming for Psychology 1: Experiment Creation, Presentation, Data Collection
- Computer Programming for Psychology 2: Data Analysis, Statistics, and Visualization
- Consciousness: Recent Advances and Theories
- Advanced Cognitive Neuroscience
- Brain Sensing and Stimulation
- Course Content Creation Projects:
About
I am an Associate Professor of Psychology in the Faculty of Science's Department of Psychology at the University of Alberta. I was previously a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Beckman Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and in the Department of Psychology at the University of Alberta. I received my PhD in 2011 from the Brain and Cognition Division of the Department of Psychology at the University of Illinois in the Cognitive Neuroimaging Lab of Drs. Monica Fabiani and Gabriele Gratton, with the support of a Post Graduate Scholarship from the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada. I received my B.A. in Psychology (Honours; First in Graduating Class) from the University of Victoria in 2007, completing my honours thesis in the Learning and Cognitive Control Lab under the supervision of Dr. Clay Holroyd.
Academic Research and Leadership
As Director of the Attention Perception and Performance Lab (APPLab) in the Department of Psychology at the University of Alberta, I lead research in cognitive neuroscience focusing on visual awareness, attention, learning, and memory. Our lab uses cutting-edge approaches combining human behavioral studies, neuroimaging, and electrophysiological recording. We're particularly focused on developing portable, accessible brain-sensing technologies and studying attention in real-world environments. Our work spans from basic research on neural oscillations to applied projects in areas like stroke diagnosis and sports performance.
Industry and Consulting
Beyond academia, I engage in independent consulting work, applying neuroscience and cognitive psychology principles to real-world challenges. My expertise in portable brain-sensing technology and human performance optimization has led to collaborations with various industries and organizations.
Personal Life and Community Involvement
Outside of my academic work, I'm actively involved in the Edmonton community, particularly in youth sports development. I serve as a soccer coach for the Juventus Soccer Club, working with the 2013 Boys T3 team. I'm also an active player myself in the Edmonton and District Soccer Association, combining my passion for sports with community engagement.
I share my life with my wife, Dr. Claire Scavuzzo, who is also at the University of Alberta. Together, we balance our academic careers with family life and various projects. Our children are actively involved in technology and sports - my son is developing his coding skills (visible on his GitHub) and shares his interests through his YouTube channel, while also playing soccer with the Juventus club.
This combination of academic research, industry application, and community involvement allows me to pursue my goal of making neuroscience more accessible and applicable to everyday life, while maintaining a rich and balanced personal life.
Work Experience
Academic Positions
- Associate Professor (2019-present)
Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta
Director, Attention Perception and Performance Lab (APPLab)
Research focus: Cognitive neuroscience, portable EEG systems, real-world brain monitoring
- Assistant Professor (2013-2019)
Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta
Director, Attention Perception and Performance Lab (APPLab)
Established lab, developed portable brain sensing technologies, secured research funding
- Postdoctoral Fellow (2011-2013)
Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Supervisors: Drs. Monica Fabiani and Gabriele Gratton
Research on neural oscillations, optical brain imaging, flexible electronics
- Postdoctoral Fellow (2011)
Department of Psychology, University of Alberta
Supervisor: Dr. Anthony Singhal
Transition position focusing on attention and perception research
Industry & Consulting Experience
- Senior Software Engineer (May 2023 - Oct 2023)
Neurosity, San Francisco Bay Area (Remote)
6 months, Permanent Full-time
Skills: Data Science, TypeScript, and 15+ additional technical skills
Focus on neurotechnology software development and brain-computer interface applications
- Chief Scientist (Jun 2021 - May 2023)
Blueberry, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2 years
Skills: Data Science, TypeScript, and 5+ additional skills
Leadership role in scientific research and technology development
- Scientific Advisor (Jul 2020 - Jun 2021)
Blueberry, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
1 year
Skills: Neuroscience
Advisory role providing neuroscience expertise and strategic guidance
- Independent Consultant (2013-present)
Neuroscience and Cognitive Psychology Applications
Applied research consulting for various industries and organizations
Expertise in portable brain-sensing technology and human performance optimization
- Industry Collaborations
Various projects involving neurotechnology development and validation
Work with companies developing portable EEG systems, brain-computer interfaces, and consumer neurotechnology applications
Community & Leadership
- Soccer Coach (2010s-present)
Juventus Soccer Club, Edmonton
2013 Boys T3 team coaching and youth development
Active player in Edmonton and District Soccer Association
- Open Source Project Leadership
GitHub: @kylemath
Lead developer on EEGEdu, muse-js, DeepEEG, and numerous neuroscience tools
Active contributor to democratizing neuroscience through accessible technology
Last updated: January 2025 | Office: P-455 Bio Science - Psychology Wing | Contact