Kyle Elliott 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

Professional Links

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.

Catalogue Preview

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Recent Projects

Contributor Projects

Independent Sites & Apps

Standalone experiences including EEGEdu, Juventus club site, and other lab or community projects.

Web Development & Interactive Projects

Interactive web applications and digital experiences developed using modern web technologies including JavaScript, P5.js, WebGL, and Web APIs.

Long Form Catalogue

Feature-length essays, zines, and interactive writing experiments from dedicated repositories.

Long Form Writing

Essays and extended analyses exploring the intersection of science, society, and innovation.

Research: Pervasive Brain Sensing for Everyone

Foundational Research: Visual Awareness & Consciousness

Our foundational work investigates the neural mechanisms underlying conscious visual perception. Through pioneering studies of alpha oscillations (8-12 Hz brain rhythms), we discovered that consciousness operates not as a continuous stream but as discrete pulses—what we call "pulsed inhibition." This work reveals how brain rhythms gate access to awareness, explaining why we sometimes see and sometimes miss the same stimulus.

Core Discoveries: The Rhythmic Nature of Consciousness

Alpha oscillations and visual awareness

Our most-cited research established that the phase and power of alpha oscillations predict whether we perceive visual stimuli. By entraining these rhythms with flickering lights, we can create predictable fluctuations in awareness—demonstrating causal control over consciousness itself. This work has fundamentally shaped our understanding of attention, perception, and the neural basis of subjective experience.

Key papers:

Related studies:

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A Systematic Vision: From Lab to Everyday Life

Building on these foundational discoveries, 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

Portable EEG technology

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.

Related papers:

Flexible Electronics & Advanced Materials

Flexible electronics and wearable sensors

Our collaboration with materials scientists has pioneered the next generation of wearable neural interfaces. These ultra-thin, breathable electronic systems conform to skin like temporary tattoos while maintaining research-grade signal quality. Unlike rigid electrodes, they enable comfortable, long-term monitoring compatible with advanced imaging (MRI) and real-world activities.

Key papers:

Related imaging research:

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Stage 2: Accessible Software Ecosystems

EEGEdu interactive brain playground

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.

Related projects:

  • EEGEdu - Interactive Brain Playground
  • DeepEEG - Deep learning for EEG analysis
  • muse-js - Web Bluetooth EEG library
  • pyoptical - Python optical imaging interface

Stage 3: Real-World Validation

Mobile EEG recording during cycling

We validate neuroscience findings in natural environments—measuring brain activity during cycling through traffic, skateboarding, basketball shooting, 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.

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Stage 4: Translational Applications

Clinical stroke diagnosis application

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), and Clinical (emergency stroke assessment, post-stroke rehabilitation). Projects span from Indigenous language preservation to creative fabrication. Future directions: Personalized cognitive enhancement, predictive mental health monitoring, and brain-responsive smart environments.

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Creative Applications: Brain-Art & Interactive Experiences

Beyond clinical and research applications, we explore how brain sensing can enable new forms of creative expression and human-computer interaction. These projects transform neural activity into art, music, and interactive experiences—making the invisible visible and creating intuitive interfaces between mind and machine.

Neural Art & Generative Interfaces

Brain-controlled creative applications

Our creative projects use real-time brain activity to control generative art, navigate AI-generated imagery, and create responsive audiovisual experiences. These tools democratize neurotechnology by making it playful, engaging, and accessible to artists, educators, and the public.

Interactive brain-art platforms:

  • p5.eegedu - Live coding environment with brain activity as input
  • p5.eegedu.art - Gallery of brain-controlled generative art
  • faceoff - Navigate GAN-generated faces using brain signals
  • Apparition - Video puppetry controlled by neural activity

Visual perception & illusions:

Audiovisual experiences:

Physiological computing:

  • webcamHR - Heart rate detection from webcam video
  • matlab_video_hr - MATLAB implementation of video-based heart rate

Related papers:

Digital Fabrication & Creative Tools

Creative fabrication and 3D printing

We develop tools that bridge digital design with physical creation, enabling novel forms of expression and personalized manufacturing. From voice-controlled 3D printing to color-mixing algorithms, these projects explore how computational creativity can enhance human imagination.

3D printing & fabrication:

Visual & generative tools:

Community & cultural projects:

Emerging Frontiers: AI-Enhanced Perceptual Engineering

Our newest work explores whether machines can understand and generate visual illusions, 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.

Related papers:

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Recent Publications

View all publications on Google Scholar

  1. Magic Gems: A Polyhedral Framework for Magic Squares - KE Mathewson (2025)
  2. 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)
  3. 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)
  4. The moving wave: Applications of the mobile EEG approach to study human attention - KE Mathewson et al. (2024)
  5. Quantitative electroencephalography to assess post-stroke functional disability: A systematic review and meta-analysis - I Sood et al. (2024)
  6. Fast optical signals for real-time retinotopy and brain computer interface - D Perpetuini et al. (2023)
  7. An# EEGManyLabs study to test the role of the alpha phase on visual perception (a replication and new evidence) - M Ruzzoli et al. (2023)
  8. B. 4 Quantitative electroencephalography to predict post-stroke disability: a systematic review and meta-analysis - I Sood et al. (2023)
  9. Recommendations and publication guidelines for studies using frequency domain and time‐frequency domain analyses of neural time series - A Keil et al. (2022)
  10. 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)
  11. Metabolomic fingerprint of behavioral changes in response to full-spectrum cannabis extracts - ZH Maayah et al. (2022)
  12. Surrounding Traffic Matters: Increases in Traffic Volume Are Related to Changes in EEG Rhythms in Urban Cyclists - D Robles et al. (2022)
  13. Low cost, portable electroencephalograph may improve the accuracy of prehospital stroke diagnosis and detection of large vessel occlusion - CM Wilkinson et al. (2022)
  14. 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)
  15. Abstract WMP46: Quantitative Electroencephalogram To Assess Neurovascular Coupling Post Endovascular Thrombectomy - N Ishaque et al. (2022)
  16. INCREASES IN TRAFFIC VOLUME ARE ASSOCIATED WITH MEASURABLE CHANGES IN EEG IN URBAN CYCLING LANES - D Robles et al. (2022)
  17. 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)
  18. EEG in motion: Using an oddball task to explore motor interference in active skateboarding - D Robles et al. (2021)
  19. DECODING COVERT ATTENTION ON AN ORIENTATION PERCEPTION TASK FROM EEG ALPHA ACTIVITY - S Sheldon et al. (2021)
  20. Predicting stroke severity with a 3-min recording from the Muse portable EEG system for rapid diagnosis of stroke - CM Wilkinson* et al. (2020)
  21. A ride in the park: Cycling in different outdoor environments modulates the auditory evoked potentials - JEM Scanlon et al. (2020)
  22. The time course of moral perception: an ERP investigation of the moral pop-out effect - A Gantman et al. (2020)
  23. Application of the Muse portable EEG system to aid in rapid diagnosis of stroke - CM Wilkinson et al. (2020)
  24. Aerobic fitness unrelated to acquisition of spatial relational memory in college-aged adults - MC Chandler et al. (2020)
  25. Attention in Motion: Using an Oddball Task to Record Brain Activity in Skateboarders - D Robles et al. (2020)
  26. EFFECTS OF COVERT ATTENTION ON ORIENTATION DETECTION AND PERCEPTION: AN EEG STUDY - S Sheldon et al. (2020)
  27. APPLICATION OF THE MUSE PORTABLE EEG SYSTEM TO AID IN RAPID DIAGNOSIS OF STROKE - J Burrell et al. (2020)
  28. DIFFERENCES IN TRAFFIC CONDITIONS ARE RELATED TO N1 AMPLITUDE CHANGES DURING CYCLING - D Robles et al. (2020)
  29. BLINDED BY MAGIC: ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL CORRELATES OF CHANGE BLINDNESS - M Yuan et al. (2020)
  30. Large-area MRI-compatible epidermal electronic interfaces for prosthetic control and cognitive monitoring - L Tian et al. (2019)
  31. Taking off the training wheels: Measuring auditory P3 during outdoor cycling using an active wet EEG system - JEM Scanlon et al. (2019)
  32. The ecological cocktail party: Measuring brain activity during an auditory oddball task with background noise - JEM Scanlon et al. (2019)
  33. Electrophysiological correlates of hyperoxia during resting‐state EEG in awake human subjects - SAD Kizuk et al. (2019)
  34. The human eye as a camera - S Mann et al. (2019)
  35. Real brains in virtual worlds: Validating a novel oddball paradigm in virtual reality - JWP Kuziek et al. (2019)
  36. Blinded by magic: Electrophysiological correlates of change blindness - M Yuan et al. (2019)
  37. Effects of random fluctuations in alpha oscillations on orientation detection: an EEG study - SS Sheldon et al. (2019)
  38. The time-course of moral perception: An electroencephalography investigation - AP Gantman et al. (2019)
  39. Aerobic Fitness Does Not Predict Acquisition of Hippocampal-dependent Memory in College-aged Adults - MC Chandler et al. (2019)
  40. Large-area MRI-compatible epidermal electronic interfaces for prosthetic control and cognitive monitoring (vol 3, pg 194, 2019) - L Tian et al. (2019)
  41. Publisher Correction: Large-area MRI-compatible epidermal electronic interfaces for prosthetic control and cognitive monitoring - T Limei et al. (2019)
  42. Two‐layered and stretchable e‐textile patches for wearable healthcare electronics - TG La et al. (2018)
  43. Noncontact measurement of emotional and physiological changes in heart rate from a webcam - CR Madan et al. (2018)
  44. Increasing the mobility of EEG data collection using a Latte Panda computer - JWP Kuziek et al. (2018)
  45. Does 10-Hz cathodal oscillating current of the parieto-occipital lobe modulate target detection? - SS Sheldon et al. (2018)
  46. Entrainment of theta, not alpha, oscillations is predictive of the brightness enhancement of a flickering stimulus - JK Bertrand et al. (2018)
  47. Duck eats rabbit: exactly which type of relational phrase can disambiguate the perception of identical side by side ambiguous figures? - KE Mathewson (2018)
  48. Electrophysiological correlates of hyperoxia during resting-state EEG in awake human subjects - W Vuong et al. (2018)
  49. EFFECTS OF RANDOM FLUCTUATIONS IN ALPHA POWER ON COLOR DETECTION: AN EEG STUDY - S Sheldon et al. (2018)
  50. FEEDBACK ERROR-RELATED NEGATIVITY AS A CONTROL SIGNAL FOR THE ATTENTION SYSTEM - D Robles et al. (2018)
  51. BRAIN WAVES MEET REAL LIFE: RECENT ADVANCES IN MOBILE EEG - KE Mathewson et al. (2018)
  52. MODULATIONS IN BASELINE OSCILLATIONS AND AUDITORY ERPS AS A FUNCTION OF REAL-WORLD ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE - JEM Scanlon et al. (2018)
  53. A RIDE IN THE PARK: CYCLING IN DIFFERENT OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTS AFFECTS THE AUDITORY N1 - J Scanlon et al. (2018)
  54. " Power and phase of alpha oscillations reveal an interaction between spatial and temporal visual attention": Erratum. - SAD Kizuk et al. (2018)
  55. 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)
  56. High and dry? Comparing active dry EEG electrodes to active and passive wet electrodes - KE Mathewson et al. (2017)
  57. Power and phase of alpha oscillations reveal an interaction between spatial and temporal visual attention - SAD Kizuk et al. (2017)
  58. Transitioning EEG experiments away from the laboratory using a Raspberry Pi 2 - JWP Kuziek et al. (2017)
  59. Your brain on bikes: P3, MMN/N2b, and baseline noise while pedaling a stationary bike - JEM Scanlon et al. (2017)
  60. Reorganization of neural systems mediating peripheral visual selective attention in the deaf: An optical imaging study - JL Seymour et al. (2017)
  61. Regulating the access to awareness: Brain activity related to probe-related and spontaneous reversals in binocular rivalry - BA Metzger et al. (2017)
  62. Does viewing nature and urban environments change neuro-cognitive markers of attention? - J Kuziek et al. (2017)
  63. YOUR BRAIN IN THE WORLD: INVESTIGATING THE N1 AND P2 FOR ECOLOGICAL STIMULI. - T McLean et al. (2017)
  64. DO EXOGENOUSLY ENTRAINED OSCILLATIONS IN BRAIN ACTIVITY INFLUENCE PERCEPTION? - S Sheldon et al. (2017)
  65. Combining energy and Laplacian regularization to accurately retrieve the depth of brain activity of diffuse optical tomographic data - AM Chiarelli et al. (2016)
  66. The Vision Rhythm? Entrainment at Multiple Frequencies Reveal Differential Interactions Between Neural Oscillations and Visual Perception - SAD Kizuk et al. (2016)
  67. Taking Off the Training Wheels: Measuring Brain Activity During Outdoor Cycling Using an Active Wet EEG System - J Scanlon et al. (2016)
  68. Red Light, Green Light: Understanding the Perceptual Qualities of alpha Inhibition and the Role of Attention in Entrainment - J Kuziek et al. (2016)
  69. MAKING WAVES IN TWO STREAMS OF CONSCIOUSNESS: AN INTERACTION BETWEEN SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL ATTENTION - SAD Kizuk et al. (2015)
  70. NON-CONTACT MEASUREMENT OF COGNITIVE, EMOTIONAL, AND PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES IN HEART RATE WITH A WEBCAM - CR Madan et al. (2015)
  71. PROBING BINOCULAR RIVALRY: PRE-STIMULUS ALPHA DETERMINES WHETHER SUPPRESSED-EYE PROBES ELICIT A SWITCH IN PERCEPTUAL DOMINANCE - BA Metzger et al. (2015)
  72. Soft microfluidic assemblies of sensors, circuits, and radios for the skin - S Xu* et al. (2014)
  73. Rugged and breathable forms of stretchable electronics with adherent composite substrates for transcutaneous monitoring - KI Jang et al. (2014)
  74. 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)
  75. Providing views of the driving scene to drivers’ conversation partners mitigates cell-phone-related distraction - JG Gaspar et al. (2014)
  76. Amelioration of the distracting effect of cellphone driving - WN Street et al. (2014)
  77. 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)
  78. Not all probes are created equal: Suppressed probes presented during binocular rivalry draw attention to the suppressed image - BA Metzger et al. (2014)
  79. 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)
  80. Fabrication Procedure for Rugged and Breathable Forms of Stretchable Electronics with Adherent and Composite Substrates - JA Rogers et al. (2014)
  81. Providing conversation partners views of the driving scene mitigates cell phone-related distraction - JG Gaspar et al. (2013)
  82. 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)
  83. Dissociable neural representations of reinforcement and belief prediction errors underlie strategic learning - L Zhu et al. (2012)
  84. 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)
  85. Pulsed out of awareness: EEG alpha oscillations represent a pulsed-inhibition of ongoing cortical processing - KE Mathewson et al. (2011)
  86. Learning to multitask: effects of video game practice on electrophysiological indices of attention and resource allocation - EL Maclin et al. (2011)
  87. Simultaneous perception of both interpretations of ambiguous figures - MS Jensen et al. (2011)
  88. 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)
  89. 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)
  90. DISCO: DETECTORS, IMAGES, SOURCES AND CORTICAL OPTIMIZATION OF LIGHT CHANNELS FOR THE EVENT-RELATED OPTICAL SIGNAL (EROS) - DA Steines et al. (2011)
  91. Rescuing stimuli from invisibility: Inducing a momentary release from visual masking with pre-target entrainment - KE Mathewson et al. (2010)
  92. Making waves in the stream of consciousness: Eliciting predictable oscillations in visual awareness with pretarget entrainment at 12 Hz - KE Mathewson et al. (2010)
  93. Who will learn best? Electrophysiological markers of cognitive control predict subsequent complex task learning in the space fortress game - KE Mathewson et al. (2010)
  94. Controlling the timing of oscillations in neural activity and consciousness with rhythmic visual stimulation - K Mathewson et al. (2010)
  95. ENTRAINING NEURAL OSCILLATIONS WITH RHYTHMIC VISUAL STIMULATION ELICITS SIMULTANEOUS FLUCTUATIONS IN VISUAL AWARENESS - KE Mathewson et al. (2010)
  96. To see or not to see: prestimulus α phase predicts visual awareness - KE Mathewson et al. (2009)
  97. Illuminating awareness: Investigating the temporal and spatial neural dynamics of metacontrast masking using the event-related optical signal - K Mathewson et al. (2009)
  98. Making waves in the stream of consciousness: Eliciting predictable oscillations in visual awareness with visual entrainment at 12 Hz - KE Mathewson et al. (2009)
  99. Pre-stimulus activity predicts subsequent target detection in meta-contrast masking - K Mathewson et al. (2008)
  100. Training on a complex task affects dual task event-related brain potentials - KA Low et al. (2008)
  101. Now you see it, now you don't: Pre-stimulus electrophysiological predictors of subsequent visual awareness in metacontrast masking - KE Mathewson et al. (2008)
  102. 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)
  103. Sequence learning and medial-front cortex: External versus internal error evaluation - O Krigolson et al. (2007)
  104. The role of medial-frontal cortex in sequence learning - OE Krigolson et al. (2006)

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Last updated: January 2025 | Office: P-455 Bio Science - Psychology Wing | Contact