Researchers about the labs

Since the opening of the SSH labs in the Sylvius Building, more and more researchers are starting in the state-of-the-art lab spaces. What research are they doing, and how do they like the new facilities? Read about their experiences.

Chenxiao Zhao is a PhD candidate at Cognitive Psychology. Her research is about awe, an emotional response to perceiving something vast that transcends our current understanding. "Awe plays a crucial role in shaping human cognition and behavior," Zhao say. "I am investigating if experiencing awe alters visual perception. To explore this, we use eye-tracking technology to examine awe's impact on attentional scope. We measure response times to stimuli of varying sizes, which serves as indicators of either a broadened or narrowed attentional scope, allowing comparisons across various emotional states. Additionally, the eye-tracking methodology provides direct evidence (such as fixation duration and number in the defined Region of Interest) of changes in eye movement patterns when awe is induced. 

Precise lighting

We use eye-tracking technology, and I am very happy with the help from the technical support staff in setting up our eye-tracking lab. We are also happy with the lighting system which allows for precise control of luminance, which is crucial for studies in cognitive psychology focusing on visual attention. 

Practical and efficient 

As one of the first researchers at the Sylvius lab, I am impressed by the practicality and efficiency of the facilities. The lab's design fosters an open and collaborative working environment, significantly enhancing our research endeavors. The support structure here is exemplary; for instance, the proximity of SOLO staff and the availability of essential resources on the same floor streamline our workflow." 

In a lab in the Sylvius Building, Joyce Snijdewint and her colleagues are investigating whether physiological states such as threat and challenge affect cognitive processing and attitudes toward social change. Previous studies suggest that threat, more than challenge, is associated with more rigidity and anti-immigration attitudes in people, Snijdewint says. 

Ice-cold water 

“We use a bicycle ergometer and the cold pressor test (CPT) to expose subjects to these states. Physiological responses are recorded with impedance cardiography (ICG), electrocardiography (ECG) and blood pressure measurements. In the laboratory, participants pedal on a bicycle ergometer for five minutes to increase their heart rate, activating the sympathetic nervous system. After two minutes, they are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group places the hand in ice-cold water (2-3°C) for three minutes, inducing a state of threat. The other group places the hand in lukewarm water (25-28°C), where a state of challenge is maintained but no threat occurs. 

Excellent 

In the results, we hope to find clues to the effect of an ergometer and a CPT. Can these tests elicit cardiovascular responses indicative of threat and challenge?” Snijdewint is happy to conduct her research in the new Sylvius labs. “I enjoy working here and appreciate the excellent facilities and good support provided,” she says. 

Research Master student Camilla Ucheoma Enwereuzor: “I’m working at the SSH labs in Dr. Anne Urai’s group, where we’re investigating how humans switch between different strategies during visual decisionmaking. We’re interested in understanding if these fluctuations are comparable to those previously observed in mice. 

Behavioural task 

So far, we have piloted a simple behavioural computer task, where participants responded to stimuli of different contrasts using the computer mouse. The cubicle labs have been very convenient for this, allowing us to test several people at once. This efficiency was also great for my master’s thesis project, as it speeded up data collection significantly. We are currently working on adding eye-tracking and facial movement recording to our behavioural task. For this, we plan to use the multifunctional labs, where we can set up the EyeLink eye tracker and a webcam for facial recording. 

Helpful 

I’m really enjoying the new lab facilities. Besides the cubicle labs, the lockers are useful for storing materials and documents, and the dedicated study room is great for working between testing sessions without having to move back and forth between Sylvius and the PdlC building. Having lab support right on hand has also been very helpful. Instead of waiting for email replies, I could just drop by the support office to quickly sort out any issues with equipment or if I needed additional materials. I look forward to seeing more people using the new labs!" 

PhD student Antonia Rulitschka (Clinical Psychology): "With the Changing Landscapes research project, we are currently collecting data for the first of three subprojects. In the Dyadic EEG lab, we are collecting data from 150 girls and investigating the influence of hormones on girls' brain development around puberty. 

Games and saliva 

A research day takes about 3 hours for each girl. After we connect the EEG, the girls start playing different games on the computer. This allows us to see how the brain handles difficult and less difficult tasks. We also collect saliva samples. This way, we can see if the amount of hormones in the body correlates with how the brain picks up different tasks. 

Pleasant workplace 

While setting up our research, we have always been helped quickly by the Sylvius lab support team. We find the lab a pleasant workplace, with the ability to test two people at once, despite limited space. We are still looking for girls between 9 and 13 years old who would like to participate in our study. Please feel free to contact us at rise-onderzoek@fsw.leidenuniv.nl."