Balaguer-Ballester lab

Our focus is on computational neuroscience. We devise machine-learning approaches and computational models for understanding neural dynamics underlying cognition, through close collaborations with human and animal neurophysiology labs.
Along this line, we analyse multi-electrode array recordings and biophysical models embedded in ambient Hilbert spaces underlying temporal patterns of collective neuronal activity. We also develop mesoscopic models of the auditory cortex based on neuroimaging data, operating at larger spatial scales. Current research directions also include Affect Detection models leveraging behavioural and physiological responses. In addition, we are partners in multiple Deep Learning and applied Data Science projects.

Featured recent publications

Gnacek, M., Quintero, L., Mavridou, I., Balaguer-Ballester, E., Kostoulas, T., Nduka, C. and Seiss, E., 2024. AVDOS-VR: Affective Video Database with Physiological Signals and Continuous Ratings Collected Remotely in VR. Nature Scientific Data, 11 (1).
Camps-Valls, G., Gerhardus, A., Ninad, U., Varando, G., Martius, G., Balaguer-Ballester, E., Vinuesa, R., Diaz, E., Zanna, L. and Runge, J., 2023. Discovering Causal Relations and Equations from Data. Physics Reports, 1044: 1-68.
Mavridou, I., Balaguer-Ballester, E., Nduka, C. and Seiss, E., 2023. A reliable and robust online validation method for creating a novel 3D Affective Virtual Environment and Event Library. PLoS ONE, 18.
Rupp, A., Englitz, B., Balaguer-Ballester, E. and Andermann, M., 2022. Editorial: Early neural processing of musical melodies. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 16.
Balaguer-Ballester, E., Nogueira, R., Abofalia, J.M., Moreno-Bote, R. and Sanchez-Vives, M.V., 2020. Representation of foreseeable choice outcomes in orbitofrontal cortex triplet-wise interactions. PLoS Computational Biology, 16 (6).

More information and papers

Bournemouth University Staff Profile

Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Research Centre (INRC) at Bournemouth University

ORCID

Google Scholar

Codebases

AVDOS-VR: Affective Video Database with Physiological Signals in VR

Related publications

Gnacek, M., Quintero, L., Mavridou, I., Balaguer-Ballester, E., Kostoulas, T., Nduka, C. and Seiss, E., 2024. AVDOS-VR: Affective Video Database with Physiological Signals and Continuous Ratings Collected Remotely in VR. Nature Scientific Data, 11 (1).

Higher-order Correlations in Neuronal Ensembles

Related publications

Balaguer-Ballester, E., Nogueira, R., Abofalia, J.M., Moreno-Bote, R. and Sanchez-Vives, M.V., 2020. Representation of foreseeable choice outcomes in orbitofrontal cortex triplet-wise interactions. PLoS Computational Biology, 16 (6).

Neuronal Trajectories Reconstruction

Related publications:

Balaguer-Ballester, E., Nogueira, R., Abofalia, J.M., Moreno-Bote, R. and Sanchez-Vives, M.V., 2020. Representation of foreseeable choice outcomes in orbitofrontal cortex triplet-wise interactions. PLoS Computational Biology, 16 (6).
Lapish, C.C., Balaguer-Ballester, E., Seamans, J.K., Phillips, A.G. and Durstewitz, D., 2015. Amphetamine exerts dose-dependent changes in prefrontal cortex attractor dynamics during working memory. Journal of Neuroscience, 35 (28), 10172-10187.
Balaguer-Ballester, E., Tabas-Diaz, A. and Budka, M., 2014. Can we identify non-stationary dynamics of trial-to-trial variability?. PLoS One, 9 (4).
Balaguer-Ballester, E., Lapish, C.C., Seamans, J.K. and Durstewitz, D., 2011. Attracting dynamics of frontal cortex ensembles during memory-guided decision-making. PLoS Comput Biol, 7 (5), e1002057.

Biophysical model of pitch and consonance processing in auditory cortex

Created and Maintained by Dr Alejandro Tabas. Related publications:

Tabas, A., Andermann, M., Schuberth, V., Riedel, H., Balaguer-Ballester, E. and Rupp, A., 2019. Modeling and MEG evidence of early consonance processing in auditory cortex. PLoS Computational Biology, 15 (2).

Hierarchical model of pitch perception with top-down modulation

Updated by Dr Alejandro Tabas. Related publications:

Tabas, A., Siebert, A., Supek, S., Pressnitzer, D., Balaguer-Ballester, E. and Rupp, A., 2016. Insights on the neuromagnetic representation of temporal asymmetry in human auditory cortex. PLoS ONE, 11 (4).
Balaguer-Ballester, E., Clark, N.R., Coath, M., Krumbholz, K. and Denham, S.L., 2009. Understanding pitch perception as a hierarchical process with top-down modulation. PLoS Comput Biol, 5 (3), e1000301.

Active projects

Collaboration with Maurizio Mattia, Andrea Galuzzi and Mavi Sanchez-Vives

Validating Cortical Network Models at the Edge of Asynchrony

Funding: Royal Society International Exchanges (March 2021-March 2025).

Collaboration with Andrew Rowley, Maurizio Mattia, Andrea Galuzzi and Mavi Sanchez-Vives

Neuromorphic Hardware Operating at the Edge of Asynchrony

Funding: Human Brain Project, Vouchers Scheme (July 2022-Sept 2023). European Research Council.

Collaboration with Mavi Sanchez-Vives

Propagation of spontaneous activity in confined neuronal networks

PhD project by Roman Arango-Cabrera
Funding: Async-Prop. Partnering Project of the HBP SP3 (EU H2020 Research and Innovation Programme). Bournemouth University & Institue for Biomedical Research ‘August Pi in Sunyer’.

Collaboration with Ellen Seiss (PI), Theodoros Kostolulas, Charles Nduka-Emteq labs

Affect Recognition in Virtual Reality Environments

EngD project by Michal Gnacek
Funding: EPSRC Centers for Doctoral Training -Centre for Digital Entertainment. Bournemouth University/Bath University & Emteq labs.

Collaboration with Shahin Rostami, Colin Singelton-Counting labs

Efficient Multi-Objective NeuroEvolution in Computer Vision

PhD project by Daniel Dimanov
Funding: Counting labs & Bournemouth University.

Collaboration with Phillip Davies (PI), Jane Healy

Structural Equation Modelling of Quality of Life

PhD project by Ogochukwu Ijezie
Funding: Self-funded & Bournemouth University.

Lab PI

Emili Balaguer-Ballester, Associate Professor, Bournemouth University

Contact:

Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Computing
Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Research Centre, Bournemouth University. BH12 5BB Bournemouth, UK.
Phone: +44 (0)1202 965 795.
Twitter: @emilibalball. Email: eb-ballester@bournemouth.ac.uk