Mark Dow, LCNI

Mark Dow

Research Assistant
Brain Development Lab, University of Oregon

e-mail: dow[at]uoregon.edu
phone: 541-346-4272, *cell*954-6780**

I work on software for image and functional MRI time series analysis, and currently am involved with fMRI projects involving retinotopy and visual spatial attention.

Segmentation software tools for neuroimaging.
    These include 3-D surface extraction and segmentation algorithms, and volume navigation and editing tools that provide a framework for semi-automatic region of interest generation and landmark specification. The approach we are developing is based on edge/surface detection using Gaussian derivative filters, over-segmentation, and hierarchical region combination. The goal is to quickly identify primary surfaces, landmarks, and other image based features, and to use maps of these features to inform segmentation or parcellation of 3-D images.

Far peripheral human vision.
    These fMRI experiments are designed to investigate the organization, operation, and plasticity of cortical areas involved in visual processing at large (20-80 degree) eccentricities. We use light guiding fibers to present flashing stimuli at peripheral locations during functional imaging. Retinotopically mapped visual areas and areas that preferentially respond to peripheral visual stimulation are identified. We are investigating the extent and organization of these visual areas, and how they are modulated by spatial attention. Comparison of hearing and congenitally deaf adults results will elucidate how visual cortical networks are modified and modulated by profoundly different auditory experience.
    These studies are done in collaboration with Greg Scott and James Dugan.

Space software:

Free volume navigation, visualization, and editing software (MS Windows). In active development, in collaboration with Greg Scott.

Space software download, description, and examples

      program description
        example volumes
        animation examples
        rendered image example

Scale Space Edges software:

Matlab tools for 2-D edge extraction and segmentation.

Scale Space Edges download, description, code, and examples

My BDL and Lewis Center for Neuroimaging Stuff:

Publications:

Scott, G., Dow, M., Neville, H. J. (2003). Human retinotopic mapping of the far periphery. Society for Neuroscience 2003 poster. [.pdf ]
Dow, M., Nunnally, R. (2004). An edge based image segmentation method. ISMRM 2004 poster. [abstract .doc , poster .pdf ]

Reports:

Dow, M., Dow, A. (2003). Measuring the earth's shape: Maximum solar elevation observations, through space and time. [ .ppt (13 MB)] [print/high res. version: .ppt (32 MB)]
Dow, M. (2005). LCNI science meeting 2/9/05: BOLD localization of short visual events. [.ppt (8 MB)]

miscellaneous, LCNI:

Psych 607 class resources , Winter 2004

LCNI resources
LCNI historical

Some of my Other Stuff:

Projects

Programmers Anonymous, an informal programming class I lead
Thermodynamic entropy and information, their relationship as I understand it
Dense Image Space, photographic/software project, in process

Geek art, geometric images and the algorithms that generate them

my deviantArt homepage

    Simple recursive systems and fractal patterns
        Thue-Morse sequence tessellations
        Squeel tessellations
        2x2 4-rotation cyclic L-systems
        Brigid's cross tessellations
        Logarithmic spirals, waves and tilings
        Pell spirals
      Oak cubes and hexagonal tilings
        Binary fractal images

    Minimal arrays containing all sub-array combinations of symbols
    Mobius bands and tilings
    miscellaneous MRI related images
    brain art fodder

Miscellaneous
   Internet Black Hole Discovered, computer fiction science journalism (inspired by Sean Michael Ragan's fiction science)
    0-bit for Brie, a laptop's obituary


Family and friends
    Wayne Dow's web site, my dad's personal, family and family history material
    pics, Yoshiko's party 6/06
    Tonn Nua, the group my son Ansel makes music with
    pics, Kristen and Jasper-Jon's wedding

Other People's Great Stuff:

Sean Michael Ragan, great ideas
Enzymind, Peter's Online Laboratories (currently in development). I blog occasionally on this site (mwd).
deviantART, great art (but the site is a bit flaky still). Here are a few of my favorites.
Mathematical imagery, Jos Leys
Escher for Real, and Beyond Escher for Real, physical models of interesting geometric objects
The Brain From Top To Bottom, great tour of human brain functional neuroanatomy

Great software:
World Wind, virtual spherical navigation
MRIcro, Chris Rorden's free, great volume display software
IrfanView, Irfan Skiljan's free, great 2-D image software
Nvu, free, great web page generation, web authoring software
MRIcro, Chris Rorden's free, great volume display software
Google Desktop, hard drive indexed search
MRIConvert, Jolinda Smith's free, great GUI batch DICOM file conversion program