Our Team

Amit Yashar

I am a senior lecturer at the University of Haifa. I did my postdoc in the labs of Marisa Carrasco. I received my Ph.D. from Tel-Aviv University, advised by Dominique Lamy. 

I have always been puzzled by the phenomenon of seeing: particularly how the brain integrates fragmented visual information coming from the eyes into coherent objects, a process that is at the core of basic perceptual and cognitive functions such as reading and face recognition. My research lies at the intersection of cognition and perception. I apply behavioral, psychophysical and computational methods to explore how learning and attention can enhance visual perception. my long-term goal as a researcher is to expand our understanding of the links between attention, memory and visual perception, and to translate the findings from this basic research into clinical and neurorehabilitation applications in disorders of vision and attention.  

Laurina Fazioli

I am currently a PhD student at the University of Haifa, affiliated with the Visual Attention and Cognition Laboratory (Yashar’s lab), and The Cognitive Development Laboratory (Hadad’s lab). Previously, I graduated from the University Grenoble Alpes with a Master’s degree in Research in Clinical Neurosciences and Neuropsychology.

As part of my doctorate studies, supervised by Dr. Amit Yashar and Dr. Bat Sheva Hadad (Department of Special Education, University of Haifa), I investigate whether autistic individuals differ from non-autistic individuals in the way they make perceptual decisions, withing the framework of Bayesian perception. To address this, I conduct behavioral experiments and utilize psychophysics methods (i.e., signal detection theory), alongside with advanced computational models (i.e., optimality modeling) to test my hypotheses.

Additionally, I am working on side projects in collaboration with Dr. Ahmad Abu-Akel (Department of Psychology, University of Haifa), where I explore the interaction between autistic and psychotic traits, and their combined and independent effects on depressive symptoms.

Recently, I started a position to teach Research Methodology to early-stage PhD students and Master’s students aspiring to pursue a PhD.

My research interests include visual perception, perceptual decision-making, Autism Spectrum Disorder and the deep phenotypes of psychotic and psychotic related disorders. 

Salman Sarkar

I come from West Bengal, an eastern state in India, and am currently a doctoral student at the University of Haifa.

I hold an Integrated MSc in Optometry and Vision Science from the University of Hyderabad.

My doctoral study focuses on perceptual development, specifically investigating the developmental trajectories of various visual functions in neurotypical individuals, particularly in the absence of early visual deprivation. This work contributes to a better understanding of how sensory and neural mechanisms shape vision during criticalnstages of development.

I am interested in investigating learning, multi-sensory integration, and cue combination, focusing on understanding the brain’s capability and flexibility in integrating sensory information at various stages of development—before, during, and after the sensitive period.

Before pursuing my PhD, I worked as an assistant professor in the Department of Optometry at two leading universities in India. During this time, I gained significant teaching and research experience, working closely with students and conducting studies that fueled my passion for vision science and developmental research.

Zenab Na’aran Saleh

I am an educator dedicated to remedial teaching and didactic diagnosis in Arabic language and mathematics.

I obtained my BA degree in learning disabilities from the Open University. Subsequently, I earned a master’s degree in autism and developmental disabilities from the University of Haifa, where I conducted my thesis under the guidance of Prof. Batsheva Hadad.

I am presently a doctoral student in special education, conducting research under the guidance of Dr. Amit Yashar.

My research interests center on visual perception and cognition. Our objective is to investigate differences in visual perception by systematically comparing perceptual tasks between individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and neurotypical (NT) participants. This comparison employs various methods, including behavioral assessments, psychophysical techniques, biophysiological measurements, eye movement tracking, and pupil size analysis.

Riham Mostafa

I am a licensed physical therapist, having graduated with a B.A. in Physical Therapy from the University of Haifa in 2008. Since 2014, I have been working as a physical therapist in special education classes under the Ministry of Education, where I focus on supporting children with diverse physical and developmental needs. I am currently in my second year of an M.A. program in the Department of Special Education at the University of Haifa, specializing in mental and behavioral disorders.

I have a strong interest in topics related to attention, particularly the differences between typically developing individuals and those with autism. Additionally, I would like to explore the relationship between attention and emotion, as well as sensory perception and regulation.

For my thesis research, I am collaborating with Dr. Amit Yashar in his lab, contributing to a project led by Zineb naaran. My thesis investigates the phenomenon of crowding in individuals with autism, focusing on how it influences their perception and interaction with the environment. their visual perception differs from that of typically developing individuals. This research closely aligns with my professional experience and my interest in understanding sensory and cognitive processes in neurodivergent populations.

Adan Ghadeer

I am currently pursuing a double major in Cognitive Science and Biology at the University of Haifa. As part of my academic education, I work as an undergraduate research assistant, supporting ongoing research projects related to visual attention and perceptual processes.

In my role, I contribute to the lab’s research efforts by assisting team members with data collection, which includes participant recruitment and conducting behavioral experiments.

Working closely with graduate students and faculty provides me with experience in research techniques, statistical analysis, and working in a collaborative research environment.