About Me
I am a researcher with a background in computational neuroscience and visual perception. Before forming the Computational Neuroscience and Visual Perception laboratory, I conducted research on various aspects of human visual perception, including faces, symmetry, depth, motion, and visual crowding. In my work, I have used a wide range of methods, including behavioral testing, eye-tracking, VR, fMRI, EEG, and MEG, which has given me insight into the strengths and limitations of different imaging techniques and response types in different sensory tasks.
I received my PhD in Behavioral and Cognitive Neurosciences from the University of Groningen and worked as a post-doctoral researcher in the Boston University Biomedical Engineering Department in collaboration with the Martinos Imaging Center at MIT. I hold a B.S. in Computer Engineering from Bilkent University and an M.S. in Cognitive Science from the Informatics Institute at the Middle East Technical University. Currently, I am an Assistant Professor at the University of Twente.
Organisations
Research
As a researcher, my passion is to use technology to make acquiring new skills – whether they be motor, cognitive, or social – more accessible to everyone. My research efforts have the potential to redefine the way we approach learning and skill acquisition, from learning a new language, to operating a machine, to overcoming trauma. Through virtual reality training and brain-computer interfaces, I am developing systems that can provide personalized feedback and support for learners of all ages and abilities.
I believe that interdisciplinary research is key to making progress in this field, and I am committed to bringing together expertise from engineering, psychology, and education sciences to identify and overcome the challenges of educational activities. With a focus on universal accessibility and inclusivity, my goal is to make a meaningful impact on the way we learn and grow as individuals.
Publications
Malak, C., & Yildirim, F. (2022, November 16). Masking Emotions: How Does Perceived Gaze Direction Affect Emotion Recognition in Masked Faces? – An Eye-Tracking Study. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/3fd5h
Yorgancıgil, E., Yildirim, F., Urgen, B. A., & Erdogan, S.B (2022) An Exploratory Analysis of the Neural Correlates of Human-Robot Interactions with functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Frontiers in Human Neuroscience (https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2022.883905/full).
Rijnders, B., Korkmaz, E.E. & Yıldırım, F. (2022). CNN for a Connectivity Based Epilepsy Diagnosis with Resting-state EEG. Medical and Biological Engineering and Computing, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-022-02560-w
Katircilar, D., Yildirim., F. (2022) Harmonicity of Sound Alters Roughness Perception. (Under Review, Preprint available https://psyarxiv.com/qb523/).
Yorgancıgil, E., Urgen, B. A., & Yildirim, F. (2021). Uncanny Valley Effect is Amplified with Multimodal Stimuli and Varies Across Ages. (Under Review, Preprint available https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/dtvjp).
Senguler, B., Ozilgen, S. & Yildirim, F. (2021) How Food Cognition Affects Evaluation Behavior: A functional Food Development Study (Submitted).
Turk, D.D. & Yildirim, F. (2022) Attention towards Facial Regions Varies between Emotion Types but not between Attachment Styles (Under Review, Preprint available https://psyarxiv.com/268vw/).
Canatan, N., Demircan A., Yildirim, F., Sener S. (2022) The False Memory
Effect Within and Across Languages and The Role of Instruction. (Submitted).
UT Research Information System
Google Scholar Link
Education
I generally teach methological topics such as programming, virtual reality, cognitive neuroscience and sensors to behavioral science students.
Affiliated Study Programmes
Master
Courses Academic Year 2022/2023
Finished Projects
Contact Details
Visiting Address
University of Twente
Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Cubicus
(building no. 41), room B322
De Zul 10
7522NJ Enschede
The Netherlands
Mailing Address
University of Twente
Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Cubicus
B322
P.O. Box 217
7500 AE Enschede
The Netherlands