Roland Johansson, MD PhD

Keynote lecture: Prof. dr. Roland Johansson, MD PhD

 
"Coding and use of sensory signals during dexterous object manipulation in humans"
Dexterous object manipulation is a hallmark of human skill. Series of action phases characterize natural object manipulation tasks, where each phase is responsible for satisfying a task subgoal. Subgoals are realized by the brain selecting and sequentially implementing suitable action phase controllers that use sensory predictions and afferents signals in specific ways to tailor the motor output in anticipation of requirements imposed by objects physical properties and task. This presentation addresses the use of tactile and visual sensory information in this context. It highlights the importance of sensory predictions related to the discrete and distinct sensory events associated with contact events linked to subgoal completions. Analyses of signals in single human tactile afferent neurons during task performance reveals how such contact events are encoded and how afferent signals from the hand are used by action-phase controllers.

About Roland Johansson
Department of Integrative Medical Biology (Physiology Section), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden

Professional Degrees:
1981 Qualified as Docent in Physiology, University of Umeå
1978 Doctor of Medicine (PhD equivalent), University of Umeå
1974 Bachelor of Medicine; University of Umeå, Sweden

Current position: Professor in Physiology, Umeå University, since 1988

Previous positions:
1988-96 Chair at the Department of Physiology, University of Umeå
1983-88 Associate Professor (‘docent' appointment) in Physiology, University of Umeå.
1981-82 Visiting scientist at Dept. of Anesthesiol., Yale University, School of Medicine, CT, USA.
1979-81 Assistant Professor in Physiology, University of Umeå.
1974-78 Instructor and Graduate student in Physiology, University of Umeå.
Scientific prizes/honors:
2008 USC Provost's Distinguished Visitors Program, LA, Cal. , USA (Jan., 2008)
2006 Axel Hirschs Prize, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm
2004 Member of The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
2002 Elected as "Excellent Scientist" by the Swedish Research Council
2001 Fellowship Award given out by Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
2000 Corpus Pedagogical Prize (for best education of research students)
1998 Brain Visiting Bursary, UK
1996 Göran Gustafsson's Prize in Medicine, Sweden
1983 Eric K. Fernström's prize to especially promising young scientists, Sweden
1979 Mångbergs prize, Umeå, Sweden