homepage of constantin rothkopf


		Dr. Constantin A. Rothkopf Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies Goethe-University, Frankfurt, room 1.404 Ruth-Moufang-Str. 1, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany [map] phone: +49.69.798 47652 e-mail: rothkopf (at) fias (dot) uni-frankfurt (dot) de

		After obatining a joint PhD in Brain & Cognitive Sciences and Computer Science at the Center for Visual Science at the University of Rochester in 2008, I started a postdoc at the Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies working with Jochen Triesch in the theoretical neuroscience group. Since 2009 I am a lecturer at the Goethe University, Frankfurt and since 2010 the principal investigator of the 'beliefs, representations, and actions group'. My research interests revolve around the distinction between 'looking' and 'seeing' and how this distinction relates to vision in goal directed behavior. To this end, I am currently using mainly three methodologies: tracking of human eye movements during execution of extended visuomotor tasks in natural and virtual environments, building models of these tasks and implementing algorithms that learn how to solve these tasks in virtual agents, developing learning algorithms with an emphasis on the learning of sensory representations for actions. If you are looking for some of my other activities, please follow this link.

		Upcoming: 03 May - invited talk at the Computational and Biological Learning Lab, University of Cambridge, UK 01 February 2012 - invited colloquium talk in the Cognitive Science department at the University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany News: 20 January 2012 - talk in Jan Peter's group, computer science department, Technical University Darmstadt 10-16 January 2012 - I'll be visiting Chirstis Dimitrakakis at EPFL, Lausanne 08 December 2011 - talk at the ICNF Young Investigators' Colloquium, Frankfurt, Germany 14 September 2011 - talk at the Hong Kong University for Science and Technology: 'Visuomotor behavior in naturalistic task: from receptive fields to value functions' 5-9 September 2011 - talk at the European Conference on Machine Learning (ECML) on recent work on inverse reinforcement learning together with Christos Dimitrakakis 24-27 August 2011- talk on recent work on hierarchical reinforcement learning together with Hazem Toutounji and Jochen Triesch at the International Conference on Learning and Development (ICDL) 11-14 July 2011 - Thanks to a travel fellowship for Bernstein students and postdocs from the Sloan-Swartz Foundation I will be participating in the Sloan-Swartz annual meeting at Janelia Farm 28-30 April 2011 - talk on recent work on structural credit assignment in hierarchical reinforcement learning at the IMCLeVeR focused workshop in Capo Caccia 31 March - 2 April 2011 - together with the infant development group at Goethe University we have put together a Symposium at SRCD: 'Infants in control' 28 February - 1 March 2011 - together with Paul Schrater I am organizing a workshop at Cosyne: 'Integrating perception, action and learning through natural goal directed behavior'. Thanks to the Gatsby-Foundation for a travel fellowship to Cosyne. 03 November 2010 - I am organizing the 'Fias-Bernstein-Workshop on sensing and deciding in time' 27 September - 1 October 2010 - I am part of the program committee for the Bernstein Conference on Computational Neuroscience 2010 25-30 July 2010 - Invited talk at the 'Gordon Conference on Sensory Coding & the Natural Environment', Bates College, Lewiston, ME 12-13 July 2010 - Participation in the workshop 'Advances in statistical inferences in the visual cortex', Budapest, Hungary 30 June 2010 - Invited talk in the Group of Jürgen Schmidhuber at IDSIA, Lugano, Switzerland 5-11 June 2010 - I am part of the faculty at the Fens/Ibro summer school 'Cognition and action: Systems neuroscience approaches to understanding complex behavior' in Dubrovnik, Croatia 19-22 May 2010 - Presentation of a poster on joint work with Paul Schrater at the workshop 'Computations, decisions, and movement' in Rauischholzhausen, Germany 19 April 2010 - Invited talk with the Vision Group, Psychology department at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 9-11 April 2010 - Presentation of two posters at the Neti workshop, Center for Perceptual Systems, University of Texas at Austin 20 January 2010 - Invited talk in the Colloquium series of the psychology department at the University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany 26 November 2009 - Invited talk at the Städelschule, Frankfurt following an invitation by Michaela Eichwald 17 November 2009 - Talk by Dana Ballard on our work at the IMCLeVeR workshop in Venice 30 September - 3 October 2009 - I am one of the program chairs for the Bernstein Conference on Computational Neuroscience 2009, organized by the Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies 15 July 2009 - Invited talk in the SFB Colloquium series at Institute for Neuroinformatics in the computer science department, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany 10 June 2009 - Invited talk in the FoKo Colloquium series of the psychology department at the Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany 27 May 2009 - Short presentation at the Kick-off meeting of the IM-CLeVeR project, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy 27-28 Nov 2008 - Invited talk at the 'International Workshop: Machine Learning Approaches to Representational Learning and Recognition in Vision' at FIAS, Frankfurt, Germany

		Publications: D. Pamplona, J. Triesch, C. A. Rothkopf: 'Amplitude spectra of the natural input to the visual system' C. A. Rothkopf, D. H. Ballard: 'Modular inverse reinforcement learning for visuomotor behavior' L. Lonini, L. Schocchia, C. A. Rothkopf, J. Triesch: 'Effects of practice structure on consolidation and transfer in a visual orientation estimation task', (submitted) Q. Wang, J. Bolhuis, C. A. Rothkopf, T. Kolling, M. Knopf, J. Triesch: 'Infants in control: rapid anticipation of action outcomes in a gaze-contingent paradigm', (submitted) C. A. Rothkopf, D. H. Ballard: 'Learning to coordinate repertoirs of behaviors: credit assignment and module activation', (submitted) L. Lonini, C. Dimitrakakis, C. A. Rothkopf, J. Triesch: 'Generalization and interference in human motor control', (submitted)
		C. Dimitrakakis, C. A. Rothkopf: 'Bayesian multitask inverse reinforcement learning', European Workshop on Reinforcemnt Learning (EWRL), September 9–11, 2011 [pdf], [html]
		C. A. Rothkopf, C. Dimitrakakis: 'Preference elicitation and inverse reinforcement learning', 22nd European Conference on Machine Learning (ECML), September 5-9, 2011 [pdf], [html]
		H. Toutounji, C. A. Rothkopf, J. Triesch: 'Scalable reinforcement learning through hierarchical decompositions for weakly-coupled problems', IEEE 10th International Conference on Development and Learning (ICDL), August 24-27, 2011 [pdf], [html]
		C. Karaoguz, T. H. Weisswange, T. Rodemann, B. Wrede, C. A. Rothkopf: 'Reward-based learning of optimal cue integration in audio and visual depth estimation', 15th International Conference on Advanced Robotics (ICAR), June 20-23, 2011 [pdf], [html]
		T. H. Weisswange, C. A. Rothkopf, J. Triesch: 'Bayesian cue integration as a developmental outcome of reward mediated learning', PLoS ONE, 2011, doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0021575 [pdf], [html]
		C. A. Rothkopf, D. H. Ballard: 'Credit assignment in multiple goal embodied visuomotor behavior', Frontiers in Psychology, Special Topic: 'Embodied and grounded cognition', 2010 [pdf], [html]
		J. Triesch, C. A. Rothkopf, T. H. Weisswange: 'Coordination in Sensory Integration', in Dynamic Coordination in the Brain: From Neurons to Mind, edited by C. von der Malsburg, W. A. Phillips, W. Singer, MIT Press 2010
		M. M. Hayhoe, C. A. Rothkopf: 'Vision in the natural world', Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Cognitive Science, Wiley, 2010 [pdf], [html]
		C. A. Rothkopf, T. H. Weisswange, J. Triesch: 'Computational modeling of multisensory object perception', in 'Multisensory Object Perception in the Primate Brain', Editors: M. J. Naumer & J. Kaiser, New York: Springer, 2010 [pdf manuscript]
		T. H. Weisswange, C. A. Rothkopf, T. Rodemann, J. Triesch: 'Can reinforcement learning explain the development of causal inference in multisensory integration?', IEEE 8th International Conference on Development and Learning, June 5-7, 2009 [pdf], [html]
		C. A. Rothkopf, T. H. Weisswange, J. Triesch: 'Learning independent causes in natural images explains the spacevariant oblique effect', IEEE 8th International Conference on Development and Learning, June 5-7, 2009 [pdf], [html]
		C. A. Rothkopf, D. H. Ballard: 'Image statistics at the point of gaze during human navigation', Visual Neuroscience, special issue on 'Natural Systems Analysis', 26, 81–92, 2009 [pdf], [html]
		C. A. Rothkopf: 'Modular models of task based visually guided behavior', Ph. D. thesis, University of Rochester. Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Department of Computer Science, 2008
		C. A. Rothkopf, D. H. Ballard, M.M. Hayhoe: 'Task and context determine where you look'. Journal of Vision, 7(14):16, 1-20, 2007 [pdf], [html]
		J. B. Pelz, C. Rothkopf: 'Oculomotor behavior while navigating natural and man-made environments' in 'Eye movements: A window on mind and brain', Editors: R. van Gompel, M. Fischer, W. Murray, R. Hill. Elsevier Press, 2007
		J. F. M. Jehee, C. A. Rothkopf, J. M. Beck, D. H. Ballard: 'Learning receptive fields using predictive feedback', Journal of Physiology Paris, 100, 125-132, 2006 [pdf], [html]
		R. D. Meyer, E. P. Horch, Z. Ninkov, W.F. van Altena, C.A. Rothkopf: 'RYTSI: the Rit-Yale-Tip-Tilt-Speckle-Imager', Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 118 , 162-171, 2006 [pdf], [html]
		C. A. Rothkopf, J. B. Pelz: 'Head movement estimation for wearable eye tracker', Proceedings of the Eye Tracking Research & Application Symposium, ETRA 2004, San Antonio, Texas, USA, ACM, 2004 [pdf], [html]

		Conference Talks: C. A. Rothkopf, C. Dimitrakakis: 'Preference elicitation and inverse reinforcement learning', 22nd European Conference on Machine Learning (ECML), September 5-9, 2011, Athens, Greece C. A. Rothkopf: 'Visuomotor behavior in naturalistic virtual environments: from receptive fields to value functions', Gordon Conference on Sensory Coding and the Natural Environment, July 25-30, 2010, Bates College, Lewiston, ME, USA C. A. Rothkopf, T. H. Weisswange, J. Triesch: 'Learning independent causes in natural images explains the spacevariant oblique effect', IEEE 8th International Conference on Development and Learning, June 5-7, 2009, Shanghai, China T. H. Weisswange, C. A. Rothkopf, T. Rodemann, J. Triesch: 'Can reinforcement learning explain the development of causal inference in multisensory integration?', IEEE 8th International Conference on Development and Learning, June 5-7, 2009, Shanghai, China T. H. Weisswange, C. Rothkopf, J. Triesch: 'A walk through the woods explains the space variant oblique effect', COSYNE - Computational and Systems Neuroscience, February 26-March 1, 2009, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA C. A. Rothkopf, D. H. Ballard: 'Human eye movements correlate with intrinsic reward structure in natural visuomotor tasks', 8th annual meeting of the Vision Science Society, May 9-14, 2008, Naples, Florida, USA. (Student travel award) M. Burigo, C. A. Rothkopf: 'Are you expecting a change? Advantages in focusing on the details', ESCOP - European Society for Cognitive Psychology, August 29-September 1, 2007, Marseille, France C. A. Rothkopf, D. H. Ballard: 'Credit assignment with Bayesian reward estimation', COSYNE - Computational and Systems Neuroscience, March 22-25, 2007, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA C. A. Rothkopf, D. H. Ballard, B. T. Sullivan, K. de Barbaro : 'Bayesian modeling of task dependent visual attention strategy in a virtual reality environment', 5th annual meeting of the Vision Science Society, May 6-11, 2005, Sarasota, Florida, USA D. H. Ballard, C. Rothkopf: 'Learning visual representations with projection pursuit', 5th annual meeting of the Vision Science Society, May 6-11, 2005, Sarasota, Florida, USA C. A. Rothkopf, J. B. Pelz: 'Head movement estimation for wearable eye tracker', Proceedings of the Eye Tracking Research & Application Symposium, ETRA 2004, San Antonio, Texas, USA, ACM, 2004 Other Peer Reviewed Abstracts: Sullivan, C. A. Rothkopf, M. Hayhoe, D. Ballard: 'Task-dependent gaze priorities in driving', 11th annual meeting of the Vision Science Society, May 6-11, 2011, Naples, Florida, USA C. A. Rothkopf, P. Schrater: 'Coupling perception and action using probabilistic control', COSYNE - Computational and Systems Neuroscience, February 24-27, 2011, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA P. Schrater, C. A. Rothkopf, M. Siegel, C. Kallie: 'Learning cue integration via control: I perceive because I control', COSYNE - Computational and Systems Neuroscience, February 24-27, 2011, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA Q. Wang, C. A.Rothkopf, J. Triesch: 'Unifying procedural memory consolidation and structure learning in motor control', COSYNE - Computational and Systems Neuroscience, February 24-27, 2011, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA D. Pamplona, J. Triesch, C. A. Rothkopf: 'Predicting Ganglion Cells Variability', COSYNE - Computational and Systems Neuroscience, February 24-27, 2011, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA H. Toutounji, C. A. Rothkopf, J. Triesch: 'Learning hierarchical controllers through reinforcement learning', Bernstein Conference on Computational Neuroscience, 27 Sep - 1 Oct, 2010, Berlin, Germany B. Sullivan, C. Rothkopf, M. M. Hayhoe, D. H. Ballard: 'Modeling gaze priorities in driving', 10th annual meeting of the Vision Science Society, May 7-12, 2010, Naples, Florida, USA P. Schrater, C. A. Rothkopf: 'Discounting as task termination, and its implications', COSYNE - Computational and Systems Neuroscience, February 25-28, 2010, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA O. Aladini, C. A. Rothkopf, J. Triesch: 'Grasping image statistics', COSYNE - Computational and Systems Neuroscience, February 25-28, 2010, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA T. H. Weisswange, C. A. Rothkopf, T. Rodemann, J. Triesch: 'Model averaging as a developmental outcome of reinforcement learning', COSYNE - Computational and Systems Neuroscience, February 25-28, 2010, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA C. A. Rothkopf, D. H. Ballard: 'Human intrinsic visuomotor rewards in obstacle avoidance', 32nd European Conference on Visual Perception, August 24-28, 2009, Regensburg, Germany C. A. Rothkopf, T. H. Weisswange, J.Triesch: 'A walk through the woods explains the space variant oblique effect', 9th annual meeting of the Vision Science Society, May 8-13, 2009, Naples, Florida, USA C. A. Rothkopf, D. H. Ballard: 'Relating contrast statistics at fixation location to navigational control law', 7th annual meeting of the Vision Science Society, May 11-16, 2007, Sarasota, Florida, USA C. A. Rothkopf, D. H. Ballard: 'Relating contrast statistics at fixation location to navigational control law', 7th annual meeting of the Vision Science Society, May 11-16, 2007, Sarasota, Florida, USA J. B. Pelz, C. A. Rothkopf: 'Task dependence of space-time statistics at point of gaze revealed by eye tracking in natural wooded environment', 7th annual meeting of the Vision Science Society, May 11–16, 2007, Sarasota, Florida, USA J. B. Pelz, C. A. Rothkopf: ' Task dependence of image statistics at the point of gaze in a natural wooded environment', COSYNE - Computational and Systems Neuroscience, March 22-25, 2007, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA C. Rothkopf, D. Ballard, M. Hayhoe: 'Credit assignment in visuo-motor behaviors using a consumable global reward signal', Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, October 14 - October 18, 2006, Atlanta, Georgia, USA J. Fiser, R. N. Aslin, A. Lathrop, C. Rothkopf, J. Markant: 'An infants' eye view of the world: Implications for learning in natural contexts', International Conference on Infant Studies, June 19-23, 2006, Kyoto, Japan D. H Ballard, C. Rothkopf: 'Getting Credit Assignment Right in Visuo-Motor Behaviors', 6th annual meeting of the Vision Science Society, May 5 – May 10, 2006, Sarasota, Florida, USA C. Rothkopf, M. M. Hayhoe, K. Parkins: 'Predictive eye movements in physically possible and impossible worlds: evidence for internal models', 6th annual meeting of the Vision Science Society, May 5 – May 10, 2006, Sarasota, Florida, USA C. Rothkopf, D. H Ballard: 'A credit assignment algorithm for composite visuo-motor behaviors', COSYNE - Computational and Systems Neuroscience, March 5-8, 2006, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA J. B. Pelz, C. A. Rothkopf, S. R. Broskey: 'Version and vergence eye movements in mobile observers', 5th annual meeting of the Vision Science Society, May 6 – May 11, 2005, Sarasota, Florida, USA C. Rothkopf, D. H. Ballard, J. Shaw, M. Ambastha: 'Coding Cortical Hierarchies Using Projection Pursuit', COSYNE - Computational and Systems Neuroscience, 2005, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA C. Rothkopf, W.J. Ma, P.E. Latham, D. Bavelier, A. Pouget: 'Learning rules for unsupervised perceptual learning', COSYNE - Computational and Systems Neuroscience, 2005, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

		Collaborators past & present: Daniel Baldauf Jeff Beck Michele Burigo Christos Dimitrakakis Jozsef Fiser Ralf Galuske Janneke F.M. Jehee Mate Lengyel Wei Ji Ma Jeff Pelz Alexandre Pouget Paul Schrater

		Current students: Daniela Pamplona (PhD student) Thomas Weisswange (PhD student; coadvising with J. Triesch) Past students: Omid Aladini (master student; now at Soundcloud, Berlin) Ming Liu (master student) Hazem Toutounji (master student; now PhD student at U. Osnabrück)

		Teaching: FIAS: 'Systems Neuroscience Seminar', summer semester 2011 together with J. Triesch and G. Laurent Faculty at Fens/Ibro summer school 'Cognition and action: Systems neuroscience approaches to understanding complex behavior' , 2010, in Dubrovnik, Croatia FIAS: 'Recent Advances in Reinforcement Learning: Theory, Agent Modeling, Human Behavior' seminar, winter semester 2009/2010 FIAS: 'Reinforcement Learning ' lecture, summer semester 2009 together with J. Triesch Tutor of the 'reinforcement-learning-group' at 2008 Fias Neuro-Summerschool



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