Emily R. Oby

A posture subspace in primary motor cortex

The paper shows that posture and goal information in motor cortex are organized in separate, orthogonal subspaces, with posture information being stable across tasks.

Reward influences movement vigor through multiple motor cortical mechanisms

This study investigates how reward influences movement vigor through multiple mechanisms in motor cortical areas by analyzing neural activity in rhesus monkeys.

Dynamical constraints on neural population activity

This study challenges monkeys to reverse natural neural activity time courses in motor cortex using a BCI, finding they cannot violate these time courses, supporting the idea that neural activity reflects network-level computations.

A neural basis of choking under pressure

The paper investigates how high rewards affect neural activity in Rhesus monkeys during a reaching task, finding that large rewards reduce neural information about movement plans.

A theory of brain-computer interface learning via low-dimensional control

This paper develops a theory explaining BCI learning through low-dimensional control strategies, validated with experimental data.

Learning alters neural activity to simultaneously support memory and action

The paper shows that learning a new BCI map alters neural activity in a way that preserves performance on a familiar map, suggesting a mechanism for learning multiple motor behaviors without interference.

Learning is shaped by abrupt changes in neural engagement

The paper investigates how internal states like arousal affect neural engagement during learning in non-human primates using a BCI paradigm, finding that abrupt changes in engagement influence learning speed for different task goals.