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Duncan, Robert

Duncan, Robert

Associate Professor

Behavioral Sciences

Phone: 718-262-2693
Office Location: AC-4D03
Email: rduncan@york.cuny.edu

Dr. Duncan's primary research interests are (1) to study the physiological mechanisms of visually guided behavior in healthy individuals and (2) to develop novel functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) techniques to quantify neuronal, vascular, and metabolic contributions to neurodegenerative visual disorders. Dr. Duncan's current research uses fMRI to compare measurements of neuronal activity and blood flow throughout the retino-cortical pathway to standard clinical measures of visual function. Additional interests include game-based learning, undergraduate research, virtual reality, interactive digital narrative, and artificial intelligence for computer assisted learning.

Office Hours

DayTime
Tuesday12-2pm

Education

DegreeInstitutionFieldDates
PhD University of California, San Diego Psychology 1999 
MA University of California, San Diego Psychology 1994 
BA University of California, San Diego Psychology / Music Humanities 1993 

Areas of Expertise

  • Neurodegeneration in human glaucoma
  • Individual differences in functional brain topography
  • Cortical contributions to visual and tactile spatial resolution
  • Physiology of motion perception
  • Virtual Reality
  • Game-based learning
  • Undergraduate Research
  • Interactive Digital Narrative

Publications in Field Of Expertise

Articles

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Chapters

  • Duncan, R.O.. "Codesign as Undergraduate Research.." In Bisz, J. & Mondelli, V., The allure of play: The educator’s guide to active learning exercises and games. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.. 2022: .
  • Albright, T.D., Croner, L.J., Duncan, R.O., & Stoner, G.R.. "The influence of context on visual motion processing." In G.T. Buracas, O. Ruksenas, G.M. Boynton, & T.D. Albright (Eds.) Modulation of neuronal responses: Implications for Active Vision. Netherlands: IOP Press. 2003: .

Refereed Proceedings

  • Bisz, J., Crocco, F., Duncan, R.O., Offenholley, K., Potter, L., & Smale, M.A.. "Gaming Across the Curriculum." Paper presented at the 11th Annual CUNY IT Conference, New York, NY. 2012: .
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Non Refereed Proceedings

  • Duncan, R.O. (Producer). "Joe Bisz [Episode 2]." The CUNY Games Network Show [Video Web Blog]. 2017, September 15: .
  • Duncan, R.O.. "The Physiology of Human Glaucoma." Poster presented at the Graduate orientation seminar for the Department of Biology at the CUNY Graduate Center, New York, NY. 2011: .
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Other

Presented Papers, Lectures, and Exhibitions and Performances

  • "Research by Design" 2012: Paper presented at the York College Research Conversations Lecture Series, Jamaica, NY.
  • "Invited Talk" 2011: World Glaucoma Congress in Munich [Declined due to lack of funding].
  • "Invited Talk" 2010: World Glaucoma Congress in Paris [Declined due to lack of funds].

Professional Honors, Prizes, Fellowships

  • Nomination for the Feliks Gross Endowment Award: 2014.
  • York College Dean’s Award for Undergraduate Research Engagement: 2013.
  • Microsoft “Partners in Learning” / Daily Edventures – Global Hero in Education: 2013.
  • York College Online-Hybrid Course Development Program: 2010.
  • World Glaucoma Association – Travel Award: 2009.
  • World Glaucoma Association – Future Impact Award: 2008.
  • UCSD Health Sciences Subcommittee Award: 2008.
  • UCSD Health Sciences Subcommittee Award: 2007.
  • The Glaucoma Research Foundation: 2006.
  • Heidelberg Engineering Young Investigator’s Award: 2006.
  • International Perimetric Association travel award: 2006.
  • NEI travel award: 2005.
  • NRSA Post-doctoral Fellowship: 1999.
  • SAIN Training Grant: 1997.
  • Cota Robles Research Fellowship: 1993.

Grants-In-Aid

  • PSC-CUNY 50 TRAD B, Body Self-Consciousness in Virtual Reality: Physiological Correlates of Presence and Embodiment. 2019: $6,000.
  • Cognitive Neuroscience Large Research Grant, The Cognitive, Behavioral, and Affective Components of Social Cognition.. 2019: $3000.
  • CUNY Doctoral Student Research Grant (DSRG, Round 13): Role - Mentor, Virtual Reality Blended Learning (VRBL) to Improve Critical Thinking and Interpretation of Semantic Knowledge. 2018: $1463.
  • PSC-CUNY 48 TRAD A, Virtual Reality Blended Learning (VRBL) for Engaging Learners in Disciplinary Literacy. 2017: $3449.
  • CUNY Advance Start-Up Grant, Transformative Games Initiative. 2015: $15,786.
  • PSC-CUNY 45 TRAD B, Beyond Liberal vs. Conservative: Transcending the One-Dimensionality of Ideological Discourse in Psychology. 2014-2015: $5748.
  • Leaders on the Fast Track Video Game Innovation Fellowship, Restaurant Rockstar! A Game to Improve Health Literacy in College Freshman. 2013-2014: $1000.
  • PSC-CUNY 44 Traditional B Research Award, Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Glaucoma. 2013-2014: $5310.
  • CETL Title III Grant for Teaching Excellence Program, The “MyBook” Project: Developing Critical Thinking Skills in Freshmen Using Game-like Virtual Simulations. 2010-2011: $3000.
  • PSC-CUNY 41 Research Award, Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Glaucoma. 2010-2011: $4375.77.
  • UCSD Health Sciences Subcommittee on Research, Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Glaucoma. 2007 to 2008: $10,000.
  • The Glaucoma Foundation, Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of function-specific vision loss in glaucoma. 2006 to 2007: $35,000.
  • National Eye Institute, Effects of Spatial Attention in Visual Areas. 2000 to 2003: $109,300.

Other Professional Activities and Public Service

  • Ad hoc reviewer for NSF BSC - Cognitive Neuroscience grants: 2023.
  • Review Board, Journal of Interactive Technology and Pedagogy: 2020 to present.
  • Ad hoc reviewer for Cerebral Cortex, Brain, Survey of Ophthalmology, Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Neuroscience and Investigative Health “Wellcome Trust," Nature Neuroscience, Vision Research, Journal of Neuroscience, Journal of Vision, Journal of Glaucoma.: 1994 to present.
  • Professional society memberships: American Psychological Association, Association for Psychological Science, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Society for Neuroscience, Vision Sciences Society, Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, International Perimetric Society, BayCHI, International Game Developers Association, Game Audio Network Guild, NYC Game Developers Meetup, National Council on Undergraduate Research, New York Academy of Sciences.: 1994 to present.
  • Ad hoc book reviewer for Byers, A. & Crocco, F. (Eds.). (2016). The Role-Playing Society: Essays on the Popular Influence of Role-Playing Games. Jefferson, NC: McFarland and Company, Inc. Publishers.: 2016.
  • Conference Planning Committee for “Revolutionary Learning” (Dr. David Seelow, Director). Hosted by Excelsior College, Albany, NY: 2016.
  • Doctoral Advisory Committee (Wei Zhou, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio):: 2015 to 2016.
  • Educational Software Development - Audio Artillery: 2009 to 2016.
  • ScholarNexus - Consultant and moderator for MyNYScience.com, online social networking for New York scientists: 2007 to 2011.
  • Reuters Insight Consultants - Providing commentary and evaluation of scientific reports to be described in the popular press: 2008 to 2010.