Assistant Scientist
Biography
Dr. Baird is a research scientist specializing in the study of human cognition and consciousness. His work uses a range of behavioral and cognitive neuroscience methods, including theoretical and computational modeling of behavior, functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), diffusion spectrum imaging (DSI), high-density electroencephalography (hdEEG), eye-tracking, sleep physiological recordings and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). His areas of interest include internally generated thought and perception, such as mind-wandering and dreaming, the role of prefrontal and frontopolar cortical networks in high-level control functions such as metacognition, the neurophysiology and neurochemistry of cognition during sleep and the neurobiology of consciousness.
Research Interests: consciousness, sleep, mindwandering, dreaming, lucid dreaming, metacognition.
Selected Publications
Baird, B., Mota-Rolim, S., & Dresler, M. (2019). The cognitive neuroscience of lucid dreaming. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 100, 305-323. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.03.008
Baird, B., Castelnovo, A., Gosseries, O., Tononi, G. (2018). Frequent lucid dreaming associated with increased functional connectivity between frontopolar cortex and temporoparietal association areas. Scientific Reports, 8(1), 17798. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-36190-w
Laberge, S.*, Baird, B.*, Zimbardo, P. G. (2018). Smooth tracking of visual targets distinguish lucid REM sleep dreaming and perception from imagination. Nature Communications, 9, 3298. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-05547-0
*Co-first author
Siclari, F.*, Baird, B.*, Perogamvros, L., Bernardi, G., LaRocque, J. J., Riedner, B., … & Tononi, G. (2017). The neural correlates of dreaming. Nature Neuroscience, 20(6), 872-878. https://doi.org/10.1038/nn.4545
*Co-first author