Ilker Yildirim

I am a PhD student in the
Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences
403 Meliora Hall
University of Rochester
Rochester, NY, 14627
Email: iyildirim AT bcs DOT rochester DOT edu

CV

Research

I am interested in the nature, acquisition, update, and usage of abstract, amodal, or multisensory representations in a wide array of cognitive engagements from perception to higher level cognition and from learning to memory. In pursuing these interests, I develop computational models corroborating behavioral experiments. The computational models are based on Bayesian (nonparametric) statistics and knowledge representation formalisms such as graphs, logic. Behavioral experimentation makes use of auditory-visual VR settings, and technologies such as 3-D printing for visual-tactile stimulation.

Check out our newly available data set, See & Grasp, a data set with both visual and haptic features.

In multisensory processing projects, I work with Robbie Jacobs in the Computational Cognition and Perception Lab. Furthermore, I collaborate with Judith Degen, Florian Jaeger, and Mike Tanenhaus, all members of BCS, in language adaptation projects.

Papers

• Transfer of Object Category Knowledge Across Visual and Haptic Modalities: Experimental and Computational Studies. Yildirim, I. & Jacobs, R. (2013). Cognition, 126, 135-148.
• A Rational Analysis of the Acquisition of Multisensory Representations. Yildirim, I. & Jacobs, R. (2012). Cognitive Science, 36(2), 305-332.
• A Bayesian Nonparametric Approach to Multisensory Perception. Yildirim, I. & Jacobs, R. (2010). In Proceedings of the Thirty-Second Annual Conference of the Cognitive Science Society .

Tutorials and Code

Below are short notes on Bayesian inference and Bayesian nonparametrics. I provided sample code alongside each note hoping that it will be helpful. Feel free to drop me a line about what you think, and if you see any bugs. See the Computational Cognition Cheat sheets for an extensive list of tutorials, including the ones below.

• Gibbs sampling | Sample code
• Metropolis-Hastings sampling | Sample code
• Indian Buffet Process | Sample code

Selected papers before UR

• Cooperative Sign Language Tutoring: A Multiagent Approach. Yildirim, I., Aran, O., Yolum, P., & Akarun, L. (2009). Engineering Societies in Agents' World X, LNAI 5881. [Best paper award, ESAW X.]
• Cooperative Sign Language Tutoring: A Multiagent Approach. Yildirim, I. (2009). Masters thesis, Bogazici University.
• Hybrid Models for Achieving and Maintaining Cooperative Symbiotic Groups. Yildirim, I. & Yolum, P. (2009). Mind & Society , 8(2), 243-258. (A shorter version of this paper has also appeared in proceedings of the 5th European Social Simulation Association conference, ESSA 2008).