Welcome to the Kwon Lab!

We are a research lab in the Department of Psychology at Northeastern University, dedicated to understanding how individuals with visual impairment perceive and interact with the world.

Low vision refers to uncorrectable visual impairment that affects daily activities such as reading, driving, and recognizing faces and objects. With over 285 million people worldwide experiencing visual impairment (WHO, 2011) and numbers expected to rise with an aging population, the need for research in this field has never been greater. While significant progress has been made in understanding the structural and physiological changes associated with eye diseases, much less is known about how people with impaired vision actually perceive and learn to recognize their surroundings. Our lab is committed to bridging this gap by studying visual perception in impaired vision and its underlying brain mechanisms. Beyond understanding vision loss, we aim to translate our research into effective assessment tools and rehabilitative strategies that enhance the visual function of individuals with low vision. To tackle these challenges, we employ a diverse set of methods, including psychophysics, brain imaging (fMRI, EEG), retinal imaging (OCT), eye tracking, deep learning, computational modeling, and clinical assessment tools.

Our Scientific Mission. Our mission is to generate knowledge that advances human understanding and benefits society. Whether through incremental discoveries or groundbreaking insights, we prioritize rigorous methodology to ensure that our findings are well-founded and reliable. Scientific progress is built on collective knowledge, and we recognize our responsibility to contribute with integrity, acknowledging that our understanding evolves with new evidence and technological advancements.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Mentorship. We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where all trainees, regardless of background, can thrive. Diversity enriches scientific inquiry, and we strive to provide equitable access to opportunities, individualized mentorship, and a culture of open communication. Our lab culture emphasizes scientific rigor, critical thinking, and professional growth while ensuring that all voices are valued. We actively mentor individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultivating an environment where they feel empowered to contribute meaningfully to science and society.