Dr Matthias Gruber
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- Ar gael fel goruchwyliwr ôl-raddedig
Timau a rolau for Matthias Gruber
Darllenydd (Athro Cysylltiol) mewn Niwrowyddoniaeth Wybyddol
Trosolwyg
Mae ymchwil Dr. Matthias Gruber yn ymchwilio i fecanweithiau niwral chwilfrydedd a chymhelliant, a sut mae'r prosesau hyn yn dylanwadu ar ddysgu a chof. Mae ei waith yn cael ei gefnogi gan gyllidwyr mawr gan gynnwys Ymddiriedolaeth Wellcome, y Gymdeithas Frenhinol, ac UKRI. Un o brif ffocws ei labordy yw deall sut mae chwilfrydedd yn effeithio ar ddysgu a'r cof. Yn ddiweddar, fel rhan o gydweithrediad rhyngwladol, mae ei labordy wedi dechrau archwilio sut mae dysgu seiliedig ar chwilfrydedd yn datblygu ar draws datblygiad.
Yn ddiweddar, arweiniodd Dr. Gruber brosiect cyd-gynhyrchu a ariennir gan Wellcome gydag athrawon, cyfathrebwyr gwyddoniaeth o Science Made Simple, a disgyblion o bum ysgol gynradd yng Nghaerdydd. Gyda'i gilydd, fe wnaethant archwilio chwilfrydedd plant drwy gefnogi disgyblion 7–10 oed i ddylunio a chyflwyno eu prosiectau ymchwil eu hunain yng Nghanolfan Wyddoniaeth Techniquest yng Nghaerdydd. Nod y fenter gydweithredol hon oedd deall rôl chwilfrydedd mewn ysgolion yn well, ysbrydoli cyfeiriadau ymchwil newydd, ac archwilio sut y gallai dulliau dysgu sy'n seiliedig ar chwilfrydedd gefnogi'r Cwricwlwm newydd i Gymru.
Mae hefyd yn angerddol am gyfathrebu gwyddoniaeth. Cyd-awdur erthygl i blant yn esbonio ei ymchwil ar chwilfrydedd, cyflwynodd sgwrs TEDx ar ddysgu seiliedig ar chwilfrydedd, ac mae ei waith wedi ymddangos yn The Guardian, New Scientist, Scientific American, a sawl podlediad gwyddoniaeth, megis All in the Mind ar BBC Radio 4, Guardian Science Weekly, a Choose to Be Curious.
Cyhoeddiad
2026
- O’Donoghue, E. M. et al. 2026. Distinct motivational factors shape news-seeking in young adults. Scientific Reports 16 (1) 19879. (10.1038/s41598-026-39354-1)
2024
- Cen, D. et al. 2024. Curiosity shapes spatial exploration and cognitive map formation in humans. Communications Psychology 2 129. (10.1038/s44271-024-00174-6)
- O'Donoghue, E. , Cen, D. and Gruber, M. 2024. Disentangling the influences of curiosity and active exploration on cognitive map formation. [Online].OSF. Available at: https://osf.io/wg3tm.
- Rueterbories, T. et al., 2024. Curiosity satisfaction increases event-related potentials sensitive to reward. The Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience 36 (5), pp.888-900. (10.1162/jocn_a_02114)
- Keller, N. E. et al., 2024. States of epistemic curiosity interfere with memory for incidental scholastic facts. npj Science of Learning 9 (1) 22. (10.1038/s41539-024-00234-w)
- Oosterwijk, S. , Noordewier, M. K. and Gruber, M. J. 2024. Are you curious about curiosity?. Frontiers for Young Minds 12 1182072. (10.3389/frym.2024.1182072)
- Bartlett, S. et al. 2024. The Curious Brain: Evaluation report. Project Report.Cardiff: Cardiff University.
2023
- Eschmann, K. C. J. et al. 2023. Curiosity and mesolimbic functional connectivity drive information seeking in real life. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience 18 (1) nsac050. (10.1093/scan/nsac050)
2021
- Cen, D. , Gkoumas, C. and Gruber, M. J. 2021. Anticipation of novel environments enhances memory for incidental information. Learning and Memory 28 (8), pp.254-259.
- Gruber, M. and Fandakova, Y. 2021. Curiosity in childhood and adolescence - what can we learn from the brain. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences 39 , pp.178-184. (10.1016/j.cobeha.2021.03.031)
- Murphy, C. et al. 2021. Temporal proximity to the elicitation of curiosity is key for enhancing memory for incidental information. Learning and Memory 28 (2), pp.34-39. (10.1101/lm.052241.120)
- Fandakova, Y. and Gruber, M. 2021. States of curiosity and interest enhance memory differently in adolescents and in children. Developmental Science 24 (1) e13005. (10.1111/desc.13005)
2020
- Gruber, M. J. and Ritchey, M. 2020. Episodic memory modulation: How emotion and motivation shape the encoding and storage of salient memories. In: Poeppel, D. , Gazzaniga, M. S. and Mangun, G. R. eds. The Cognitive Neurosciences, 6th edition. The MIT Press. , pp.257-264.
2019
- Gruber, M. and Ranganath, C. 2019. How curiosity enhances hippocampus-dependent memory: The Prediction,Appraisal,Curiosity, Exploration (PACE) Framework. Trends in Cognitive Sciences 23 (12), pp.1014-1025. (10.1016/j.tics.2019.10.003)
- Valji, A. et al., 2019. Curious connections: white matter pathways supporting individual differences in epistemic and perceptual curiosity. bioRxiv (10.1101/642165)
- Gruber, M. J. , Valji, A. and Ranganath, C. 2019. Curiosity and learning: A neuroscientific perspective. In: Renninger, K. A. and Hidi, S. E. eds. The Cambridge Handbook of Motivation and Learning. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. , pp.397-417.
- Fandakova, Y. and Gruber, M. 2019. Curiosity and surprise enhance memory differently in adolescents than in children. PsyARXiv (10.31234/osf.io/s36e5)
2018
- Gruber, M. J. et al. 2018. Theta phase synchronization between the human hippocampus and prefrontal cortex increases during encoding of unexpected information: A case study. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience 30 (11), pp.1646-1656. (10.1162/jocn_a_01302)
- Vogelsang, D. A. et al., 2018. Alpha oscillations during incidental encoding predict subsequent memory for new 'foil' information. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience 30 (5), pp.667-679. (10.1162/jocn_a_01234)
- Galli, G. et al., 2018. Learning facts during aging: the benefits of curiosity. Experimental Aging Research 44 (4), pp.311-328. (10.1080/0361073X.2018.1477355)
- Stare, C. et al., 2018. Curiosity-driven memory enhancement persists over time but does not benefit from post-learning sleep. Cognitive Neuroscience 9 (3-4), pp.100-115. (10.1080/17588928.2018.1513399)
2016
- Gruber, M. et al. 2016. Post-learning hippocampal dynamics promote preferential retention of rewarding events. Neuron 89 (5), pp.1110-1120. (10.1016/j.neuron.2016.01.017)
2014
- Gruber, M. J. , Gelman, B. D. and Ranganath, C. 2014. States of curiosity modulate hippocampus-dependent learning via the dopaminergic circuit. Neuron 84 (2), pp.486-496. (10.1016/j.neuron.2014.08.060)
- Hsieh, L. et al., 2014. Hippocampal activity patterns carry information about objects in temporal context. Neuron 81 (5), pp.1165-1178. (10.1016/j.neuron.2014.01.015)
2013
- Gruber, M. et al. 2013. Expected reward modulates encoding-related theta activity before an event. NeuroImage 64 , pp.68-74. (10.1016/j.neuroimage.2012.07.064)
2011
- Galli, G. , Bauch, E. M. and Gruber, M. 2011. When anticipation aids long-term memory: What cognitive and neural processes are involved?. Journal of Neuroscience 31 (12), pp.4355-4356. (10.1523/JNEUROSCI.6369-10.2011)
2010
- Gruber, M. and Otten, L. J. 2010. Voluntary control over prestimulus activity related to encoding. Journal of Neuroscience 30 (29), pp.9793-9800. (10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0915-10.2010)
Adrannau llyfrau
- Gruber, M. J. and Ritchey, M. 2020. Episodic memory modulation: How emotion and motivation shape the encoding and storage of salient memories. In: Poeppel, D. , Gazzaniga, M. S. and Mangun, G. R. eds. The Cognitive Neurosciences, 6th edition. The MIT Press. , pp.257-264.
- Gruber, M. J. , Valji, A. and Ranganath, C. 2019. Curiosity and learning: A neuroscientific perspective. In: Renninger, K. A. and Hidi, S. E. eds. The Cambridge Handbook of Motivation and Learning. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. , pp.397-417.
Erthyglau
- O’Donoghue, E. M. et al. 2026. Distinct motivational factors shape news-seeking in young adults. Scientific Reports 16 (1) 19879. (10.1038/s41598-026-39354-1)
- Cen, D. et al. 2024. Curiosity shapes spatial exploration and cognitive map formation in humans. Communications Psychology 2 129. (10.1038/s44271-024-00174-6)
- Rueterbories, T. et al., 2024. Curiosity satisfaction increases event-related potentials sensitive to reward. The Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience 36 (5), pp.888-900. (10.1162/jocn_a_02114)
- Keller, N. E. et al., 2024. States of epistemic curiosity interfere with memory for incidental scholastic facts. npj Science of Learning 9 (1) 22. (10.1038/s41539-024-00234-w)
- Oosterwijk, S. , Noordewier, M. K. and Gruber, M. J. 2024. Are you curious about curiosity?. Frontiers for Young Minds 12 1182072. (10.3389/frym.2024.1182072)
- Eschmann, K. C. J. et al. 2023. Curiosity and mesolimbic functional connectivity drive information seeking in real life. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience 18 (1) nsac050. (10.1093/scan/nsac050)
- Cen, D. , Gkoumas, C. and Gruber, M. J. 2021. Anticipation of novel environments enhances memory for incidental information. Learning and Memory 28 (8), pp.254-259.
- Gruber, M. and Fandakova, Y. 2021. Curiosity in childhood and adolescence - what can we learn from the brain. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences 39 , pp.178-184. (10.1016/j.cobeha.2021.03.031)
- Murphy, C. et al. 2021. Temporal proximity to the elicitation of curiosity is key for enhancing memory for incidental information. Learning and Memory 28 (2), pp.34-39. (10.1101/lm.052241.120)
- Fandakova, Y. and Gruber, M. 2021. States of curiosity and interest enhance memory differently in adolescents and in children. Developmental Science 24 (1) e13005. (10.1111/desc.13005)
- Gruber, M. and Ranganath, C. 2019. How curiosity enhances hippocampus-dependent memory: The Prediction,Appraisal,Curiosity, Exploration (PACE) Framework. Trends in Cognitive Sciences 23 (12), pp.1014-1025. (10.1016/j.tics.2019.10.003)
- Valji, A. et al., 2019. Curious connections: white matter pathways supporting individual differences in epistemic and perceptual curiosity. bioRxiv (10.1101/642165)
- Fandakova, Y. and Gruber, M. 2019. Curiosity and surprise enhance memory differently in adolescents than in children. PsyARXiv (10.31234/osf.io/s36e5)
- Gruber, M. J. et al. 2018. Theta phase synchronization between the human hippocampus and prefrontal cortex increases during encoding of unexpected information: A case study. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience 30 (11), pp.1646-1656. (10.1162/jocn_a_01302)
- Vogelsang, D. A. et al., 2018. Alpha oscillations during incidental encoding predict subsequent memory for new 'foil' information. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience 30 (5), pp.667-679. (10.1162/jocn_a_01234)
- Galli, G. et al., 2018. Learning facts during aging: the benefits of curiosity. Experimental Aging Research 44 (4), pp.311-328. (10.1080/0361073X.2018.1477355)
- Stare, C. et al., 2018. Curiosity-driven memory enhancement persists over time but does not benefit from post-learning sleep. Cognitive Neuroscience 9 (3-4), pp.100-115. (10.1080/17588928.2018.1513399)
- Gruber, M. et al. 2016. Post-learning hippocampal dynamics promote preferential retention of rewarding events. Neuron 89 (5), pp.1110-1120. (10.1016/j.neuron.2016.01.017)
- Gruber, M. J. , Gelman, B. D. and Ranganath, C. 2014. States of curiosity modulate hippocampus-dependent learning via the dopaminergic circuit. Neuron 84 (2), pp.486-496. (10.1016/j.neuron.2014.08.060)
- Hsieh, L. et al., 2014. Hippocampal activity patterns carry information about objects in temporal context. Neuron 81 (5), pp.1165-1178. (10.1016/j.neuron.2014.01.015)
- Gruber, M. et al. 2013. Expected reward modulates encoding-related theta activity before an event. NeuroImage 64 , pp.68-74. (10.1016/j.neuroimage.2012.07.064)
- Galli, G. , Bauch, E. M. and Gruber, M. 2011. When anticipation aids long-term memory: What cognitive and neural processes are involved?. Journal of Neuroscience 31 (12), pp.4355-4356. (10.1523/JNEUROSCI.6369-10.2011)
- Gruber, M. and Otten, L. J. 2010. Voluntary control over prestimulus activity related to encoding. Journal of Neuroscience 30 (29), pp.9793-9800. (10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0915-10.2010)
Gwefannau
- O'Donoghue, E. , Cen, D. and Gruber, M. 2024. Disentangling the influences of curiosity and active exploration on cognitive map formation. [Online].OSF. Available at: https://osf.io/wg3tm.
Monograffau
- Bartlett, S. et al. 2024. The Curious Brain: Evaluation report. Project Report.Cardiff: Cardiff University.
Ymchwil
Mae ymchwil Dr. Matthias Gruber yn ymchwilio i fecanweithiau niwral chwilfrydedd a chymhelliant, a sut mae'r prosesau hyn yn dylanwadu ar ddysgu a chof. Mae ei waith yn cael ei gefnogi gan gyllidwyr mawr gan gynnwys Ymddiriedolaeth Wellcome, y Gymdeithas Frenhinol, ac UKRI. Un o brif ffocws ei labordy yw deall sut mae chwilfrydedd yn effeithio ar ddysgu a'r cof. Yn ddiweddar, fel rhan o gydweithrediad rhyngwladol, mae ei labordy wedi dechrau archwilio sut mae dysgu seiliedig ar chwilfrydedd yn datblygu ar draws datblygiad.
Yn ddiweddar, arweiniodd Dr. Gruber brosiect cyd-gynhyrchu a ariennir gan Wellcome gydag athrawon, cyfathrebwyr gwyddoniaeth o Science Made Simple, a disgyblion o bum ysgol gynradd yng Nghaerdydd. Gyda'i gilydd, fe wnaethant archwilio chwilfrydedd plant drwy gefnogi disgyblion 7–10 oed i ddylunio a chyflwyno eu prosiectau ymchwil eu hunain yng Nghanolfan Wyddoniaeth Techniquest yng Nghaerdydd. Nod y fenter gydweithredol hon oedd deall rôl chwilfrydedd mewn ysgolion yn well, ysbrydoli cyfeiriadau ymchwil newydd, ac archwilio sut y gallai dulliau dysgu sy'n seiliedig ar chwilfrydedd gefnogi'r Cwricwlwm newydd i Gymru.
Mae hefyd yn angerddol am gyfathrebu gwyddoniaeth. Cyd-awdur erthygl i blant yn esbonio ei ymchwil ar chwilfrydedd, cyflwynodd sgwrs TEDx ar ddysgu seiliedig ar chwilfrydedd, ac mae ei waith wedi ymddangos yn The Guardian, New Scientist, Scientific American, a sawl podlediad gwyddoniaeth, megis All in the Mind ar BBC Radio 4, Guardian Science Weekly, a Choose to Be Curious.
Bywgraffiad
Anrhydeddau a dyfarniadau
Funding and Fellowships
German Research Foundation (DFG) Postdoctoral Fellowship in Prof Charan Ranganath’s laboratory at UC Davis, USA. Project title: Learning and consolidation of salient information: The causal role of theta oscillations.
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Postdoctoral Fellowship in Prof Charan Ranganath’s laboratory at UC Davis, USA. Project title: Intrinsic motivation and its role in memory consolidation
Honours and Awards
Elected to the Memory Disorders Research Society, 2017.
Laird Cermak Award, Memory Disorders Research Society, 2016.
Finalist at 2016 Award for Excellence in Postdoctoral Research, UC Davis, 2016.
Michael S. Gazzaniga Prize for Cognitive Neuroscience Best Trainee Poster, UC Davis Center for Mind and Brain, 2015.
Selected to speak at TEDxUCDavis, “Beyond the Conversation”, 2015.
Meysydd goruchwyliaeth
Internships
We are always looking for interns who can dedicate three to five months to work on a project related to curiosity, motivation and memory.
Positions and PhD studentships available
At the moment, no positions or studentships are advertised. However, please get in touch if you are interested in a trainee position with us (along with your CV and a statement about why you would be a great addition to our team).
News articles
Contact Details
+44 29208 70079
Canolfan Ymchwil Delweddu'r Ymennydd Prifysgol Caerdydd, Heol Maendy, Caerdydd, CF24 4HQ