Dr. Nemati's research spans mathematics in science, comparative cognition, and visual illusions. His earlier experimental work investigated the role of the visual cortex in organizing spatial exploration, as well as developmental brain plasticity and recovery following brain injury during adolescence. His research has led to the development of three original theoretical contributions. In 2009, he published a theory of geometric-optical illusions in the journal “Perception”. In 2019, he published a theory in the journal “Philosophical Psychology” addressing the challenge posed by Nobel laureate Eugene P. Wigner regarding the effectiveness of mathematical reasoning and the explanatory power of natural selection. In 2024, he published a theory of the moon illusion in the journal “Foundations of Science”, proposing an explanation within the framework of two-dimensional spatial space.

 

He has published in neuroscience, psychology, and philosophy. His broader work has examined visual illusions as epistemological case studies in topology, neuroscience, and psychopathology, while also exploring theoretical solutions for questions arising from comparative cognition. ​

 

He describes his theoretical contributions in more detail on the following pages, where some of their corresponding published peer-reviewed articles can also be found in full PDF copies or full view-only versions. A summary of his recent theoretical investigations includes the following domains:

​

• Mathematics in Science:

​

1. A theoretical explanation of the effectiveness of mathematics as a matter of cognitive evolution was published in 2019.

​

2. A theoretical analysis of the suitability of topology for the investigation of geometric-perceptual phenomena (e.g., the Müller-Lyer illusion) published in 2025.

 

• Comparative cognition:

​

1. Mathematical analyses in the context of comparative cognition published in 2015 and 2017.

 

2. A methodological formulation of anthropomorphism in the context of scientific activities published in 2023.

 

• Visual illusions:

​

1. A theoretical explanation of geometric-optical illusions published in 2009

 

2. A methodological analysis of investigations of the neural basis of geometric-optical illusions published in 2017

​

3. A theory of moon illusion published in 2024

 

4. A Methodological analysis of the obstacles for formulating mechanistic explanations in the context of psychopathology and suggesting a solution via the incorporation of phenomenological methods into experimental psychopathology in 2023

 

In the past few years, in addition to pursuing his research projects, he has taught undergraduate students in Toronto on subjects such as:

​

• Advanced Research Designs and Statistics 

• Developmental Psychology

• Abnormal Psychology

• Communication and Critical thinking

                                                                       

​