Dr. David Whitney

Professor

Build a Statement of Purpose

Generate a tailored SOP for Dr. David Whitney. Improve your application with a focused, well-structured draft.

Biography

David Whitney is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley. His research is primarily focused on visual perception and visuomotor control. His work explores a variety of topics including perception in cluttered scenes, crowding effects, motion perception, object recognition, and visual impairments. He employs various techniques such as psychophysics, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to investigate how the brain localizes and individuates objects, especially in dynamic environments. His research addresses key questions about the interaction between visual and auditory localization and how the brain's processing capabilities influence our perception of fast-moving objects in cluttered natural scenes. Whitney also studies how the visuomotor system adapts to control movements like reaching and eye movements within these complex environments.

Research Interests

Experience

Professor

— Present

University of California, Berkeley • Berkeley, CA

Conducting research and teaching in the field of psychology.

Requirements for University of California, Berkeley

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
GRE Subject
Overall Score
Required:500
Overall
Required:500
TOEFL
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree or recognized equivalent Preparation comparable to undergraduate major at Berkeley in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics 2 full years lower-division work (Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Multivariable Calculus) 8 one-semester upper-division courses (Real Analysis, Complex Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Linear Algebra)
Application Checklist
  • Graduate Application
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Personal History Statement
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Unofficial Transcripts
  • C.V./Resume
  • Course and Textbook List
Specialization Notes

The Mathematics Subject GRE is required for the Fall 2026 admissions cycle. General GRE is optional.