Catherine Agathos

Senior Postdoctoral Fellow

Ph.D. Human Movement Science - Paris-Saclay University
MEng Biomedical Engineering - Imperial College London

I am interested in how humans interact with their environment and have been studying how visual perception and postural control for balance and mobility are linked. In my previous work I examined the effects of differential sensory reweighting and visual sampling on locomotion and spatial cognition across the adult lifespan.

My work at Smith-Kettlewell focuses on how central visual field loss due to Age-related Macular Degeneration affects older adults’ spatial orientation perception and postural control. More specifically, I examine visual-vestibular interactions for perception and locomotor tasks under the mentorship of Dr. Natela Shanidze, with an outlook to fall risk prevention and management.

Contact Information:

Email: cagathos@ski.org

Office Phone: (415) 345-2062


2318 Fillmore Street

San Francisco, CA 94115

Links:
ResearchGate

Publications

A cartoon of two individuals walking along a street with thought bubbles imagining a fall and an ambulance for one and consternation about foot placement in the other.

Shanidze, N.M., Agathos, C.P., Ellmers, T.J., & Young, W.R., (2026). Links Between Central Visual Field Loss and Movement Processing during Walking. Gait & Posture, 110095.

Health professional helping an older adult fill out information on a clipboard

Agathos, C.P, Shanidze, N.M., Fletcher, D.C. (2025). Importance of screening for contrast sensitivity, falls and mobility limitations in older adults with maculopathy. American Journal of Ophthalmology. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2025.08.051

Agathos, C. P., & Shanidze, N. . (2024). Visual Field Dependence Persists in Age-Related Central Visual Field Loss. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 65(2). doi.org/10.1167/iovs.65.2.22 (Original work published 2024)

Agathos, C. P., Velisar, A. ., & Shanidze, N. . (2023). A Comparison of Walking Behavior during the Instrumented TUG and Habitual Gait. Sensors, 23(16). 10.3390/s23167261 (Original work published 2023)

Bécu, M. ., Sheynikhovich, D. ., Tatur, G. ., Agathos, C. P., Bologna, L. L., Sahel, J.-A. ., & Arleo, A. . (2020). Age-related preference for geometric spatial cues during real-world navigation. Nature Human Behaviour, 4, 88–99. 10.1038/s41562-019-0718-z (Original work published 2020)

Agathos, C. P., Ramanoël, S. ., Bécu, M. ., Bernardin, D. ., Habas, C. ., & Arleo, A. . (2020). Postural Control While Walking Interferes With Spatial Learning in Older Adults Navigating in a Real Environment. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. 10.3389/fnagi.2020.588653 (Original work published 2020)

Agathos, C. P., Ramanoël, S. ., Bécu, M. ., Baranton, K. ., Bernardin, D. ., & Arleo, A. . (2019). An alternative view of dual-tasking in older adults: Cognitive-motor interference while navigating in an ecological environment. Neurophysiologie Clinique, 49, 414. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neucli.2019.10.161 (Original work published 2019)

Agathos, C. P., Bernardin, D. ., Baranton, K. ., Assaiante, C. ., & Isableu, B. . (2017). Drifting while stepping in place in old adults: Association of self-motion perception with reference frame reliance and ground optic flow sensitivity. Neuroscience, 347, 134–147. 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2017.01.044 (Original work published 2017)

Agathos, C. P., Bernardin, D. ., Huchet, D. ., Scherlen, A. C., Assaiante, C. ., & Isableu, B. . (2015). Sensorimotor and cognitive factors associated with the age-related increase of visual field dependence: a cross-sectional study. Age, 37, 67. 10.1007/s11357-015-9805-x (Original work published 2015)

Agathos, C. P., Velisar, A. ., & Shanidze, N. . (2025). Examining gaze-driven postural adaptations in older adults with and without central visual field loss. Maastricht, Netherlands.

Agathos, C. P., Velisar, A. ., & Shanidze, N. . (2025). Postural Adaptations to Eccentric Viewing Strategies in Age-Related Central Visual Field Loss. Durham, UK.

Rosengen, B. ., Agathos, C. P., & Shanidze, N. . (2025). Fall-Related Ruminations are Linked to Spatial Orientation and Cognitive Flexibility. San Francisco, CA, USA.

Velisar, A. ., Agathos, C. P., Telaprolu, D. S. L., & Shanidze, N. . (2025). Lifetime Noise Exposure Affects Age-Related Gait Changes. Maastricht, Netherlands.

Shanidze, N. ., Velisar, A. ., & Agathos, C. P. (2025). Lifetime Noise Exposure is Associated with Greater Postural Sway during Quiet Stance. Maastricht, Netherlands.

A cartoon of two individuals walking along a street with thought bubbles imagining a fall and an ambulance for one and consternation about foot placement in the other.

Rosengren, B., Agathos, C. P., Velisar, A. ., Visht, A., & Shanidze, N. . (2025). Fall-related ruminations are linked to spatial orientation and processing efficiency. San Diego, California.

Shanidze, N. ., Agathos, C. P., & Velisar, A. . (2024). Vestibular Damage due to Noise Exposure Leads to Significant Sensory Adaptations During Quiet Stance. Reno, NV, USA.

Brown, H. D., Hoyle, E. J., Kelly, L. G., Agathos, C. P., Shanidze, N. ., & Baseler, H. A. (2024). Assessing the relationship between central visual field loss, physical activity, and cognitive function. York, UK. https://doi.org/10.1167/jov.25.5.42

Brown, H. D., Hoyle, E. J., Kelly, L. G., Agathos, C. P., Shanidze, N. ., & Baseler, H. A. (2024). Assessing the relationship between central visual field loss, physical activity, and cognitive function. Aberdeen, UK.

Agathos, C. P., Velisar, A. ., Young, W. R., Fletcher, D. C., & Shanidze, N. . (2024). Movement-related concerns and cognition in macular degeneration: clinical and laboratory insights. Berkeley, CA, USA.

Chopin, A. ., Rdeini, D. ., Agathos, C. P., Ciucci, C. ., Parmentier, V. ., Wang, Y. ., … Arleo, A. . (2024). Unraveling the impact of stereoscopic vision on daily tasks in younger and older adults.

Agathos, C. P., Ramanoël, S. ., Bécu, M. ., Baranton, K. ., Bernardin, D. ., & Arleo, A. . (2019). Cognitive-motor interference in older adults while navigating in an ecological environment. Internationa Society for Posture and Gait Research (ISPGR). Presented at the Internationa Society for Posture and Gait Research (ISPGR). Edinburgh, UK. (Original work published 2019)

Bécu, M. ., Tatur, G. ., Sheynikhovich, D. ., Ramanoël, S. ., Agathos, C. P., Ozier-Lafontaine, A. ., & Arleo, A. . (2018). Age-related preference for geometric cues: when aging does not impair allocentric strategies. ISCAN. Presented at the iSCAN. Magdeburg, Germany. (Original work published 2018)

Bécu, M. ., Tatur, G. ., Sheynikhovich, D. ., Ramanoël, S. ., Agathos, C. P., & Arleo, A. . (2018). Age-related preference for geometric cues during real-world navigation: behavioral and neuroimaging correlates. Spatial Cognition. Presented at the Spatial Cognition. Tübingen, Germany. (Original work published 2018)

Bécu, M. ., Tatur, G. ., Sheynikhovich, D. ., Agathos, C. P., Bologna, L. L., & Arleo, A. . (2018). {Age-related preference for geometric cues during real-world navigation}. Forum of Neuroscience (FENS). Presented at the Forum of Neuroscience (FENS). Berlin, Germany. (Original work published 2018)

Bécu, M. ., Tatur, G. ., Sheynikhovich, D. ., Ramanoël, S. ., Agathos, C. P., & Arleo, A. . (2018). Age-related preference for geometric cues during real-world navigation: behavioral and neuroimaging correlates. Interdisciplinary Navigation Symposium (iNav). Presented at the Interdisciplinary Navigation Symposium (iNav). Mont-Tremblant, Canada. (Original work published 2018)

Agathos, C. P., Bernardin, D. ., Baranton, K. ., Assaiante, C. ., & Isableu, B. . (2017). Old adults drift while stepping in place: influence of ground optic flow and perceptual reference frame reliance on self-motion perception. International Society for Posture and Gait Research World Congress (ISPGR). Presented at the International Society for Posture and Gait Research World Congress (ISPGR). Fort Lauderdale, FL. (Original work published 2017)

Agathos, C. P., Isableu, B. ., Baranton, K. ., Assaiante, C. ., & Bernardin, D. . (2017). Head orientation and stabilisation strategies across age, tasks and optic flow conditions: dynamic stimuli improve head stabilisation even in old age. International Society for Posture and Gait Research World Congress (ISPGR). Presented at the International Society for Posture and Gait Research World Congress (ISPGR). Fort Lauderdale, FL. (Original work published 2017)

Agathos, C. P., Isableu, B. ., Baranton, K. ., & Assaiante, C. . (2017). Head orientation and stabilisation strategies across age, tasks and optic flow conditions: dynamic stimuli improve head stabilisation even in old age. International Society for Posture and Gait Research World Congress (ISPGR). Presented at the International Society for Posture and Gait Research World Congress (ISPGR). Fort Lauderdale, FL. (Original work published 2017)

Agathos, C. P., Bernardin, D. ., Baranton, K. ., & Assaiante, C. . (2016). Centre of pressure drift when stepping in place increases with age, sensitivity to optic flow and perceptual reference frame reliance. International Workshop on Aging in the Neuro-Musculo-Skeletal System. Presented at the International Workshop on Aging in the Neuro-Musculo-Skeletal System. Marseille. (Original work published 2016)

Agathos, C. P., Bernardin, D. ., Huchet, D. ., Scherlen, A.-C. ., Assaiante, C. ., & Isableu, B. . (2015). {Cognitive and sensorimotor factors associated with visual field dependence in the context of aging}. Actes Du 16e Congrès International De l’Association Des Chercheurs En Activités Physiques Et Sportives, 336–337. (Original work published 2015)

Agathos, C. P., Bernardin, D. ., Huchet, D. ., Scherlen, A.-C. ., Assaiante, C. ., & Isableu, B. . (2015). Factors associated with the increased perceptual reliance on the visual reference frame with age. International Society for Posture and Gait Research World Congress (ISPGR). Presented at the International Society for Posture and Gait Research World Congress (ISPGR). Seville. (Original work published 2015)

Woods, V. M., Triantis, I. F., Agathos, C. P., & Toumazou, C. . (2011). “Capacitive” Pulse Shapes for Platinum Cuff Electrodes. Proceedings of the Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, EMBS, 5408–5411. 10.1109/IEMBS.2011.6091337 (Original work published 2011)

Mentors

Projects

  • ScribbleEyes
    Active
    ScribbleEyes

    Scribble Eyes is an Apple iPad/Pencil-based app that automates the data collection, analysis and interpretation process for paper-based tests traditionally used to screen patients with central visual field loss in the clinic.

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  • Mobility and Fall Risk in Central Visual Field Loss
    Active
    Mobility and Fall Risk in Central Visual Field Loss

    Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of vision loss in the developed world. Central visual field loss due to diseases such as AMD is a large and growing problem. It is also associated with higher risk of falls and, therefore injury. Although much has been done to understand visual limitations associated with this condition, one of its most dangerous and poorly understood outcomes is the increase in the risk of falls, which can be debilitating and even deadly, especially in the age group most affected by AMD. The exact reasons for the increased fall risk are unknown…

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  • Vestibular Function in AMD: Verticality Perception
    Active
    Vestibular Function in AMD: Verticality Perception

    To accurately perceive one’s own state and that of the surrounding environment, visual, vestibular and somatosensory inputs must be appropriately weighted and dynamically reweighted depending on the environment and task difficulty, as well as signal reliability (and availability). Aging is associated with an increase on visual dependence (a greater weighting of visual information). In this project we investigate how loss of visual information due to AMD affects this reweighting process and if an increase in visual dependence may be maladaptive in AMD.

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  • Blindness and Low Vision Support Group
    Active
    Blindness and Low Vision Support Group

    Join Annemarie Rossi, Occupational Therapist, and scientists at Smith-Kettlewell to share experiences and learn about resources for members of the blind and low vision community through the Blindness and Low Vision Support Group, founded by Dr. Donald Fletcher, M.D.

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  • Coordination of Eye and Head Movements in Central Field Loss
    Active
    Coordination of Eye and Head Movements in Central Field Loss

    This project investigates the interaction between central field loss (CFL) and vestibular function.

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Labs

  • Eye-Head Movement Laboratory
    Eye-Head Movement Laboratory
    Principal Investigator:
    Our laboratory is interested in how changes in visual and/or vestibular function affect eye/head coordination, balance, and mobility, particularly in aging. We are currently pursuing two main lines of research:...
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Centers

  • Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center
    Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center
    The Center's research goal is to develop and apply new scientific knowledge and practical, cost-effective devices to better understand and address the real-world problems of blind, visually impaired, and deaf-blind...
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Trainees

Current Trainees

Past Trainees