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Andrea Megela SimmonsView profile

Professor

• Behavioral Neuroscience
• Comparative Neuroscience
• Development
• +5 more

Andrea Megela Simmons is a Professor at Brown University in the Department of Cognitive, Linguistic, and Psychological Sciences with a secondary appointment in the Department of Neuroscience . She is a member of the Carney Institute for Brain Science and serves as a Principal Investigator on an ONR MURI project. Education : A.B. from the University of Pennsylvania (1973), Ph.D. from Harvard University (1978), Postdoctoral research at Cornell University Simmons specializes in cognitive and neural mechanisms of sound perception and communication across species including frogs, bats, dolphins, and humans. Her work bridges behavioral neuroscience, comparative neurology, and developmental studies to explore auditory processing, echolocation, and sensory integration. Her recent publications highlight interdisciplinary trends in auditory neuroscience, focusing on sound exposure effects, metamorphic neurodevelopment, and sensory-motor coordination in cluttered environments. Key subfields include echolocation, lateral line function, tectal connectivity, and acoustic adaptation across species. Scientific Awards : Fellow, Acoustical Society of America Simmons has received grants from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) for MURI projects and has taught courses such as Animal Behavior , Evolution and Development of the Brain , and Auditory Perception Laboratory .

Robert BarclayView profile

Professor

• Behavioral Ecology
• Physiological Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• +3 more

Robert Barclay is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Calgary, Faculty of Science. He holds a PhD (Carleton University, 1981), MSc (Carleton University, 1978), and BSc (Trent University, 1976). His research focuses on the behavioral and physiological ecology of mammals and birds, particularly bats, investigating roosting behavior, thermoregulation, and responses to environmental disturbances like wind energy, urbanization, and wildfires. He has contributed to understanding bat migration, torpor physiology, and conservation challenges. Key awards include the Order of the University of Calgary (2024), Faculty of Science Excellence in Research Award (2021), and multiple teaching awards. His work spans bat-habitat interactions, climate impacts, and wildlife management. Retired since 2021, he no longer advises students but retains a legacy of influential research and mentorship. Education: PhD Biological Sciences, Carleton University, 1981 MSc Biological Sciences, Carleton University, 1978 BSc Biological Sciences, Trent University, 1976 Research highlights include studies on bat responses to wind turbines, urbanization effects on prairie bats, and Yukon bat ecology. His publications address topics like bat diet, roost selection, and population dynamics. Collaborative projects include investigating bat fatalities at wind facilities and the impact of forest disturbances on bat communities.

Roman KucView profile

Professor

• Robotics
• Biomimetic Sensors
• Digital Signal Processing
• +4 more

Roman Kuc is a Professor of Electrical Engineering at Yale University, affiliated with the School of Engineering & Applied Science. He directs the Intelligent Sensors Laboratory, focusing on biomimetic sensors for robotics and bioengineering. His research explores brain-based devices (BBDs), sonar sensing, and neuromorphic processing inspired by biological systems. He holds a BSEE from Illinois Institute of Technology and a PhD from Columbia University. Dr. Kuc’s work bridges signal processing, robotics, and bioengineering, with applications in autonomous systems and clinical diagnostics. He has published over 200 papers and authored textbooks like Electrical Engineering in Context and The Digital Information Age . Notable honors include an honorary doctorate from the Glushkov Institute of Cybernetics and the Yale Sheffield Distinguished Teaching Award. His research themes include cognitive mapping via sonar echoes, neural network-based classification of environmental features, and biomimetic approaches to echolocation. Recent work emphasizes sensorimotor integration and robust performance in uncertain environments. Scientific awards highlight his contributions to robotics, signal processing, and education. His lab develops systems that emulate biological sensory mechanisms, aiming to advance robotics, medical applications, and assistive technologies.

Ricardo RochaView profile

Associate Professor

• Conservation Science
• Biodiversity
• Habitat Restoration
• +7 more

Dr. Ricardo Rocha is an Associate Professor in Conservation Science and Tutorial Fellow at Jesus College, University of Oxford. He leads research addressing conservation challenges under global change, focusing on biodiversity restoration post-habitat loss, human-modified landscapes, and evidence-based decision-making. His work integrates ecological theory with large-scale field studies in tropical and island ecosystems. Key research interests include taxonomic/functional responses to habitat fragmentation, secondary forest regeneration, and managing agricultural landscapes for biodiversity. He investigates invasive species impacts (e.g., cats, geckos) and ecosystem service provision, using methods like DNA metabarcoding and passive acoustic monitoring. Dr. Rocha contributes to global conservation initiatives such as BioTIME 2.0 (biodiversity time series database) and the SOPWA project (sustainable oil palm in West Africa). His expertise spans tropical ecosystems, island biogeography, and interdisciplinary approaches to conservation. He collaborates widely, publishing on bat ecology, invasive species dynamics, and conservation policy. Recent work emphasizes island systems (Madeira, São Tomé) and human-wildlife interactions in agricultural settings.

Cynthia F. MossView profile

Professor

• Sensory coding
• Auditory neuroscience
• Spatial perception
• +6 more

Cynthia F. Moss is a Professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Johns Hopkins University (JHU), with joint appointments in Neuroscience and Mechanical Engineering. She directs the Comparative Neural Systems and Behavior Laboratory (Bat Lab), investigating neural mechanisms of sensory perception and spatial navigation in echolocating bats. Her work combines neurophysiology, behavioral ecology, and engineering to study how bats process auditory information for navigation, communication, and obstacle avoidance. Dr. Moss earned a B.S. (summa cum laude) from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and a Ph.D. from Brown University. She held prior faculty positions at Harvard University and the University of Maryland, where she directed the Neuroscience and Cognitive Science graduate program. Her research has received prestigious awards including the Hartmann Award (2017), James McKeen Cattell Award (2018), and Alexander von Humboldt Research Prize (2019). Her research focuses on sensory coding of natural stimuli, spatial perception, attention, and adaptive motor control. Key findings include discoveries about 3D auditory space representation in the midbrain, age-resistant hearing in bats, and the role of wing hairs in flight control. Her lab employs innovative techniques like wireless neural recording, two-photon imaging, and DREADDs-mediated inactivation to study neural circuits. Dr. Moss collaborates across disciplines, bridging neurobiology, robotics, and sensory systems engineering. Her work informs biomimetic technologies for sonar navigation and adaptive control systems. She actively mentors students and postdocs in the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Whiting School of Engineering, and School of Medicine at JHU.

Joe SzewczakView profile

Professor

• Bioacoustics
• Wildlife Ecology
• Physiological Ecology
• +5 more

Joe Szewczak is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Cal Poly Humboldt. His research integrates engineering and biological sciences to explore physiological and ecological mechanisms in bats and birds, focusing on torpor physiology, bioacoustics, and non-invasive population monitoring. He teaches courses in Animal Physiology , Human Physiology , Biology of the Chiroptera , and Biological Applications of Physics . BSE, Duke University (1980) PhD, Brown University (1991) His research spans bat physiology under extreme conditions (torpor, high-altitude flight), bioacoustic monitoring for population assessment, and ecological impacts of anthropogenic changes . He has led projects on bat conservation , acoustic deterrents for wind turbines , and wildlife response to noise pollution . Joe has mentored numerous graduate students, including Ashley Abitz, Amon Armstrong, and Danielle (Skye) Salganek. His work has been supported by grants from Caltrans and the Bats and Wind Energy Cooperative. He co-developed advanced acoustic identification techniques for bats and birds and contributed to national guidelines for wildlife impact assessments .

Nicole AbaidView profile

Associate Professor

• Dynamical Systems
• Control Theory
• Multi-Agent Systems
• +5 more

Nicole Abaid is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics at Virginia Tech, affiliated with the College of Science. Her research integrates dynamical systems, control theory, and robotics to study collective behavior in biological and engineered systems. She explores biologically-inspired models, such as bat swarms and brain networks, to develop applications in robotics and environmental monitoring. Her work combines agent-based modeling, network analysis, and data-driven approaches to understand interactions in animal groups and robotic systems. Notable projects include analyzing bat echolocation for acoustic sensing in robotics and studying stress effects in human crowd dynamics during emergencies. She has also contributed to piezoelectric energy harvesting and ex vivo muscle stimulation via Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES). Abaid’s research has been supported by grants like the NSF CAREER Award for collective behavior studies. She collaborates on interdisciplinary projects, including outreach programs in biomimetics and robotics for K-12 education. Her publications span journals and conferences, emphasizing applications in ecology, robotics, and control systems.

• Artificial Intelligence
• Computational Bioacoustics
• Wildlife Conservation
• +3 more

Wendy Lomas is a researcher and lecturer at the Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton , specializing in artificial intelligence and computational bioacoustics . She holds an MSc in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Wolverhampton and a BA (Hons) in Social and Political Science from the University of Cambridge. Education MSc in Artificial Intelligence (2023-2024), University of Wolverhampton BA (Hons) in Social and Political Science (1989-1993), University of Cambridge Her research focuses on developing lightweight associative memory AI algorithms for bioacoustic monitoring of ecosystems, targeting wildlife conservation and carbon cycle monitoring . Projects include sustainable AI models for identifying endangered primate vocalizations in Peruvian rainforests and captive settings, lemur welfare initiatives, and collaborations on beetle outbreak detection in forestry. All work emphasizes energy efficiency and AI equity , enabling models to run on standard field devices to reduce dependence on high-performance computing. Her recent publications highlight applications of Hopfield networks in bioacoustic classification, with a focus on bat echolocation and primate vocalizations . These works align with her broader goals of democratizing AI tools for global conservation efforts. Scientific Awards Invest to Grow PhD Studentship (University of Wolverhampton) OpenBright Awards (2024, 2025) Wendy supervises MRes Artificial Intelligence students and lectures on MRes Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence courses. She is involved in STEM outreach and educational development, including the SEDA certification for technology-enhanced learning. Her grants from the OpenBright Foundation support projects on environmentally sustainable AI and bat recognition.

Dominique PritchettView profile

Assistant Professor

• Neuroscience
• Learning and Memory
• Cerebellum
• +3 more

Dominique Pritchett is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at Howard University, affiliated with the College of Arts & Sciences. His research focuses on neural mechanisms underlying associative learning, particularly in the cerebellum, exploring synaptic plasticity and functional connections with the neocortex and basal ganglia. He employs optogenetics and electrophysiological techniques in his studies. Education: B.S. from Virginia State University (2004), Ph.D. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2012). Research Interests: Cerebellar circuitry and learning Synaptic plasticity and oscillations Neurobiological basis of cognitive functions Publications highlight advancements in understanding gamma-band oscillations, NMDA receptor roles, and cerebellar-basal ganglia interactions. Recent work emphasizes hippocampal network dynamics and auditory cortex connectivity in bats. No scientific awards explicitly noted. No advising/grant details provided in texts. Research lab focuses on cerebellar learning mechanisms and neural oscillation studies.

Javid BayandorView profile

Associate Professor

• Space explorations and mission design
• collision dynamics and crashworthiness
• aerospace conceptual design
• +5 more

Javid Bayandor serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University at Buffalo's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. His research bridges theoretical aerospace engineering with practical applications in space exploration and bioinspired systems. Education: Postdoctoral Research in Aerospace Structures, The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (2000-2001) PhD in Aerospace Engineering, The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (2000) His research portfolio spans eight core areas: space mission design, collision dynamics, aerospace conceptualization, space physics, ballistics, bioinspired robotics, advanced structures, and fluid-structure interactions. This interdisciplinary approach integrates computational modeling with experimental validation to solve complex engineering problems across aerospace and biological domains. Current projects demonstrate particular strength in developing innovative solutions for extreme environments including space and underwater applications. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2023-2025) reveals three dominant research trajectories: (1) Space mission architectures for Mercury, Venus, and Mars featuring novel entry/landing systems; (2) Impact dynamics studies covering hypervelocity collisions, bird/drone strikes on urban air mobility vehicles, and spacecraft shielding; (3) Bioinspired flight mechanics focusing on bee and bat aerodynamics under environmental stressors. These threads consistently employ fluid-structure interaction methodologies across scales. Scientific Awards: No awards or honors were documented in the provided source material While specific student advising relationships aren't enumerated, his research scope suggests supervision of graduate students in computational mechanics, space systems, and bioinspired robotics. The publication record indicates sustained grant funding for hypervelocity impact studies, space mission design, and bioflight mechanics, though specific grant details aren't provided. His work likely connects with NASA mission development programs and urban air mobility safety initiatives. The research ecosystem appears centered around computational laboratories specializing in fluid-structure interaction modeling, with potential connections to experimental impact testing facilities and biological flight observation setups for bioinspired studies.

• Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Wildlife Behavior
• +9 more

Dr. Lucinda Kirkpatrick is a Lecturer in the School of Environmental and Natural Sciences at Bangor University, where she actively supervises PhD students and conducts interdisciplinary research in ecology and conservation. Her work bridges wildlife behavior, biodiversity monitoring, and disease ecology, with a focus on bats, rodents, and broader ecosystem dynamics. Her research interests include wildlife social networks , capture-mark-recapture modeling , habitat use in tropical and temperate ecosystems , and the application of technology in ecological monitoring . She has developed and employed miniaturized Bluetooth Low Energy proximity loggers to study animal contacts, contributing to understanding disease transmission and social structures in wild populations. Dr. Kirkpatrick's recent publications reveal a strong trend in long-term ecological datasets , spatial modeling , and conservation applications across diverse systems—from Tanzanian rodent populations to great ape monitoring in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Her work frequently appears in high-impact journals such as Nature Ecology and Evolution , PLoS ONE , and Journal of Animal Ecology . She has been invited to speak at international events, including a 2025 workshop on proximity logging for animal behavior and a 2024 conference session on One Health in the Anthropocene. Her scientific contributions are supported by extensive collaborative networks and fieldwork across Africa and Europe. Scientific Contributions and Activities: Developed novel methods for non-invasive bat marking using bee markers. Contributed to the PREDICTS project database on terrestrial biodiversity responses. Presented invited talks on animal behavior monitoring and conservation in the Anthropocene. Dr. Kirkpatrick is actively involved in mentoring and research supervision, with no indication of retirement or former status. She continues to publish cutting-edge research and engage with the global ecological community.

Ivana BudinskiView profile

Researcher

• Biodiversity
• Population Genetics
• Conservation Biology
• +5 more

Ivana Budinski is a Senior Research Associate at the Department of Genetic Research within the Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković" (IBISS), a national institute of the University of Belgrade . Her work focuses on bat conservation genetics, population dynamics, and bioacoustic monitoring. Research Interests Biodiversity and population genetics Conservation biology of bats Metabarcoding and ecological monitoring Terrestrial ecology and environmental protection Publications highlight her contributions to bat echolocation plasticity, parasitology, and genomic studies in European bat species. Her research spans climate change impacts, acoustic identification methodologies, and zoonotic pathogen surveillance.

Richard T. CarterView profile

Associate Professor

• Bat Ecology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Echolocation
• +4 more

Dr. Richard T. Carter serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences within the School of Science, Engineering, and Math at East Tennessee State University. His academic appointment focuses on mammalian biology with specialization in bat ecology and evolution. Dr. Carter's research interests center on the ecology and evolution of bats , with particular emphasis on how echolocation and locomotion become integrated during development. His work uses these developmental patterns to address evolutionary questions about echolocation and flight in mammals. Additionally, he investigates how bats utilize resources across landscapes to inform wildlife management and conservation strategies. Teaching responsibilities include BIOL 1120 (Biology for Science Majors II) , BIOL 3220 (Comparative Anatomy) , and BIOL 4317/5317 (Imaging and 3D Modeling) , reflecting his expertise in anatomy and modern imaging techniques relevant to his research. Dr. Carter maintains an active research program with publications available through his lab web page and Google Scholar profile. His office is located in Brown Hall, Room 309 , and he can be contacted at carterrt@etsu.edu or by phone at 423-439-6929 . Prospective students interested in mammalian biology, particularly bat ecology, evolution, and conservation would find research opportunities in Dr. Carter's lab, with potential for field and laboratory work connecting developmental biology to evolutionary questions.

Thejasvi BeleyurView profile

Research Professor

• Animal Behavior
• Sensory Biology
• Collective Behavior
• +4 more

Dr. Thejasvi Beleyur is a Group Leader of the Active Sensing Collectives Lab at the Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, and holds an affiliated position at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior. She also serves as IMPRS Faculty, contributing to interdisciplinary research at the intersection of animal behavior, sensory biology, and collective systems. Current: Group Leader, Active Sensing Collectives Lab (2025-present) Previous: Postdoc at Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour (2021-2025) PhD: Max Planck Institute for Ornithology (2015-2021) Education: BS-MS in Biological Sciences, IISER-TVM (2008-2013) Dr. Beleyur's research program investigates how active-sensing agents like echolocating bats navigate complex sensory environments when operating in groups. Her work combines field observations, computational modeling, and swarm robotics to understand the sensorimotor strategies animals employ in information-limited settings. She has pioneered the development of the Ushichka dataset—a multichannel audio-video system for recording echolocating bats in natural habitats—which provides unprecedented insights into how bats modify flight and echolocation behaviors as group sizes change. Her publication record reveals a consistent trajectory examining sensory challenges in collective animal systems, with emphasis on echolocating bats. The research spans experimental field work, computational modeling, and methodological innovations in acoustic and video tracking. Recent work has expanded into developing computational tools like the beamshapes Python package for sound source modeling and exploring robot platforms to simulate bat collective behavior. Carl-Zeiss Nexus grant for inter-disciplinary research (2025) DFG Walter Benjamin postdoc grant (2021-2023) Early Career Researcher Award at International Bioacoustics Congress Google Cloud Platform Research Credits award ($1000) DAAD-GSSP Stipend for doctoral studies (2015-2020) Dr. Beleyur actively mentors students in her lab, currently supervising PhD student Frithjof and Master's student Aditya, following the completion of Gabriele's Master's thesis on the active-sensing Ro-BAT platform. Her research program is supported by competitive grants including the Carl-Zeiss Nexus grant and previously the DFG Walter Benjamin fellowship, which funded her work on 'The How and What of Active Sensing Collectives.' The Active Sensing Collectives Lab brings together an interdisciplinary team working at the interface of sensory biology, robotics, and collective behavior. The lab develops novel computational methods for analyzing complex datasets from multi-sensor field recordings, with emphasis on creating tools for long-term community use. Current projects include characterizing echolocating groups in the field and studying sensorimotor strategies using computational modeling.

Jérémy FroidevauxView profile

Assistant Professor

• Conservation Biology
• Ecoacoustics
• Bat Ecology
• +3 more

Jérémy Froidevaux is an Assistant Professor at the University of Franche-Comté, affiliated with the Chrono-environment Research Unit (UMR 6249 CNRS/UFC). His research focuses on conservation biology, eco-acoustics, and bat ecology, with emphasis on evaluating anthropogenic impacts on biodiversity, optimizing monitoring protocols, and assessing conservation measures' effectiveness. Key projects include studies on renewable energy infrastructure (wind turbines, solar farms) and their effects on bat populations. He leads the Silent·Cities initiative, analyzing urban soundscapes during global crises like the 2020 pandemic. Collaborative efforts with international teams address issues like light pollution, electromagnetic field exposure, and biodiversity policy implementation. His academic contributions span 150+ peer-reviewed articles, including work on bat activity patterns at power lines, solar farm impacts, and species-level trait datasets for European bats. Froidevaux advises graduate students, such as Samantha Aguillon, and actively participates in cross-disciplinary initiatives like the Réunion Island Night Environment Observatory. His work bridges ecological research with practical conservation solutions, advocating for evidence-based policies in renewable energy planning and habitat management.