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Erin HeinzenView profile

Associate Professor

• Epilepsy Genetics
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Genomics
• +3 more

Erin Heinzen is an Associate Professor at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, with a joint appointment in the UNC Department of Genetics. She holds a Pharm.D. and Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, followed by postdoctoral training at Duke University. Her research focuses on the genetic and genomic basis of epilepsy disorders, particularly somatic mutations and transcriptomic regulation in neurological diseases. Education: Pharm.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2001) Ph.D., Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (2004) Research Interests: Dr. Heinzen’s lab investigates somatic mutations in epilepsy and brain malformations, using induced pluripotent stem cells and advanced sequencing technologies. Key projects include studying SLC35A2 variants in intractable epilepsy and analyzing transcriptomic changes in brain tissue. Her work has identified 15 epilepsy genes, including the gene for Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood. Grants & Awards: NIH-funded research, including $7M in collaborative grants to study genetic variants in epilepsy. Active in consortia like Epi4K and ILAE. Labs & Teams: The Heinzen Lab collaborates with neurology, neuropathology, and neurosurgery groups globally, advancing neurogenetics and treatment approaches for intractable seizures.

• Motor Learning
• Sensory-Motor Integration
• Proprioception
• +3 more

Liana E. Brown is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Trent University. She holds degrees from the University of Waterloo (B.Sc., M.Sc.) and Pennsylvania State University (M.S., Ph.D.). Her research focuses on sensory-motor integration, exploring how vision, perception, and motor control interact during everyday tasks. Key interests include motor learning, proprioception, and the neural mechanisms underlying action-perception interactions. Dr. Brown’s research program investigates four core questions: 1) How hand use enhances vision/attention, 2) Limb spatial tracking mechanisms, 3) Motor capabilities’ influence on cognition, and 4) Observational motor skill acquisition. Her work bridges neuroscience, biomechanics, and clinical applications. She advises up to 2 Honours thesis students and 2 practicum students annually (2025-26 onward). Her lab (ACT Lab: https://actlab.squarespace.com/ ) explores motor learning, tool use, and neurorehabilitation strategies. Notable collaborations include studies on concussion assessment, Parkinson’s gait analysis, and motor skill development in cerebral palsy patients.

• Neuroscience
• Respiratory Physiology
• Neural Control of Breathing
• +3 more

Dr. Leanne McKay is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Glasgow’s School of Psychology & Neuroscience, focusing on neural mechanisms governing breathing and respiratory control. Her research explores respiratory rhythm generation, chemosensitivity, and sleep-related breathing disorders such as sleep apnea. Key contributions include studies on opioid (fentanyl) effects on postnatal breathing patterns, hypoxia responses in brainstem regions, and genetic models of Rett syndrome. She holds grants from organizations like the Medical Research Scotland and Wellcome Trust, and has received fellowships from the Human Frontiers Science Programme and Fondation pour la Recherche Medicale. Professional memberships include the Physiological Society (elected co-convener of the Respiratory Physiology Special Interest Group) and the Society for Neuroscience. Her invited international presentations include speaking at the Xth Oxford Conference on Modeling and Control of Breathing (2006) and presenting at the C.N.R.S. respiratory rhythm seminar in France (2006). Research interests span developmental neurobiology, respiratory pharmacology, and translational neuroscience.

Andrew B. NobelView profile

Professor

• Statistical Genomics
• Machine Learning
• Network Analysis
• +3 more

Andrew B. Nobel is the Robert Paul Ziff Distinguished Professor of Statistics and Operations Research and Professor of Biostatistics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC). He holds affiliations with the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Computational Genomics Program. His research focuses on statistical genomics, machine learning, network analysis, and inference from dynamical systems. Nobel has collaborated extensively with researchers in Biology, Computer Science, Genetics, and Mathematics. Dr. Nobel earned his PhD in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University (1992), an MS from Stanford (1988), a Certificate of Study in Mathematics from Cambridge University (1986), and a BS in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University (1985). He has taught courses ranging from undergraduate discrete mathematics to advanced graduate-level theoretical statistics and machine learning. His research interests include developing methodologies for analyzing complex biological and network data, with applications to cancer genomics, systems biology, and medical informatics. Recent work emphasizes optimal transport methods for network analysis and statistical approaches for genomic data integration. Awards: Elected Fellow of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (2008) National Science Foundation CAREER Grant (1995) Beckman Institute Fellow (1992–1995) Churchill Scholar (1985–1986) Dr. Nobel serves on the editorial board of the Journal of the Royal Statistical Society, Series B and has previously contributed to the Annals of Statistics and IEEE Transactions on Information Theory . His work bridges theoretical statistical foundations with practical applications in public health and biomedical research.

Qian ChuView profile

Researcher

• Predictive processing in action, perception, and cognition
• Eye movements
• Visuospatial memory
• +4 more

Qian Chu is a PhD Researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics (Germany) and Krembil Brain Institute (University Health Network, Canada). Affiliated with PIs Lucia Melloni, Taufik Valiante, and José Zariffa, they focus on predictive processing in perception, cognition, and action, leveraging human intracranial electrophysiology and single-neuron recording techniques. Education: Joint PhD in Biomedical Engineering (Max Planck - University of Toronto, 2022–); BS in Neural Science, New York University Shanghai (2018–2022). Research Interests: Their work bridges predictive coding with visuospatial memory and eye movement analysis , emphasizing open science and toolbox development . Current projects explore the interplay between perception and memory via cortical hierarchies. Publications & Awards: Chu’s 2023 publication in Cerebral Cortex highlights dual-stream cortical pathways in sensory prediction. They have received competitive grants, including the 2024 Mitacs Globalink Research Award and 2023 SGS Conference Grant (University of Toronto).

Dimo IvanovView profile

Assistant Professor

• Ultra-high field MRI
• Quantitative MRI techniques
• Brain microstructure imaging
• +7 more

Dr. Dimo Ivanov is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Cognitive Neuroscience at Maastricht University in the Netherlands. Since 2025, he has also served as Head of the 7 Tesla MR Core structure at the Cooperative Brain Imaging Center and as an Independent Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics in Frankfurt, Germany. His work bridges physics, neuroscience, and advanced imaging technology. Dr. Ivanov earned his PhD (Dr. rer. nat.) in Physics from the University of Leipzig/Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences in 2012, followed by an M.Sc. in Physics from the International Physics Studies Program at the University of Leipzig in 2007. His educational foundation was completed with studies at the Foreign Language High School in Pleven, Bulgaria. Dr. Ivanov specializes in high-resolution structural, perfusion, and functional mapping of the human cortex and subcortical regions. His research focuses on quantitative MRI techniques to assess tissue vascularization, microstructure, myelination, and iron content. He develops advanced MRI sequences and analysis pipelines for both 7T and 3T systems, with translational applications in neurodegenerative disorders, psychiatric conditions, and neurodevelopmental studies. His work on resting-state and task-based fMRI provides critical insights into neural connectivity and brain dynamics. His publication record demonstrates consistent contributions to ultra-high field MRI methodology, with emphasis on 7T and 9.4T systems. His research spans technical MRI development, quantitative imaging methods, and clinical applications across multiple neurological conditions. Recent work shows increasing focus on translational applications connecting advanced imaging techniques with clinical outcomes. Dr. Ivanov has received numerous scientific awards and successfully secured competitive funding: ERC Marie Curie Program (2023) - 2-year postdoc position Maastricht University-Chinese Science Council PhD Program (2022) Maastricht University Center for Integrative Neuroscience PhD Program (2022) Magnetic Resonance in Medicine issue cover (2017) ISMRM merit award magna cum laude (2013) Trainee abstract travel award from the Organization for Human Brain Mapping (2011) Educational Stipends from the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (2009-2011) Dr. Ivanov has successfully mentored postdoctoral researchers and PhD students through competitive funding mechanisms. His research group at the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics and his position at Maastricht University support a collaborative environment that bridges physics, neuroscience, and clinical applications. His work with the 7 Tesla MR Core structure provides critical infrastructure for advanced neuroimaging research in Frankfurt. Dr. Ivanov leads the Structural and Physiological Imaging with High-Field MRI research group at the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics. His team specializes in pushing the boundaries of ultra-high field MRI technology, developing novel acquisition and analysis methods that enable unprecedented insights into brain structure and function. The group maintains strong collaborations with multiple institutions across Europe and beyond.

Russell CarrView profile

Professor

• Toxicology
• Neurotoxicology
• Environmental Health
• +3 more

Russell Carr , PhD, is a Professor at Mississippi State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. Holding a PhD in Animal Physiology (MSU, 1994) and MS in Biological Sciences (MSU, 1990), he focuses on neurotoxicology, pesticide mechanisms, and endocannabinoid system interactions. His career spans 30+ years studying organophosphate effects on neurotransmitter systems across developmental stages. Key Research Areas: Organophosphate pesticide neurotoxicity Endocannabinoid system disruption Developmental neurochemical impacts Cross-species enzyme inhibition Recent Publications (2023-2021) reveal trends in nanochannel CBD delivery systems, chlorpyrifos-induced proteomic changes in amygdala, and multi-omics approaches to pesticide-immune interactions. Earlier works establish foundational knowledge on cholinesterase inhibition kinetics and age-dependent toxicity profiles. Notable Contributions: Elucidated mechanisms of endocannabinoid enzyme inhibition by pesticides, demonstrated neurochemical impacts of low-dose exposures, and developed comparative models across species (rodents, fish).

• Color Vision
• Visual Perception
• Psychophysics
• +3 more

Dr. Israel Abramov is a Professor of Psychology at Brooklyn College and holds joint appointments at the CUNY Graduate Center in Cognition, Brain and Behavior and Biopsychology and Behavioral Neuroscience . His research focuses on color vision , visual perception , and infant visual development , with significant contributions to understanding gender differences in vision , retinal ganglion cell properties , and applications in museum lighting . Key educational milestones include an LL.B. in Law (1959) and B.A. in Psychology (1961) from University College London, followed by a Ph.D. in Physiological Psychology (1967) from Indiana University Bloomington. His academic career spans postdoctoral work in biophysics at Johns Hopkins and faculty roles at Rockefeller University and Brooklyn College since 1973. His 15 most recent articles (2012-2003) reveal a focus on color vision mechanisms , peripheral retinal function , and visual developmental disorders like Down Syndrome. Collaborative work with J. Gordon and others explores museum lighting optimization , infant ocular motor control , and chromatic adaptation in both healthy and clinical populations. Lab affiliations include interdisciplinary collaborations with CUNY Graduate Center researchers and institutions like SUNY College of Optometry . While no formal scientific awards are documented in the provided text, his publications in high-impact journals and book chapters underscore his influence in visual neuroscience.

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Neuroimaging
• +4 more

Iiro Jääskeläinen is a Professor at the Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Aalto University. His research focuses on using naturalistic stimuli such as movies and narratives during non-invasive neuroimaging to explore human social cognition and emotions in health and disorders. He employs advanced neuroimaging techniques including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and magnetoencephalography/electroencephalography (MEG/EEG), alongside behavioral measures, to address the complexity of brain data. Professor at Aalto University Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering Research Interests His work pioneers the use of model-free inter-subject correlation approaches to study prefrontal cortical functions during media-based naturalistic stimuli. He has contributed to developing inter-subject phase synchrony and complex network physics-based analyses to examine brain activity during emotionally engaging drama films. Prior research focused on the neural and neurotransmitter basis of auditory cognition. Publication Trends Recent articles (2023-2025) span journals like NeuroImage , Neuropsychologia , and Imaging Neuroscience , emphasizing social cognition, emotion processing, and novel neuroimaging methodologies. Topics include intergroup bias, brain fingerprinting, developmental motor perception, and neural correlates of emotional dynamics. Scientific Awards Monetary award for high-quality teaching at Helsinki University of Technology Award or honor granted for academic or artistic career

• Neuroscience
• Astrocyte Biology
• Calcium Signaling
• +5 more

Dr. Baljit S. Khakh is a Professor of Neurobiology and Physiology at the David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles. He holds the Eleanor I. Leslie Chair of Neuroscience and leads groundbreaking research on astrocyte biology, calcium signaling, and their roles in neural circuits and neurodegenerative diseases. His work integrates optical/genetic tools with proteomic and behavioral studies, funded by multiple NIH grants including R01, R35, and DP1 awards. Research Focus: Astrocyte diversity, calcium signaling, Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's pathology, neural circuit modulation. Key Collaborations: Michael Sofroniew (UCLA), Loren Looger (Janelia), James Wohlschlegel (UCLA), Peyman Golshani (UCLA). Techniques: Genetically-encoded sensors, proximity biotinylation, in vivo calcium imaging, astrocyte-neuron interaction assays. Scientific Awards: Eleanor I. Leslie Chair of Neuroscience

• Intellectual Disability Healthcare
• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• +3 more

Dr. Laura Ward is a Research Associate at the University of Glasgow's School of Health & Wellbeing. Her work focuses on health disparities among individuals with intellectual disabilities, including oral health, medication safety, and mortality analysis through record linkage studies. She employs functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) in neurology research to examine visual cortex function in conditions like diabetes and glaucoma. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges clinical epidemiology with neuroimaging techniques. Research Interests: Health outcomes in intellectual disability populations Pharmacological safety and polypharmacy risks Neuroimaging of visual processing disorders Epidemiological studies of chronic disease disparities Publications Trends: Over 27 peer-reviewed articles and conference presentations since 2013. Recent focus on pandemic impacts (2025), cancer epidemiology (2024), anticholinergic burden analysis (2022-2021), and dental health disparities (2020). Neuroimaging work (2015-2018) explores aging and diabetes effects on visual systems. Grants & Advising: Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on large-scale cohort studies. No specific grants mentioned, but active in record linkage methodology development. Labs/Teams: Engaged with Glasgow's neuroimaging research groups and intellectual disability healthcare initiatives.

Ola HermansonView profile

Professor

• Neurodevelopment
• Neuro-oncology
• Epigenetics
• +5 more

Ola Hermanson is a Professor of Neuroscience at the Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet. His research focuses on understanding transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms governing brain development, function, and disease, including neurodevelopmental disorders and brain tumors like glioblastoma. He employs cutting-edge technologies such as 3D bioprinting, bioelectronics, and molecular biology to study neural stem cells and cancer stem cells. Education and Positions: Professor of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet (2021–present) Senior Scientist, Karolinska Institutet (2009–2021) Assistant Professor, Karolinska Institutet (2003–2009) Postdoctoral Training, UC San Diego (1997–2002) PhD in System Neurobiology, Linköping University (1991–1997) Medical School, Lund University (1987–1990) Research Interests: Neural stem cell differentiation, epigenetic regulation, glioblastoma and medulloblastoma biology, biomedical engineering, and biomaterials. His lab develops technologies like 3D printing and bioelectronics to advance precision medicine. Publications: Over 70 peer-reviewed articles in prestigious journals like Nature , Cell , and Molecular Psychiatry . Recent work includes lithium's role in reversing radiation damage in neural progenitors and bioprinting for tumor modeling. Awards: Includes the ENI Young Investigator Award (2005), Strategic Professorship (2021), and recognition from the Canadian Government for Sweden-Canada collaboration. Teaching and Outreach: Course coordinator for neuroscience education programs (FoLäk1/2, anatomy courses). Engaged in pedagogical innovation, including TBL-based learning and neurotech education through NeurotechEU. Labs/Teams: Leads the Molecular Neurodevelopment and Neuro-Oncology group at KI. Founded the imaging core facility CLICK and co-founded Celluminova (stem cell markers SME).

Darya FrankView profile

Research Fellow

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Memory Formation
• Neuroimaging
• +3 more

Dr. Darya Frank is a Royal Society University Research Fellow at the Division of Psychology Communication and Human Neuroscience at the University of Manchester. She leads research into neural mechanisms of memory formation and ageing, using techniques like virtual reality, MRI, and computational modeling. Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to education and health. Education: PhD in Neuroscience, University of Manchester (2019) MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London (2015) External Roles: Marie Curie Research Fellow, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (2022–2024) Postdoctoral Researcher, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (2019–2022) Research Interests: Her lab investigates adaptive memory formation , neuromodulation , and memory reactivation . They employ behavioral tasks, neuroimaging, and computational models to study how emotions, surprise, and expectations shape memory processes. Current projects include modeling dopamine's role in brain-state dynamics (funded by a 2025 PhD project). Articles Overview: Recent work explores emotional salience's impact on memory flow (2024), structural brain changes in ageing (2022), and surprise's temporal effects on memory encoding (2022). These studies highlight interdisciplinary approaches linking cognitive psychology with neuroscience. Awards: Royal Society University Research Fellowship (2024) Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship (2022) Grants & Labs: Accepting PhD students (e.g., dopamine neuromodulation project) and planning additional funded positions (Q3 2025). Collaborates with platforms like Dementia@Manchester and Digital Futures to advance translational neuroscience.

• Artificial Intelligence
• Image Processing
• Medical Imaging
• +3 more

Dr Ahmed Fetit is a Senior Lecturer and Senior Teaching Fellow at Imperial College London's Department of Computing (Faculty of Engineering), specializing in AI for Healthcare through the UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training. His research focuses on applying machine/deep learning to medical imaging, particularly in collaboration with NHS Trusts. He holds a PhD from the University of Warwick (2015) and degrees from the University of Birmingham (MSc, BEng). He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). Education: PhD: University of Warwick (2015), applications of machine learning to tumor diagnosis/prognosis via MRI MSc: University of Birmingham BEng (Hons): University of Birmingham Research Interests: Ahmed's work bridges AI and healthcare, emphasizing medical imaging applications such as MRI segmentation, adversarial robustness, fetal brain connectivity analysis, and retinal biomarker discovery. His projects often involve NHS collaborations to translate AI innovations into clinical practice. Recent Article Trends: Recent publications highlight advancements in CNN robustness (e.g., k-space artifact simulation), fetal/neonatal brain segmentation, and XAI explanations in healthcare imaging. His work also explores cross-modal MRI inference and cardiovascular risk stratification using retinal features. Awards: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) Advising & Grants: While specific grant details are not listed, his NHS collaborations imply involvement in funded healthcare AI projects. No advisees are explicitly mentioned. Labs/Teams: Active in the UKRI CDT in AI for Healthcare and the Department of Computing's Neuroimaging research groups.

Eveline CroneView profile

Professor

• Neurocognitive Development
• Affective Development
• Functional Neuroimaging
• +6 more

Eveline Crone is a Professor of Neurocognitive Developmental Psychology at Leiden University (2009–present) and holds a special appointment as Professor of Neurocognitive and Affective Adolescent Development at the University of Amsterdam (2009–present). She chairs Leiden's Department of Developmental Psychology and founded the Brain and Development Laboratory. Education: Master's (1999) and PhD (2003) from University of Amsterdam Postdoctoral: University of California, Davis (2003–2005) Her research focuses on adolescent brain development, particularly: Cognitive control and decision-making mechanisms Neurocognitive and affective development Risk-taking and social perspective-taking Functional neuroimaging of school-aged children and adolescents Publications from 2004–2012 span neuroscience, developmental psychology, and cognitive science, with sub-fields including longitudinal neuroimaging, reward sensitivity, fairness processing, and social cognition in adolescence. Scientific honors include: Membership in the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (2013) ERC Starting Grant (2010) National awards (Huibregtsen, Heymans, Ruigrok) Early Career Awards (2011) She has secured over €5 million in competitive grants (NWO, ERC, ESF) and authored two popular science books on adolescent brain development, including Het sociale brein van de puber (2012) and Het puberende brein (2008). Her lab combines academic research with public outreach via media appearances and lectures.