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M.E. van EgmondView profile

Researcher

• Movement Disorders
• Deep Brain Stimulation
• Neurosciences
• +3 more

Dr. M.E. van Egmond is a neurologist affiliated with the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the University of Groningen . Their research focuses on movement disorders, deep brain stimulation (DBS), and genetic aspects of neurological conditions such as dystonia and myoclonus. They are actively involved in clinical and translational research, contributing to advancements in neuropsychological assessments, surgical techniques, and diagnostic tools for movement disorders. Key research interests include dystonia pathophysiology, DBS efficacy evaluation, and the application of coherence analysis in neurological diagnostics. Dr. van Egmond has authored over 40 peer-reviewed publications, with recent work emphasizing biomarker development, systematic reviews on coherence analysis, and patient-centered approaches to DBS outcomes. Their work addresses challenges in dystonia management, including genetic screening and multidisciplinary care for young-onset movement disorders. Collaborations involve international networks such as the European Reference Network for Rare Neurological Diseases (ERN-RND). Their contributions span clinical practice guidelines, surgical innovation, and genetic studies, aiming to improve diagnostics and treatment strategies for complex neurological conditions.

• Neuroscience
• Neurodegenerative Disorders
• Blood-Brain Barrier
• +3 more

Abhay Sagare, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Research Physiology & Neuroscience at the University of Southern California. He holds the role of Assistant Director at the Biomarkers Assay Core. His research focuses on neurovascular mechanisms in neurodegenerative disorders, particularly Alzheimer's disease, with an emphasis on blood-brain barrier dysfunction, amyloid-β clearance, and biomarker development. Key areas include pericyte biology, cerebrovascular integrity, and the intersection of vascular health with cognitive decline. His work integrates clinical studies, molecular biology, and translational research. Recent studies highlight his contributions to understanding the role of blood-brain barrier breakdown in cognitive dysfunction, the utility of CSF biomarkers like soluble PDGFRß, and the impact of genetic mutations (e.g., PSEN1) on disease progression. His publications often explore therapeutic strategies targeting neurovascular dysfunction, such as the anti-malaria drug artesunate's effects on amyloid pathology. Publications (2023–2025) consistently address biomarker discovery, vascular mechanisms in dementia, and translational applications of neurovascular research. His work bridges basic science and clinical practice, aiming to identify diagnostic and treatment targets for neurodegenerative diseases.

Ken StarkView profile

Professor

• Nutrition
• Physiology
• Lipidomics
• +5 more

Ken Stark is a Professor at the University of Waterloo's Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences within the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences. He specializes in Physiology and Nutrition, focusing on lipid metabolism, dietary fatty acid intake, and their impacts on health. His research integrates macrolipidomics and microlipidomics techniques to explore biomarkers in blood and tissue samples, particularly in populations facing nutritional challenges or health disparities. Research areas include: Omega-3 fatty acid dynamics in human and animal models Cardiac and renal lipid metabolism mechanisms Genetic influences on fatty acid desaturation pathways (FADS1/2) Environmental contaminants (mercury) in food systems Public health interventions targeting malnutrition and cardiovascular risk Recent studies highlight trends in: Optimizing dietary lipid intake through structured interventions Elucidating lipidomic biomarkers for disease prediction Sex-specific differences in nutrient metabolism and clinical outcomes Methodological advancements in lipid analysis (LC-MS, dried blood spots) His work addresses critical global health issues such as nutritional recovery in malnourished children, risk-benefit assessments of fish consumption in Indigenous communities, and the role of lipidomic profiling in understanding chronic disease pathways. Dr. Stark collaborates extensively with clinical and environmental researchers to bridge laboratory findings with real-world applications.

Tara McAuleyView profile

Associate Professor

• Clinical Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• ADHD in Adolescents
• +4 more

Tara McAuley is an Associate Professor at the University of Waterloo, specializing in clinical and developmental psychology. Her research focuses on executive functioning, ADHD in adolescents, and the impact of adversity on mental health. She explores how adverse childhood experiences, trauma exposure, and pubertal timing influence cognitive and emotional outcomes in youth. Her work integrates clinical interventions such as modified goal management training and cognitive training programs for ADHD. She employs both qualitative and quantitative methods to study topics like response inhibition, emotion regulation, and the mediating roles of executive functions in health disparities. Key research areas include: ADHD treatment efficacy and interventions Executive dysfunction and its links to mental health Developmental trajectories of cognitive skills in adolescents Mood-cognition interactions Her recent studies highlight the importance of close relationships and social environments in adolescent well-being. McAuley’s publications span journals in developmental psychology, clinical neuroscience, and child psychiatry.

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• +5 more

Claudio Gentili is a Full Professor at the University of Padova. His research focuses on clinical neuroscience, particularly investigating the neurobiological and psychophysiological mechanisms of mood and anxiety disorders. Key areas include depression symptomology, emotion regulation, and the application of virtual reality (VR) and biofeedback systems in mental health treatment. He has pioneered projects like the EXPERIENCE Project, which integrates biomedical signal processing and AI to create personalized VR environments for therapeutic use. His work combines neuroimaging (EEG/fMRI), psychophysiological measures (HRV, galvanic skin response), and olfactory research to explore topics such as olfactory dysfunction in schizophrenia, brain-heart interactions in depression, and the impact of social chemosignals on anxiety treatment. He leads interdisciplinary teams examining the efficacy of psychological interventions for borderline personality disorder and has contributed to large-scale meta-analyses on treatment outcomes. Notable initiatives include the NEVERMIND e-health system trial for treating depressive symptoms in somatic patients and studies on the Einstein Effect's influence on scientific credibility. His research also addresses pandemic-related mental health challenges and the role of personality traits in health behaviors. Key collaborations involve cardiac patient populations, exploring heart rate variability as a biomarker for depression and anxiety. He actively contributes to methodological advancements in neuroimaging analysis and open science practices in clinical psychology.

Todd C HolmesView profile

Professor

• Neural Circuit Mapping
• Synaptic Connectivity
• Visual Cortex
• +3 more

Todd C. Holmes, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Physiology & Biophysics at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) School of Medicine. His research focuses on the structural and functional organization of neural circuits, particularly in the visual cortex and hippocampus. Dr. Holmes employs advanced techniques like laser scanning photostimulation and viral tracing to map synaptic connectivity, emphasizing the balance between excitatory and inhibitory inputs in cortical microcircuits. His work has revealed layer-specific synaptic wiring diagrams and redefined understanding of how inhibitory connections mirror excitatory pathways in the mouse visual cortex (V1). Dr. Holmes is affiliated with the UCI Center for Neural Circuit Mapping, contributing to interdisciplinary studies on Alzheimer’s disease models, optogenetic tools, and neurovascular interactions. He has secured funding from NIH grants (e.g., MH105427, R01NS095355) and collaborates on projects involving genetic engineering and high-resolution brain imaging techniques. His research extends to circadian rhythms, Drosophila neurobiology, and neuropsychiatric disorder models, leveraging transgenic approaches and behavioral analyses. Recent studies explore microglia’s role in synaptic connectivity and the application of novel viral vectors for circuit tracing.

Alex NordView profile

Associate Professor

• Neuroengineering
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Gene Regulatory Networks
• +3 more

Alex Nord is an Associate Professor in the Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior at the University of California, Davis. His primary affiliation is within the Center for Neuroscience and the School of Medicine. Nord’s research focuses on neurodevelopmental disorders, gene regulatory networks, and the intersection of genomics with psychiatric and neurological conditions. His work integrates molecular, genetic, and systems-level approaches to understand brain development and dysfunction. Key research interests include the molecular mechanisms underlying autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Nord’s lab employs transgenic mouse models, genomic sequencing, and functional genomics to study enhancer activity, transcriptional networks, and epigenetic regulation. His recent work has explored the role of genes like CHD8, SYNGAP1, and DLX in neurodevelopmental pathways. Publications from 2022-2025 highlight advancements in therapeutic LSD analog design, molecular pathways in autism, and the impact of genetic mutations on neuronal function. Nord’s team collaborates on translational projects, including AAV-based gene therapy approaches for neurological disorders. His lab is affiliated with the Genome Center and the School of Medicine, emphasizing interdisciplinary research in neuroscience and genomics. While no specific awards are listed, Nord’s contributions to neurodevelopmental genomics have advanced understanding of gene-environment interactions and translational therapeutics. Ongoing work includes longitudinal studies of traumatic brain injury and maternal immune activation effects on neurodevelopment.

W. Martin UsreyView profile

Professor

• Systems Neuroscience
• Sensory Neuroscience
• Visual Processing
• +3 more

W. Martin Usrey is a Professor and Chair in the Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior at the University of California, Davis, and affiliated with the Center for Neuroscience. His research focuses on neural mechanisms underlying attention, cognition, and emotion, with a strong emphasis on systems and sensory neuroscience. Current research explores thalamocortical interactions, corticogeniculate feedback, and visual signal processing. Key contributions include studies on beta-band oscillations, stimulus contrast effects, and parallel neural pathways in primates. Research trends from recent publications reveal a focus on corticothalamic feedback dynamics, temporal integration in visual pathways, and computational approaches to predictive coding. Subfields include gamma oscillations, burst activity modulation, and synaptic efficacy in retinogeniculate communication. Lab activities include mentoring PhD students like Alyssa Sanchez and Scottie, as well as collaborative projects on multimodal brain research (e.g., BRAIN EAGER grant).

• Clinical Neuropsychology
• Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation
• Sexual Health Rehabilitation
• +2 more

Dr Elinor Fraser is a Clinical Neuropsychology researcher at Monash University's Psychology Department and the Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, where she has worked since 2019. Holding a PhD in Clinical Neuropsychology awarded in December 2022, she functions as an independent researcher specializing in traumatic brain injury rehabilitation with a focus on sexuality support gaps. Her research interests center on the intersection of neuropsychology and sexual health rehabilitation, particularly examining how depression mechanisms contribute to sexuality problems post-TBI. Fraser developed Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Sexual WELLbeing (CBT-SWELL), an evidence-based intervention addressing the scarcity of sexuality-focused treatments in brain injury rehabilitation. Her publication record demonstrates increasing focus on clinical implementation, with recent work examining healthcare professional attitudes and treatment efficacy. Fraser's six publications since 2019 reveal strong thematic consistency in traumatic brain injury rehabilitation, with particular emphasis on sexuality issues and cognitive behavioral approaches. Her work bridges clinical neuropsychology, rehabilitation medicine, and psychosexual therapy, showing progression from foundational research on sexuality dimensions to clinical implementation studies. As Primary Chief Investigator on the 'Cognitive behaviour therapy to treat sexual problems after traumatic brain injury' project (2020-2021), Fraser demonstrates independent research leadership. Her external clinical positions at Caulfield Hospital and Austin and Repatriation Hospital through November 2024 reflect active integration of research and clinical practice. Fraser's work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and wellbeing.

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Digital Media and Child Development
• Extremely Preterm Birth Outcomes
• +3 more

Lisa Thorell is a Professor at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm. Her research focuses on cognitive processes, ADHD, digital media's impact on child development and mental health, and outcomes for extremely preterm births. She holds a Ph.D. from Uppsala University (2003) and became an Associate Professor there in 2008 before moving to her current role in 2023. Thorell leads the Cognitive Processes and ADHD research group, part of the Stockholm Brain Institute. Her work includes longitudinal studies like the EXPRESS project on preterm infants and investigates how neuropsychological deficits (e.g., executive dysfunction, delay aversion) impact daily functioning in ADHD. She explores digital media's associations with child development, mental health (e.g., depression, self-esteem), and neurodevelopmental disorders. Recent studies address pandemic effects on education and mental health, particularly for children with ADHD/ASD. Thorell has received awards for innovative research on ADHD and family issues. Her grants include studies on digital media's mental health impacts and emotion regulation in ADHD. She co-developed the Childhood Executive Functioning Inventory (CHEXI) and other clinical tools. Collaborations span Europe, with publications in high-impact journals like Lancet Psychiatry and JAMA Network Open .

Jan JohanssonView profile

Professor

• Biochemistry
• Cell and Molecular Biology
• Neurodegenerative Diseases
• +3 more

Jan Johansson is a Professor at the Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, specializing in protein biochemistry and translational research. His work focuses on developing novel medical treatments using molecular chaperones for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, spider silk-based biomaterials, and synthetic surfactants for respiratory disorders. He earned his Medical Degree (1990) and PhD (1991) from Karolinska Institutet, with research spanning protein aggregation mechanisms, drug development, and biomedical applications. Education: MD from Karolinska Institutet (1990), PhD in Biochemistry (1991). Research Interests: Molecular chaperones, protein aggregation, Alzheimer’s disease, spider silk biomaterials, synthetic surfactants. Grants: Multiple projects funded by the Swedish Research Council, VINNOVA, and others, including studies on BRICHOS chaperone mechanisms and biomimetic silk production. His lab explores chaperones’ potential to cross the blood-brain barrier, combat amyloid toxicity, and deliver therapeutic agents. Notable contributions include designing synthetic surfactants for neonatal respiratory distress syndrome and elucidating spider silk’s structural basis for toughness. Collaborations with industries and academic institutions drive translational research toward clinical applications.

• Immunology
• Medical Genetics and Genomics
• Neurology
• +3 more

Tomas Olsson is a Professor of Neurology at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet. His research focuses on identifying genetic and environmental risk factors for multiple sclerosis (MS), including interactions between genetic predisposition, viral infections (e.g., Epstein-Barr virus), and lifestyle factors such as smoking, obesity, and diet. He leads the Clinical Neuroimmunology and Immunomodulation research group under Fredrik Piehl's program. Education: Docent (1985) from Karolinska Institutet. Current roles include Senior Professor (2024–2025) and previous Professorship (2020–2024). Affiliations include the Karolinska University Hospital Solna and the Clinical Neuroimmunology unit. Research interests emphasize MS pathogenesis, biomarker discovery, and translational immunology. Key areas include viral triggers (HHV-6A, EBV), metabolic dysfunction, and the role of B-cells in autoimmunity. His work bridges basic science and clinical applications, addressing disease progression and disability outcomes. Publications (2023–2025) highlight studies on EBV antibody reactivity, bile acid metabolism in MS, and genetic loci influencing disease severity. Collaborations span immunology, genomics, and ancient DNA analysis to unravel MS complexity.

Jessica Louise ButhmannView profile

Research Fellow

• Developmental Psychopathology
• Neurodevelopment
• Environmental Health
• +3 more

Jessica Louise Buthmann is a Postdoctoral Scholar in the Department of Psychology at Stanford University, affiliated with the Stanford Neurodevelopment, Affect, and Psychopathology Lab under Dr. Ian Gotlib. Her research focuses on understanding how environmental toxins, early life adversity, and psychosocial stress influence neurodevelopmental trajectories and mental health outcomes in children and adolescents. Key areas include prenatal air pollution exposure effects on brain structure, stress reactivity mechanisms, and socioeconomic factors moderating neurobiological processes. She holds a Young Investigator Grant (NARSAD) from the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation (2024-2026). Buthmann collaborates extensively with interdisciplinary teams, leveraging longitudinal cohort studies like the Singapore GUSTO project. Her work integrates neuroimaging (e.g., MRI), endocrine measures (cortisol/DHEA ratios), and behavioral assessments to explore bidirectional relationships between environmental exposures and brain development. Notable contributions include linking late gestational particulate matter exposure to hippocampal growth patterns and uncovering how nucleus accumbens volume mediates attention problems in offspring of stressed mothers. She also investigates how neighborhood disadvantage interacts with parenting behaviors to shape adolescent brain-behavior outcomes.

Sylvia VilleneuveView profile

Associate Professor

• Alzheimer's Disease
• Neuroimaging
• Aging
• +4 more

Sylvia Villeneuve is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at McGill University and holds the Canada Research Chair in Early Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease (Tier 2). She leads the Multimodal imaging of the aging brain lab at the Douglas Research Centre, affiliated with the Aging, Cognition, and Alzheimer’s Disease theme-based group. Her research focuses on using MRI and PET neuroimaging to identify cerebral markers for early Alzheimer’s disease detection, study disease mechanisms, and assess risk/protective factors like vascular health and nutrition. Education: PhD from Université de Montréal (2011), followed by postdoctoral fellowships at UC Berkeley (2011–2014) and Northwestern University (2014–2015). She joined McGill in 2015 and is a member of the Ordre des Psychologues du Québec. Research Interests : Alzheimer’s early detection, multimodal neuroimaging (MRI/PET), biomarker development, vascular-cognitive interactions, and preclinical disease progression. Her lab integrates structural/functional imaging, amyloid/tau PET, neuropsychological testing, and vascular assessments to track disease trajectories. Key Achievements : Over 40 peer-reviewed publications, including high-impact studies in Brain and JAMA Neurology . Recognized with awards such as the Human Amyloid Imaging Young Investigator Award (2014) and CIHR Brain Star Award (2012). Leads the PREVENT-AD Cohort and recent grants include Weston funding for sleep-Alzheimer’s links (2024). Team : Supervises graduate students Alexa Pichet Binette and Jacob Vogel. Collaborates on initiatives like the Stop-AD Centre (FRQ-funded) and SCARF2 biomarker studies.

Yvonne MeliaView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Clinical Psychology
• Child and Adolescent Mental Health
• Developmental Trauma
• +3 more

Yvonne Melia is an accomplished academic and clinician in clinical psychology, currently serving as Interim Course Lead and Programme Director for the Professional Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Staffordshire. Since joining in 2016, she has held roles including Senior Lecturer, Principal Lecturer, and Academic Director, demonstrating leadership in shaping clinical psychology training. Her expertise centers on children in care and adopted children, specializing in attachment difficulties, developmental trauma, and interventions like Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP). Education includes a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Sheffield and postgraduate qualifications in psychoanalytic studies, research methods, and clinical neuroscience. She contributes to professional bodies such as the Group of Trainers in Clinical Psychology (GTiCP) and serves as an external examiner for doctoral programs at the University of Sheffield and Southampton. Research interests span child mental health in social care, adolescent self-harm, and qualitative methodologies like Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). She has published extensively on topics including barriers to mental health support for care leavers, long-COVID neuropsychological triage, and family dynamics in foster care. Her work emphasizes compassionate, evidence-based practices to improve outcomes for vulnerable populations. In addition to teaching and program leadership, Melia has contributed to clinical supervision, service evaluations, and accreditation processes. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates clinical, academic, and policy perspectives to address systemic challenges in mental health provision.