Hanne Stensola is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychosocial Health at the University of Agder (UiA). She holds a Dr.Philos in Neuroscience from NTNU’s Kavli Institute and has conducted postdoctoral research at the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown. Her research focuses on neural representations of space and sensory integration, particularly exploring the interplay between internal cognitive maps (like grid cells) and external sensory inputs. She co-leads a neuroscience lab at UiA studying olfactory systems and higher-order brain regions like the hippocampus and orbitofrontal cortex. Education: BSc Biology (University of Gothenburg), BSc Neuroscience (University of Otago), MSc Neuroscience (University of Oxford), Dr.Philos (NTNU). Research Themes: Grid cells, olfactory neuroscience, internal vs. external representations, neural circuits, sensory-motor integration.
Prof. Dr. Ileana L. Hanganu-Opatz is a distinguished Professor at the Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg (ZMNH), part of the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf's Faculty of Medicine. Her research focuses on the developmental mechanisms underlying brain circuit formation, particularly examining prefrontal-hippocampal networks and their role in cognitive maturation and neuropsychiatric disorders. Her primary research interests include Developmental Neuroscience , Brain Circuit Development , Neuropsychiatric Disorders , and Network Dynamics . Dr. Hanganu-Opatz employs sophisticated techniques including in vivo electrophysiology, optogenetics, and behavioral analysis to investigate how early neural activity patterns shape the development of cognitive functions. Her work has been particularly influential in understanding the developmental origins of network dysfunction in conditions like schizophrenia. Analysis of her publication record reveals a consistent focus on the ontogeny of brain networks, with particular emphasis on prefrontal-hippocampal communication, oscillatory activity patterns during development, and the cellular mechanisms underlying cognitive maturation. Her research bridges basic neuroscience with clinical relevance, aiming to identify early markers of network dysfunction that could inform preventative interventions for neuropsychiatric conditions. Scientific Recognition Recipient of the prestigious DFG Emmy Noether Grant, which supports outstanding early-career researchers in establishing their own independent research groups Dr. Hanganu-Opatz has led multiple significant research projects including the SFB 936/B5 series (across three funding periods from 2011-2023) and the PSYCHOCELL project (2016-2023), which investigated the cellular substrate of abnormal network maturation in neuropsychiatric disorders. Her work has been supported by substantial funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG). Her research is conducted within the Hamburg Center of Neuroscience framework, collaborating with researchers across multiple disciplines including immunology, cardiovascular research, and the Neuro-Immune-Network Hamburg, reflecting the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of modern neuroscience research.
Jason Robert Climer is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology and the Neuroscience Program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, with additional affiliation at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology. His research focuses on the neural mechanisms of memory acquisition, maintenance, and forgetting. Dr. Climer conducted doctoral research under Michael Hasselmo at Boston University studying spatial memory timing, followed by postdoctoral training with Daniel Dombeck at Northwestern University where he developed novel optical neuroscience techniques. The Climer Lab investigates how neural activity in the hippocampus encodes and evolves during memory formation and forgetting. Using two-photon calcium/glutamate imaging , virtual reality environments , and computational approaches , the lab examines memory at multiple scales—from individual neurons to neural networks. Key research areas include memory dynamics , adaptive forgetting , spatial navigation , and neural representation stability , with emphasis on how continual learning requires efficient forgetting mechanisms. Analysis of Dr. Climer's publications (2013-2025) reveals a trajectory from foundational studies of grid cell phase precession to cutting-edge investigations of multisensory memory representation. His work increasingly integrates in vivo imaging with computational modeling to track how hippocampal representations drift in stable environments, highlighting forgetting as an active neurobiological process rather than passive decay. No scientific awards are listed in the provided information. Dr. Climer actively recruits graduate students and postdocs for interdisciplinary research at the intersection of neuroscience, engineering, and computation. His lab's advanced methodology—including custom virtual reality systems and dual-channel neural imaging—indicates substantial grant support for projects exploring memory mechanisms across developmental and environmental contexts. Housed at the Beckman Institute (2355 Beckman Institute), the Climer Lab operates a multidisciplinary team utilizing two-photon microscopy, virtual reality arenas, and computational modeling. Collaborations with Northwestern University researchers (evident in co-authored publications) extend the lab's impact across neural coding and memory systems neuroscience.
John White is a Professor and Chair in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Boston University. His research bridges engineering and neuroscience to investigate brain information processing mechanisms. Ph.D., Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University B.S., Biomedical Engineering, Louisiana Tech University His work focuses on understanding cortical electrical coherence in learning/memory, developing neurotechnologies for real-time brain dysfunction detection, and exploring glial contributions to epilepsy. He also investigates nonlinear optical techniques for neuronal activity measurement and brain-inspired smart devices. His recent publications (2020-2025) cover topics including memory-associated neurons, calcium activity dimensionality reduction, ultrasound brain stimulation, and theta-gamma oscillation mechanisms. Research keywords include neuroscience, biomedical engineering, and computational biology. White leads a lab utilizing advanced tools like RTXI (Real-Time eXperiment Interface) to study neuronal dynamics and synchronization properties critical for brain function.
Junchul Kim is an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto with primary appointment in the Psychology Department and cross-appointment in Cell and Systems Biology. His research focuses on elucidating hippocampal circuits and GABA interneuron functions in anxiety, stress, and memory processes using optogenetic and chemogenetic approaches. PhD in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University (2005) Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Harvard Medical School (2005-2010) Kim's laboratory investigates two major areas: (1) Functional specialization of hippocampal pathways in emotional and cognitive control, and (2) Distinct roles of PV- and CCK-GABA interneuron subtypes in neural oscillations and behavioral modulation. His work has produced significant insights into hippocampal-prefrontal connectivity and anxiety-related circuitry. Key methodological contributions include developing recombinase-based genetic tools for noninvasive neuron labeling and silencing. Current research explores how specific neural circuits coordinate defensive responses and maintain memory stability across behavioral contexts. The Kim Lab actively trains graduate students in neuroscience research and offers opportunities for postdoctoral fellows. Current students include Cindy Hong, Kendall Mar, Andrew Cheon, Ruth Tran, Stephanie Shishis, and Charlotte Romain, while lab alumni feature notable researchers like Afif Aqrabawi and Paul Whissell.
Andrew Eagle is an Assistant Professor at the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas. He leads the Eagle Neuro Lab, focusing on memory mechanisms in addiction and depression. His research employs cutting-edge techniques such as fiber photometry, optogenetics, and calcium imaging to study neuronal circuits involved in neuropsychiatric diseases. His lab investigates how lateral entorhinal cortex projections to the nucleus accumbens influence motivated behavior and how cocaine affects endoplasmic reticulum calcium in ventral hippocampus neurons. Research Interests: Eagle’s work centers on neuronal circuits, particularly their role in addiction, depression, and stress responses. He explores how these circuits are remodeled in neuropsychiatric disorders, with a focus on hippocampal and hypothalamic pathways. His projects include studying cocaine’s effects on ER function and the neurobiology of stress resilience. Publications: His recent work spans cocaine-induced synaptic plasticity, ΔFosB’s role in stress resilience, and ventral hippocampal circuitry. Articles frequently address drug addiction, stress adaptation, and neurobiological mechanisms underlying mental health challenges. Labs/Teams: The Eagle Neuro Lab is located in BSB 10.570 and actively recruits undergraduate and graduate students. His team collaborates on projects combining molecular biology, electrophysiology, and behavioral neuroscience.
Lok-Kin Yeung is a Lecturer in the Department of Psychology at Hamilton College. His research focuses on the cognitive neuroscience of the anterolateral entorhinal cortex , a brain region critically affected by Alzheimer's pathology, investigating its roles in memory and perceptual processes as potential cognitive markers for dementia prediction . PhD in Psychology from University of Toronto MA in Psychology from University of Toronto BSc in Biomedical Engineering from Columbia University Research areas include Alzheimer's disease , memory mechanisms , neuroimaging , and nutritional interventions . Recent work demonstrates how dietary flavanols can improve hippocampal-dependent memory in aging populations, with publications in Nature Neuroscience , PNAS , and Neurobiology of Aging . His studies employ clinical trials , structural MRI , and cognitive assessments to explore early Alzheimer's indicators and memory decline prevention. Contact: lyeung@hamilton.edu
Christian Doeller is a Professor of Medicine (Neuroscience) at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), leading research at the Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience . He also serves as Managing Director of the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences and Professor of Psychology (Learning and Memory) at Leipzig University , Germany. Specializes in translational neuroscience of ageing and Alzheimer's disease Focuses on cognitive neuroscience of learning and memory Key projects: Jebsen Centre for Alzheimer's Disease, Helse Midt-Norge, and ERC-CoG project GEOCOG His recent research explores hippocampal-entorhinal cognitive maps, spatial navigation, and memory reconfiguration across abstract and Euclidean spaces. Collaborations span NTNU, Max Planck Institute, and Leipzig University. Notable article trends include human cognitive neuroscience applications, neuroimaging techniques (DTI-fMRI, eye tracking), and neural coding in memory systems. Themes like stress effects on memory and cortical motor system interactions with cognitive maps are recurrent. Christian Doeller's team investigates brain mapping and neurodegenerative diseases, leveraging advanced neuroimaging and computational models. His work bridges basic neuroscience with clinical applications in Alzheimer's research.
Fernando Fernandez is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Boston University, with a PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Calgary. His work focuses on cortical cell electrophysiology, single-cell modeling, and network oscillations to understand neuronal electrical activity. Education: B.Sc. & PhD in Neuroscience, University of Calgary. Research Interests: Fernandez investigates how biophysical properties of neurons influence synaptic integration and spike output in cortical circuits. His methods include intracellular recordings, two-photon imaging, and computational modeling to study voltage dynamics and oscillatory patterns in awake animals and isolated brain tissue. Publication Trends: His recent work spans hippocampal memory circuits, cortical inhibition mechanisms, and temperature-dependent ion channel dynamics. Earlier studies emphasize synaptic noise effects on neuronal state transitions, dendritic spike interactions, and voltage fluctuation impacts on firing stability.
Jayeeta Basu, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Neuroscience and Physiology and Psychiatry at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Her research focuses on understanding the cellular and circuit mechanisms underlying long-term memory formation and sensory processing, particularly examining interactions between the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex. She holds a PhD from Baylor College of Medicine. Her work combines electrophysiology, imaging, and genetic approaches to study spatial and contextual learning in mice. Key areas include hippocampal-entorhinal circuit dynamics, synaptic plasticity, and dendritic integration. The Basu Lab utilizes cutting-edge tools like optogenetics and in vivo calcium imaging to dissect neural circuitry. Recent publications highlight discoveries in hippocampal feedback circuits, protein disease modeling, and neural oscillation interactions. Collaborations include projects with Claudia Clopath (Imperial College) on computational modeling and Cliff Kentros (Norwegian University of Science and Technology) on cell-type specific manipulations.
Maria Bjerke is a Researcher in Clinical Biology at the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), with affiliation to Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel). Her work focuses on neuroprotection and neuromodulation, with extensive contributions to Alzheimer's disease research and biomarker development. With an h-index of 37 and over 7,202 citations, she has established significant impact in her field through 96 research outputs spanning from 2007 to 2024. Dr. Bjerke's research interests center on cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, amyloid pathology, and cognitive dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases. Her fingerprint analysis reveals strong activity in Alzheimer Disease (90%), Biomarkers (64%), dementia (48%), Dementia (36%), Cognitive Dysfunction (34%), Amyloid (33%), and Intermediate Filaments (20%). She bridges laboratory research with clinical applications to improve diagnosis and monitoring of dementia patients. Her recent publications demonstrate a sophisticated approach to understanding brain aging, Alzheimer's progression, and potential therapeutic interventions. She employs advanced methodologies including neuroimaging, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and cutting-edge analytical chemistry techniques. Dr. Bjerke actively contributes to major international conferences on Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementias, maintaining visibility in the global neuroscience community. She currently participates in the IOF GEAR project (2022-2026), which applies artificial intelligence to neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry. This €4 million initiative focuses on Applied Cognition (100%), Machine Learning (95%), Brain Diseases (80%), Psychiatry (62%), and Deep Learning (57%). Dr. Bjerke also serves as research supervisor, having guided at least one Master's student in neurofilament light chain quantification research.
Carson Smith is a Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Maryland, School of Public Health. He directs the Exercise for Brain Health Laboratory and Cognitive Motor Neuroscience Laboratories, focusing on exercise's impact on brain health in older adults, particularly Alzheimer's disease and age-related cognitive decline. His research uses MRI, neuropsychological testing, and biomarker analyses. Education: PhD in Kinesiology from the University of Georgia (2000). His work integrates multi-modal neuroimaging with behavioral assessments to explore how physical activity mitigates cognitive aging risks in at-risk populations. Key areas include APOE-ε4 genotype effects, cerebellar-cognitive interactions, and sleep-cardio fitness interactions with hippocampal structure. Research highlights include demonstrating exercise-induced neuroplasticity in older adults and identifying biomarkers predicting cognitive decline. His 2023-2025 publications emphasize acute exercise effects on neural connectivity, cerebrovascular health, and genetic vulnerability moderation. He has advised no listed students but leads multi-disciplinary teams in federal grants exploring exercise interventions for dementia prevention. Lab activities focus on translational research bridging exercise physiology and neurocognitive health.
Prof. Dr. Dr. Lukas Kunz is a Professor at the Department of Epileptology, affiliated with the University Hospital Bonn, part of the University of Bonn. His research focuses on cognitive and translational neuroscience, particularly the neural mechanisms underlying spatial navigation and memory. His lab employs advanced techniques like virtual reality tasks, single-neuron recordings, and intracranial EEG in epilepsy patients to study spatial cognition. Key research areas include Alzheimer’s disease and epilepsy’s impact on neural pathways. He leads the Bonn Spatial Memory Lab, which bridges basic and clinical research to understand spatial awareness deficits in neurological conditions. His work integrates neurophysiological methods with computational modeling, investigating how spatial information is encoded and retrieved. Recent studies highlight path integration deficits in Alzheimer’s risk carriers and the role of hippocampal subfields in spatial memory. Collaborative projects with global institutions enhance translational outcomes. Awards and grants section remains empty as no specific honors were listed in the provided materials. No advisees are explicitly mentioned, but his lab’s innovative methods and interdisciplinary approach are central to his contributions. The Bonn Spatial Memory Lab actively explores clinical applications of cognitive neuroscience findings.
Mahsa Gifani, MD is a Researcher affiliated with the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University, working in Dr. Scott Count’s laboratory since July 2020. Her role as a Postdoctoral Research Associate involves translational neuroscience research with a focus on Alzheimer’s disease and vascular mechanisms of neurodegeneration. Dr. Gifani earned her medical degree from Azad Medical University in Mashhad, Iran, and has conducted research at MSU since 2019. Her technical expertise includes rodent surgeries, medical imaging (fMRI, microscopy), immunohistochemistry, and behavioral analysis. Her research interests span cerebral amyloid angiopathy, Alzheimer’s disease pathophysiology, hypertension-induced neurodegeneration, and novel imaging technologies like inductively coupled ear-bars (ICEs) for enhanced fMRI. She explores vascular and nonvascular contributors to cognitive decline using rodent models. Recent work includes studies on periarterial drainage failure in Alzheimer’s, functional connectivity in hypertensive Alzheimer’s models, and brain volume changes in disease progression. Her innovations in imaging techniques aim to improve diagnostic accuracy and mechanistic understanding. Lab affiliations include the Counts Lab, where she contributes to translational neuroscience initiatives. No scientific awards are explicitly listed in provided materials.
Dennis Sparta, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), affiliated with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on the neurobiological mechanisms underlying binge drinking and addiction, particularly examining brain circuits involving the central amygdala, insula, and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). Using techniques such as optogenetics, in vivo calcium imaging, and pharmacogenetic manipulation, he investigates how neuronal activity and neuroinflammation contribute to alcohol-seeking behaviors. Dr. Sparta’s work emphasizes sex-dependent plasticity in neural pathways and the role of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) neurons in modulating binge drinking and relapse. His studies also explore glutamatergic and GABAergic signaling in reward circuits and the impact of stress on alcohol consumption. He is actively reviewing applications for doctoral students to join his lab starting Fall 2024. Key themes in his research include neuropharmacology, neuroinflammation, and the integration of advanced neuroimaging tools for studying brain circuitry. While no scientific awards are explicitly listed, his contributions to addiction neuroscience are evident through his extensive publication record.
