Signy Wegener is an Honorary Lecturer at the School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, affiliated with the Centre for Reading. She holds a PhD in Cognitive Science and specializes in research on reading development, vocabulary acquisition, and cognitive learning mechanisms. Her work employs eye-tracking technology and explores topics like orthographic learning, affective priming in visual word recognition, and bilingual education. Key research interests include understanding how spacing effects influence memory retention, the role of emojis in cognitive processing, and optimizing literacy interventions for children. She has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the 2022 Australian Journal of Learning Difficulties Early Career Researcher Award and the 2023 Rebecca L. Sandak Young Investigator Award. Her recent publications focus on empirical studies of reading behavior, educational neuroscience, and developmental psychology. Collaborations span institutions globally, emphasizing cross-disciplinary approaches to literacy challenges.
Yannick Blandin is a Full Professor in the Faculty of Sports Sciences at the University of Poitiers, France, affiliated with the Cognition and Learning Research Center (CeRCA). His research focuses on motor learning, observational learning, and sensorimotor coding, with an emphasis on feedback mechanisms and cognitive processes underlying skill acquisition. Blandin holds a Ph.D. in Kinesiology from the University of Montreal (Canada) and has held academic roles since 1990, including Assistant Professor (1995–2001) and Lecturer (1990–1995) at the University of Montreal. His work explores how visual and proprioceptive feedback influence motor learning, the role of eye movements in sequence coding, and the application of point-light displays in rehabilitation. Collaborations include Dr. Stefan Panzer (Saarland University) and Dr. Charles Shea (Texas A&M). Key contributions include the PLAViMoP database, advancing 3D motion analysis tools for clinical and educational purposes. Research interests span motor imagery effects, contextual interference in learning, and the interplay between observational practice and physical skill development. Publications highlight studies on feedback schedules, error detection during observation, and the cognitive basis of motor sequence representation. His research has practical implications in sports training, rehabilitation (e.g., knee arthroplasty), and the design of adaptive robotic systems for motor task guidance. Blandin’s interdisciplinary approach bridges kinesiology, cognitive science, and technology to enhance understanding of human movement and learning processes.
Simona Buetti is a Research Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Illinois. She holds a PhD from the University of Geneva (Switzerland) and serves as a Faculty Fellow at the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning. Her research focuses on visual attention, employing methodologies such as behavioral psychophysics, eye-tracking, and computational modeling. Her work aims to understand how attention guides visual processing, particularly in complex scenes. Dr. Buetti has received prestigious awards including the 2019 NSF Grant (as PI) for developing the TCAS Toolbox, the 2016 BRIDGE Grant, and the 2014 NARSAD Young Investigator Grant. She teaches courses like Psyc230 (Perception and Sensory Processes) and Psyc396 (The Attentive Mind), integrating global educational practices through programs like the Engineering Research Summer School. Her research explores topics such as color-feature guidance in visual search, parallel processing dynamics, and the interplay between emotion and attention. Collaborations span institutions worldwide, with notable studies on online eye-tracking validation and reconciling emotional effects on memory. She leads the VisionLab, advancing tools and theories in visual cognition.
John Pearson is an Associate Professor of Neurobiology at Duke University, with affiliations in the Basic Science Departments, Pratt School of Engineering, and the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences. His research focuses on understanding how the brain enables complex behaviors such as decision-making, learning, and perception through computational and experimental approaches. Pearson holds a Ph.D. in Physics from Princeton University and a B.S. in Physics and Mathematics from the University of Kentucky. His academic roles include leadership in the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience and multiple interdisciplinary collaborations. Education : Ph.D., Physics, Princeton University, 2004 B.S., Physics and Mathematics, University of Kentucky, 1999 Research Interests : Pearson investigates cognitive stability and flexibility, neural mechanisms of decision-making, and the application of machine learning to neuroscience. His lab studies how brain circuits adapt to dynamic environments, with a focus on birdsong learning, social decision-making, and visual perception. Recent work emphasizes Bayesian models and generative approaches to understand neural coding and behavior. Publications : Pearson’s recent work spans cognitive control, neuromodulatory dynamics, and computational neuroscience. Key themes include task-switching mechanisms, anti-Bayesian judgments, and the neural basis of juror decisions. His methods combine experimental neuroscience with advanced computational modeling. Recognition : His contributions to neuroscience have been highlighted in media, including a 2022 Faculty Achievement Award from Duke’s School of Medicine. Advising & Grants : Pearson mentors a diverse team of graduate students and postdocs, overseeing grants such as the NIH-funded Neurobiology Training Program and the Duke Psychiatry Physician-Scientist Residency Program. His lab supports interdisciplinary training in neurobiology and computational methods. Labs & Teams : Pearson leads the Pearson Lab, which integrates experimental and theoretical approaches to study neural systems. The lab’s work bridges neurobiology, psychology, and engineering, with ongoing projects on vocal learning, social cognition, and real-time neural analysis tools like improv .
Dr. Alan Godfrey is a researcher at Newcastle University specializing in biomedical engineering, geriatrics, and movement analysis. His work focuses on wearable sensor technology for assessing gait, postural control, and physical activity in older adults, Parkinson's disease patients, and cancer survivors. Collaborating extensively with Professor Lynn Rochester, Dr. Godfrey's research spans rehabilitation engineering, oncology, and digital health applications. Key research areas: Biomedical Engineering, Parkinson's Disease, Wearable Sensors, Ageing Major collaborations: Professor Lynn Rochester, Dr. Silvia Del Din, Dr. Brook Galna Technologies: Accelerometry, Eye-tracking, Exergaming, Free-living monitoring His recent publications (2016-2024) analyze gait variability, postural transitions, and ambulatory activity using wearable accelerometers, with applications in Parkinson's disease, stroke recovery, and musculoskeletal oncology. He has contributed to validation studies for motion capture systems and developed algorithms for step detection and postural control assessment. Dr. Godfrey's work intersects geriatric health, digital health technology validation, and rehabilitation science, particularly in Parkinson's disease and cancer recovery contexts. His research emphasizes translating sensor-based metrics into clinical practice for improved functional outcome assessments.
Jonathan Fineberg is a Distinguished Visiting Professor at the University of California, Irvine, and holds Emeritus titles at the University of Illinois and The Phillips Collection. He specializes in Art History, the psychology of art, and creative processes. His career spans teaching at Yale, Harvard, and other institutions, alongside curating exhibitions and authoring influential books on modern and contemporary art. Education: BA and PhD from Harvard University, MA from the Courtauld Institute, London. Research: Focuses on child art’s influence on modernism, neuroscience of creativity, and psychoanalytic theory. His research explores the intersection of art, mind, and brain, with notable works like *The Innocent Eye* and *Modern Art at the Border of Mind and Brain*. He has contributed to PBS documentaries, including *Imagining America*, and advised on Christo’s projects. Awards include the College Art Association’s Distinguished Teaching Award and recognition for art criticism. He co-founded the Center for the Study of Modern Art at The Phillips Collection and currently directs Rowan University’s PhD in Creativity program.
Aaron Veldre is an Honorary Research Fellow at the School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University. He holds a PhD in Psychology from the University of Sydney (2015) and previously served as a Senior Research Associate at the University of Sydney from 2015 to 2022. His research focuses on reading processes, eye movements during reading, and semantics, with a particular interest in lexical prediction, cognitive aging, and neuropsychological mechanisms. His work bridges experimental psychology, computational modeling, and clinical applications, such as studying cognitive flexibility in eating disorders. Veldre has contributed to over 38 peer-reviewed publications, with recent studies exploring predictability effects in older readers, morphological spelling regularities in bilinguals, and the interplay between task demands and lexical prediction. He actively participates in editorial roles, including as a reviewer for Frontiers in Psychology since 2023. Education PhD in Psychology, University of Sydney, 2015 Research Interests Reading science and eye movement dynamics Lexical prediction and cognitive modeling Cognitive aging and neuropsychological assessment Morphological and semantic processing in bilingualism Clinical applications of cognitive flexibility studies Publications His recent work highlights trends in predictability effects, parafoveal processing, and computational modeling of cognitive systems. Key themes include aging-related adaptations in reading, cross-linguistic comparisons of spelling systems, and experimental paradigms to assess cognitive mechanisms. Collaborations span international institutions, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach. Grants & Awards No specific grants or awards are listed, though his extensive publication record underscores sustained research excellence. Advising & Editorial Work Editorial board member: Frontiers in Psychology (2023–present) PhD supervision: None explicitly stated Labs & Teams No specific lab affiliations are mentioned, but his research likely integrates with broader networks in cognitive and clinical psychology.
Bram Van Bockstaele is a researcher at Ghent University's Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, specifically within the Department of Experimental, Clinical and Health Psychology. His academic career spans over 15 years with consistent publication output from 2007 through 2025, demonstrating sustained scholarly activity in the field of cognitive and clinical psychology. His research primarily focuses on cognitive processes in anxiety disorders , with particular emphasis on attentional bias , interpretation bias , and cognitive bias modification techniques. His work bridges fundamental cognitive psychology with clinical applications, examining how information processing biases contribute to anxiety disorders across different developmental stages. He has made significant contributions to understanding the intergenerational transmission of anxiety and the relationship between cognitive biases and emotional regulation . Analysis of his recent publications (2022-2025) reveals a clear trajectory of research investigating cognitive mechanisms in anxiety disorders using sophisticated methodologies. His work spans developmental perspectives (examining parent-child transmission of anxiety), methodological innovations (developing new assessment tools like the masked-target antisaccade task), and clinical applications (testing cognitive bias modification approaches). His research consistently integrates multiple levels of analysis, from physiological measures (pupillometry) to behavioral assessments and self-report measures. Dr. Van Bockstaele has collaborated extensively with leading researchers at Ghent University, particularly with Geert Crombez (9 co-authored papers), Bruno Verschuere (8), Jan De Houwer (7), and Ernst Koster (5), establishing himself within a robust research network focused on cognitive aspects of emotional disorders.
Menno van der Schoot is an Associate Professor at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam's Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Department of Educational Sciences. He holds dual appointments in Educational Sciences and the LEARN! Research Institute for Learning Sciences. His academic roles include Chair positions on Educational Studies and Teaching & Learning in Higher Education Examination Boards. He earned a Master’s in physiological psychology (with Merit) and a biology propaedeutics, followed by a PhD on dyslexia (awarded Cum Laude). His research bridges educational science and neuroscience, focusing on higher-order cognitive processes in reading comprehension, mathematical problem-solving, and embodied cognition. He has received notable grants, including a €300k NWO/PROO grant for 'Learning to Read with Mental Imagery.' Education & Teaching: Over 20 years of teaching in educational neuroscience and psychology, coordinating bachelor/master courses like 'Neuropsychology for Educators.' Research Focus: Mental imagery, situation model construction, gesture's impact on cognition, and multimedia effects on learning. Collaborations span national/international institutions, emphasizing methodological rigor in experimental paradigms (e.g., eye-tracking, inconsistency detection tasks). Awards & Grants: Cum Laude PhD distinction, NWO-funded research grants, and leadership in examination board governance. Labs/Teams: Active in the LEARN! Research Institute, contributing to interdisciplinary studies on learning and educational interventions.
Joanne Fielding is an Associate Professor (Research) in the Department of Neuroscience at Monash University, affiliated with the School of Translational Medicine. Her research focuses on investigating the ocular motor system to understand neurocognitive processes and their dysfunction in neurological disorders. Combining ocular motor, neuropsychological, and neuroimaging techniques, her work aims to develop clinically useful measures for conditions like multiple sclerosis, visual snow syndrome, and myalgic encephalomyelitis. Key projects include the Sodium Selenate for PSP clinical trial (2020–2026), research into visual snow syndrome funded by the Macquarie Bank Foundation (2024–2025), and collaborations with institutions like the Royal Melbourne Hospital. She is actively involved in advisory roles, including NIH panel membership and contributions to the Huntington's Research Group of Victoria (2012). Her research emphasizes translating findings into clinical practice, with recent focus areas including eating disorder screening tools for vegetarians/vegans and understanding idiopathic intracranial hypertension pathophysiology. She supervises PhD students and leads the FieldingWhite research group.
Heather Turner is an Associate Professor and EPSRC Research Software Engineering Fellow at the University of Warwick's Department of Statistics. She leads work on sustainability and EDI in the R Project, contributing to R package development (e.g., gnm , BradleyTerry2 ), and promotes diversity in the R community through initiatives like Forwards . Her research focuses on statistical modeling, open-source software, and community-building. Education: PhD in Biclustering Microarray Data (University of Exeter, 2005), BSc in Applied Statistics (University of Reading). Past roles include Senior Research Fellow at Warwick, statistician at Pfizer, and editorial roles in Journal of Statistical Software and R Journal . Research interests span statistical methodology, R package development, and fostering inclusive practices in academia and tech. Awards include the 2007 John M. Chambers Statistical Software Award for contributions to the gnm package. Active in professional service: Program Chair for useR! Conferences (2011, 2017, 2019), board member of the R Foundation, and keynote speaker at global R events like Johannesburg satRday 2020.
Patrizia Fattori is a Full Professor of Physiology at the University of Bologna's Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences. She leads research in systems neuroscience focusing on visuomotor processing in posterior parietal cortex. Her lab investigates neural mechanisms of sensory-motor integration using neurophysiological and brain stimulation techniques. Research focuses on: Neurophysiology of reaching and grasping actions Neural coding in parietal cortex during motor planning Role of attention in visuomotor transformations Virtual reality applications in neuroscience Professor Fattori coordinates major research initiatives including the European FET PROACTIVE project MAIA (Multifunctional AI system) and national PRIN projects on biological motion perception. Her work contributes to understanding parietal cortex functions and developing neuro-inspired AI systems. Recent publications examine neural computations for reaching corrections, microsaccade dynamics during attention, and convolutional neural network applications in decoding neural activity. She serves on editorial boards for neuroscience journals and promotes international research collaborations.
Dr. Iva Barisic is a Lecturer at the Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences at ETH Zürich, affiliated with the Chair of Cognitive Science. Her work focuses on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of cognitive science, human-computer interaction, and spatial behavior. Her research interests encompass wayfinding usability in complex environments, social dynamics in navigation, and the application of neuroimaging techniques such as fMRI and eye-tracking to study joint attention mechanisms in autism spectrum disorder. She teaches courses like Human-Computer Interaction: Cognition and Usability, emphasizing the integration of cognitive principles into technology design. Dr. Barisic’s recent publications explore topics such as digital assistant delegation expectations, spatial learning with mobile maps, and the neural underpinnings of social interactions. Her work bridges theoretical cognitive science with practical applications in urban design, user experience research, and assistive technology development. Her research has been published in top-tier journals, with a focus on understanding human spatial cognition and social behavior through both experimental and computational methods. She collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to advance knowledge in human-centered design and neurocognitive mechanisms.
Richard A. Andersen is the James G. Boswell Professor of Neuroscience and Director of the T&C Chen Brain-Machine Interface Center at California Institute of Technology. He holds the T&C Chen Brain-Machine Interface Center Leadership Chair. His research focuses on neural mechanisms underlying decision-making, motor planning, and the development of brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) for paralyzed patients. Andersen earned his B.S. from UC Davis (1973) and Ph.D. from UCSF (1979). His work bridges neuroscience, engineering, and clinical applications, emphasizing restoring independence through neuroprosthetics. Key research interests include decoding intentions from posterior parietal cortex signals, functional ultrasound neuroimaging, and somatosensory feedback in BMIs. He leads interdisciplinary collaborations with engineers, clinicians, and theorists. Notable achievements include pioneering BMI technology allowing tetraplegics to control robotic limbs and computers via thought. Andersen also explores internal speech decoding and neural repair via brain stimulation. Received the Prize for Outstanding Achievements in Neurological Research. Directs the Chen BMI Center, advancing clinical trials and translational research. Collaborates with institutions like USC, UCLA, and the University of Colorado on BMI development. Advocates for ethical neurotechnology, emphasizing human-centric applications. Lab personnel include postdoctoral researchers and engineers working on BMI hardware, decoding algorithms, and clinical testing. Current projects include bidirectional BMIs for sensory feedback and AI-enhanced neural signal analysis.
Dr. Lisa Musculus-Schönenborn is a researcher at the Department of Performance Psychology at German Sport University Cologne. She investigates cognitive-motor interactions in sports, focusing on decision-making processes, talent development, and embodied cognition across soccer, climbing, esports, and table tennis. Her research examines how cognitive and motor processes develop during childhood and contribute to sports expertise. Current projects investigate sport-specific cognitive processes in soccer players and interventions for performance under pressure. Publications demonstrate methodological diversity including longitudinal training studies, kinematic analysis, and psychophysiological measures. Recent work examines reinvestment effects, VR-based training, and meta-analyses of sports decision-making. Awards include Best Dissertation (2019) and membership in the Junges Kolleg NRW (2023) Currently supervises 5 PhD projects on female athlete cognition, perceptual-cognitive development, and motor-cognitive performance Leads projects including in:prove (cognitive processes in Olympic sports) and KleVer (motor-cognitive development in climbing) Develops training protocols for executive functions in youth athletes Teaches sport psychology, motor learning, and research methods at undergraduate and graduate levels.
