Hemispheric differences Professors and Supervisors

Philippos VlachosView profile

Professor

University of ThessalyGreece

Philippos Vlachos is a Professor at the Department of Special Education, School of Humanities & Social Sciences, University of Thessaly, where he has served since 1998. He is the Director of the Laboratory of Educational Neuroscience and Developmental Disorders. Dr. Vlachos has held significant administrative roles including President of the Department of Special Education (2011-2015) and Director of the Postgraduate Program in Special Education (2019-2023). He has also been a member of the University Senate and various deanships. Dr. Vlachos completed his postgraduate studies in Educational Sciences at the University of Patras and his doctoral thesis at the University of Thessaly. His academic journey began with studies in pedagogy and biology. Before joining the University of Thessaly, he worked for ten years in Primary Education while simultaneously teaching in various educational programs across multiple Greek universities. His research focuses on educational neuroscience and developmental disorders, particularly investigating neural mechanisms of reading, numeracy, and attention, along with associated learning difficulties. Dr. Vlachos examines the relationship between cerebral laterality and cognitive abilities, with emphasis on special education applications. His work bridges neuroscience and educational practice to improve understanding and intervention for students with learning disabilities. Analysis of Dr. Vlachos' recent publications reveals a strong focus on brain-based learning approaches, cerebral lateralization, and specific learning disorders. His research spans dyslexia, dysgraphia, developmental language disorders, and the impact of genetic syndromes on cognitive development. Recent work increasingly integrates neuroimaging techniques with educational interventions, demonstrating the practical applications of neuroscience in special education settings. Dr. Vlachos has served as scientific director for seven research programs investigating the relationship between cerebral lateralization, cognitive abilities, and academic performance in children and adults with developmental or neurological disorders. He has participated in dozens of research and educational initiatives, contributing significantly to the field of educational neuroscience in Greece. As Director of the Laboratory of Educational Neuroscience and Developmental Disorders, Dr. Vlachos leads a research team focused on understanding the neural underpinnings of learning processes and disorders. His laboratory serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research connecting neuroscience, psychology, and educational practice, with particular emphasis on developing evidence-based interventions for students with special educational needs.

Official University Profile

Johan Lundin KlebergView profile

Associate Professor

Stockholm UniversitySweden

Johan Lundin Kleberg is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Stockholm University, where he conducts research in clinical developmental psychology. His work focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind neurodevelopmental conditions including ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and anxiety disorders, with particular emphasis on visual attention patterns and social cognition in affected individuals. Dr. Kleberg's research interests center on how developmental psychiatric conditions arise and manifest in everyday functioning. His work examines eye-tracking patterns, pupillary responses, and decision-making processes in children and adolescents with conditions such as ADHD and autism. He investigates how these individuals process social information, respond to emotional stimuli, and make decisions in various contexts, seeking to identify underlying cognitive and neural mechanisms that contribute to diagnostic symptoms. His publication record demonstrates consistent research activity examining visual attention deficits in neurodevelopmental disorders. The research shows particular interest in how gaze patterns, particularly toward eyes and faces, differ in individuals with autism and ADHD compared to neurotypical controls. His work also explores reward processing, emotional regulation, and the relationship between physiological responses (like pupil dilation) and clinical symptoms across various developmental disorders. Dr. Kleberg leads the AIDA research project (Attention and decision making children and adolescents with developmental psychiatric conditions), which examines decision-making and attention in children with developmental psychiatric conditions, particularly depression, autism, and ADHD. This project is part of a broader research program investigating altered reward processing across multiple developmental psychiatric disorders.

Official University Profile

Liz HirshornView profile

Professor

State University of New York at New PaltzUnited States

Liz Hirshorn is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the State University of New York at New Paltz, where she directs the Diversity in Language Lab (DiLL). Her research employs behavioral and EEG methodologies to investigate individual differences in skilled reading and cognitive interactions, with particular focus on alternative pathways to literacy that challenge conventional reading models. Her research program centers on psycholinguistics and cognitive neuroscience, specifically examining how skilled reading develops through variable cognitive routes. Key projects include comparing English and Chinese reading processes to identify shared cognitive mechanisms between distinct writing systems, and investigating relationships between reading and face processing to understand lifelong neuroplasticity. Her work has significant implications for understanding struggling readers and developing alternative literacy interventions. Dr. Hirshorn actively advises thesis students in psycholinguistics using behavioral or EEG methodologies, with recent projects exploring music-reading skill relationships and attentional differences in video game players. Her lab emphasizes experimental approaches to cognitive psychology with applications to educational contexts. She maintains an active publication record spanning cognitive neuroscience, psycholinguistics, and reading research, with recent work focusing on holistic word processing, bilingual reading, and neuroplasticity in deaf populations. Her research demonstrates consistent methodological rigor through combined behavioral and neuroimaging approaches.

Official University Profile

Sara SabanView profile

Assistant Professor

Yeditepe UniversityTurkey

Dr. Sara Saban is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Yeditepe University. She holds a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience from the University of Bergen and has been affiliated with Yeditepe University since 2002. Research Interests: Her work bridges Cognitive Neuroscience , Experimental Psychology , and Behavioral Neuroscience , focusing on hemispheric asymmetry, attention mechanisms, and associative learning. Recent studies explore cognitive control via the Stroop test and theoretical frameworks of anticipation. Advising: Supervised multiple Master's theses on topics including dual-process reasoning, memory differences, emotion-cognition interactions, and social judgment biases.

Official University Profile

Chad RogersView profile

Associate Professor

Union CollegeUnited States

Chad Rogers is an Associate Professor of Psychology and Director of Neuroscience at Union College. His academic credentials include a Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology from Washington University in St. Louis and dual undergraduate degrees from the University of Florida. He holds leadership positions within the Department of Psychology and the Center for Neuroscience, where he conducts research on auditory cognition in aging populations. Dr. Rogers' research examines: Speech perception mechanisms under challenging conditions Cognitive control deficits in age-related hearing loss Neural correlates of auditory processing using neuroimaging techniques Interactions between sensory decline and cognitive aging His work bridges cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and hearing science with practical implications for aging populations. His publication trends show consistent focus on: Auditory neuroscience (60% of recent publications) Cognitive aging (25%) Methodological innovations in neuroimaging (15%) with particular emphasis on fMRI applications in speech perception research. Honors include: Stillman Prize for Faculty Excellence in Teaching As Director of Neuroscience, he oversees research activities at Union College's Center for Neuroscience, facilitating interdisciplinary studies on cognitive hearing processes.

Official University Profile

DERYA DENİZ KANANView profile

Lecturer

Nigde Ömer Halisdemir UniversityTurkey

Dr. DERYA DENİZ KANAN serves as a Lecturer in the Department of Physiology within the Faculty of Medicine at Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University since 2017. Previously, she held a Lecturer position at Toros University's Medical Services and Techniques Department from 2014-2017. Her academic journey includes dual doctorates in Physiology from Erciyes University (2006-2011) and Çukurova University (2005-2006), along with multiple master's degrees in Pharmacology and Biology Education. Her research spans neuroscience, physiology, and pharmacology with particular focus on epilepsy models, Alzheimer's disease mechanisms, and neurodegenerative processes. Key interests include: Behavioral changes in experimental disease models Exosome roles in neurodegenerative conditions Sex differences in neurological responses Cognitive function assessment in animal models Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals consistent investigation of neurological disorders using rat models, with increasing focus on molecular mechanisms like exosomes and gene-related pathways in recent years. Current research projects include: Investigation of gender effects on brain histopathology in aluminum chloride-induced Alzheimer's models (2021-present) TUBITAK-supported Applied Basic Cell Culture Techniques Course (2024-present) Completed studies on fermented pollen effects in schizophrenia models and Hypericum perforatum efficacy in Alzheimer's disease She has contributed to textbook chapters including 'Neurotransmitters' (2018) and 'Physiology of Nervous System' (2016), and co-edited 'Human Physiology for Health Sciences and Higher Schools' (2023).

Official University Profile

Thorsten SteinerView profile

Professor

University of CopenhagenDenmark

Thorsten Steiner is an Affiliate Professor in the Department of Clinical Medicine at University of Copenhagen, specializing in Neurology. His research focuses on acute stroke management, particularly intracerebral hemorrhage and related complications. He maintains a dual institutional affiliation, with email contact through Heidelberg University in Germany. Dr. Steiner's research interests span multiple critical areas in stroke medicine including cerebral edema management, anticoagulant-related hemorrhagic complications, and hematoma expansion prevention. His work combines clinical trial design with epidemiological analysis to address urgent challenges in neurocritical care. He has made significant contributions to understanding sex differences in stroke outcomes and optimizing treatment protocols for hemorrhagic stroke. His publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on high-impact clinical questions in stroke medicine, with several publications in top-tier journals including The Lancet Neurology and Stroke. His 2016 INCH trial comparing blood products for anticoagulant-related intracranial hemorrhage has been particularly influential with over 300 citations and multiple guideline references. More recently, he has contributed to the CHARM trial investigating glibenclamide for cerebral edema after large hemispheric stroke. Dr. Steiner's research has received substantial attention in both academic and clinical spheres, with multiple publications picked up by news outlets and referenced in clinical guidelines. His work on the spot sign in intracerebral hemorrhage has generated particular interest in the neurology community. He actively collaborates with an international network of stroke researchers across Europe and North America, participating in large multi-center clinical trials that have shaped contemporary stroke management protocols. His research bridges basic science with immediate clinical applications, focusing on interventions that can be rapidly implemented in emergency settings.

Official University Profile

Priyanka P. ShahView profile

Assistant Professor

Medical College of WisconsinUnited States

Priyanka P. Shah, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology at the Medical College of Wisconsin, with a secondary appointment in the Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering at Marquette University and Medical College of Wisconsin. She is an active member of both the Neuroscience Research Center and the Wisconsin Institute of NeuroScience (WINS), where she directs the Cognition and Brain Stimulation (CaBS) Laboratory. Her academic journey began with B.S. and M.S. degrees in Biomedical Engineering from New Jersey Institute of Technology, followed by a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Rutgers Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Dr. Shah's research program centers on aphasia rehabilitation and neurorehabilitation, with particular expertise in non-invasive brain stimulation techniques including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Her work investigates the neural mechanisms of language recovery after stroke, electrophysiological biomarkers of neuroplasticity, and personalized neuromodulation approaches. She has established a robust research program with multiple active grants as both Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator, focusing on synchronizing brain oscillatory activity to treat post-stroke aphasia and precision neuromodulation approaches. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on translating basic neuroscience findings into clinical applications for stroke recovery and aphasia treatment. Her work frequently examines how genetic factors (particularly BDNF polymorphisms) interact with brain stimulation to influence neuroplasticity and language recovery. There's a clear progression toward more sophisticated approaches to neuromodulation, including high-definition tDCS and individualized stimulation protocols based on electrophysiological biomarkers. Albert Dorman Honor's College Scholarship (2003-2006) Tau Beta Pi (2005-2006) Travel award, Stroke Program in Neurorecovery (2017-2018) Canadian Stroke Trainee Association in Research, CanStroke Recovery Trials Trainee award (2017-2018) Heart and Stroke Foundation, Canada award (2017-2018) As a dedicated mentor, Dr. Shah advises numerous medical students, high school students through the SUPREMES program, and faculty members. She has played a key role in establishing the Intensive Program for Aphasia Treatment (IPAT), demonstrating her commitment to translating research into clinical practice. Her laboratory utilizes advanced neuroimaging and electrophysiological techniques to investigate language networks and develop innovative rehabilitation approaches for individuals with communication disorders following stroke or with neurodegenerative conditions.

Official University Profile

Darcy BurgundView profile

Professor

Macalester CollegeUnited States

Darcy Burgund serves as Professor of Psychology and Director of the Neuroscience Program at Macalester College. Based in Olin-Rice Science Center Room 330, she leads cognitive neuroscience research and teaches courses in neuroimaging techniques, cognitive neuroscience, and research methods. Her contact email is dburgund@macalester.edu. Her academic background includes: BA from Skidmore College PhD from University of Minnesota Research Interests: Dr. Burgund specializes in high-level visual cognition and memory with emphasis on object recognition. Her work investigates hemisphere asymmetries through divided-visual-field paradigms and identifies neural correlates using fMRI. Key focus areas include: Face perception and emotional processing Racial bias in visual cognition Neural adaptation mechanisms Task-dependent cognitive processing Publication Trends: Her 2020-2025 publications demonstrate consistent focus on visual cognition using multimodal approaches. Recent work examines race-based perceptual differences through eye-tracking, hemisphere asymmetries in emotional processing, and gender identity effects on visual tasks. Methodologically, she bridges behavioral paradigms with neuroimaging to explore how visual information is processed across diverse contexts. Advising: Professor Burgund actively mentors students, with numerous co-authored publications featuring undergraduate researchers. Her advisees contribute significantly to projects on facial expression processing, race bias investigations, and neural adaptation studies. Labs & Teams: She directs the Burgund Lab (https://sites.google.com/macalester.edu/burgundlab), which employs fMRI, eye-tracking, and behavioral methods to study visual cognition. The lab maintains an active research program investigating how the brain processes complex visual stimuli across emotional, racial, and gender dimensions.

Official University Profile

Alia KhanView profile

Associate Professor

University of ColoradoUnited States

Alia Khan serves as an Associate Professor in the Aerospace Department at the University of Colorado Boulder, where she conducts groundbreaking research in optical remote sensing of Earth's surface using uncrewed aerial systems and satellite-based sensors. Her work bridges aerospace engineering with environmental science, focusing on critical climate-related phenomena in polar and mountainous regions. Dr. Khan earned her PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2016, following an MS in Environmental Studies from the same institution in 2012, and a BSPH with Honors in Environmental Science and Engineering from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in 2009. Her research interests center on autonomous system development for environmental monitoring, with particular expertise in aquatic biogeochemistry, aerosols, and cryosphere studies including glacial and snow hydrology. She has pioneered methods using UAV technology to study snow algae, glacier ablation, and black carbon impacts on ice sheets. Her work spans from Antarctic ecosystems to Andean snowpacks and Arctic oceans, addressing critical climate change indicators through innovative remote sensing approaches. Analysis of Dr. Khan's recent publications reveals a strong focus on polar and cryospheric research, with particular attention to black carbon impacts on ice sheets, snow algae monitoring, and the application of UAV technology for environmental observation. Her interdisciplinary work connects atmospheric science, glaciology, and remote sensing to address pressing climate change questions, with increasing emphasis on human impacts in polar regions and the development of cost-effective monitoring technologies. National Science Foundation - CAREER Grant Awardee (2022) US Fulbright Scholar to the Chilean Antarctic Program (2019) Antarctic Service Medal, National Science Foundation (2012) National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (2010) Dr. Khan has successfully mentored students including Colby F. Rand and S. Healy, who appear as first authors on multiple publications. Her research has been supported by significant grants including the NSF CAREER award and Fulbright Scholarship, enabling extensive field work in Antarctica, the Arctic, and mountainous regions worldwide. She teaches GEEN 1400 First Year Engineering Projects and Drone Remote Sensing, integrating her research expertise into undergraduate education. Her work involves extensive collaboration with international research teams across polar regions, including participation in Antarctic research programs and Arctic monitoring initiatives. Dr. Khan's laboratory focuses on developing and deploying UAV-based remote sensing systems for environmental monitoring, with particular emphasis on cryospheric applications and the development of cost-effective monitoring solutions for challenging environments.

Official University Profile

Christoph FraenzView profile

Researcher

Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human FactorsGermany

Dr. Christoph Fraenz is a researcher at the Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IFADO) in Dortmund, Germany, where he works within the Psychology and Neurosciences department in the Neuroimaging and interindividual differences research group under Prof. Dr. Michael Nitsche. His research focuses on the neural basis of interindividual differences in cognitive functions and personality, utilizing a multimodal approach combining psychometrics, fMRI, DTI and EEG methodologies. Dr. Fraenz's work primarily investigates how variations in brain structure and function relate to individual differences in intelligence, personality traits, and cognitive abilities across the human population. Dr. Fraenz completed his academic training with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Westfälische Wilhelms University of Münster (2009-2012), followed by a Master's degree in Psychology from Ruhr University Bochum (2012-2015). He earned his PhD from the Department of Biopsychology at Ruhr University Bochum (2015-2019) and subsequently worked as a Research Associate there (2019-2020) before joining IFADO. His publication record demonstrates a strong focus on understanding the relationship between brain structure/function and cognitive abilities, with recent work particularly examining white matter microstructure, neurite density imaging, functional connectivity patterns, and genetic correlates of brain organization. His research often employs polygenic scoring approaches to understand how genetic factors contribute to individual differences in cognition. Dr. Fraenz has published extensively in high-impact neuroscience journals including Cerebral Cortex, Nature Communications, NeuroImage, and Human Brain Mapping, with numerous collaborative publications featuring researchers like Erhan Genç, Caroline Schlüter, and Sebastian Ocklenburg.

Official University Profile

Patric SeifertView profile

Researcher

Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric ResearchGermany

Dr. Patric Seifert is a Scientist at the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS) in Leipzig, Germany, where he has been working since 2010. He is affiliated with the Remote Sensing of Atmospheric Processes department and leads the Ground-Based Remote Sensing group. His work focuses on atmospheric remote sensing, particularly using the LACROS instrument suite for aerosol and cloud observations. He also maintains a strong connection with the University of Leipzig, where he earned his PhD and currently teaches courses on cloud radar and remote sensing to master's students. PhD in Meteorology from University of Leipzig (2010) Diploma in Meteorology from University of Leipzig (2006) Student of Meteorology at University of Leipzig (2000-2006) Dr. Seifert's research centers on understanding aerosol-cloud interactions, particularly how aerosols influence ice formation processes in the atmosphere. His work involves extensive use of ground-based remote sensing instruments, including the LACROS suite, to observe cloud and aerosol properties. He investigates how aerosol particles affect numerical weather forecast models and develops methods to derive continuous datasets of aerosol and cloud microphysical properties through the Cloudnet data processing scheme. His current research spans multiple international projects across diverse geographical locations including the Arctic, Southern Ocean, Cyprus, and Antarctica. Analysis of Dr. Seifert's recent publications reveals a strong focus on cloud microphysics, particularly mixed-phase and ice clouds. His work frequently employs advanced remote sensing techniques including polarimetric radar and lidar to study ice nucleation processes, particle shape distribution, and aerosol-cloud interactions. A significant portion of his recent research relates to the MOSAiC expedition in the Arctic, examining cloud life cycles and the impact of wildfire smoke on cirrus formation. His publications also highlight innovative approaches to cloud seeding experiments using UAVs and the development of new methods for analyzing cloud radar data. Member of Deutsche Meteorologische Gesellschaft (DMG) since 2006 Ordinary Member of the DFG Transregio programme Arctic Amplification: Climate Relevant Atmospheric and Surface Processes and Feedback Mechanisms (AC3) since 2021 Dr. Seifert actively collaborates on numerous international research projects including ACTRIS/Cloudnet, DACAPO-PESO (focusing on the Southern Ocean), PICNICC (examining hemispheric cloud contrasts), SPOMC (polarimetric observations of clouds), COALA (Antarctic observations), ATMO-ACCESS, ACTRIS-D, and EXCELSIOR. His work often involves mentoring students and conducting outreach activities to demonstrate TROPOS's contributions to understanding aerosol-cloud interactions and career opportunities in atmospheric sciences. He has been instrumental in operating and extending the LACROS instrument suite for various field campaigns around the world. Dr. Seifert leads the Ground-Based Remote Sensing group at TROPOS, which operates the LACROS (Leipzig Aerosol and Cloud Remote Observations System) infrastructure. This mobile observation platform has been deployed in diverse environments including Punta Arenas, Chile for the DACAPO-PESO campaign, Cyprus for multiple projects, and Antarctica for the COALA campaign. His team collaborates with international partners across Europe, New Zealand, and the Americas to study atmospheric processes in different climatic regions, with particular emphasis on aerosol-cloud interactions in pristine environments.

Official University Profile

Olga BotnerView profile

Professor

Uppsala UniversitySweden

Olga Botner is a Professor at the Department of Physics and Astronomy, specifically in the High Energy Physics division, at Uppsala University. Her research focuses on astroparticle physics, with particular emphasis on the exploration of the Universe through cosmic neutrinos, which are considered ideal astrophysical messengers due to their ability to travel unaffected by magnetic fields and unhindered by matter and radiation. She is an active member of the IceCube Collaboration, which operates the world's largest neutrino telescope, the IceCube Observatory located at the South Pole. Professor Botner's research interests center around astroparticle physics, particularly the exploration of the Universe with cosmic neutrinos that may have been created in the environments of black holes. Her work is crucial for multi-messenger astronomy, which combines observations of different cosmic messengers like photons, cosmic rays, gravitational waves, and neutrinos to gain a comprehensive understanding of astrophysical phenomena. Her research spans neutrino astronomy, dark matter detection, cosmic ray physics, and the development of advanced analysis techniques including machine learning applications in neutrino data analysis. The recent publications by Professor Botner demonstrate a strong focus on neutrino physics and astroparticle research. Her work spans multiple areas including neutrino oscillation studies, dark matter searches, cosmic ray anisotropy, multi-messenger astronomy, and the development of advanced instrumentation like the Radio Neutrino Observatory in Greenland (RNO-G). A significant portion of her recent work involves the application of machine learning techniques to neutrino data analysis, particularly convolutional neural networks for atmospheric neutrino oscillation parameter measurements. Her research also explores fundamental physics questions related to sterile neutrinos and potential beyond Standard Model physics. As a key member of the IceCube Collaboration, Professor Botner contributes to one of the most significant neutrino observatories in the world, located at the South Pole. This international collaboration involves researchers from numerous institutions worldwide working together to detect and study high-energy neutrinos from cosmic sources. Her work connects fundamental particle physics with astrophysical observations, bridging the gap between these two fields to address some of the most profound questions about our Universe.

Official University Profile