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Isabelle Pia MaiditschView profile

Researcher

• Fish Bioacoustics
• Acoustic Communication
• Auditory Physiology
• +3 more

Dr. Isabelle Pia Maiditsch is a Researcher at the Department Biology II, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU Munich). Her academic journey includes a PhD (2016–2022) in Behavioral Biology and Bioacoustics from the University of Vienna, followed by postdoctoral roles at LMU Munich and the Paul Scherrer Institute (Switzerland). Her research focuses on fish bioacoustics, particularly acoustic communication, auditory structure function, and environmental influences on hearing. She employs advanced techniques like synchrotron tomography to study inner ear dynamics in teleosts, emphasizing otophysan fishes. Her work bridges functional morphology and ecology, exploring how fish perceive and produce sounds under varying conditions. Recent projects include studying otolith motion patterns using 4D tomography and investigating noise impacts on fish communication. Dr. Maiditsch has presented at major conferences such as the International Otolith Symposium and European Congress of Ichthyology, contributing key insights into hearing mechanisms in aquatic environments. She has also taught courses in bioacoustics and animal behavior at the University of Vienna, supervising practical sessions for up to 70 students. Her research emphasizes methodological innovation, particularly in non-invasive imaging, and addresses ecological challenges like anthropogenic noise pollution. Collaborations with institutions like PSI highlight her interdisciplinary approach to understanding fish auditory systems. Ongoing studies aim to decode the interplay between auditory structures and environmental pressures, advancing both basic science and applied conservation efforts.

Tanja Schulz-MirbachView profile

Researcher

• Fish Bioacoustics
• Functional Morphology
• Teleost Hearing
• +4 more

Dr. Tanja Schulz-Mirbach is an Associate Scientist at LMU Munich's Department Biology II, specializing in Fish Bioacoustics. Her research focuses on functional morphology in teleost fish ears, particularly the structural-functional relationships between otoliths and hearing abilities. She employs advanced imaging techniques like micro-CT, synchrotron radiation, and confocal microscopy. Her work bridges biology and paleontology, studying otolith evolution and their fossilization processes. Education: PhD in Palaeontology and Geobiology (LMU Munich, 2008), Diploma in Biology (2003), and studies in Human Genetics and Anthropology. She has held postdoctoral positions at LMU Munich and the University of Vienna. Research interests include otolith motion dynamics, environmental influences on brain morphology, and evolutionary adaptations in fish auditory systems. Key projects involve 4D visualization of otolith motion and modeling otolith dynamics in collaboration with UC San Diego. Awards include DAAD Postdoctoral Fellowships and grants from the Bavarian Equality Promotion. She has published over 30 peer-reviewed articles and contributed to books on fish hearing and sensory organs. Her work integrates experimental biology with paleontological methods, addressing how otolith morphology reflects evolutionary and ecological pressures. She leads projects valued over €300,000, including studies on otolith evolution and fish auditory system adaptations.

Wei SunView profile

Associate Professor

• Tinnitus
• Hyperacusis
• Auditory Processing Disorders
• +7 more

Wei Sun is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communicative Disorders and Sciences at the University at Buffalo, part of the College of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on auditory neuroscience, particularly tinnitus, hyperacusis, and noise-induced hearing loss mechanisms. He holds a Ph.D. in Audiology from the University at Buffalo (2006) and has extensive experience in academic and clinical roles, including prior positions as a Research Assistant Professor and Visiting Scientist at the Center for Hearing and Deafness. His work integrates cellular physiology, animal models, and clinical studies to explore auditory system plasticity and therapeutic interventions. Research Interests: Tinnitus and hyperacusis mechanisms Noise-induced central auditory dysfunction Aging-related hearing loss Spiral ganglion neuron physiology Stem cell applications in auditory repair Neurotransmitter modulation and auditory learning Teaching: Courses include CDS 532 (Acoustics and Instrumentation), CDS 290 (Audiology: Diagnosis and Management), and CDS 616 (Auditory Evoked Potentials). He also contributes to graduate training through mentorship of students like Aditi Jayaram and Anchuan Deng. Advising/Grants: His research has been supported by RNID (Tinnitus), AFAR (Aging), and NIH (Noise-induced deficits). He serves as an ad hoc reviewer for multiple journals including Brain Research and the Journal of the American Academy of Audiology. Labs/Teams: Active in the Center for Hearing and Deafness, collaborating on projects involving cochlear physiology, auditory plasticity, and translational therapies.

Edward LobarinasView profile

Professor

• Hearing Loss
• Auditory Perception
• Tinnitus
• +7 more

Edward Lobarinas is a Professor and Department Head of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), concurrently serving as Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies. His primary affiliation is with the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences. Dr. Lobarinas leads the Translational Auditory Perception Lab, focusing on auditory neuroscience and clinical audiology. His research integrates animal models (chinchillas, rats) with human studies to understand hearing loss mechanisms, particularly noise-induced cochlear damage, tinnitus, and hyperacusis. Key innovations include Bayesian machine learning approaches for personalized hearing aid amplification and smartphone-integrated clinical tools. His work bridges basic science and translational medicine, with emphasis on otoprotective strategies and audiological rehabilitation. Education details are not explicitly provided in the text, though his academic roles suggest advanced training in audiology or neuroscience. His lab specializes in studying inner hair cell dysfunction, cochlear synaptopathy, and the middle ear reflex's role in hearing assessment. He has pioneered methodologies for evaluating auditory perception deficits in animal models and translating findings to human clinical applications. Notable projects include studies on carboplatin-induced hearing loss, impulse noise effects, and the efficacy of antioxidants (e.g., ebselen) in preventing noise-induced hearing loss. Dr. Lobarinas' translational research emphasizes practical solutions like adaptive dynamic range optimization (ADRO) for hearing aids and real-time smartphone apps for DSLv5 prescription fitting. His work frequently addresses gaps between audiometric thresholds and functional hearing deficits, particularly in pediatric hyperacusis and noise-exposed populations. Collaborations involve investigating blast wave effects on hearing and developing low-cost hearing conservation tools for shooters. Laboratory facilities include specialized equipment for behavioral audiometry in animals and advanced metabolic imaging techniques for tinnitus neural correlates. His publication trends since 2020 highlight machine learning applications in audiology, personalization of hearing devices, and refining animal models to better predict human auditory outcomes. While no scientific awards are listed, his prolific output and leadership roles indicate significant contributions to the field. His research also extends to dietary influences on hearing (e.g., magnesium/vitamin effects) and interdisciplinary projects integrating pharmacology, bioengineering, and computational modeling.

Pim van DijkView profile

Professor

• Audiology
• Tinnitus
• Biophysics of Hearing
• +3 more

Prof. Pim van Dijk is a Professor of Audiology at the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) and University of Groningen. He holds positions in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery and the Perceptual and Cognitive Neuroscience group. His work focuses on tinnitus mechanisms, audiological biophysics, and neuroimaging of auditory pathways. Current research explores GABA receptor activity in tinnitus patients using PET studies, inflammatory markers in tinnitus, and structural brain changes associated with hyperacusis. Key roles include Coordinator of TIN-ACT consortium (www.tinact.eu), Editorial Board member of Hearing Research , and Board member of Huizinga Stichting. Recent awards include the 2024 Tinnitus & Hearing Research Prize. Research spans 168+ publications with active collaborations globally. Notable recent work includes studies on spontaneous otoacoustic emissions as biomarkers, fMRI analysis of supplementary motor area volume in hyperacusis, and editorial leadership in tinnitus heterogeneity research. Current grants support investigations into cochlear biomechanics and clinical audiology innovations. He leads the Auditory Biophysics lab at UMCG, focusing on translational research between cellular processes and clinical hearing disorders. Ongoing projects include evaluation of auditory brainstem implants for severe tinnitus and development of non-invasive otoacoustic emission analysis techniques.

• Hearing Disorders
• Vestibular System
• Ototoxicity
• +6 more

Dr. Brian Blakley is a Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology at the Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba. He specializes in auditory and vestibular research, with over 125 peer-reviewed publications and two authored books. His research focuses on hearing loss mechanisms, ototoxicity, and vestibular function. Education : MD, University of Saskatchewan (1978) PhD, University of Minnesota (1987) Otolaryngology residency, University of Minnesota (1984) Research Interests : Dr. Blakley investigates auditory brainstem responses, dizziness, and ototoxicity prevention. Notable studies include the use of sodium thiosulfate and mannitol to protect hearing, and evaluating surgical interventions like tonsillectomy via systematic reviews. Awards : Star Reviewer recognition (2008-2009, 2020) Distinguished Services Award (2020) Multiple resident research awards (e.g., 2002, 2005, 2009) Collaborations : Active partnerships with the University of Manitoba’s Bioengineering and Biochemistry departments, and the University of Alberta’s Medical Microbiology team.

Samy GobaaView profile

Researcher

• Bioengineering
• Microfluidics
• Organ-on-Chip Technology
• +3 more

Dr. Samy Gobaa is the Head of the Biomaterials and Microfluidics Core Facility at Institut Pasteur in Paris, France. He obtained his PhD from ETH Zurich and completed postdoctoral training at EPFL-IBI . Specializes in microfluidics, organ-on-chip technology, and 3D cell culture Leads 15+ research projects including the Organ-on-Chip Center and iLite bioartificial liver Developed artificial niche microarray for stem cell research His research focuses on: Engineering advanced cell microenvironments using microfluidics Developing human emulation systems for infection biology Creating bioengineered diagnostic tools for pathogen studies Optimizing organoid culture systems with controlled architecture Key technological platforms under his leadership include: Emulate Organ-on-Chip systems (Liver, Intestine, Lung) Custom micropatterning and hydrogel fabrication Computational fluid dynamics simulation (COMSOL) Automated cell culture systems in BSL2/BSL3 environments He supervises multiple PhD candidates and collaborates with international partners. Contact: bmcf.admin@pasteur.fr or samy.gobaa@pasteur.fr

Saida HadjabView profile

Researcher

• Neuroscience
• Pain Research
• Neural Development
• +7 more

Saida Hadjab is a Principal Researcher at the Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, where she leads the Neurobiology of pain & Therapeutics research group. Her work focuses on identifying molecular mechanisms controlling neurogenesis, neuronal specification, and pain perception at single-cell resolution. Dr. Hadjab received her B.Sc. in Neuroscience from Aix-Marseille, France, followed by a PhD in Neuroscience from Aix-Marseille, France and Tübingen, Germany (Marie Curie Fellowship). She has conducted postdoctoral research in laboratories led by Francois Lallemend, Björn Vennström, Brigitte Malgrange, and Marlies Knipper. Her primary research investigates dynamic transcriptional and epigenetic changes in peripheral sensory system cell types during chronic pain progression. She aims to identify cell type-specific molecular networks regulating the transition from physiological to pathological nociception, with the ultimate goal of developing therapies to reverse cellular states in pain conditions. Dr. Hadjab's work spans neural stem cells, neuronal development, neuronal diversification, pain disorders, pluripotency, and transcriptional regulation in neurological disorders. Her recent research has identified senescence of nociceptors as a therapeutic target for chronic pain treatment, representing a significant advance in understanding pain mechanisms at the molecular level. Research Funding Karolinska Institutet institutional funding Gun och Bertil Stohnes Stiftelse Marie Curie Fellowship FNRS (Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique) Wenner Gren Stiftelse EndoMet Tysta Skolan Students and Mentoring Dr. Hadjab actively supervises the next generation of neuroscience researchers: PhD students: Prach Techameena, Kaiwen Zhang Graduate students: Yiqiao Wang (co-supervision), Charles Petitpre (co-supervision) Undergraduate students: Dinh Phong N'Guyen, Michael Entenmann, Gulistan Agirman, Lovisa Lindmark Institutional Contributions Reviewer for Karolinska Institutet Doctoral Funding Histology teacher, DFM Steering committee of Junior Faculty Examination teacher and committee member Coordinator of Career Focus Group/Junior Faculty Professional Engagement Organizer of international meetings including Career System in Europe and Nordic Neuroscience 2017 Scientific Coordinator of Söderberg Foundation's art-science exhibition at Museum Sven Harrys (8,000+ visitors)

• Animal Communication
• Bioacoustics
• Behavioral Physiology
• +7 more

Raquel Freire Pereira de Ornelas e Vasconcelos is an Assistant Professor at Universidade Lusófona in Lisbon and an Associate Professor at the University of Saint Joseph in Macau. She is also a Senior Researcher at Centro de Ciências do Mar e do Ambiente (MARE), where she conducts cutting-edge research in bioacoustics and marine biology. Her educational background includes: Licenciatura in Biology, 2004 Mestrado in Biologia e Gestão de Recursos Marinhos, 2006 Doutoramento in Biologia, Universidade de Lisboa, 2011 Postdoctoral training in Behavioral Neurophysiology and Neural Systems and Behaviour Her research focuses on animal communication, hearing, behavioral physiology, ecoacoustics, and the impacts of noise pollution on aquatic life. She employs zebrafish and other fish species as model organisms to study auditory sensory adaptation, noise-induced stress, and developmental effects of anthropogenic noise. Her work integrates neuroethology, environmental physiology, and conservation biology. Her recent publications highlight a strong trend in understanding how noise and environmental stressors affect fish behavior, development, and hearing. Key themes include noise-induced hearing loss, vocal communication, temperature effects on agonistic behavior, and sensory adaptation across species such as zebrafish, cichlids, and toadfish. Her research often bridges lab-based models with ecological implications. Scientific honors include: Grass Fellowship She has secured multiple international grant projects and has supervised numerous students from undergraduate to postdoctoral levels. Her work is supported by active collaborations across institutions in Portugal, Macau, and internationally. She frequently presents at major conferences such as the Society for Experimental Biology, International Bioacoustics Congress, and The Effects of Noise on Aquatic Life. Raquel is actively involved in research through her roles at MARE and her academic appointments, contributing to both teaching and advanced scientific inquiry in marine bioacoustics.

• Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) Therapeutics
• SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 Immunology
• Stem Cell Biology
• +4 more

Eva Rohde is a Professor and Head of the University Institute for Transfusion Medicine at Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg. Her research focuses on extracellular vesicles (EVs) in regenerative medicine, SARS-CoV-2 immunology, and stem cell biology. She leads major projects like EV-TT (Extracellular Vesicles Theralytic Technologies Transfer Center) and CONSONANT (Nanovesicle Technologies). Rohde has received awards including the Philip-Levine-Forschungspreis (2021) and multiple Erwin-Domanig Awards. Her work spans EV-based therapies for spinal cord injuries, hearing loss, and fibrosis prevention. Key projects include clinical trials for umbilical cord-derived EVs and investigations into SARS-CoV-2 reinfection dynamics in blood donors. Rohde also contributes to regulatory standards via initiatives like MISEV2023 guidelines for EV research. Over 230 publications since 2003 5 concluded research projects (2017–2025) Active in conferences like ISCT Scientific Signature Series on EV therapeutics Research emphasizes translational medicine, combining clinical trials with mechanistic studies on EV functionality and safety. Ongoing work explores EV applications in neuroprotection and tissue regeneration.

Manohar BanceView profile

Professor

• Hearing disorders
• Balance disorders
• Cochlear implants
• +5 more

Professor Manohar Bance is a clinician-scientist at the University of Cambridge, holding the academic rank of Professor within the Department of Clinical Neurosciences in the School of Clinical Medicine. His work is anchored at the intersection of otology, audiology, and biomedical engineering, with a translational focus on restoring and monitoring hearing and balance function. Research Interests Understanding and improving cochlear-implant stimulation of the auditory system Developing next-generation wearable technologies for real-world assessment of hearing and balance Creating site-of-lesion and vestibular diagnostics for use in clinic and at home Integrating engineering and audiology to translate bench discoveries into patient benefit His investigations span computational modeling of neural activation patterns, systematic evaluations of surgical complications such as electrode migration and meningitis risk, and large-scale clinical trials exploring steroid regimens for sudden sensorineural hearing loss. The research program is highly collaborative, engaging Cambridge colleagues in engineering and audiology, and outputs consistently appear in leading journals spanning otolaryngology, neuroscience, and biomedical engineering. Recent Publication Trends Between 2022 and 2024, Professor Bance has co-authored more than fifteen peer-reviewed articles. These works collectively map four major domains: (1) clinical trials and systematic reviews that inform evidence-based otologic practice, (2) engineering advances in cochlear-implant electrode design and intraoperative monitoring, (3) epidemiological analyses of healthcare disparities in cochlear implantation, and (4) translational models—from tissue-engineered cochlear fibrosis constructs to end-to-end neural network models of speech perception—bridging bench and bedside. Scientific Awards & Recognition No specific awards or honours are detailed in the provided text. Collaboration & Funding Landscape Professor Bance’s research is underpinned by extensive collaborations with Cambridge investigators including Professor Bob Carlyon, Dr Deborah Vickers, and Professor George Malliaras, integrating expertise in auditory neuroscience, materials engineering, and signal processing. He is actively involved in multi-centre UK networks such as INTEGRATE (the UK ENT Trainee Research Network), which facilitates large-scale audits and clinical trials. Laboratory & Teams While explicit laboratory names are not provided, his projects entail cross-disciplinary teams combining otologic surgeons, audiologists, biomedical engineers, and data scientists, working toward innovations in implantable devices and wearable diagnostics.

Christopher YengoView profile

Professor

• Molecular Motors
• Cytoskeletal Proteins
• Cardiac Myosin
• +4 more

Dr. Christopher Yengo is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Cell and Biological Systems at the Penn State College of Medicine. His research focuses on molecular motor proteins, particularly myosins and the actin cytoskeleton, with applications to human diseases like cardiomyopathy and deafness. He leads a lab investigating structural and functional mechanisms of myosin motors in heart disease and inner ear physiology. Key roles: Professor, Department Chair, Principal Investigator on NIH-funded grants Research Themes: Cardiac myosin mutations, actin-based transport, therapeutic strategies for heart failure He has received awards including the 2022 Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and 2021 Distinguished Educator Award. Current projects funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute include studies on cardiomyopathy mutations and cardiac contractility mechanisms. His lab collaborates on projects involving biochemical, biophysical, and cell biological techniques to understand motor protein dynamics. Ongoing work explores how myosin III variants contribute to stereocilia maintenance in hearing-related disorders.

• Molecular Genetics
• Nephrology
• Amino Acid Transporters
• +3 more

Dr. Noel Edwards is a Researcher at Newcastle University, specializing in molecular genetics, nephrology, and mitochondrial disorders. His work focuses on identifying genetic mutations underlying kidney diseases, ciliopathies, and cancer resistance mechanisms, with extensive collaborations including Professor John Sayer and Professor David Thwaites. Research Interests: Edwards investigates genetic drivers of renal anomalies (e.g., polycystic kidney disease, cystinuria), amino acid transporter dysfunction, and mitochondrial disorders. His cancer research explores autophagy-mediated resistance in melanoma and kinase inhibitor development. Key areas include genotype-phenotype correlations, therapeutic target discovery, and clinical translation of molecular findings. Publication Trends: Recent articles (2015–2022) demonstrate a consistent focus on genetic basis of kidney and urinary tract disorders, expanding into mitochondrial diseases and cancer therapeutics. Studies emphasize mutation analysis, functional validation, and clinical case correlations, utilizing techniques from gene panels to pharmacological optimization. Awards: None reported. Collaborations & Teams: Edwards frequently collaborates with nephrology and genetics researchers at Newcastle University, contributing to multidisciplinary projects on inherited disorders and drug discovery.

Virginia L. FlanaginView profile

Associate Professor

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Behavioral Neuroscience
• Spatial Navigation
• +5 more

Virginia L. Flanagin serves as an Associate Professor (außerordentlich) at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich's Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences (GSN) and leads a research group at the German Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders (DSGZ). Her work integrates computational modeling with cognitive neuroscience to investigate spatial navigation and perception mechanisms. Research Focus: Specializing in Behavioral & Cognitive Neuroscience , she examines how sensory-motor information converts into cognitive spatial maps, emphasizing the vestibular system and hippocampus. Her methodology combines functional MRI, virtual reality, and psychophysics to explore sociocultural influences on spatial behavior, with secondary focus on Theoretical Neuroscience applications. Publication Trends: Her 15 publications (2005-2021) reveal progression from basic motion detection (fly studies) to complex human navigation research. Recent work incorporates deep learning (e.g., DeepVOG for eye tracking) and investigates neural plasticity in response to vestibular loss and specialized training like slacklining. Mentorship: She has guided nine students including: Phillip Graeff Eva Fraedrich (co-mentored) Nadine Hummel Magdalena Wutte Josephine Henke Theresa Raiser Christopher Roppelt Judita Huber Uma Navare Her research group likely operates through institutional funding at DSGZ. Research Environment: Based at DSGZ within LMU Klinikum, her team operates in a multidisciplinary hub integrating neurology, otolaryngology, and neuroscience to advance balance disorder research through clinical-basic science collaborations.

Peter zu EulenburgView profile

Professor

• Neuroimaging
• Vestibular System
• Ocular Motor Control
• +7 more

Peter zu Eulenburg is a Professor and Research Group Leader at the Institute for Neuroradiology and the German Vertigo Center, University Hospital of LMU Munich. He is a full member of the Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences (GSN) and a regular member of the Munich Center for Neurosciences (MCN), where he leads research in functional neuroimaging and vestibular neuroscience. His research focuses on the cartography of the human vestibular and ocular motor systems using structural and functional neuroimaging techniques. Key areas include self-motion perception, egocentric referencing, and the structural effects of spaceflight and microgravity on the brain and eye. He employs advanced methods such as deep-learning assisted video-oculography and blood-based brain biomarkers. The selected publications highlight a strong trend in space neuroscience and neuroplasticity, particularly in how long-duration spaceflight alters brain structure and ventricular volume. His work also explores visual-vestibular integration and central compensation mechanisms in vestibular disorders using fMRI and meta-analytic approaches. Scientific Contributions: Shared senior authorship in high-impact studies on cosmonaut brain changes published in NEJM and PNAS Pioneering meta-analytical mapping of the human vestibular cortex Investigation of inner ear and ocular structural segmentation He advises several PhD students, including Ge Tang, Berk Olcay, Theresa Raiser, Juditha Huber, and Pauline Popp. His research is supported by institutional affiliations with LMU Munich’s neuroimaging and vertigo research units, contributing to both clinical and space medicine advancements. He leads a research team focused on multimodal imaging at the German Vertigo Center, integrating clinical neurology with advanced computational and imaging techniques to study sensorimotor integration and neuroadaptation.