Find Academic Supervisors

• Neuroscience
• Respiratory Physiology
• Neurochemistry
• +3 more

Adrienn G Varga is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Florida. Her research focuses on neural mechanisms underlying respiratory control, opioid-induced respiratory depression, and dopaminergic signaling in sensory-motor integration. She has active grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIDA, NHLBI) investigating arousal circuits and cocaine-mediated immune interactions. She teaches advanced courses including BMS6020 Clinical Neuroscience and GMS7795 Special Topics in Neuroscience. Her work combines pharmacological interventions with electrophysiological recordings in animal models to study respiratory physiology. Key areas of exploration include how dopamine influences sniffing behavior and how opioid receptors modulate brainstem respiratory centers. Recent studies highlight the role of the locus coeruleus and Kӧlliker-Fuse nucleus in respiratory control mechanisms. Grants: ACTIVE Cocaine-Mediated Modulation (NIDA, 2025) Respiration & Opioid Depression (NHLBI, 2021-2025) Teaching: Clinical Neuroscience, Doctoral Research, Advanced Neuroscience Research Labs: McKnight Brain Institute (Gainesville, FL)

• Animal cognition
• Neurobiology
• Cerebral asymmetry
• +6 more

Elisa Frasnelli is an Associate Professor at the University of Trento, Italy, affiliated with the Center for Mind/Brain Sciences (CIMeC). Her research focuses on animal cognition, cerebral asymmetry, and neuroethology across species including honeybees, bumblebees, octopuses, and domestic animals. She holds editorial roles at journals like Animal Behaviour and Learning & Behavior , and serves as Secretary of the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB). Education: PhD in Cognitive and Brain Sciences, University of Trento (2010) MSc in Physics and Biomedical Technologies, University of Trento (2007) BSc in Applied Physics, University of Trento (2004) Research Interests: Lateralization in invertebrates and vertebrates Spatial navigation and visual-motor control in insects Neuromodulation of pain perception in bumblebees Impact of environmental stress on pollinator health Awards: JSPS Fellowship (2017) ASAB Above & Beyond Award (2016) PRIN 2022 Grant (€230k) for LADISEX Project Grants & Collaborations: PI of MicroBeeH Project (CARITRO, 2024) Coordinator of IBC Project on pollinators and climate change Teaching: Leads courses on Invertebrate Neurosciences and Mathematical Foundations for Cognitive Science at the University of Trento.

Mehmet Kerem TurkcanView profile

Researcher

• Computer Vision
• Deep Learning
• Neural Circuits Simulation
• +7 more

Mehmet Kerem Turkcan is an Associate Research Scientist at Columbia University, affiliated with the Center for Smart Streetscapes (CS3) and the Department of Civil Engineering & Engineering Mechanics. He specializes in computer vision, deep learning, and their applications to urban streetscapes and robotic surgeries. Current Position: Associate Research Scientist at Columbia University (since Jul 2024) Previous Role: Postdoctoral Research Scientist in Electrical Engineering at Columbia Research Interests span real-world deployment of object detection/tracking systems, retrieval-augmented generation via large language models, and GPU-driven simulations of neural circuits. His work bridges computational neuroscience with urban informatics through platforms like FlyBrainLab and Fruit Fly Brain Observatory . Publication Trends show interdisciplinary focus: (1) Robotic surgery tracking (2025), (2) Cloud-edge vision-language processing (2025), (3) Urban navigation for accessibility (2024), and (4) Neurogenetic circuit modeling (2024). Earlier work includes Drosophila brain simulations and biomarker discovery for coronary disease.

• Sensory control of locomotion
• Active sensing in insects
• Insect sense of touch
• +3 more

Volker Dürr is a Professor of Biological Cybernetics at Bielefeld University , Faculty of Biology, and a member of the Center for Cognitive Interaction Technology (CITEC) . His work focuses on sensory control of locomotion , active tactile sensing in insects , and biomimetic modeling of movement systems. Education : Habilitation in Zoology (University of Cologne, 2008; Bielefeld, 2005), PhD in Biology (Bielefeld, 1998), Diploma in Biology (Tübingen, 1994) Academic Career : Professor at Bielefeld (2009-present), Junior Research Group Leader (University of Cologne, 2007-2009), Research Assistant (Bielefeld, 1998-2006) His research investigates how insects use antennal mechanosensory systems and proprioception to control locomotion in complex environments. Key themes include goal-directed movements , sensorimotor integration , and biomimetic robotics . Publications emphasize tactile sensing (15/23 articles), neural control of movement (9/23), biomechanical modeling (7/23), and cross-species locomotion analysis (4/23). Recent work explores virtual reality paradigms for locomotion studies and spiking neural networks for proprioceptive modeling.

• Computational Neuroscience
• Biomechatronics
• Bio-inspired Robotics
• +5 more

Dr. Hanno Gerd Meyer is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Bielefeld, working with the Center for Cognitive Interaction Technology (CITEC) and the Research Group Biomechatronics since January 2016. His research focuses on understanding insect visual systems and developing bio-inspired camera systems for robotic platforms. Dr. Meyer received his PhD in Computational Neuroscience from Bielefeld University in February 2014 with his dissertation titled 'Representation of Visual Motion Information in the Fly Brain'. His academic background includes an International Master's program in 'Systems Biology of Brain and Behavior' (2008-2010) and undergraduate studies in Biology and Psychology (2003-2008), all at Bielefeld University. His research centers on how flying insects like flies and bees use their visual systems for course control, collision avoidance, and spatial navigation. Despite having relatively few neurons and poor spatial resolution compared to artificial systems, insect visual systems demonstrate remarkable speed, flexibility, and resource efficiency. Dr. Meyer's work aims to translate these biological principles into engineering applications for robotic vision systems. He collaborates with the Cognitronics group at CITEC to develop algorithms on dynamically reconfigurable hardware combined with low power microprocessors. These algorithms extract motion information from optic flow to enable robotic agents to perform visually-guided orientation behavior in unfamiliar terrain based on principles found in insect neurobiology. Dr. Meyer has been actively involved in research at Bielefeld University since 2010, progressing from Scientific Assistant positions in the Department of Neurobiology to his current Postdoctoral Fellowship. His work contributes to Bielefeld's Socio-Technical World strategic research area, which focuses on capabilities enabling agents like humans, robots, and AI to act and communicate in complex environments.

• Neurogenetics of behaviour
• Sensory neuroscience
• Neurophysiology
• +8 more

Ilona Grunwald-Kadow is Professor of Physiology and Head of the Institute of Physiology II at the University of Bonn ’s Faculty of Medicine, and concurrently serves as Vice Rector for Research and Young Scientists . An elected member of EMBO , she combines neurogenetics, physiology, and behaviour to decipher how neural circuits allow organisms to adapt to ever-changing environments. Education & Career: Professor of Physiology, University of Bonn (2022–present) Vice Rector for Research and Young Scientists, University of Bonn (2022–present) Head, Institute of Physiology II, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bonn (2022–present) Research Interests: Using Drosophila melanogaster and mouse models, her laboratory investigates how sensory inputs, internal states, and genetic programs interact to produce flexible, adaptive behaviour. Core themes include: Neurogenetic bases of state-dependent behaviour Dopaminergic modulation of sensory processing Mechanisms linking metabolic state to decision-making Hormonal modulation of olfaction and taste Neural circuits for motivation, risk-assessment, and memory Scientific Awards: Elected Member, European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) EMBO Young Investigator Award ERC Starting Grant Human Frontiers Science Program Career Development Award Otto Hahn Medal, Max Planck Society Research Environment & Funding: Her lab is embedded in the iBehave Network and NeurotechEU consortiums, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration across Europe. Funding sources include the European Research Council, German Research Foundation, and Human Frontiers Science Program. Lab Team & Mentoring: The Grunwald-Kadow group comprises post-doctoral researchers, doctoral students, and technical/administrative staff working at the intersection of genetics, physiology, imaging, and behaviour. The lab actively trains the next generation of neuroscientists through hands-on mentoring and cross-disciplinary projects.

• STEM Education
• Relationship Behavior
• Developmental Psychology
• +1 more

Karen Yanowitz serves as Professor of Psychology and B.S. in Psychology Program Coordinator at Arkansas State University's College of Education & Behavioral Science within the Department of Psychology and Counseling. Her academic foundation includes a B.A.S. from Brandeis University and graduate degrees (M.S./Ph.D.) from the University of Massachusetts, specializing in developmental and cognitive psychology with research methods expertise. B.A.S., Brandeis University M.S., University of Massachusetts Ph.D., University of Massachusetts Yanowitz's research centers on STEM Education , recently pioneering AI-driven dyslexia interventions through font design (2023-2024 publications), and Relationship Behavior , examining gender dynamics in stalking scripts. Her work consistently bridges formal and informal education through CSI-themed science camps, Arkansas Science Festival leadership, and family science nights targeting K-12 engagement. Teaching specialties in developmental/cognitive psychology inform her approach to student-centered assessment and inquiry-based learning. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2007-2024) reveals evolving interdisciplinary trends: early work focused on analogical reasoning and science perception studies (2004-2009), shifting toward STEM outreach infrastructure (2010-2016) with CSI curricula and teacher development, then pivoting to technology-driven solutions during/post-pandemic (2022-2024). Core disciplines span educational psychology, cognitive science, and health services research, with consistent emphasis on accessibility, gender dynamics, and experiential learning across all subfields. As Program Coordinator, Yanowitz likely oversees student advising and curriculum development, though specific mentorship details aren't documented. Her publication record demonstrates sustained grant engagement including NSF's ITEST program, with recent projects addressing educational technology gaps during crises and neurocognitive accessibility solutions. Yanowitz maintains active community partnerships through Arkansas Science Festival initiatives and virtual outreach programs, operating from her Education/Communications Building office (Room 315) with ongoing research output confirming current laboratory or team involvement in dyslexia/AI studies.

Audronė LupeikienėView profile

Associate Professor

• Information Systems Engineering
• Computer Service Systems Engineering
• Knowledge Systems Engineering
• +3 more

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Audronė Lupeikienė serves as an Associate Professor and Group Leader at the Cybersocial Systems Engineering Group within Vilnius University's Institute of Data Science and Digital Technologies (formerly Institute of Mathematics and Informatics). Holding a Doctor of Science degree, she has established herself as a leading researcher in information systems engineering with over two decades of scholarly contributions. Her academic profile demonstrates sustained excellence in research, teaching, and service within the Lithuanian and international academic community. Dr. Lupeikienė's research expertise spans Information Systems Engineering , Computer Service Systems Engineering , Knowledge Systems Engineering , and Software Systems Engineering . Her work explores both theoretical foundations and practical applications of information systems, with particular emphasis on service-oriented architectures, business process management systems, and ontology-based component programs. She investigates how these systems can be optimized for performance, quality of service, and effective business-IT alignment in digital environments. Her recent scholarly output (2020-2024) reveals a clear evolution in research focus from foundational work on component-based systems to contemporary investigations of digital business transformation. Notably, her research has expanded into interdisciplinary applications including telemedicine systems for cardiac rehabilitation and energy harvesting technologies, demonstrating versatility across domains while maintaining core expertise in information systems engineering. This trajectory reflects her ability to adapt theoretical frameworks to emerging technological and societal challenges. Dr. Lupeikienė has successfully led and participated in significant research projects including the EU structural support project "Theoretical and engineering aspects of the development and use of Internet of Services technologies in high-performance computing platforms" (2012-2015), the "PEN: Production Effectiveness Navigator" EuroStars project (2011-2014), and earlier work on "Engineering problems of ontology-based component programs" (2003-2005). She has served on organizing committees for numerous international conferences and is an active member of the Lithuanian Computer Association. As an educator, Dr. Lupeikienė has taught a comprehensive range of courses reflecting the evolution of information systems education: Agent technologies (2005-2008), Decision-making systems (since 2003), Information systems (since 2002), Database Theory and Practice (2000-2003), and Computerization of management processes (1995-2002). Her teaching portfolio demonstrates adaptation to technological advancements while maintaining focus on core principles of system design and implementation. Her leadership of the Cybersocial Systems Engineering Group focuses on the intersection of social systems and technological infrastructure, exploring how to design, implement, and optimize systems that effectively serve both organizational and social needs in today's increasingly interconnected digital landscape.

Robert BlairView profile

Professor

• Avian Ecology
• Urban Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• +4 more

Robert Blair is a Professor in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology at the University of Minnesota's College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Sciences. His research focuses on conservation biology within human-dominated landscapes, particularly avian ecology and urban ecology, with significant contributions to citizen science methodologies and environmental education. Education Ph.D. from Stanford University Blair's research centers on understanding how land use affects bird communities in urban and human-altered environments. He advocates for studying biodiversity in the 'unswimmable ocean' of human-dominated landscapes rather than pristine habitats. His work includes extensive studies on bird-building collisions, urban bird conservation, and the role of citizen science in environmental education. Recent publications reveal strong trends in urban ecology, collision mitigation strategies, and participatory science methodologies with practical applications for conservation policy. Advising and Grants Blair has advised twelve graduate students including current PhD candidates Sam Safran, Andrew Hallberg, Zonish Javed, and Lucas Rapisarda. His research is supported by diverse sponsors including the National Science Foundation, Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund, Three Rivers Parks District, U.S. Bank Stadium, Audubon-Minnesota, Fulbright Foundation, Cargill Foundation, and the College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Sciences. Labs and Teams He leads the Blair Lab, which operates through three integrated pillars: Urban Ecology (focusing on human-modified landscapes), Public Science (engaging citizens in all scientific stages), and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Key initiatives include Project BirdSafe, Minnesota Master Naturalist, Driven to Discover, and Nature for New Minnesotans. The lab actively involves undergraduate researchers, citizen scientists, and community partners in its conservation efforts.

• Computer Graphics
• Interactive Environments
• Visualization
• +4 more

Prof. Dr. André Hinkenjann is the Founding Director of the Institute for Visual Computing and holds a Research Professorship in Computer Graphics and Interactive Systems at Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences. His research spans computer graphics, interactive environments, and visualization, with applications in VR/AR, digital twins, and scientific data analysis. He leads multidisciplinary projects funded by institutions like BMBF and Zukunftsfonds NRW. His research integrates: Computer Graphics : Real-time global illumination, foveated rendering, and GPU optimization Interactive Systems : Haptic interfaces, large-display collaboration, and spatial interaction techniques Applied VR/AR : From trauma therapy to industrial training and cultural heritage preservation Recent publications emphasize mixed-reality interaction, neural rendering, and perceptual optimization, reflecting a consistent focus on bridging theoretical graphics with human-centered applications. His lab frequently contributes to high-impact venues like ACM SIGGRAPH, IEEE VR, and Eurographics. Notable projects under his direction include: PInBiM: Gamified citizen science for museum-based insect research DT4MP: Digital twins for urban/industrial multiphysics simulations GTN: State-wide network advancing game technology in NRW Witality: VR for sensory wine analysis

Vikas BhandawatView profile

Associate Professor

• Sensorimotor integration
• Neuromechanics
• Locomotion
• +5 more

Vikas Bhandawat is an Associate Professor at Drexel University's School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, where he leads the Bhandawat Laboratory. His research focuses on understanding how animal behavior emerges from the complex interaction between the nervous system, the body, and the environment, using Drosophila (fruit flies) as a model organism due to their relatively simple brain and available genetic tools. His educational background includes: MS in Chemistry (Integrated BS and MS) from Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, India (1993-1998) PhD in Neuroscience from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (1999-2005), with thesis on "Elementary Events Underlying Olfactory Transduction" Postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School (2005-2009) under Prof. Rachel Wilson Dr. Bhandawat's research spans multiple timescales of behavior, from milliseconds to minutes, with a focus on sensorimotor integration during locomotion. His lab employs a highly interdisciplinary approach combining in vivo whole-cell patch clamp recordings, imaging, quantitative behavioral measurement, biomechanics, and computational modeling. His work has revealed that fly locomotion can be decomposed into discrete "locomotor features" that are modularly affected by odors, providing insight into how sensory information transforms into action. An analysis of his recent publications shows a consistent focus on understanding the neural and biomechanical basis of locomotion across multiple timescales. His work bridges neuroscience, biomechanics, and computational approaches, with particular emphasis on odor-modulated locomotion, descending motor control, and the biomechanics of legged locomotion in Drosophila. His research demonstrates how complex behaviors emerge from relatively simple neural systems. Dr. Bhandawat has built a productive research program with numerous publications in high-impact journals including Nature Neuroscience, Neuron, eLife, and PNAS. His work has contributed significantly to our understanding of how sensory information is transformed into motor output in a relatively simple model system. His laboratory actively mentors students and researchers, employing a multi-pronged approach to study behavior. The lab seeks to create the next generation of professionals with multidisciplinary skills necessary to tackle complex real-world problems. They are particularly interested in building a diverse team of biologists, neuroscientists, and engineers to address questions spanning from sensation to action. The Bhandawat Laboratory focuses on three main research areas: 1) From Sensation to Action (algorithms and circuits underlying transformation of sensation to action), 2) Descending Motor Control (studying descending pathways in Drosophila), and 3) Biomechanics of Locomotion (understanding the mechanics of legged movement). The lab has developed innovative techniques for recording neural activity while measuring behavior and has made significant contributions to understanding how odors modulate locomotion through discrete behavioral states.

• Neurobiology
• Visually guided behavior in insects
• Spatial learning and navigation
• +6 more

Professor Martin Egelhaaf is a faculty member at Bielefeld University's Faculty of Biology, leading the Department of Neurobiology. He also serves as the Rectorate Representative for Research Networking in Medicine and as a Principal Investigator at the Center for Cognitive Interaction Technology (CITEC). Education: Universität Tübingen (undergraduate), University of Sussex (Diploma Thesis), Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics (Doctoral Thesis), University of Tübingen (Habilitation) His research focuses on neuronal mechanisms underlying visually guided behavior in insects, spatial learning, sensory information processing, population coding, virtual reality techniques, active vision strategies, neuromodelling, and bio-inspired robotics. These themes are reflected in his leadership of interdisciplinary initiatives like the DFG Graduate Research Programme and the BMBF Network MONIST. Scientific Awards & Honors: Fellowship from Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes (1976–1981) Otto-Hahn Prize of the Max-Planck-Society (1985) External member of the ARC Centre of Excellence in Vision Science (since 2005) He has held administrative roles including Dean of the Faculty of Biology (2002–2004) and Vice-Rector for Research (2006–2021), and currently represents the Rectorate in medical research networking.

• Mind-body interactions
• Mental health
• Autonomic nervous system
• +7 more

Dr. Doran Amos is a teaching-focused Lecturer in Neuroscience within the School of Life Sciences at the University of Sussex, a position held since August 2022. They convene the Neuroscience with Psychology degree course and teach across undergraduate and postgraduate programs in neuroscience education. Dr. Amos's research interests center around two main areas: mind-body interactions in relation to stress and mental health, and neuronal information coding for navigation and spatial cognition. Within these domains, they explore autonomic nervous system activity (particularly heart rate variability), mindfulness practices, psychedelic therapeutics, hippocampal function, and neural oscillations. As a teaching-focused academic, Dr. Amos supervises literature and outreach projects for final-year undergraduate, Master's, and medical students, but does not run laboratory-based research or supervise PhD students. Their recent publications demonstrate an interdisciplinary approach connecting neuroscience with education, mental health, and navigation research. Dr. Amos has received significant attention for their publications, with notable citation metrics including 137 total citations for their 2015 Current Biology paper on goal direction signals in the entorhinal region. Teaches courses including Research and Professional Skills I & II, and Molecular Neuropharmacology Supervises student projects on mind-body interactions and neural coding Focuses on contemplative pedagogy in neuroscience education Has published across multiple neuroscience domains including navigation, memory, and mental health Dr. Amos earned their PhD in Neuroscience from University College London (2006-2011) following a BSc in Biochemistry from Imperial College London, and has held research positions at University College London, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, and the University of Sussex prior to their current lecturing role.

Christopher W. HarbisonView profile

Associate Professor

• Evolutionary Ecology
• Parasitology
• Ornithology
• +3 more

Christopher W. Harbison is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at Siena University, where he has served since 2008 after promotions from Assistant to Associate Professor. His academic journey includes prior roles at Carleton College and the University of Utah, grounded in field research experience across national parks and ecological sites. His educational credentials include: Ph.D. in Biology, University of Utah B.A. in Biology, Carleton College Dr. Harbison's research centers on evolutionary ecology and parasitology , specifically investigating bird-parasite coevolutionary dynamics . Using integrated field and laboratory approaches, he examines how ecological interactions drive adaptations in host-parasite systems like feather-feeding lice on birds. His work spans ornithology , behavioral ecology , and coevolutionary theory , revealing mechanisms from thermal orientation in parasites to geographic variation in parasite communities. This research bridges fundamental biological principles with real-world ecological applications. His publication record demonstrates consistent innovation in host-parasite studies, evolving from foundational work on louse transmission (2006-2009) toward complex community ecology and coevolutionary modeling (2010-2020). Key trends include increasing integration of behavioral observations with molecular techniques and expansion from single-host systems to multi-parasite community dynamics. His scientific recognition includes: Siena Summer Scholars Fellowship (2014) COTFD Faculty Pedagogy Grant (2013) Siena Summer Scholars Fellowship (2012) Dr. Harbison actively mentors undergraduates through research-integrated teaching, particularly in Ornithology and Evolution courses. His grants support both scholarly research (Summer Scholars) and pedagogical innovation (COTFD Grant), reflecting dual commitments to discovery and education. He emphasizes developing student research skills through hands-on experimentation in small-class settings. His research program utilizes field sites and laboratory facilities for behavioral experiments on avian parasites, frequently involving student collaborators in data collection and analysis of host-parasite adaptation mechanisms.

• Neuroscience
• Computational Neuroscience
• Systems Neuroscience
• +3 more

Marcella Noorman is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurobiology at the University of Chicago, where she leads interdisciplinary research at the intersection of computational neuroscience and biomedical engineering. Her work focuses on fundamental questions of neural representation and biological system modeling. Her research program spans three complementary domains: Computational Neuroscience : Developing theoretical frameworks for how sparse neural populations maintain accurate internal representations of continuous variables, as demonstrated in her 2024 Nature Neuroscience paper Systems Neuroscience : Investigating neural circuit mechanisms for spatial navigation and action selection using Drosophila connectomics (eLife 2021) Biomedical Modeling : Applying mathematical techniques to liver metabolism systems (Mathematical Biosciences and Engineering 2019) Dr. Noorman's publication record shows steady output in high-impact journals with increasing visibility, as evidenced by Altmetric attention including Wikipedia references and news coverage. Her collaborative approach integrates theoretical and experimental neuroscience through partnerships with major research institutions. The lab emphasizes quantitative approaches to neuroscience, with opportunities for students to develop skills in neural data analysis, computational modeling, and interdisciplinary research. As an early-career faculty member, she is actively building her research program and likely has openings for motivated graduate students with strong mathematical backgrounds.