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Ahmad HaririView profile

Professor

• Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Molecular Genetics
• +3 more

Professor Ahmad Hariri is a faculty member in the Department of Psychology & Neuroscience at Duke University, part of the Trinity College of Arts & Sciences. He holds affiliations with the Duke-UNC Brain Imaging and Analysis Center, the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, and the Duke Initiative for Science & Society. His research integrates neuroimaging, pharmacology, and molecular genetics to study biological pathways underlying individual differences in behavior and psychopathology risk. Education: Ph.D. in Psychology from UCLA (2000), M.S. and B.S. in Psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park (1997, 1994). Research interests include understanding how genetic and environmental factors influence brain function and behavior, with a focus on psychopathology, stress, and resilience. His work explores neural correlates of traits like psychopathy, childhood adversity effects on brain structure, and biomarkers of aging. Recent studies highlight links between lead exposure and neurodegeneration, neighborhood disadvantage and dementia risk, and the role of brain connectivity in self-regulation. Key achievements include over 200 publications, including high-impact papers in Nature Aging , Neuron , and Biological Psychiatry . Honors include the APA Distinguished Scientific Award for Early Career Contribution (2009) and being named a Highly Cited Researcher (2014). Grants include leadership roles in the Duke-NCCU Postdoctoral Training Program in Child Psychiatric Conditions and the Duke Psychiatry Physician-Scientist Residency Program. He has contributed to editorial boards of journals like Cortex and Biology of Mood and Anxiety Disorders . Professional activities include mentoring in the Summer Neuroscience Program and serving as a Bass Connections Faculty Team Leader.

• Neuroscience
• Neurobiology
• Visual Neuroscience
• +3 more

Vincent Bonin is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Biology at KU Leuven's Faculty of Sciences. He is affiliated with the VIB-KU Leuven Center for Neuro Electronics Research Flanders (NERF) and the KU Leuven Brain Institute (LBI). His research focuses on neural circuits and visual neuroscience, with an emphasis on cortical and subcortical mechanisms of perception and plasticity. Research Interests: Vincent investigates visual coding, cortical connectivity, and brain circuit dynamics. His work spans topics like: Role of non-hierarchical visual pathways in perception Dendritic processing in the superior colliculus Cell type-specific connectivity in layer 2/3 visual cortex Astrocyte-mediated cortical plasticity Development of high-resolution intracortical visual prosthetics Recent Projects: • The contributions of non-hierarchical visual pathways to visual coding and perceptual behavior (2025-2028) • An investigation into cell type-specific connectivity rules in visual cortex (2024-2027) • Short- and long-term circuit mechanisms of motor rehabilitation after spinal cord injury (2024-2027)

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Systems Neuroscience
• Motor Systems
• +3 more

Mark Churchland is an Associate Professor of Neuroscience at Columbia University's Mortimer B Zuckerman Mind Behavior Institute. His research focuses on understanding neural dynamics in motor cortex, particularly how these dynamics generate movement patterns and contribute to neural prosthetics development. He is also a Co-director of the Grossman Center for the Statistics of Mind and a member of the Kavli Institute for Brain Science. Co-director, Grossman Center for the Statistics of Mind Member, Kavli Institute for Brain Science Member, Behavior Research Churchland's research investigates the computational properties of neural circuits in motor cortex, emphasizing how self-generated neural activity underpins movement. His work bridges theoretical neuroscience with practical applications in brain-machine interfaces (BMIs), translating basic science into technologies that restore movement capabilities by bypassing spinal cord injuries. Key themes include neural population dynamics, movement variability, and cortical preparation mechanisms. His publications reveal consistent exploration of neural dynamics in motor systems, focusing on population coding, variability suppression, and BMI algorithm design. Research spans both fundamental questions about cortical computation and translational efforts to enhance prosthetic devices through improved understanding of preparatory neural activity. McKnight Scholar Award Sloan Research Fellow NIH Director's New Innovator Award Program Searle Scholars Program Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Award in the Basic Biomedical Sciences Churchland has secured NIH grants for projects on dynamical systems in neuroscience (2012-2017). His collaborative work with Krishna Shenoy and colleagues at Stanford has produced foundational studies on cortical activity patterns and motor control. He actively participates in academic committees and research networks focused on computational neuroscience and mind-brain relationships.

Boubker ZaaimiView profile

Lecturer

• Neuroscience
• Neuromodulation
• Brain-Computer Interfaces
• +5 more

Dr. Boubker Zaaimi is a Lecturer in Neuroscience at Aston University, affiliated with the School of Life & Health Sciences under the College of Health and Life Sciences. His 15+ years of experience focus on implanting electrodes in animal models (rodents to primates) to study brain activity modulation, particularly in stroke and epilepsy contexts. He specializes in brain-machine interfaces, optogenetics, and closed-loop protocols to regulate neural activity. Key projects include the CANDO project (Newcastle University) and collaborations with DARPA and industry partners like Autifony Therapeutics. His research uses magnetoencephalography (MEG) to advance human brain activity recording and modulation techniques. Employment History: Multiple postdoctoral roles at Newcastle University, Northwestern University, and City College, NY, culminating in his current faculty position. Research Interests: Optogenetic control, neural dynamics in primates, spinal cord plasticity, and neuromodulation therapies. His work bridges basic science and clinical applications, with recent focus on non-invasive neurostimulation (e.g., brain-responsive music) and closed-loop systems for epilepsy management. Over 19 peer-reviewed articles highlight his contributions to understanding neural pathways and developing therapeutic interventions.

Mathew YarossiView profile

Assistant Professor

• Movement Neuroscience
• Motor Physiology
• Clinical Research
• +5 more

Mathew Yarossi is an Assistant Professor at Northeastern University with a joint appointment in the College of Engineering (Electrical and Computer Engineering) and Bouvé College of Health Sciences (Physical Therapy, Movement, and Rehabilitation Sciences). He holds a PhD from Rutgers University (2017) and joined Northeastern in 2022. Research Focus: His work bridges movement neuroscience, clinical research, and engineering, with emphasis on AI-driven solutions for rehabilitation. Key areas include physiological signal processing, neuromuscular control, and human-robot interaction. His NSF-funded project on dyadic object handover with robots highlights his interdisciplinary approach. Publications: Recent work explores VR-based interventions, EMG-driven prosthetics, and computational modeling of transcranial stimulation. His 2025 patent on virtual reality experiment design underscores his translational impact. Awards: Holds a patent for VR experiment systems (2025). Advising & Grants: Mentors students in PEAK Experiences programs and collaborates with the U.S. Army on AI applications in combat systems. His lab is part of the Institute for Experiential AI.

Sophie SchwartzView profile

Professor

• Sleep Neuroscience
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Neuroimaging (fMRI, hd-EEG, MEG)
• +7 more

Prof. Sophie Schwartz is a leading neuroscientist at the University of Geneva , where she heads the Sleep & Cognition Lab within the Faculty of Medicine . Her research integrates neuroimaging (fMRI, hd-EEG, MEG) , behavioral testing , and computational modeling to unravel the neural mechanisms underlying memory consolidation , emotion processing , and dreaming during sleep, while also developing clinical interventions to enhance sleep in neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Gabriele GrattonView profile

Professor

• Brain Function
• Brain Activity
• Event-related Optical Signal
• +7 more

Gabriele Gratton is a Professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and serves as a Theme Lead at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology. With over 178 research outputs, Gratton has established a distinguished career in cognitive neuroscience with a focus on brain function, aging, and neuroimaging techniques. Gratton's research interests center around brain function and activity , particularly using Event-related Optical Signal (EROS) and other neuroimaging methods. Key areas include optical imaging , aging effects on cognition , event-related brain potentials , and cerebrovascular health . Much of their work investigates how vascular health, fitness, and aging interact to affect brain structure and cognitive performance across the lifespan. The research portfolio shows a strong trend toward multimodal neuroimaging approaches, with recent work focusing on trimodal brain imaging techniques that simultaneously investigate human brain function. There's also significant emphasis on understanding how physical activity and fitness impact cognitive aging, white matter integrity, and cerebrovascular health. Association for Psychological Science Fellow (2006) Foundation of Augmented Cognition Award (2005) President of Society for Psychophysiological Research (2009) SPR Award for Distinguished Contributions to Psychophysiology (2019) SPR Early Career Award (1997) Gratton has received extensive recognition for their work, with publications being picked up by news outlets and shared across social media platforms. Their research has been referenced by numerous scholars, with several papers accumulating significant reader attention on academic platforms like Mendeley. Much of this work is conducted through the Beckman Institute, where Gratton leads research themes focused on advanced brain imaging and cognitive neuroscience.

Ramana VinjamuriView profile

Associate Professor

• Brain-Machine Interfaces
• Neuroprosthetics and Exoskeletons
• Machine Learning
• +4 more

Ramana Vinjamuri is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). He holds a secondary appointment as Visiting Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, India. His academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh (2008), M.S. in Bioinstrumentation from Villanova University (2004), and B.Tech. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Kakatiya University (2002). Dr. Vinjamuri's research focuses on Brain-Machine Interfaces (BMIs) for upper-limb prostheses control , neuroprosthetics and exoskeletons , machine learning in motor control , and neurophysiological signal processing . His work extends synergy-based models to control 37-dimensional hand movements, addresses human-robot interaction through emotionally intelligent systems, and develops neurotechnologies for substance use disorder using wearable sensors and AI. NSF CAREER Award (2019) NSF IUCRC BRAIN Center Planning Grant (2020) Harvey N Davis Distinguished Teaching Assistant Professor Award (2018) His publications demonstrate expertise in EEG and EMG signal analysis , deep learning for motor decoding , synergy modeling , and humanoid robot control . The Vinjamuri Lab at UMBC involves graduate, undergraduate, and high school researchers, with international collaborations in India and the US.

Katrina ChoeView profile

Assistant Professor

• Social Neuroscience
• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Oxytocin Signaling
• +4 more

Katrina Choe serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour at McMaster University and holds a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Neurobiology of Social Behaviour. Her research program investigates the multi-level neurobiological mechanisms underlying psychiatric disorders, with primary focus on autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and oxytocin signaling pathways. Her academic training includes: PhD in Neuroscience from McGill University (2013) Honours BSc in Zoology from University of Toronto (2002-2006) Postdoctoral Fellowship at UCLA (2013-2020) Dr. Choe's research employs an integrative approach spanning molecular, cellular, circuit, and network levels to examine how ASD-associated gene mutations disrupt social behavior. Current work centers on oxytocin signaling mechanisms in ASD, convergent neurobiological pathways across psychiatric disorders, and the role of glial cells in neural circuit function. Her lab utilizes advanced techniques including optogenetic fMRI, single-cell RNA sequencing, and multi-level behavioral assays in genetic mouse models. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals a clear research trajectory: early work (2015-2020) established foundational knowledge in vasopressin neuron regulation and salt homeostasis, while recent publications (2022-2025) demonstrate a focused shift toward ASD mechanisms, oxytocin signaling, and social circuit dysfunction using the Cntnap2 knockout model. This evolution reflects her transition from postdoctoral training to independent research leadership. Her scientific recognition includes: Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Neurobiology of Social Behaviour (2022) NIMH K99/R00 Award CIHR Postdoctoral Fellowship Dr. Choe actively mentors six graduate students across PhD and MSc programs while leading a dynamic research team comprising postdoctoral fellows, laboratory technicians, and undergraduate researchers. Her program receives substantial support from major grants including a 5-year CIHR Project Grant and NSERC Discovery Grant focused on 'The role of CASPR2 in central oxytocin system development.' The Choe Lab maintains active collaborations with leading neuroscience groups including the Bourque, Prager-Khoutorsky, and Cunningham labs, as evidenced by participation in the 4th 1000 Islands/Gananoque Meeting on Hypothalamic Mechanisms. Her laboratory, established in 2020, operates as a multidisciplinary hub utilizing molecular biology (qPCR, RNA-seq), advanced imaging (lightsheet, confocal), electrophysiology (in vitro and in vivo), and behavioral neuroscience approaches to investigate social behavior mechanisms. Current projects examine microglia-astrocyte-neuron interactions in social circuit function and the therapeutic potential of oxytocin for ASD-related social deficits.

• Immunopsychiatry
• Neuroimaging
• Psychiatry
• +5 more

Professor Neil Harrison is a Clinical Professor in Neuroimaging at Cardiff University's School of Medicine, leading the Immunopsychiatry Research Group at CUBRIC and the Haydn Ellis Building. He previously established the UK's first Clinical Immunopsychiatry Service in Sussex. His expertise spans neuroimaging, psychiatry, and immunology, focusing on how immune systems interact with brain function in mental illnesses like depression and Alzheimer’s. He holds grants from the MRC, Wellcome Trust, and Janssen Pharmaceutics. Education: PhD in Neuroscience from UCL’s Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, psychiatry training at the Maudsley Hospital and National Hospital for Neurology, Queen Square. Research interests include neuroinflammation’s role in mental health, with a focus on translational approaches like wearable technology for early disease detection. He chairs the Psychoneuroimmunology Research Society and advises the Wellcome Trust’s Clinical Interview Committee. Grants and collaborations include work on imaging brain inflammation, chronic fatigue mechanisms, and translational immunopsychiatry. His lab investigates neuroimaging biomarkers and clinical applications of immunological insights in mental health.

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Bilingualism
• Infant Cognition
• +3 more

Nuria Sebastian Galles is a Full Professor at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), affiliated with the Department of Engineering and the UPF Center of Studies in Natural and Artificial Intelligence. Her career includes roles as Associate Professor (University of Barcelona, 1988-2002) and Full Professor (since 2002). She leads the Speech Acquisition and Perception (SAP) Research Group and coordinates major projects such as the BRAINGLOT consortium on bilingualism and cognitive neuroscience. Dr. Galles has received notable awards including the James S. McDonnell Foundation Award and ICREA Academia Prize, and served on the European Research Council Scientific Council. Her research focuses on cognitive neuroscience, bilingualism, and infant language development, leveraging EEG, brain imaging, and behavioral studies. Education: PhD in Experimental Psychology (University of Barcelona, 1986), postdoctoral training at Max Planck Institute and LSCP-CNRS (Paris). Visiting scholarships include University of Pennsylvania, University College London, and University of Chicago. Research Interests: Bilingualism's impact on cognition, neurobiological foundations of language acquisition, infant speech perception, and social cognition. Current projects include ERC-funded studies on attention-language links and cognitive effects of walnut consumption in adolescents. Publications: Over 100 peer-reviewed articles in journals like Science , PNAS , and Developmental Science , with a focus on bilingualism, phonetic categorization, and social hierarchy processing in infants. Editor of Developmental Science and Language Learning and Development . Grants & Teams: ERC Advanced Grant (Under Control), Consolider-Ingenio 2010 (BRAINGLOT). Lab collaborations include multi-country studies on traffic pollution’s cognitive impact and walnut-based dietary interventions.

Karin H. JamesView profile

Professor

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Brain and Behavior
• +5 more

Karin H. James is a Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Indiana University Bloomington's College of Arts and Sciences, actively reviewing applications for Fall 2026 admissions. Her research program investigates how self-generated actions shape cognitive development through neural mechanisms. Her educational background includes: Post Doctoral Fellow, Vanderbilt University (2001-2003) Ph.D. in Psychology, University of Western Ontario (2001) M.A. in Psychology, University of Western Ontario (1998) B.S. in Psychology, University of Toronto (1996) B.A. in History, University of Toronto (1991) Dr. James' research centers on the neural correlates of learning, specifically how motor experience influences visual recognition across domains including object recognition, reading acquisition, language learning, and mathematical understanding. Using fMRI and behavioral methods, she examines how sensorimotor interactions during symbol production (e.g., handwriting) reconfigure brain networks for perception. Her work demonstrates that visual-motor contingency during learning creates lasting neural changes that enhance recognition, with implications for educational practices in literacy and numeracy development. Analysis of her 2018-2021 publications reveals consistent focus on embodied cognition principles, particularly how action-perception loops establish neural representations. Key themes include gesture-based learning in mathematics, visual-motor integration in symbol recognition, and category formation mechanisms, bridging cognitive neuroscience with developmental psychology through innovative methodologies like the MRItab neuroimaging tool. Dr. James maintains active membership in the Society for Research in Child Development (2007-present), Cognitive Neuroscience Society (2004-present), and Vision Sciences Society (2000-present), reflecting her interdisciplinary approach to learning mechanisms. As Director of Graduate Studies, she oversees program development and student mentorship while leading the Cognition and Action Neuroimaging Lab. Her research infrastructure includes specialized neuroimaging tools developed for naturalistic experimental paradigms, supporting investigations into how embodied experiences shape cognitive architecture from childhood through adulthood. The Cognition and Action Neuroimaging Lab develops cutting-edge methodologies like the MRItab touchscreen system to study naturalistic learning during fMRI scanning, focusing on how sensorimotor experiences during symbol production reconfigure neural networks for perception and recognition across developmental stages.

Kathryn Hess BellwaldView profile

Professor

• Algebraic Topology
• Homotopy Theory
• Neuroscience
• +4 more

Kathryn Hess Bellwald is a Full Professor at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in both the School of Life Sciences and School of Basic Sciences . She leads the Laboratory for Topology and Neuroscience and serves as Academic Director for the Euler Programme . Her work bridges pure mathematics and interdisciplinary applications in neuroscience, materials science, and data analysis. Education : PhD in Mathematics (MIT, 1989), preceded by positions at Stockholm, Nice, and Toronto universities. Her research spans algebraic topology , homotopy theory , operad theory , and algebraic K-theory , with applications in neuroscience and materials science . She has pioneered topological data analysis methods for classifying neuronal morphologies , microglia phenotypes , and nanoporous materials , creating a parameter-free framework linking neural network structure to activity. The 15 most recent publications highlight her work on topological inverse problems , neuroinflammation , and equivariant homotopy . These studies often involve collaborations with the Blue Brain Project and EPFL teams in neuroscience , machine learning , and materials science . Scientific Awards : Fellow, American Mathematical Society (2017); Distinguished Speaker, European Mathematical Society (2017); Crédit Suisse Teaching Prize (2012); Polysphère d'Or (2013); Full Member, Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences (2016); Chaire de la Vallée Poussin (2023); Fellow, Association for Women in Mathematics (2024). She has mentored numerous PhD students in mathematics and neuroscience, including Adélie Eliane Garin , Varvara Karpova , and Dimitri Zaganidis . Her EPFL Mathematics affiliations include the DIVISION MATH , while her Neuroscience lab operates under the Brain Mind Institute (BMI) in the School of Life Sciences (SV). Grants and collaborations are evident in her work on neurodegenerative diseases , synthetic materials , and machine learning frameworks .

Raj RajakumarView profile

Associate Professor

• Molecular Neuroscience
• Schizophrenia Mechanisms
• Autism Neurobiology
• +3 more

Dr. Raj Rajakumar is an Associate Professor at Western University's Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, cross-appointed with the Department of Psychiatry. His work focuses on molecular mechanisms underlying schizophrenia symptoms and autism neurobiology, employing animal models to study drug effects and neural signaling. He holds a PhD from the University of Western Ontario, with prior degrees in M.B.B.S. (University of Peradeniya) and M.Sc. (University of Western Ontario). Educations: Ph.D., Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario M.Sc., Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario M.B.B.S., Medicine, University of Peradeniya Research Interests: Molecular pathways in schizophrenia symptom manifestation Neurobiological basis of autism spectrum disorders Pharmacological interventions using antipsychotics and psychotropic drugs Neuroimaging techniques (fMRI, MRS) to study brain connectivity His research combines molecular biology, neuroanatomy, and behavioral assays in animal models to explore schizophrenia pathophysiology. Recent work includes maternal immune activation effects on fetal brain development, cannabinoid impact on executive function, and white matter inflammation in Alzheimer's models. Collaborations with Dr. W.J. Rushlow and others highlight translational research in neuropsychiatric disorders. Key contributions include automated MRI algorithms for medial temporal lobe analysis and longitudinal studies of glutamatergic deficits in schizophrenia. His work bridges basic science with clinical applications in mental health. Dr. Rajakumar's lab focuses on understanding brain circuitry disruptions in psychiatric disorders, with implications for novel therapeutic targets. No formal advisees are listed, but his research team actively engages in interdisciplinary collaborations.

Tyler PerrachioneView profile

Associate Professor

• Developmental disorders of language and reading
• Human voice recognition
• Social auditory perception
• +3 more

Tyler Perrachione is an Associate Professor at the Department of Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences within Sargent College at Boston University. He holds affiliations with the Department of Biomedical Engineering. His research focuses on developmental disorders of language and reading, human voice recognition, and the neural mechanisms underlying auditory perception and plasticity. He leads the Communication Neuroscience Research Laboratory, exploring speech processing efficiency, talker adaptation, and atypical neurodevelopment in conditions like autism and dyslexia. Education: Ph.D. in Neuroscience (MIT), M.A. and B.A. in Linguistics and Cognitive Science (Northwestern University). His work bridges cognitive neuroscience, audiology, and clinical linguistics, with a strong emphasis on neuroimaging and behavioral experimental methods. Key interests include how listeners adapt to vocal identity, the role of auditory cortex plasticity in speech processing, and the neural correlates of phonological deficits in reading disabilities. Research highlights include studies on cerebro-cerebellar connectivity in autism, the impact of musical training on auditory coding, and the efficacy of noninvasive neurostimulation in speech motor learning. His interdisciplinary approach addresses both fundamental science and clinical applications, such as improving language interventions for neurodevelopmental disorders.