Gianmarco Pinton is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His research focuses on nonlinear ultrasound and mechanical wave propagation, with applications to medical imaging and therapy. He specializes in traumatic brain injury, shear shock waves, and ultrasound therapy. Ph.D., M.S., and B.S.E. in Biomedical Engineering/Physics from Duke University His lab develops physics and simulation tools for nonlinear wave propagation, aiming to create advanced diagnostic ultrasound methods. Key areas include traumatic brain injury, transcranial imaging, and therapeutic ultrasound. His recent work explores super-resolution imaging, brain motor circuits, and Alzheimer's disease vascular mapping using ultrasound. Article trends highlight innovations in transcranial ultrasound, super-resolution techniques, lung imaging, and neuromodulation. His publications address image degradation, contrast agents, and shear wave dynamics in neurological contexts.
Sai Zhang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Florida (UF), holding affiliations with the College of Public Health & Health Professions and College of Medicine. He is also an Affiliate Faculty in the J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering at the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering. Previously, he was an Instructor at Stanford University School of Medicine and a Research Associate at the VA Palo Alto Epidemiology Research and Information Center (ERIC). Dr. Zhang completed his Ph.D. in Computer Science and Technology at Tsinghua University, followed by postdoctoral training in Dr. Michael Snyder’s lab at Stanford Genetics. His research integrates machine learning, genomics, and precision medicine to uncover genomic bases of complex diseases. Key focuses include developing algorithms for multiomic data analysis, modeling genotype-phenotype relationships, and leveraging deep learning for biological sequence analysis. His work emphasizes cell-type-specific mechanisms in diseases like ALS, coronary artery disease, and neurodegenerative disorders. Notable contributions include frameworks for polygenic risk scoring (e.g., PRS-Net), biomarker discovery for ALS, and tools for time-to-event prediction in neurological diseases. He leads the Zhang Laboratory, advancing computational systems for precision health applications.
Dr. Manuel Carro Dominguez is a Researcher at the Department of Neural Control of Movement, ETH Zürich. His work focuses on understanding the neural mechanisms underlying sleep dynamics, arousal regulation, and their impact on motor performance and cardiovascular function. He specializes in techniques such as auditory stimulation, pupil-based neurofeedback, and EEG/ECG monitoring to explore sleep oscillations, cortical excitability, and their clinical applications. His research bridges neuroscience, biomedical engineering, and sleep medicine, with a particular emphasis on enhancing human physiology through targeted interventions during sleep. Key research interests include: sleep modulation via auditory stimuli, pupilometry as a marker of arousal states, and the development of medical devices for gas sensing and closed-loop biofeedback systems. His studies often integrate multidisciplinary approaches to address translational challenges in neurophysiology and cardiovascular health. Recent publications highlight advancements in auditory stimulation effects on cardiac function, the role of K-complexes in sleep dynamics, and the design of gas sensing technologies for biomedical applications. His work contributes to both fundamental neuroscience and applied biomedical engineering, aiming to improve clinical outcomes through innovative sleep-based interventions.
Andrew J. Todd is a Professor and Honorary Fellow in the School of Psychology & Neuroscience at the University of Glasgow. His research focuses on neurochemistry and synaptic connections in the mammalian spinal cord, particularly the organization of neuronal circuits underlying pain and itch perception. He employs techniques like immunocytochemistry, confocal microscopy, and electron microscopy. Collaborations include researchers from institutions such as UCL, Saga University, and the University of Pittsburgh. His work is funded by the Wellcome Trust and BBSRC. Roles: Professor, Honorary Fellow Affiliations: School of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of Glasgow Research Interests Dr. Todd investigates spinal dorsal horn circuits, including projection neurons, interneurons, and synaptic plasticity. Key topics include: Neurochemical characterization of spinal neurons Role of neuropeptides like substance P and gastrin-releasing peptide Mechanisms of neuropathic pain and spinal circuit adaptations Functional roles of specific neuron populations in laminae I-III Articles Overview Recent work includes studies on spinal projection neuron markers (e.g., Tacr1, Gpr83), synaptic circuits involving GRP-expressing neurons, and interneuron subtypes' roles in pain/itch. Notable findings include the absence of neuronal loss in neuropathic pain models and the identification of novel spinal circuits. Grants & Funding Funded by the Wellcome Trust and BBSRC . Collaborations span international institutions, emphasizing spinal neurobiology and sensory processing.
Leigh David is a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Manchester, holding the Sir Samuel Hall Chair since 2014. Previously, he held prestigious roles such as the Forbes Chair of Organic Chemistry at the University of Edinburgh (2001–2012) and Chair of Synthetic Chemistry at the University of Warwick (1998–2001). His research focuses on synthetic molecular machines, supramolecular chemistry, and molecular knots, with notable contributions to the design of molecular motors and catenanes. David earned a BSc (Special Honours) and PhD in Chemistry from the University of Sheffield (1981–1987). He conducted postdoctoral research at the National Research Council of Canada (1987–1989) before joining the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, where he advanced from Lecturer (1989–1996) to Readership (1996–1998). His research interests include developing synthetic strategies for molecular-scale machines, exploring applications in nanotechnology, and investigating dynamic covalent chemistry. Key areas involve creating molecular knots, interlocked structures, and systems capable of programmable motion. David has received numerous accolades, including the Royal Society Bakerian Medal (2013), ERC Advanced Grants (2008, 2014), and the Feynman Prize for Nanotechnology (2007). His work has been recognized globally through fellowships in the Royal Society (2009) and Royal Society of Edinburgh (2005). He leads a research group advancing molecular robotics and has secured major grants, such as the EPSRC Senior Research Fellowship (2005–2010). His lab focuses on translating molecular systems into functional devices with applications in materials science and biotechnology.
Professor David Abbink is a Full Professor of Haptic Human-Robot Interaction at Delft University of Technology, holding a joint appointment between the Department of Cognitive Robotics in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Design Engineering since November 2023. He founded the Delft Haptics Lab and co-founded the Cognitive Robotics Department in 2017. Abbink leads the transdisciplinary research and innovation centre FRAIM, which was awarded the prestigious NWO Stevin Premie (Dutch Nobel Prize equivalent) in June 2024. Trained as a mechanical engineer specializing in biomechanics, Abbink's research focuses on human behavior adaptations when interacting with autonomous systems. He has published over a hundred scientific articles on human-robot interaction, haptics, shared control, tele-operation, driver assistance systems, and sensorimotor control. His research has been funded by industry partners (Nissan, Boeing, Renault), RVO (Brightsky project 2022-2026), and the Dutch Science Foundation NWO through personal grants (VENI 2010-2014, VIDI 2015-2019). Abbink's recent work centers on worker-robot relations as an academic focus, collaborating with organizations like Erasmus Medical Centre for nursing work, Schiphol and KLM for baggage handling, and KLM Engine Repair Services for maintenance work. He also serves as scientific director for the Centre for Meaningful Human Control, launched in October 2024. His work bridges engineering, social sciences, and practical applications to responsibly shape the future of work with emerging robotic capabilities. NWO Stevin Premie (2024) Best IEEE SMC journal paper on Cybernetics (2019) Top 25 scientific talents according to New Scientist (2015) Best teacher of Faculty 3mE (2013, 2014) Best teacher of Department of BioMechanical Engineering (seven consecutive years) Abbink has supervised over 110 MSc students and 11 PhD students. His educational contributions include developing the Master Programme in Robotics at TU Delft and receiving international recognition for his course 'The Human Controller.' He is also a prominent science communicator, featured on national television, radio, and major Dutch newspapers, and has delivered lectures at venues like The Royal Institution and Lowlands Festival. Despite his academic commitments, Abbink maintains a drummer persona, having recorded four albums and performed over 400 shows across three continents between 1999-2014.
Jacob Young, MD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine and a Principal Investigator in the UCSF Brain Tumor Center. His clinical practice focuses on neurosurgical management of adult brain tumors including gliomas, metastatic tumors, and meningiomas, utilizing advanced brain mapping techniques to preserve critical motor, language, and sensory functions during resection. Dr. Young's educational background includes a BS in Neuroscience from Duke University (2012), an MD from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine where he was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society (2017), and a neurosurgery residency at UCSF (2017-2024). His research program integrates laboratory investigations with clinical trials to address fundamental challenges in brain tumor treatment. His primary research interests center on understanding glioblastoma immune microenvironment dynamics and developing innovative therapeutic strategies. Key focus areas include: First-in-human clinical trials of novel immunotherapies Focused ultrasound-mediated blood-brain barrier disruption to enhance drug delivery Longitudinal molecular profiling of tumor evolution during treatment AI-driven tools for patient care navigation and clinical trial assessment Prospective outcomes research through the RANO resect group and NeuroPoint Alliance His work bridges fundamental tumor biology with translational applications to overcome treatment resistance. Analysis of Dr. Young's 15 most recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong emphasis on surgical innovation, tumor immunology, and molecular characterization. Key trends include: development of prognostic classification systems for resection extent, investigation of glioma-neuronal circuit interactions driving immunosuppression, and optimization of drug delivery strategies. His collaborative work within the RANO consortium establishes evidence-based surgical guidelines while his lab's focus on microenvironmental factors informs next-generation immunotherapies. Dr. Young has received significant recognition including: Chan-Zuckerberg Physician Scientist Fellowship (2021-2022) ASCO Young Investigator Award (2022-2023) Andrew J. Lockhart Focused Ultrasound Fellowship (2023) Multiple Harold Rosegay Teaching Awards from UCSF Howard Naffziger Award for Clinical Excellence His research is supported by NIH, NCI, Focused Ultrasound Foundation, and AANS grants. As lab director, Dr. Young mentors a diverse team including PhD candidates like Edward Valenzuela (DSCB program) and specialists in immunology and neuro-oncology. His lab participates in the RANO resect group, ENCRAM research program, and NeuroPoint Alliance to advance clinical protocols. Current projects include developing intraoperative focused ultrasound prototypes, single-cell analysis of tumor evolution, and AI tools for patient navigation through care pathways. Future work focuses on translating microenvironment discoveries into combination therapies targeting treatment resistance mechanisms.
Dr. Barbara L. Hempstead is a Professor of Neuroscience and Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College, where she has held positions since 2001 and 2002 respectively. Her research focuses on neurotrophin signaling mechanisms, particularly the roles of BDNF and its receptors in neuroinflammation, synaptic plasticity, and neurodegenerative diseases. She has made significant contributions to understanding proBDNF/proNGF signaling pathways in neuronal apoptosis and vascular biology. Education: M.D., Ph.D., Washington University School of Medicine (1982) B.A., Tufts University (1976) Dr. Hempstead's work bridges molecular neuroscience and cardiovascular biology, with a particular interest in receptor stoichiometry (p75NTR, TrkB), neurotrophin-induced synaptic remodeling, and therapeutic applications of neurotrophin modulators in Huntington's disease and post-seizure neuronal injury. Her lab investigates how genetic variants like BDNF Val66Met influence anxiety-related behaviors, social memory, and neurodegenerative disease progression through altered neurotrophin trafficking and signaling. Her recent publications highlight neuroinflammatory mechanisms (2023), immune-neurotrophin interactions (2022), and molecular pathways involving BDNF prodomain structure (2020) and SorCS2-mediated receptor trafficking (2017-2020). While no scientific awards are explicitly mentioned in the scraped text, her funded research (National Institute on Aging, NIMH) demonstrates sustained recognition of her work in neurotrophin biology. Dr. Hempstead's lab develops in vitro and in vivo models to study neurotrophin-receptor dynamics, including 3D culture systems for angiogenesis research and transgenic mouse models for Huntington's disease. Her interdisciplinary approach combines molecular neurobiology with vascular physiology to uncover novel therapeutic targets for neurological and cardiovascular conditions.
Dr. Andrew Bassett serves as Head of the Cellular and Gene Editing Research group at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, where he develops cutting-edge genome engineering techniques using human pluripotent stem cells to investigate neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. His work focuses on scaling genetic screening approaches and improving CRISPR specificity for modeling complex disease mechanisms. His academic training includes: PhD at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (MRC-LMB) with Andrew Travers on chromatin remodelling in heterochromatin formation Postdoctoral research with David Baulcombe at the University of Cambridge studying small RNA roles in chromatin modification Additional postdoctoral work with Chris Ponting at the MRC Functional Genomics Unit (MRC-FGU) in Oxford, where he pioneered CRISPR applications in Drosophila Bassett's research program centers on developing advanced genome engineering methodologies for precise modulation of gene expression networks during development and neurodegeneration. His group specializes in creating complex editing events (SNPs, paired knockouts, enhancer perturbations) within iPSC-derived models, with particular emphasis on epigenetic regulation and transcriptional control. Current projects integrate single-cell 'omics and phenotypic assays to decode genetic causes of neurodegenerative disorders through the OpenTargets consortium. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals dominant trends in CRISPR technology development (35%), neurodegenerative disease modeling (30%), and single-cell functional genomics (25%). His work consistently bridges methodological innovation with disease mechanism studies, increasingly incorporating multi-omics approaches and expanding into cancer immunology and infectious disease applications since 2022. As group leader, Bassett mentors postdoctoral researchers and PhD students while securing major funding for genome engineering initiatives. His team operates within the Sanger Institute's Cellular Operations division and maintains critical partnerships with the OpenTargets consortium for therapeutic target validation. The laboratory specializes in high-throughput screening platforms using iPSC-derived neural and microglial models, with recent methodological advances including scSNV-seq and ONE-STEP tagging systems that significantly enhance precision genome editing capabilities.
Rita Aiello is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at New York University's College of Arts & Science. Her research focuses on the cognitive and perceptual processes involved in musical listening, with particular emphasis on neuroaesthetics, music learning, and memory. She holds an Ed.D. from Columbia University and has held faculty positions at institutions including the Juilliard School and the Manhattan School of Music. Her work bridges music theory, cognitive science, and education, with a lifelong background as a classical pianist. Education: Columbia University (Ed.D.), Manhattan School of Music (M.M., B.M.), Conservatorio San Pietro a Maiella (Diploma in Music Theory) Certifications: Kodály and Orff Methods Her research explores how musical training influences cerebral dominance, the relationship between mental representations and emotional responses to music, and the cognitive underpinnings of musical memory. She has published widely on topics ranging from musical expectation to pedagogical strategies for memorization. Recent work investigates evolutionary perspectives on singing and the psychological mechanisms behind musical communication. Publications reflect interdisciplinary engagement with music's structural rules, metaphorical dimensions, and its role in human cognition. While no specific grants or awards are listed, her extensive international teaching experience includes visiting roles at institutions in Rome and Lugano, Switzerland, and an honorary appointment at Columbia University's Teachers College.
Joe Paton is a Professor and Principal Investigator at the Champalimaud Neuroscience Programme, Champalimaud Foundation in Lisbon, Portugal. He leads the Paton Lab which focuses on understanding how animals determine which environmental cues are predictive of behaviorally relevant events, known as the credit assignment problem. His research combines behavioral experiments with neurophysiological recordings in rodents to investigate neural mechanisms of time perception and decision making. Dr. Paton's research interests center on interval timing, temporal processing in the brain, and the neural basis of learning. His work particularly examines how the striatum and dopamine systems contribute to time perception and how animals solve the credit assignment problem through statistical inference in the time domain. His lab employs advanced techniques including optogenetics, neural recordings, and computational modeling to address these questions. Analysis of Dr. Paton's recent publications reveals a strong focus on striatal function in timing processes, with particular attention to how neural populations encode temporal information. His work bridges behavioral neuroscience with computational approaches, demonstrating how timing mechanisms influence decision making and learning processes. The research spans multiple levels from cellular mechanisms to behavioral outputs. Midbrain dopamine neurons control judgment of time (2016) Striatal dynamics explain duration judgments (2015) A Scalable Population Code for Time in the Striatum (2015) The Neural Basis of Timing: Distributed Mechanisms for Diverse Functions (2018) Dr. Paton has mentored numerous PhD students and postdoctoral researchers through the INDP (International Neuroscience Doctoral Program) and supervises a diverse team including research technicians, postdocs, and students. His lab has contributed significantly to understanding the neural basis of time perception and its role in learning and decision making. The Paton Lab also develops experimental tools and frameworks like Bonsai for behavioral neuroscience research.
Eun Kyoung Choe is an Associate Professor in the College of Information at the University of Maryland, College Park. She returned to UMD in Fall 2024 after a year-long sabbatical at Seoul National University’s Computer Science Department. Her research bridges Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Health Informatics, and Ubiquitous Computing, with a focus on designing inclusive and accessible health technologies for marginalized populations such as blind and low-vision individuals, older adults, and stroke survivors. She earned her BS from KAIST, MIMS from the University of California, Berkeley, and PhD in Information Science from the University of Washington, where she received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2024. Her research focuses on creating technologies that empower individuals to manage their health through personalized and accessible systems. Key areas include personal informatics, semi-automated tracking, teachable interfaces, and mobile data visualization. She investigates how people reflect on personal data and how visualizations can support insight generation, particularly on mobile devices. Her work emphasizes inclusive design, addressing health disparities through accessible technologies. The trends in her recent publications reveal a strong focus on health equity, aging, and rehabilitation. Her research spans activity tracking for older adults, stroke recovery systems, and inclusive health technologies for people with disabilities. She leverages mixed-methods approaches, co-design, and user-centered development to build systems that are both technically sound and socially impactful. Distinguished Alumni Award, University of Washington, 2024 Dr. Choe has advised several students and researchers, including Young-Ho Kim, Diana Chou, and Sabahat Fatima, and leads interdisciplinary teams on projects funded by NSF, NIH, and Microsoft Research. Her major projects include MyMove (personalized activity tracking for older adults), mHealth platforms for stroke survivors, and OmniTrack (flexible self-tracking tools). She has served on editorial boards of PACM IMWUT and Foundations and Trends in HCI and co-chaired the Health Subcommittee for CHI (2021–2023). Her work continues to advance the frontiers of accessible and human-centered health technologies. She leads the Inclusive and Accessible Health Tracking Lab, where her team develops technologies in collaboration with users from marginalized communities. The lab emphasizes participatory design, real-world deployment, and ethical considerations in health technology development.
Professor Tim Denison FREng holds a joint appointment in the Department of Engineering Science and Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Oxford, where he serves as the Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technologies and an MRC Investigator. His research focuses on the fundamentals of physiologic closed-loop systems and developing next-generation neural interface technologies for treating chronic neurological diseases. Professor Denison received his A.B. in Physics from The University of Chicago, followed by M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering from MIT. He later completed an MBA at The University of Chicago, where he was named a Wallman Scholar. His research spans neural engineering, closed-loop neuromodulation systems, and computational neuroscience, with particular emphasis on deep brain stimulation, neural oscillations, and adaptive neurostimulation techniques. His work integrates engineering principles with clinical neuroscience to develop innovative treatments for neurological disorders. Professor Denison's approach combines computational modeling with experimental validation to optimize brain stimulation parameters for individual patients. Professor Denison has received numerous prestigious awards, including membership in the Bakken Society (2012, Medtronic's highest technical honor), the Wallin leadership award (2014), election to the College of Fellows for the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering (2015), and recognition as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (FREng). As a former Technical Fellow at Medtronic PLC and Vice President of Research & Core Technology for the Restorative Therapies Group, Professor Denison brings significant industry experience to his academic work. His research group focuses on developing advanced neurostimulation technologies that incorporate chronobiology principles and adaptive algorithms to improve treatment outcomes for neurological conditions.
Professor Andrew Jackson of Newcastle University is a leading researcher in neuroscience and neuroengineering, focusing on neural interfaces, optogenetics, and epilepsy. His work spans brain-computer interfaces, spinal cord stimulation, and sleep-dependent memory processes. Key research areas: closed-loop optogenetic systems, motor cortex dynamics, cerebellar-neocortical communication, and seizure pathway analysis. Collaborations with experts like Dr. Boubker Zaaimi, Professor Yujiang Wang, and Dr. Wei Xu. Develops implantable low-power platforms for real-time neural monitoring and stimulation. His recent publications highlight advancements in neuroprosthetics for motor recovery post-stroke/spinal injury, cortical chloride homeostasis in epilepsy, and mechanisms of brain self-regulation during movement and sleep. Technologies pioneered include flexible neural electrodes, temperature self-monitoring optoelectronics, and wearable bioelectrical signal systems. His work integrates computational neuroscience with clinical applications in motor disorders and epilepsy.
Dr. Gary Glover is a Professor of Radiology (Radiological Sciences Lab) at Stanford University , with courtesy appointments in Psychology and Electrical Engineering. His work focuses on the physics and mathematics of MRI, particularly rapid scanning methods using spiral k-space trajectories for functional brain imaging and multimodal neuroimaging (fMRI/EEG/fPET/fNIRS) combined with neuromodulation techniques like TMS and transcranial ultrasound. Academic Appointments: Radiology, Psychology, Electrical Engineering Professional Affiliations: Bio-X, Stanford Cancer Institute, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute Research Interests include: Development of blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) and viscoelastic contrast in MRI Functional MR Elastography for brain activation mapping Optimization of MR-ARFI for transcranial ultrasound guidance Automated spinal cord segmentation (EPISeg) using machine learning Scientific Awards : National Academy of Engineering (2013) Gold Medal, ISMRM (2000) Steinmetz Award, General Electric (1985) Lauterbur Lecture, ISMRM (2018) Recent Publications analyze: Fast fMRI sampling and spurious signal correction Dissociated patterns in default mode network anti-correlations Neural correlates of collaborative behavior in triadic fMRI Salience network contributions to depression pathophysiology
