Andreas Schmidt is affiliated with the University of Kassel, Germany, and holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Koblenz and Landau (2022). His research spans interdisciplinary domains including artificial intelligence, business management, and neuroscience. He has published extensively in journals like NeuroImage, SIAM Journal on Scientific Computing, and Remote Sensing of Environment, demonstrating expertise in computational methods, neural networks, and applied data science. Key research themes include propagation network modeling, home-office productivity analysis, and autonomous driving safety frameworks. His work integrates technical innovation with practical applications, such as optimizing district heating systems and advancing neurovascular coupling studies in primates. While no formal awards are listed, his contributions reflect impactful interdisciplinary collaboration across computer science, environmental science, and medical imaging.
Prof. Dr. Julia Sacher is a Professor of Cognitive Neuroendocrinology at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences and the Medical Faculty of Leipzig University. She leads the Cognitive Neuroendocrinology Group, focusing on hormonal influences on brain structure and function across lifespan transitions like the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause. Her work integrates neuroimaging, clinical research, and AI to address sex/gender disparities in mental and brain health. Education: MD and PhD from Medical University of Vienna, postdoctoral training at the University of Toronto, and NIH-funded fellowships at the University of Pittsburgh and Stanford. Awards include the Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship and Branco Weiss Fellowship. Research Interests: Hormonal regulation of brain networks, neuroendocrine mechanisms in mood disorders, and translational applications of AI in neuroimaging. Key projects include studying serotonin dynamics in premenstrual dysphoric disorder and linking maternal mood to infant development. Publications span 200+ peer-reviewed articles, including high-impact work in Science, JAMA, and Biological Psychiatry. Scientific leadership roles include editorial boards and international advisory roles in mental health initiatives.
Birgit Nierula is a Researcher at the Fraunhofer HHI within the Interactive & Cognitive Systems Group , part of the Vision and Imaging Technologies department. Her work focuses on human-computer interaction, emotion recognition, electrophysiology, and brain-machine interfaces. She explores non-invasive electrophysiological methods to study spinal cord activity, somatosensory processing, and neural dynamics across the central nervous system. Her research also delves into the psychological and physiological aspects of agency, responsibility, and pain perception in virtual environments and neurorehabilitation contexts. Her research interests include: Development of brain-computer interface (BCI) paradigms for movement control and neurorehabilitation Analysis of somatosensory and cardiac signals through electrophysiological techniques Investigation of body ownership and agency in immersive virtual reality (VR) environments Impact of expectation and sensory modulation on pain perception and neural responses Her publications emphasize methodological advancements in artifact removal for spinal-cord electrophysiology and interdisciplinary research at the intersection of neuroscience, biomedical engineering, and human-computer interaction. Current projects address the ethical and perceptual implications of BCI technologies and the translation of neurophysiological insights into clinical applications.
Jieun Han is a researcher with a focus on interdisciplinary research spanning natural language processing, education technology, healthcare informatics, and wireless communications. Her work often integrates AI tools like ChatGPT into educational settings and explores applications of robotics and UAV systems in healthcare and communication. Co-authored publications indicate collaboration with institutions in South Korea and international partners. Research interests include AI-driven education systems (e.g., EFL writing support), multimodal safety testing for vision-language models, and task planning with large language models. Technical contributions include UAV-based localization systems, VR environments for cognitive assessment, and provenance compression for large datasets. Recent publications (2023-2025) highlight innovations in automated essay scoring, chatbot integration in language learning, and beamforming algorithms for 3D sidelobe suppression. Collaborations span computer science, electrical engineering, and health informatics domains.
Filippo Gabriele Pratticò is a researcher at Politecnico di Torino , Department of Control and Computer Engineering (DAUIN). His work focuses on Virtual Reality (VR) , Mixed Reality (MR) , and Extended Reality (XR) systems, particularly in applications for rehabilitation, robotic training, and autonomous vehicle communication. Key Research Areas : VR/AR/MR systems, haptic interfaces, digital twinning, immersive training platforms. Recent Trends : Design of multimodal interfaces for AV safety, MR exergames for neurological disorders, and 6G-enabled telepresence systems. Scientific Awards : Not explicitly mentioned in available records. Advising & Collaborations : Frequently collaborates with Fabrizio Lamberti and Davide Calandra on projects involving robotic gaming , prosthetic limb simulation , and XR training systems .
Dr. Katharina Bock is a sociologist and ethnographer currently serving as a Postdoctoral Researcher in subproject A03 of the Collaborative Research Center (SFB) 1472, specializing in youth subcultures with dual expertise in skateboarding and gangsta rap scenes. Her work examines how cultural meanings are communicatively constructed through embodied practices and digital media, while investigating intersections of gender, authority, and power relations within institutional settings like schools. Her academic foundation includes: Doctorate in Sociology Background in Linguistics Professional training in Journalism Specialized studies in Communication Dr. Bock's research centers on ethnographic methodologies applied to youth cultural production, with particular focus on aesthetic practices in gangsta rap, materiality of cultural appropriation, and cognitive dimensions of embodied activities. She analyzes how norm violations and virtual realities function as expressive tools for negotiating social orders, bridging cultural sociology, media studies, and subcultural theory through rigorous fieldwork. Analysis of her 2019-2025 publications reveals sustained investigation into gangsta rap's sociocultural mechanics, emphasizing narrative appropriation, virtuality concepts, and somatic dimensions. Her work demonstrates methodological innovation through rap video self-productions and confessional ethnography, with increasing attention to digital media's role in cultural knowledge transmission and the physicality of popular culture. Dr. Bock has been integral to the Collaborative Research Center 1472 since 2021, first contributing to subproject AG2 on social media common ground (2021-2024), and currently leading ethnographic research in subproject A03 on somatics of the popular. Her collaborative network includes significant work with Friederike Schmidt and Bernd Dollinger on ECHO Awards case studies and cognitive aspects of fieldwork. No information is available regarding student advising, research grants, or laboratory facilities beyond her documented project affiliations.
Prof. Dr. Martin Lachmair is a faculty member at DHBW Villingen-Schwenningen, where he serves as Professor and Program Leader in the Department of Business Informatics within the Faculty of Business. He holds a dual academic background in Computer Science and Cognitive Science, and his work bridges the fields of digitalization, human-computer interaction, and cognitive performance. His educational background includes a Diploma in Computer Science and a Ph.D. in Cognitive Science from the University of Tübingen. From 2013 to 2019, he worked as a Post-Doc Research Associate at the Leibniz Institute for Knowledge Media in Tübingen. He has been a professor at DHBW since 2020. Dr. Lachmair's research focuses on the impact of digital technologies—especially virtual and augmented reality—on human perception and cognitive functions. He explores how user experience can be optimized through data-driven, predictive analytics, with a strong emphasis on embodied and situated cognition. His teaching includes courses in Data Science, User Experience, Databases, and Data Management. His recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on spatial cognition, touchscreen interactions, language processing, and virtual environments. These works appear in high-impact journals such as Frontiers in Virtual Reality , Psychological Research , PLoS One , and Frontiers in Psychology . The articles reflect interdisciplinary trends combining cognitive psychology, linguistics, and computer science, particularly in experimental studies involving virtual interfaces and embodied metaphors. He is a member of the Society for Cognitive Science and actively participates in academic governance, currently serving on the Quality Management team at DHBW. While no scientific awards or student advisees are explicitly mentioned in the provided text, his extensive collaborative research indicates a strong network in cognitive and computer sciences. Dr. Lachmair is involved in research and lectures on virtual learning environments, human-computer interaction, and predictive analytics. He has no listed grants or lab affiliations, but his role as a program leader and active researcher suggests leadership in curriculum and research development within his department.
Riccardo Marin is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Computer Vision Group, Technical University of Munich (TUM), where he conducts advanced research in geometric deep learning and 3D shape analysis. He is affiliated with the Department of Computer Science within the College of Engineering. His research focuses on Spectral Shape Analysis , Shape Matching , Geometric Deep Learning , and Virtual Humans . He develops novel methods for 3D human modeling, registration, and generative modeling using neural fields and diffusion techniques. Recent publications highlight his work in creating realistic 3D avatars from single images, scalable neural registration pipelines, and continuous surface representations for deformable human modeling. His research bridges computer vision, machine learning, and computer graphics. ELLIS Member Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Alumni Marie Skłodowska-Curie Alumni Riccardo Marin has been supported by prestigious fellowships and research networks. He contributes to open science through public repositories and code releases. He is actively involved in developing cutting-edge tools for spectral shape analysis and 3D human modeling, with applications in virtual reality, animation, and human-computer interaction. He is associated with research projects and software including FARM (Functional Automatic Registration Method), NICP (Neural ICP), NSF (Neural Surface Fields), and Diff-FMAPs, indicating strong technical and algorithmic contributions in the field of 3D geometry and deep learning.
Prof. Dr. Dr. Anna-Sophia Wahl serves as Professor for Neuroanatomy at LMU Munich since July 2022, with dual affiliation as Principal Investigator at the Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD) and the Institute of Anatomy. She leads the Wahl Lab, focusing on understanding neuronal repair mechanisms after stroke and in vascular dementia. Her research integrates advanced imaging techniques, opto- and chemogenetics, and deep learning to explore causal relationships between neuronal rewiring and functional recovery in CNS injury. MD from Heidelberg University (2011) PhD (summa cum laude) from Brain Research Institute, ETH and University Zurich (2014) Board certified psychiatrist and psychotherapist (2021) Residency in Neurology (University Hospital Zurich, 2015) Residency in Psychiatry (Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, 2016-2020) Wahl's research centers on fundamental principles of neuronal repair following CNS injury. Her lab investigates how surviving neurons form new connections, how neural circuits reorganize, and how these changes contribute to functional outcomes. Using chronic in-vivo 2-photon calcium imaging in behaving animals, her team studies both motor recovery after cortical stroke and cognitive decline related to hippocampal micro-strokes. The lab develops innovative approaches combining deep learning with behavioral analysis to understand the microcircuitry of repair at cellular and network levels. Wahl's publication record demonstrates a progression from basic mechanisms of neuronal rewiring to translational applications for therapeutic development. Recent work increasingly focuses on the intersection of stroke recovery, dementia, and advanced imaging techniques, with growing emphasis on deep learning approaches for behavioral analysis and connections between vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Her research bridges fundamental neuroscience with clinical applications aimed at identifying therapeutic targets. Scientific Awards and Recognition 2022: SyNergy Professorship "Neuroanatomy", Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology 2021: Research Grant Synapsis Foundation, Demenz Forschung Schweiz 2020: Research Grant Swiss National Science Foundation (No. 192678) 2018: Branco Weiss Fellowship 2017: Junior Research Award of the Journal Brain Sciences 2014: Best publication award of the Swiss Society of Neuroscience Professor Wahl mentors a diverse research team comprising postdoctoral researchers, PhD students, and MD students working on various aspects of neuronal repair. Her lab receives substantial funding including an ERC Starting Grant (2025-2029), TRR 274 "Checkpoints of Central Nervous System Recovery" (2024-2028), and the SyNergy Professorship. Current projects examine motor recovery after large strokes, cognitive decline following micro-strokes, and the development of deep learning tools for behavioral analysis in neurological conditions. The Wahl Lab operates at the Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research with state-of-the-art facilities for chronic in-vivo 2-photon imaging, behavioral testing in virtual reality environments, and optogenetic manipulation. The lab maintains strong collaborations with the Center for Neuroscience Zurich and participates in multiple interdisciplinary research consortia focused on stroke recovery and dementia mechanisms.
Dr. Husain Najafi is a hydrological forecasting expert at the Department of Computational Hydrosystems within the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ). He specializes in operational early warning systems for floods and droughts, currently leading national-scale impact-based forecasting platforms in Germany while supporting international initiatives under the WMO's Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS) framework. Research Highlights Developed FFS4DE (Germany's experimental high-resolution flood forecast system) Created HS2S (Sub-seasonal Soil Moisture Forecast System for drought prediction) Contributed to UNDRR and IPCC aligned climate risk frameworks Active member of the IDMP expert network for drought management Scientific Contributions 2024 Nature Communications paper on 10-meter floodplain inundation modeling Recipient of UFZ Young Scientist Award 2022 for operational drought forecasting Key contributor to ESA 4DHydro project for hyperresolution hydrological modeling
Tobias Bonhoeffer is Director of the Department of Synapses - Circuits - Plasticity at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence (formerly Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology) in Martinsried, Germany, and Professor at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich since 2002. He also serves as Associate Professor at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) since 2014. His research spans multiple levels of analysis, from molecular studies to systems neuroscience, with a primary focus on synaptic plasticity mechanisms and visual system organization. Born January 9, 1960 in Berkeley, California, Bonhoeffer earned his Physics diploma from Eberhard-Karls University of Tübingen (1984) and completed his neurobiology doctorate at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics (1988). His postdoctoral work at Rockefeller University with Amiram Grinvald and Torsten Wiesel (1989-1990) was followed by research with Wolf Singer at the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research (1991-1992). He led a research group at the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry (1993-1998) before becoming Director at the Max Planck Institute in 1998. Bonhoeffer's lab has made seminal contributions to understanding how synaptic plasticity relates to structural changes in the brain. They demonstrated that growth and retraction of dendritic spines underlies synaptic plasticity, that these structural changes facilitate relearning of previously acquired information, and how experience shapes cortical maps. His current research employs advanced imaging techniques to study neural circuits at unprecedented resolution, examining how visual experience drives representational changes in cortical organization and how these relate to memory processes. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on mouse visual cortex organization, dendritic spine dynamics, and the relationship between structural and functional plasticity. His work increasingly incorporates computational approaches and advanced imaging methods to bridge cellular mechanisms with systems-level understanding of brain function. Member of the Academia Europaea (2003) Ernst Jung Prize for Medicine (2004) EMBO member (2006) Member of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina (2010) Member of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) (2020) Bonhoeffer has held significant advisory roles including Governor of the Wellcome Trust (2014-2021) and Scientific Advisor to the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (since 2016). His lab continues to pioneer new methodologies for studying neural plasticity, with recent work focusing on synaptic changes during learning, structural correlates of memory, and how neural circuits adapt to changing environmental demands in both virtual and real-world contexts. The Bonhoeffer Lab maintains extensive international collaborations and trains the next generation of neuroscientists. Their research program integrates multiple approaches including two-photon imaging, virtual reality behavioral paradigms, and computational modeling to unravel the complex relationship between structural and functional plasticity in neural circuits.
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.
Robert Haller is a Professor in the Faculty of Mathematics at Darmstadt University of Technology, where he specializes in analysis with a focus on partial differential equations and operator theory. His teaching portfolio includes core courses such as Analysis I and Mathematics for Civil Engineering, with upcoming courses scheduled for Winter semester 2025/26. Professor Haller's academic journey includes a PhD thesis titled "Methoden der Banachraum-wertigen Analysis und Anwendungen auf parabolische Probleme" (2004) and a Habilitation "Lp-Regularity Theory for Linear Elliptic and Parabolic Equations" (2008), both completed at TU Darmstadt. His educational background demonstrates deep expertise in mathematical analysis and its applications to parabolic problems. His research program centers on regularity theory for elliptic and parabolic partial differential equations, with particular emphasis on maximal parabolic regularity, divergence form operators with mixed boundary conditions, and non-smooth coefficients and domains. He has made significant contributions to the Kato square root problem and related areas in harmonic analysis and operator theory. His work bridges theoretical mathematics with practical applications in physics and engineering, particularly in areas like sea ice modeling and wave propagation. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent research trajectory focused on boundary value problems and operator theory in non-smooth settings. His work spans pure mathematical theory to applications in climate science, with a recurring theme of establishing regularity properties for solutions to partial differential equations under challenging conditions. Professor Haller actively contributes to the academic community through organizing the International Internet Seminar (ISem27/28) on Harmonic Analysis Techniques for Elliptic Operators, where he serves as a virtual lecturer alongside other leading mathematicians. This seminar provides a platform for master's students, PhD candidates, and post-docs to engage with cutting-edge techniques in harmonic analysis. His research collaborations include prominent mathematicians such as S. Bechtel, R.M. Brown, P. Tolksdorf, H. Meinlschmidt, and J. Rehberg, resulting in publications in prestigious journals including Journal of Evolution Equations, Advances in Mathematics, and Annales de l'Institut Fourier. These collaborations demonstrate his integration within the international mathematical community and his leadership in advancing the field of PDE analysis.
Prof. Dr. Kai-Ingo Voigt is a full Professor and Chairholder of Industrial Management at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU). He served as Dean of the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences (2003–2005) and has been Dean of Continuing Education since 2021. He holds cross-faculty membership in the Faculty of Engineering. Internationally, he is a Visiting Professor at Tongji University (Shanghai), Universidad de Alcalá (Spain), Babson College (USA), and the University of International Business and Economics (Beijing). His research focuses on technology and innovation management (especially business model innovation), creativity in organizations , industrial value creation ( Industry 4.0/5.0 with focus on automotive and engineering), procurement and production management , industrial/B2B platforms , and data-driven business models . Analysis of his recent publications reveals a dominant focus on the transformative impact of digital technologies (IoT, platforms, metaverse, blockchain) on industrial business models and value chains. Key themes include sustainability integration in manufacturing and supply chains, consumer acceptance of sustainable/tech innovations, organizational adaptability in digital transformation (especially for SMEs), and the evolving dynamics of work environments and creativity . Methodologically, his work employs case studies, experiments, and literature reviews across engineering and social science domains. He actively advises doctoral students, evidenced by extensive co-authorship on publications covering diverse aspects of digital industrial transformation, innovation management, and consumer behavior. He leads a research group focused on industrial management and digitalization, collaborating widely across disciplines and industries.
Roberto A. Gulli is a postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York City. He collaborates with Dr. Daniel Salzman (monkey behavior and neurophysiology) and Dr. Stefano Fusi (theoretical neuroscience). Research Interests: His research focuses on understanding how prior experience shapes decision-making via cortical and subcortical brain interactions, particularly in memory and decision-making disorders. Key areas include primate hippocampal and prefrontal cortex function, virtual reality paradigms for neurophysiological studies, neural coding during associative learning, and translational neuroscience for therapeutic development. Publication Trends: His work spans 2016–2024, emphasizing electrophysiology in nonhuman primates (NHPs), virtual reality toolkits, and neural mechanisms of memory and cognition. Recent studies (2024) explore visuospatial working memory, task-specific prefrontal cortex maps, and hippocampal plasticity, while earlier work (2020–2022) details computational theories of hippocampal function and neural codes in cognition. Scientific Awards: K99/R00 Transition to Independence Award through NINDS (2023) Additional Contributions: He co-developed a cross-species 3D virtual reality toolbox for neuroscience (2016), enabling precise behavioral and electrophysiological experiments. In 2024, he chaired the Gordon Research Seminar on The Neurobiology of Cognition.
