Non-Invasive Neuromodulation Professors and Supervisors

Agnes FlöelView profile

Professor

Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin)Germany

Prof Dr Agnes Flöel is a Professor at the University of Greifswald Medical School, where she leads research at the intersection of cognitive neuroscience, sleep physiology, and brain stimulation. Her work focuses on understanding neural mechanisms underlying memory formation and cognitive decline in aging, with particular emphasis on sleep-related processes and non-invasive brain stimulation techniques. Her research interests center on sleep physiology , cognitive neuroscience , and neurostimulation . Dr. Flöel investigates how slow oscillations, spindles, and delta waves interact during sleep to support memory consolidation, particularly in older adults and those with cognitive impairment. Her work extends to developing interventions combining cognitive training with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to enhance cognitive function in aging and early Alzheimer's disease. She also contributes to methodological advancements in sleep staging through deep learning approaches and addresses technical challenges in neuroimaging. Dr. Flöel's publication record demonstrates consistent productivity with multiple high-impact papers annually, primarily focused on sleep neuroscience, brain stimulation, and cognitive aging. Her work shows strong collaborative patterns with researchers across Germany, particularly within the SFB 1315 research consortium. Recent publications (2022-2024) increasingly incorporate computational approaches, deep learning, and multimodal neuroimaging to address fundamental questions about neural plasticity and memory. Her research has been supported through the Collaborative Research Center 1315 (SFB 1315) funded by the German Research Foundation, focusing on neuronal circuits in aging. Dr. Flöel serves as principal investigator for multiple clinical trials examining brain stimulation approaches for cognitive enhancement in older adults and those with mild cognitive impairment. Dr. Flöel leads a research group investigating sleep-brain interactions in aging, collaborating closely with computational neuroscientists, neurologists, and psychologists. Her team utilizes multimodal approaches including EEG, MRI, and behavioral assessments to understand neural mechanisms of cognitive decline and potential interventions.

Official University Profile

Sandra CarvalhoView profile

Assistant Professor

ISPA - University Institute of Psychological, Social, and Life SciencesPortugal

Sandra Carvalho is an Assistant Professor of Neuropsychology at the Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, where she serves as Director of the Psychology Course and Coordinator of the Translational Neuropsychology Laboratory. Her work integrates clinical practice with cutting-edge research in neuromodulation and neuroimaging to address complex psychiatric and neurological conditions. Her research program focuses on non-invasive brain stimulation techniques including transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), combined with EEG and fMRI methodologies. She investigates neuronal and behavioral correlates of clinical responses across diverse conditions such as neuropathic pain, obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders, major depression, Tourette’s syndrome, and post-stroke cognitive rehabilitation. This work spans basic neuroscience, translational applications, and clinical trial implementation. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strategic emphasis on personalized neuromodulation protocols, with growing attention to brain connectivity mapping through neuroimaging. Key trends include optimizing tDCS parameters for depression treatment, developing combined tDCS-cognitive therapy approaches, and expanding applications to language rehabilitation in aphasia and autonomic regulation in emotion processing. Dr. Carvalho leads the Translational Neuropsychology Laboratory, which operates at the intersection of neuroscience, psychology, and clinical medicine. The laboratory prioritizes rapid translation of mechanistic findings into practical clinical interventions, particularly through evidence-based neuromodulation frameworks for treatment-resistant psychiatric and neurological conditions.

Official University Profile

Michael NitscheView profile

Professor

Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human FactorsGermany

Prof. Dr. Michael Nitsche serves as Professor and Head of the Department of Psychology & Neuroscience at the Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors at TU Dortmund University. Elected to the prestigious Leopoldina, National Academy of Sciences in 2021, he has established himself as a leading researcher in brain stimulation techniques. Previously, he served as Senior physician and Head of Epileptology at the Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University Medical Center Göttingen from 2006 to 2015. His academic background includes: Psychology studies at Georg-August-University Göttingen (1987-1995) Medical studies at Georg-August-University Göttingen (1991-1998) Diploma in Psychology (1995) Promotion to Dr. medical (2000) Habilitation, Venia legendi in Neurology (2006) Prof. Nitsche's research program focuses on neuromodulation mechanisms, particularly how transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) influences neuroplasticity across different populations. His laboratory investigates how individual factors like age, chronotype, and pharmacological conditions modulate brain responses to stimulation. His work bridges basic neuroscience with clinical applications for neurological and psychiatric conditions. Analysis of his publication record reveals a consistent research trajectory with increasing focus on individual differences in response to brain stimulation, optimization of protocols for specific populations (particularly elderly subjects), and expanding therapeutic applications for conditions including anxiety disorders. His publications in high-impact journals demonstrate significant influence in the field. His major scientific recognition includes: Membership in the Leopoldina, National Academy of Sciences (2021) Prof. Nitsche has contributed significantly to establishing evidence-based guidelines for non-invasive brain stimulation techniques through numerous collaborative publications. His leadership extends to developing safety protocols and methodological standards for the field. He heads a research team focused on neuromodulation, flexible control of behavior, and neuroimaging of interindividual differences. The laboratory under his direction maintains an active research program investigating fundamental mechanisms of neuroplasticity, with particular emphasis on translating basic findings into clinical applications for neurological rehabilitation and psychiatric treatment.

Official University Profile

Benedikt GlinskiView profile

Researcher

Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human FactorsGermany

Benedikt Glinski serves as a Researcher in the Neuromodulation group within the Psychology and Neurosciences department at the Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo), affiliated with the Technical University of Dortmund. His work focuses on experimental neuromodulation techniques and their applications in cognitive neuroscience. Primary research domains include: Neuromodulation mechanisms Cognitive neuroscience of brain stimulation Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applications Behavioral effects of non-invasive brain stimulation Interindividual differences in neuromodulation responses Flexible control of human behavior The Neuromodulation team, led by Prof. Dr. Michael Nitsche, investigates how electrical and magnetic stimulation techniques modulate cortical excitability and influence cognitive/motor functions. Current projects examine stimulation protocols for enhancing neuroplasticity and treating neurological conditions. No scientific awards were documented in available sources. Dr. Glinski operates within the Neuromodulation laboratory infrastructure, utilizing advanced neuroimaging and electrophysiological equipment for human subject research. The team maintains collaborations with clinical partners for translational applications of brain stimulation techniques.

Official University Profile

Yaoheng YangView profile

Assistant Professor

University of Southern CaliforniaUnited States

Dr. Yaoheng Yang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Southern California. He holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis, where he received the Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award, and completed his Bachelor’s and M.Phil degrees at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. His research employs multidisciplinary approaches integrating physics, electrical engineering, and neuroscience to pioneer noninvasive neuromodulation technologies. Primary innovations include: Inducing artificial hibernation via non-invasive neuromodulation Developing preclinical/clinical focused ultrasound systems for brain stimulation Creating sonogenetic tools for cell-type-specific neural control Honors include the Nadine Barrie Smith Award and three additional international recognitions. His work has been featured in Science , The New York Times , and Nature Metabolism . He actively engages in science communication, with collaborative content reaching over 3 million viewers online.

Official University Profile

Vitaly NapadowView profile

Associate Professor

Logan UniversityUnited States

Dr. Vitaly Napadow is an Associate Professor at the Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA. He holds secondary appointments at Logan University and in the Pain Management Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Dr. Napadow received his PhD in biomedical engineering from the Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology program and a Master's degree from the New England School of Acupuncture (NESA). Dr. Napadow's research focuses on understanding brain circuitry underlying aversive perceptual states such as pain, nausea, and itch using non-invasive neuroimaging techniques. His laboratory, in conjunction with Dr. Norman Kettner at Logan University, has pioneered applications of neuroimaging to study how therapies like acupuncture ameliorate these states. His work spans multiple disciplines including neuroimaging, pain research, acupuncture neurophysiology, and brain circuitry mapping. Analysis of Dr. Napadow's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on the neural mechanisms of pain processing, brainstem imaging, vagus nerve stimulation, and the neurophysiological effects of acupuncture. His research employs advanced imaging techniques including fMRI, PET, and 4D MRI to investigate brain-body interactions in pain and gastrointestinal disorders. A significant portion of his work examines the patient-clinician relationship through brain-to-brain concordance studies. Co-President of the Society for Acupuncture Research More than 80 publications in leading peer-reviewed journals Serves on program committees for several international acupuncture and CAM research conferences Dr. Napadow's research program has significant implications for developing novel therapeutic interventions for conditions with poorly understood brain circuitry. His work bridges traditional therapies like acupuncture with modern neuroimaging techniques to provide evidence-based understanding of pain mechanisms and treatment efficacy.

Official University Profile

Lonnie Grove PetersenView profile

Researcher

University of CopenhagenDenmark

Lonnie Grove Petersen is an international researcher at the Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. His work focuses on human physiological adaptations in extreme environments, particularly spaceflight and exercise stressors, with significant contributions to understanding cardiovascular, ocular, and thrombotic risks in microgravity. His research spans Exercise Physiology, Cardiovascular Regulation, Autonomic Neuroscience, and Space Medicine. Key investigations include neuro-ocular syndrome in astronauts, exercise-induced hormonal responses, and autonomic control mechanisms during gravitational stress. His methodology integrates human subject studies with translational approaches to address health challenges in space exploration and terrestrial applications. Analysis of his 2023-2025 publications reveals a dominant focus on space medicine, especially Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS) and venous thrombosis risks. His work demonstrates strong interdisciplinary collaboration across cardiovascular physiology, exercise science, and aerospace medicine, with frequent use of human experimental models like lower body negative pressure and high-intensity exercise protocols. No scientific awards are explicitly documented in the provided information. While graduate student mentorship details are absent, Petersen maintains extensive international collaborations, particularly with European and North American space research institutions. His publication record indicates active grant-funded research, though specific funding sources are not disclosed in the source material. His research operates within Copenhagen's Department of Biomedical Sciences, leveraging the university's human physiology infrastructure. Collaborative networks include the European Space Agency-affiliated projects and multinational teams studying microgravity pathophysiology, with emphasis on developing countermeasures for long-duration space missions.

Official University Profile

Rigmor Højland JensenView profile

Associate Clinical Professor

University of CopenhagenDenmark

Rigmor Højland Jensen is a Clinical Associate Professor at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, specializing in headache disorders within the Department of Clinical Medicine, Neurology. With over 200 types of headaches in her expertise, including tension headaches, migraines, cluster headaches, and various chronic pain disorders, she is a recognized authority in neurological pain management. Her educational background includes specialized training as a Master of Headache Disorders. Dr. Jensen's research focuses on headache pathophysiology, biomarker discovery, and innovative treatment approaches for various headache disorders. Her research portfolio includes approximately 310 publications, with recent work focusing on intracranial hypertension, cluster headache mechanisms, and novel treatment approaches. Her 2024-2025 publications demonstrate a strong emphasis on biomarker research, particularly investigating neuropeptides like $$\text{PACAP-38}$$ and $$\text{Calcitonin gene-related peptide}$$ in headache disorders, as well as evaluating diagnostic criteria and treatment mechanisms for conditions like idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Her work has been cited in various academic platforms and disseminated through social media channels including X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and academic platforms like Mendeley. Dr. Jensen leads research initiatives examining the relationship between neurological structures (such as pineal cysts), intracranial pressure disorders, and headache manifestations. Her clinical expertise informs both her research direction and patient care approaches in headache medicine.

Official University Profile