Find Academic Supervisors

Nora NockView profile

Professor

• Epidemiology
• Biostatistics
• Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology
• +8 more

Dr. Nora Nock is a Professor at the Case Western Reserve University , affiliated with the School of Medicine and the Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences . She also holds a secondary appointment as Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine . Education: PhD in Epidemiology & Biostatistics MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering BS in Civil Engineering Dr. Nock’s research integrates epidemiology , systems biology , and neuroimaging to address chronic diseases like cancer , obesity , and substance use disorders . Her work leverages multi-level modeling and data integration to personalize interventions. Recent publications highlight her focus on exercise as medicine for addiction recovery , neuroimaging in obesity , and public health policy for health disparities . Her NIH-funded REWARD trial evaluates assisted exercise in obese cancer survivors . Active Grants: NIH/NCI R01: REWARD trial (Exercise & weight loss in endometrial cancer) NIH/NIMHD R01: Reducing health disparities in breast cancer survivors St. Baldrick’s Grant: Cybercycling for AYA cancer survivors Ohio Medicaid G18: Opioid overdose analytics

Hiroshi ItoView profile

Researcher

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Neural Circuits
• Behavioral Neuroscience
• +3 more

Hiroshi Ito is a researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. His work focuses on understanding the neural mechanisms underlying spatial navigation, decision-making, and reinforcement learning. Keywords: Cognitive Neuroscience, Neural Circuits, Spatial Cognition Research Trends from his publications indicate a consistent focus on cortico-subcortical interactions, neural coding for spatial goals, and computational modeling of brain circuits. Methods employed in his research include electrophysiology (tetrode/silicon probes), miniaturized imaging systems, optogenetics, and behavioral analysis.

Olga Therese OusdalView profile

Associate Professor

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Neuroimaging
• +6 more

Olga Therese Ousdal is an Associate Professor at the Department of Biomedicine , University of Bergen , and a consultant neuroradiologist at Haukeland University Hospital . Her research bridges neuroscience and psychiatry , focusing on the neurobiological mechanisms underlying major depression , anxiety disorders , and trauma , particularly in youth survivors of the 2011 Utøya terror attack. Research Interests : Neuroimaging, brain plasticity, ECT/TMS treatment mechanisms, trauma, multiomics, and cognitive control. Awards : Marie Spångberg Award (2020), Falch Junior Award (2022), Young Scientist Award (2022). Leadership : Neuroimaging work packages at the Center for Research on Neurostimulation Treatments and Bergen Center for Brain Plasticity . Publications (2025-2012) reveal trends in ECT-induced brain changes , amygdala-prefrontal circuits , and trauma's impact on brain development . Her work spans obsessive-compulsive disorder , depression , and genetic-neural interactions . Teaching : Previously instructed MED4 - Human Physiology and Biological Psychology (PROPSY303) . Supervises master's and PhD students in neuroimaging and mental health research.

Sarah HeilbronnerView profile

Associate Professor

• Connectomics
• Neuroanatomy
• Primate Brain Imaging
• +3 more

Sarah Heilbronner serves as Associate Professor of Neurosurgery at Baylor College of Medicine and Adjunct Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Rice University. Her research program centers on decoding primate brain connectivity to advance understanding of neural circuitry and develop neuromodulation therapies for neurological disorders. Her academic foundation includes a Psychology undergraduate degree from Harvard University and a Neurobiology PhD from Duke University under Dr. Michael Platt, followed by neuroanatomy training with Dr. Suzanne Haber at the University of Rochester. She established her independent laboratory at the University of Minnesota in 2017 before relocating to Baylor College of Medicine in March 2023. Dr. Heilbronner's research investigates the structural and functional organization of primate brain networks using multimodal approaches including tract-tracing, diffusion MRI, and PS-OCT imaging. Her lab specifically targets mesoscale connectomics to bridge microscopic neuronal properties with macroscopic brain systems, with applications in psychiatric and neurological disorder treatment. Key focus areas include orbitofrontal cortex subdivisions, posterior cingulate circuitry, and translational mapping of cross-species neural networks. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a cohesive trajectory in primate connectomics methodology development, with increasing emphasis on clinical translation. Her work integrates ultra-high-field imaging (10.5T MRI), chemogenetic circuit manipulation (DREADDs-fMRI), and computational modeling to create comprehensive brain wiring diagrams. Significant collaborative efforts address conservation applications (oxytocin in felids) and surgical neuromodulation targets through population-averaged tractography. Dr. Heilbronner actively mentors trainees across career stages, having guided multiple PhD graduates including Adriana Cushnie (addiction neuroscience), Jessica Burkhart (lion behavior), and Zhe (Maya) Wang (orbitofrontal cortex). Her lab participates in major initiatives including the BRAIN CONNECTS consortium (UM1 grant) and the Center for Mesoscale Connectomics, with collaborations spanning 20+ institutions and clinical departments. The Heilbronner Lab operates from the Bioscience Research Collaborative at Baylor College of Medicine, maintaining strong ties with Rice University's engineering programs. The team employs specialized techniques like PS-OCT and ultra-high-field MRI while contributing to large-scale projects such as the BRAIN Initiative's circuit-mapping goals. Current efforts focus on translating mesoscale connectivity data into clinical applications for brain disorders through partnerships with neurosurgeons and psychiatrists.

Nitin TandonView profile

Professor

• Epilepsy Surgery
• Brain Mapping
• Neuroimaging
• +7 more

Nitin Tandon is a Professor at the Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, UTHealth , and serves as Director of the Epilepsy Surgery Program at Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center. He is also Co-Director of the Texas Comprehensive Epilepsy Program and the Texas Institute for Restorative Neurotechnologies . Education : MD from Armed Forces Medical College, Pune; Neurosurgery residency at UT Health Science Center San Antonio Research : Focuses on epilepsy surgery , brain mapping , language processing , memory mechanisms , and neuro-oncology Scientific Contributions include 15+ years of peer-reviewed publications in journals like Neuron , Human Brain Mapping , and Brain , emphasizing functional MRI , diffusion tensor imaging , and intracranial EEG for mapping language and motor networks. His work bridges clinical neurosurgery and cognitive neuroscience , particularly in epileptogenic network identification and minimally invasive epilepsy therapies . Awards : Recipient of the AANS/CNS Joint Section Resident Award and CNS Resident Award Leadership : Vice President of Strategy and Development for UTHealth Houston Neurosciences; active roles in organizations like the American Epilepsy Society and Society for Neuroscience

James P. MorrisView profile

Professor

• Social Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Neuroimaging
• +6 more

James P. Morris is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Virginia and serves as the Associate Dean for the Sciences. His research explores the neural mechanisms underlying human social behavior, focusing on facial expressions, eye-gaze direction, body posture, and biological motion perception. Research Focus Investigates developmental trajectories of social perceptual systems Links epigenetic regulation to individual variability in social cognition Examines neural correlates of typical and atypical social behaviors Methodologies Employs multimodal techniques including fMRI , EEG/ERP , eyetracking , molecular genetics , and behavioral experiments . Integrates life-span perspectives to study age-related changes in social neural systems. Publications & Trends Recent works (2023-2025) emphasize epigenetic aging , OXTR methylation , and white matter degeneration in social cognition. Earlier studies (2018-2017) explore oxytocin's role in anxiety, social attention, and autism spectrum disorders. Labs & Collaborations Leads the Social Neuroscience Laboratory, focusing on cortical and subcortical contributions to social perception and connectivity patterns in neurotypical and atypical populations.

Ryan VetrenoView profile

Assistant Professor

• Neuroimmunology
• Epigenetics
• Developmental Neurobiology
• +5 more

Ryan Vetreno, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine with appointments in both the Departments of Psychiatry and Pharmacology. He is affiliated with the Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies where he maintains his laboratory. Dr. Vetreno's office is located in the Thurston-Bowles Building at CB #7178. Dr. Vetreno's research program focuses on proinflammatory neuroimmune and epigenetic mechanisms in animal models of developmental neurobiology and neurodegeneration. His primary research interests include alcohol pharmacology, adolescent neurodevelopment, cholinergic system and neurocircuitry, and Alzheimer's disease. The laboratory has two major research foci: (1) elucidation of neuroimmune and epigenetic mechanisms underlying adolescent binge alcohol-induced disruption of basal forebrain cholinergic neurocircuitry in adulthood, and (2) investigation of lasting adolescent binge drinking-induced neuroimmune priming as a novel etiological factor contributing to the onset and progression of basal forebrain neuropathology in Alzheimer's disease. His laboratory combines ex vivo and in vivo rodent models of alcohol abuse and Alzheimer's disease with innovative molecular techniques. Analysis of Dr. Vetreno's publication history reveals a strong emphasis on the neuroimmune consequences of adolescent alcohol exposure, with particular attention to cholinergic system disruption, neurodegenerative pathways, and potential interventions including exercise, indomethacin, and galantamine. His recent work increasingly connects adolescent alcohol exposure to Alzheimer's disease pathology, suggesting important translational implications for understanding risk factors in neurodegenerative conditions. Dr. Vetreno's research approach integrates multiple methodologies including molecular techniques, behavioral assessments, and neuroimaging to investigate how adolescent alcohol exposure leads to persistent changes in brain structure and function that manifest in adulthood. His work has important implications for understanding the long-term consequences of adolescent drinking patterns and potential therapeutic interventions.

Lauren DiNicolaView profile

Assistant Professor

• Cognitive Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Neuroimaging
• +3 more

Lauren DiNicola is an upcoming Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Virginia, joining in Fall 2025. She earned her Ph.D. in Psychology from Harvard University, where she studied brain network functions under Randy Buckner. Her current postdoctoral work at Harvard's Stress and Development Lab focuses on adolescent brain network changes in Kate McLaughlin’s group. Education: Ph.D. in Psychology, Harvard University Her research investigates how human brain networks support complex cognitive functions like memory, social reasoning, and language. She employs precision neuroimaging and interdisciplinary tools (e.g., hormone samples, ecological momentary assessment) to study network organization, development, and interactions during life transitions such as adolescence and hormonal shifts. Her work highlights the coexistence of domain-specialized and domain-flexible networks in the association cortex, linking their roles to human cognitive flexibility and vulnerability to psychopathology. The articles listed emphasize her focus on precision neuroimaging to dissect brain network dynamics, particularly in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex specialization, global cortical organization, and task-related functional differentiation. Her publications span neuroscience journals and behavioral science reviews, reflecting interdisciplinary impacts. Labs & Teams: At UVA, she will lead a lab dedicated to precision approaches in brain network analysis and development.

Allison AnackerView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Scholarship of teaching and learning
• Genetics underlying behavior
• Neurobiology of social behavior
• +3 more

Allison Anacker is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Psychological Science at the University of Vermont, within the College of Arts and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. from Oregon Health & Science University (2012), an M.S. from Humboldt State University (2006), and an A.S. from Santa Rosa Junior College (2002). Her teaching focuses on neuroscience and psychology courses, including Physiological Psychology, Behavioral Genetics, and Neurodiversity. Her current research emphasizes the scholarship of teaching and learning, while her prior work investigated genetics and neurobiology underlying social behavior, addiction, and autism spectrum disorder. Education: A.S., Santa Rosa Junior College, 2002 B.S., Humboldt State University, 2006 Ph.D., Oregon Health & Science University, 2012 Research Interests: Dr. Anacker’s past research explored how social relationships influence alcohol drinking behaviors and neurobiological mechanisms underlying social behaviors. Specific areas include the role of oxytocin and serotonin in social bonding, genetic factors in autism spectrum disorder, and sex differences in alcohol consumption. She also investigates the interplay between social dynamics and neurodevelopmental disorders. Publications: Her work spans over a decade, with recent contributions to understanding hormonal influences on habit formation and the impact of social interactions on gene expression. Earlier studies focused on prairie vole models to examine alcohol’s effects on pair bonding and peer influence on drinking patterns. Awards: Neuroscience Reviewer Recognition 2022 Teaching & Advising: While her current role does not involve formal student advising, she teaches courses such as NSCI 1070 (First Year Neuroscience Seminar) and PSYS 3210 (Behavioral Genetics). Her pedagogical research emphasizes innovative assessment strategies to enhance student engagement. Labs/Teams: Collaborations include projects on neurodevelopmental disorders and the neurobiology of social behavior, often involving interdisciplinary teams at UVM and beyond.

James A. WaltzView profile

Associate Professor

• Schizophrenia
• Reinforcement Learning
• Avolition
• +7 more

Dr. James A. Waltz is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Maryland School of Medicine , affiliated with the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center (MPRC) . His work integrates cognitive neuroscience , neuroimaging , and computational modeling to investigate schizophrenia and related disorders. 1994 : BA in Psychology (Cognitive Science) from Yale University 1999 : PhD in Experimental Psychology (Cognitive Neuroscience) from UCLA 2004–2006 : Postdoctoral Fellowship at MPRC/UMSOM Dr. Waltz’s research focuses on reward processing , decision-making , and motivational deficits in schizophrenia. His studies use behavioral experiments , fMRI , and computational models to explore how dopamine dysfunction underpins negative symptoms like anhedonia and avolition . Key findings include blunted neural responses to positive reward prediction errors and effort-cost estimation deficits . His 15 most recent articles span neuroscience , psychiatry , and cognitive modeling , with subfields including probabilistic learning , neuroimaging , and effort-cost dynamics in schizophrenia. His work has been supported by NIH R01 grants and collaborations with James M. Gold and the Neuroimaging Research Branch at NIDA. Scientific Awards : Joseph A. Gingerelli Award for Distinguished Dissertation (1999) H. McKee Jarboe Award for Outstanding Research (2009) Young Investigator Mentor (2013) NIH National Research Service Award (1998–1999) Dr. Waltz directs the IDRIS lab , which includes researchers , clinical research assistants , and undergraduate students , and is funded by NIH R01MH094460 .

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Neural Dynamics
• +3 more

Dr. Theodoros Karapanagiotidis is an Assistant Professor in Psychology at the University of Sussex's School of Psychology. His research focuses on large-scale brain dynamics, functional brain hierarchy, and neural information flow, with applications to mental health and cognitive states. He leads a lab combining structural/functional MRI, EEG/MEG, and computational modeling. Education: BSc Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki MSc Cognitive Neuroscience, University of York PhD Cognitive Neuroscience & Neuroimaging, University of York Research Interests: Attractor states and trait-state interactions Neural mechanisms of conscious experience Dynamic cognitive state stability/flexibility Multimodal neuroimaging techniques His work bridges neural patterns and behavioral outcomes through machine learning and neuroimaging analysis. Teaching & Grants: Convenes programming and cognitive neuroscience modules. Supervises PhD/undergraduate projects. Active in grant-funded collaborations through the York-Maastricht Partnership. Awards: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) Labs/Teams: Leads a team at Sussex investigating brain-behavior relationships using innovative neuroimaging approaches.

Lisa M. SavageView profile

Professor

• Disorders of Memory
• Neurodegeneration
• Neuroplasticity
• +3 more

Dr. Lisa M. Savage is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Binghamton University. Her research focuses on understanding the neural mechanisms underlying memory disorders, including Wernicke-Korsakoff’s disease, alcohol-induced dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. She employs a systems-level approach combining neuroanatomical, biochemical, and electrophysiological techniques to study neural circuits involved in learning and memory. Education: PhD in Psychology from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Postdoctoral training at the VA Medical Center, San Diego. She has received prestigious awards such as the APA’s Distinguished Scientific Early Career Award and the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship. Her lab investigates how alcohol, aging, and malnutrition impact cholinergic circuits and cognitive function. Current research includes exploring neurotrophin-mediated recovery of cholinergic neurons via exercise and the role of thalamocortical circuits in alcohol-related brain damage. Key techniques used include viral tracing, immunocytochemistry, and chemogenetics. Dr. Savage mentors students through a collaborative environment emphasizing creativity and data-driven discovery. She has trained over 20 graduate students and postdocs who now hold academic and industry roles. Her work is funded by the NIAAA through grants like the NADIA and DEARC initiatives.

Luca MazzucatoView profile

Associate Professor

• Neuroscience
• Computational Biology
• Behavioral Science
• +2 more

Luca Mazzucato is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Oregon's College of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on neuroscience, computational biology, neural networks, and behavioral science, investigating neural circuit dynamics, decision-making, and behavioral organization through computational modeling and experimental approaches. Research interests span theoretical and experimental neuroscience, including probabilistic modeling of behavior, neural ensemble dynamics, sensory processing, and computational approaches to understanding brain function across species from zebrafish to mammals. Recent publications explore neural basis of behavior, decision-making under varying arousal, metastable dynamics in sensory systems, and computational principles of neural network function. Research shows strong emphasis on mathematically modeling biological systems and validating predictions experimentally. Leads the Mazzulab research group exploring neural computation principles underlying adaptive behavior.

Carsten AllefeldView profile

Lecturer

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Statistical Modeling
• Neuroimaging
• +7 more

Dr. Carsten Allefeld is a Lecturer at the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, City St George's, University of London. With a background in physics (nonlinear dynamics) and philosophy, he develops statistical models and data analysis methods for neuroimaging (EEG, fMRI) and behavioral data. His work bridges concepts from physics, systems theory, and information theory with cognitive neuroscience and psychology, focusing on neural-mental state relationships. Education: Dr. rer. nat. in Physics (University of Potsdam, 2004), M.A. in Philosophy (Freie Universität Berlin) Employment: Lecturer at City St George's (2019–present), Research Associate at Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin (2009–2018) His research emphasizes multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) techniques, particularly cross-validated MANOVA and permutation-based prevalence inference. He explores how neural states translate into mental states, addressing the mind-body problem through dynamical systems theory. Current work focuses on effect prevalence in cognitive science populations. Key research areas include: Statistical modeling for neuroimaging data Working memory representations Neural encoding-decoding relationships Nonlinear dynamics in brain function Computational methods development Open-source software tools for neuroscience His recent publications (2018–2025) span topics from categorical working memory codes to prevalence inference methods, with a focus on fMRI decoding, representation geometry, and cortical dynamics. He has developed software tools like the CvCrossManova toolbox and interfaces to TikZ for academic use. Dr. Allefeld teaches statistical methods implementation in MATLAB, R, and Python, and maintains a GitHub presence with repositories containing methodological implementations and academic software tools. He is fluent in English and German for research and peer review.

Nancy GetchellView profile

Professor

• Developmental Motor Control
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Physical Activity and Health
• +3 more

Nancy Getchell is a Professor in the Department of Kinesiology & Applied Physiology at the University of Delaware's College of Health Sciences. She directs the Developmental Motor Control Research Laboratory, focusing on motor coordination in children with autism, learning disabilities, and developmental coordination disorder. Her work also examines motor proficiency, physical activity, and health-related fitness in preschool children, using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to study brain-behavior relationships. Dr. Getchell holds a Ph.D. (1996), M.S. (1989), and B.S. (1985) in Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Penn State University. She teaches courses such as Motor Development, Research Methods, and Motor Control & Learning. Her research emphasizes developmental motor control, neuromotor coordination, and the application of fNIRS in understanding cognitive-motor interactions. Key interests include ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and the impact of physical activity on health outcomes. She has published extensively on motor skill interventions, neuroimaging techniques, and educational gaming. Awards: 2012 Excellence in Teaching Award (College of Health Sciences), AAHPERD Research Consortium Fellowship, Lolas E. Halverson Memorial Young Investigator Award. Lab Focus: Combines ecological motor learning principles with neuroimaging to address developmental and clinical motor challenges. Her work bridges research and practice, with a focus on promoting motor competence through evidence-based strategies and technology-enhanced interventions.