Dr. Jean King is an Adjunct Professor at UMass Chan Medical School's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, affiliated with the T.H. Chan School of Medicine. She holds dual roles in the Radiology department as part of her other academic positions. Her educational background includes a BS in Biology from Saint Francis College, an MS in Cell Biology from City University of New York, and a PhD in Biology/Neurophysiology from New York University. Her research focuses on translational neuroimaging to study brain alterations linked to stress-related conditions such as addiction, ADHD, and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Recent work extends to co-morbid mental health disorders and stress mitigation strategies like mindfulness. Her lab employs both preclinical models and clinical populations to explore neural mechanisms of emotional/cognitive processing under stress. Key publications (2014–2020) investigate neural connectivity in ADHD, nicotine dependence pathways, concussion bioenergetics, and mindfulness-based interventions. Dr. King has received over 20 awards including the NIH-funded NCCIH grant (2017–2020), multiple mentorship accolades, and the University of Massachusetts President’s Public Service Award. Her work bridges neuroscience, psychiatry, and clinical applications, with a focus on translational research. Lab activities include multi-modal imaging studies (fMRI, MRS) and behavioral assessments in both human and animal models. Current projects explore the neurobiological basis of stress resilience and cognitive recovery post-TBI. Collaborations span addiction medicine, mental health, and neurodegenerative disease research.
Dr. Yi-Yuan Tang is a Professor at Arizona State University’s College of Health Solutions and Director of the Health Neuroscience Collaboratory . He is also a Presence Fellow at Stanford University’s Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences. Top 2% Most Cited Scientist Author of >360 peer-reviewed articles Editorial roles in SCAN, Frontiers in Neuroimaging, PloS One Research Focus: Health neuroscience integrating neuroimaging , physiological monitoring , and interventional methods to study self-control, emotion regulation, and brain-body interactions. Key projects include NIH-funded studies on polysubstance use reduction and effortless attention control . Scientific Achievements: NIH Cutting-Edge Basic Research Award NIH Phased Innovation Award American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine Award Stanford Presence Fellow Mentoring: Supervised >70 graduate students/postdocs across psychology, neuroscience, health sciences, and data science. Serves on federal grant panels for NIH, DoD, NASA, and NSF.
Edna Andrews is the Nancy & Jeffrey Marcus Distinguished Professor of Slavic and Eurasian Studies and Professor of Linguistics and Cultural Anthropology at Duke University. She serves as Director of the Program in Linguistics, Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Linguistics Program, and Director of FOCUS, Duke's signature first-year seminar program. Her interdisciplinary work bridges Slavic studies, linguistics, anthropology, and cognitive neuroscience. Dr. Andrews earned her Ph.D. from Indiana University at Bloomington in 1984 and holds an honorary doctorate from St. Petersburg State University (Russia). Her academic journey has evolved from traditional Slavic linguistics to pioneering work at the intersection of language and brain sciences, reflecting her commitment to interdisciplinary scholarship. Professor Andrews' research focuses on cognitive neuroscience and multilingualism, semiotics (particularly Peircean and Lotmanian theories), and the neural basis of language processing. Her work examines how the brain processes multiple languages, the relationship between music and language cognition, and the semiotic foundations of linguistic structures. She has pioneered longitudinal fMRI studies of second language acquisition, challenging traditional linguistic models that often overlook the multilingual reality of most humans. Her research program has produced significant insights into how multilingualism affects brain structure and function, with implications for education, cognitive aging, and language rehabilitation. Andrews' work uniquely integrates theoretical linguistics with empirical neuroscience, creating a more comprehensive understanding of human language as situated within cultural and biological contexts. University Scholar/Teacher Award (2013) Richard Lublin Teaching Award Through her leadership of the Slavic & Eurasian Language Resource Center and numerous federally-funded grants from the U.S. Department of Education, Professor Andrews has secured significant research funding to advance understanding of language acquisition and multilingualism. Her collaborative approach brings together linguists, neuroscientists, anthropologists, and educators to tackle complex questions about language and the brain. Professor Andrews leads research teams through the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences and has developed innovative programs like Duke Intense Global (DIG), which combines intensive language training with neuroscience research. Her work with the Bass Connections in Brain & Society Research Team fosters interdisciplinary collaboration among students and faculty across multiple departments.
Susan Bookheimer is a distinguished Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. She holds the Joaquin Fuster Professorship in Cognitive Neuroscience and is affiliated with multiple research centers including the Center for Autism Research and Treatment (CART), Staglin Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Tennenbaum Center for the Biology of Creativity, and Brain Research Institute. Dr. Bookheimer's research spans cognitive neuroscience with a focus on autism spectrum disorder, functional MRI methodology, language processing, memory function, and sensory processing differences. Her work investigates neural mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly autism, using advanced neuroimaging techniques to identify early biomarkers and understand neural connectivity patterns. She has made significant contributions to understanding how brain networks develop and function in typically developing children and those at risk for autism. Her extensive publication record demonstrates expertise in functional MRI applications across diverse populations including infants at risk for autism, individuals with epilepsy, and aging adults. Her research often examines how brain connectivity relates to cognitive and behavioral outcomes, with particular attention to language processing, sensory reactivity, and social cognition in neurodevelopmental conditions. Dr. Bookheimer leads and participates in numerous collaborative research initiatives including the ACE GENDAAR Network and has contributed to understanding the neural basis of autism through genetic, imaging, and behavioral approaches. Her work bridges basic neuroscience with clinical applications, aiming to improve diagnostic approaches and interventions for neurodevelopmental disorders.
Andreas Fink serves as a University Professor at the Institute of Psychology within the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Karl-Franzens-University Graz, Austria. His research bridges cognitive neuroscience, psychology, and sports science with a particular emphasis on understanding the neurobiological foundations of creative thinking and emotional processing. As a leading figure in creativity neuroscience, Professor Fink employs advanced methodologies including EEG, fMRI, and ambulatory monitoring to investigate how physical activity influences brain function and cognitive performance. His work has significant implications for mental health interventions and cognitive enhancement strategies across various populations. Professor Fink's research interests center on three interconnected domains: biological mechanisms of cognitive and affective functions, creativity neuroscience, and the relationship between physical activity and brain health. His laboratory investigates how physical exercise influences neural processes related to creativity, emotion regulation, and cognitive performance through both basic neuroscience research and applied interventions. A hallmark of his approach is examining EEG alpha power during creative ideation tasks while simultaneously exploring how running, dance, and other physical activities can improve mental health outcomes and cognitive functioning. His work spans from laboratory-based experimental designs to real-world interventions with ecological validity. Analysis of Professor Fink's recent publication trajectory reveals a sophisticated evolution in his research focus, with increasing emphasis on the intersection of physical movement, brain function, and creative cognition. His work has progressively incorporated more ecologically valid approaches using ambulatory monitoring to study creativity in natural contexts, while maintaining rigorous neuroscience methodology. A consistent theme across his publications is neuroplasticity, particularly how physical exercise interventions induce structural and functional brain changes, with special attention to hippocampal volume and white matter integrity. His research has expanded to explore specialized forms of creativity including malevolent creativity and the nuanced relationship between everyday movement patterns and creative cognition. 2009 Psychology Prize for innovative scientific or practical work for his habilitation thesis 'The neuroscientific study of creative thinking' from the Professional Association of Austrian Psychologists (BÖP) and the Austrian Psychological Society (ÖGP) Professor Fink currently leads multiple significant research initiatives funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), including 'Neuronal mechanisms underlying the generation of creative solutions in complex environments' (2016-2018), 'Running Away From Depression with Your Brain and Your Heart' (2022-2025), and 'Dance and Brain' (2024-2026). These projects demonstrate his commitment to translating basic neuroscience findings into practical interventions for mental health. While specific doctoral students aren't listed in the provided materials, his position as a full professor and principal investigator on multiple grants indicates active mentorship of junior researchers and graduate students. His collaborative approach is evident through interdisciplinary partnerships spanning psychology, neuroscience, sports science, and clinical practice. Professor Fink is an active member of the 'Complexity of Life' profile area at the University of Graz and participates in the 'Brain and Behavior' research network. His laboratory environment fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together researchers from diverse backgrounds to tackle complex questions about the brain-mind-body connection. Current projects suggest his team employs a multimodal approach combining neuroimaging, physiological monitoring, behavioral assessments, and intervention studies to comprehensively investigate how physical activity influences brain function and creative cognition. His 'Running Away From Depression' project exemplifies his translational research focus, directly connecting basic neuroscience findings to clinical applications for mental health improvement.
Professor Melanie Wilke is a leading figure in cognitive neurology at the University Medical Center Göttingen, where she serves as Director of the Department of Cognitive Neurology and Head of the MR Research Unit. She is also a Co-Investigator in the 'Decision and Awareness' group at the German Primate Center. Her work bridges human and non-human primate neuroscience to investigate the neural basis of perception, awareness, and movement planning. Her research focuses on understanding how distributed neural activity supports spatial awareness and decision-making. Key areas include thalamocortical interactions, neural mechanisms of spatial neglect, and translational models of cognitive disorders. She employs multimodal methods such as fMRI, electrophysiology, brain stimulation (tACS, tDCS, TMS), and inactivation techniques in both human and monkey models. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on visual consciousness, neural connectivity, and sensorimotor integration. Her work frequently explores the role of the pulvinar and parietal cortex in attention and awareness, using innovative paradigms including no-report tasks and microstimulation. There is a clear translational trajectory from basic mechanisms to clinical applications in stroke and Parkinson’s disease. Fellows Award for Excellence in Biomedical Research, National Institutes of Health, USA (2008) Prof. Wilke leads a dynamic research group and mentors students within several graduate programs, including Systems Neuroscience and the International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS). Her team conducts cutting-edge research using advanced imaging and stimulation techniques. She has secured long-term support through the Herman and Lilly Schilling Foundation Professorship (2011–2022) and continues to lead major projects in cognitive neurology and brain network dynamics. Her laboratory, embedded in the Heart & Brain Center Göttingen, fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and focuses on developing novel therapeutic interventions for cognitive deficits following brain injury. The MR Research Unit under her leadership is central to advancing non-invasive brain imaging and stimulation in both research and clinical contexts.
Yuan Yang is an Associate Professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) in the Department of Bioengineering and an adjunct Associate Professor at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine. He also holds a part-time role as Associate Professor at Carle Foundation Hospital. His research focuses on neural engineering, neurorehabilitation, and biomedical imaging, particularly in stroke recovery and Alzheimer's disease biomarkers. Yang leads the Illinois-Carle Joint Neural Engineering and Rehabilitation Laboratory (JNERL), collaborating on innovative solutions for neurological conditions using advanced imaging and neurotechnology. Education: PhD in Signal and Images from Telecom ParisTech (2013), MS in Biomedical Engineering from Shanghai Jiao Tong University (2010), and BS from Central South University (2008). He has held faculty positions at UIUC, the University of Oklahoma, and Northwestern University since 2017. Research interests include cortical connectivity, non-invasive brain stimulation (e.g., HD-tDCS), functional MRI analysis, and electrophysiological signal processing. His work bridges engineering and clinical applications, addressing motor impairment in stroke and cognitive decline in Alzheimer's. Key contributions include studies on sex differences in brain connectivity and neuroplasticity, as well as developing targeted interventions using EEG and neuroimaging. Yang has received prestigious awards such as the NSF CAREER Award and serves as an IEEE Distinguished Lecturer. Professional service includes roles in grant review for NIH, AHA, and international bodies, along with editorial positions in major journals like Frontiers in Neuroscience and Medical & Biological Engineering & Computing.
Timothy Verstynen is a Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience Institute at Carnegie Mellon University, affiliated with the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences. His research focuses on cognitive neuroscience, cognitive science, computational modeling, and learning science. He investigates how neural pathways regulate action planning, skill learning dynamics, and structure-function relationships in the brain. His work integrates psychophysics, computational models, and neuroimaging techniques (fMRI, TMS, diffusion imaging). Key research themes include: 1) Action selection and stopping mechanisms under sensory input; 2) Neurobiological bases of skill acquisition timelines; 3) White matter architecture's role in cognitive functions. Recent studies explore links between brain structure, cardiovascular health, and decision-making processes using multimodal imaging and machine learning. Notable publications address cortico-basal ganglia-thalamic circuits' role in decision policies, stress-brain connectivity, and reward-based learning. His CoAx Lab develops tools like CBGTPy for modeling decision-making systems. Research spans neuroimaging methodological advancements (e.g., local connectome fingerprinting) and translational health neuroscience projects.
Frank Van Overwalle is a Professor of Psychology at Brussels University, affiliated with the Consultation Center Brain, Body and Cognition. His research focuses on Social Connectionism and Social Neuroscience, particularly the neural mechanisms underlying social cognition, mentalizing, and cerebellar contributions to social and cognitive processes. He has led over 40 research projects and published 214 peer-reviewed articles, including works on cerebellar sequencing, mentalizing, and neuroimaging techniques. His research highlights the cerebellum's role in social action prediction, implicit learning, and emotional processing. Notable projects include investigations into cerebellar tDCS effects on social cognition and collaborations on the neural basis of group stereotypes and Theory of Mind. Van Overwalle received the Tobie Jonckheere Award in 1989 for his doctoral work on educational psychology. He has participated in numerous conferences and serves on the boards of the Cognitive Neuroscience Society and Organization for Human Brain Mapping. His work bridges cognitive models with empirical neuroimaging data, emphasizing cerebellar contributions to higher-order social functions.
Giuseppe PAGNONI is an Associate Professor at the Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neurosciences of Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia . His research spans neuroscience , computational modeling , meditation , and brain network analysis . He teaches courses such as Neural Systems Modeling for Bioengineering students and Human Physiology and Pathophysiology in Medicine programs, with a focus on predictive coding , default mode network , and emotional valence processing . Pagnoni has contributed to ENIGMA-Meditation , a global initiative exploring meditation's neuroscientific basis, and developed sparse Bayesian models for analyzing brain network individual differences. His work on Alzheimer's disease investigates anosognosia mechanisms through resting-state fMRI, while other studies examine ghrelin's role in obesity-related reward processing and oxytocin's effects on social anxiety . He employs dynamic causal modeling and predictive processing frameworks to study cognitive effort, mind wandering, and neuromorphic learning. His methodological expertise includes functional MRI , independent component analysis , and computational simulations .
Dr. Roza Gunes Bayrak is a Senior Research Engineer and Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Vanderbilt University, with secondary appointments in the Department of Computer Science. She leads the Neuroimaging & Brain Dynamics Lab (NEURDY Lab) and is affiliated with multiple interdisciplinary institutes including the Vanderbilt Institute for Surgery and Engineering (VISE) and the Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science (VUIIS). PhD in Computer Science from Vanderbilt University (2023) MS in Electrical Engineering from Tufts University BS in Electronic and Communication Engineering from Çankaya University, Turkey Her research focuses on advancing neuroimaging methodology for studying brain dynamics and brain-body interactions. Key areas include: Temporal modeling of neuroimaging data Development of open-source tools like PRAGMA and PhysioPy Graph-based machine learning for brain connectomics Reconstruction of physiological signals from fMRI data Interactive visualization techniques for functional brain parcellation Her recent publications emphasize: Graph neural networks for analyzing brain connectivity networks (Neurograph 2023) Deep learning approaches to decode respiration and heart rate from fMRI (DeepPhysioRecon 2023) Subject-specific functional brain mapping techniques (2022-2024) Reproducibility studies in white matter tractography (2021-2022) Roza actively promotes open science through leadership roles in initiatives like BrainHack Vanderbilt and the Organization for Human Brain Mapping's Open Science Special Interest Group.
Franziska M. Korb is a Researcher at the Institute of General Psychology, Biopsychology and Methods of Psychology at Technische Universität Dresden. She holds a PhD in Psychology from the University of Leipzig (2008) and has conducted extensive postdoctoral research at institutions including Duke University (USA), the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences (Leipzig), and the University Clinic Cologne. Her research focuses on cognitive control mechanisms, decision-making processes, and the neural underpinnings of self-control and emotional regulation. She has received awards such as the Charlotte Bühler Award for teaching excellence (2014) and grants for pilot studies and travel. Korb is also an ad-hoc reviewer for multiple prestigious journals and research councils. Her academic journey includes a diploma in Psychology from Leipzig (2004) and research internships at UC San Diego and the Max Planck Institute. She explores topics like brain networks (e.g., salience network), decision conflict, and the role of anticipated emotions in self-regulation. Her work combines neuroimaging (fMRI, EEG), transcranial stimulation (TMS/tDCS), and behavioral experiments to study cognitive and affective processes in health and clinical populations (e.g., anorexia nervosa). Research Highlights: Investigates how brain connectivity predicts self-controlled choices. Examines neural mechanisms of honesty and reward circuits in moral decisions. Studies framing effects in food choices and future consequences in health behaviors. Explores cognitive effort tolerance and dark triad personality traits. Awards and Grants: Charlotte Bühler Teaching Award (2014) DAAD Travel Award (2014) DEFD Best Poster Award (2013) Start-up grant for pilot studies (2014) Professional Contributions: Active in open science initiatives, replication studies, and academic ethics education. Collaborates internationally, including with Duke University and the Max Planck Society.
Kent Kiehl is a Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of New Mexico, affiliated with the Mind Research Network. His research focuses on psychopathy, neuroimaging, and legal applications of neuroscience. He leads the world's largest database of brain data from incarcerated populations using mobile MRI units, studying mental health issues like psychopathy, substance abuse, and externalizing disorders. Education: Ph.D., University of British Columbia (2000). He trains clinicians in neuroimaging techniques and consults on legal cases involving neuroscience. His lab collaborates with correctional facilities and institutions like the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Mendota Juvenile Treatment Center. Research Interests: Psychopathy assessment (Hare PCl-R), neuroscience of criminal behavior, neurolaw, and cetacean cognition. He emphasizes predicting recidivism and treatment outcomes through brain structure/function analysis. His work bridges neuroscience with legal systems, informing interventions and prevention strategies. Key Projects: Brain Safe program for athlete concussion assessment, mobile fMRI deployment in prisons, and the Mendota Juvenile Treatment Center's decompression model. His lab includes postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and collaborators like Vince Calhoun and Michael Koenigs. Public Engagement: Authored The Psychopath Whisperer , appeared on Megyn Kelly TODAY, and been featured in media outlets discussing psychopathy, criminal behavior, and neuroscience in law. He advocates for neuroscience-informed legal policies and public understanding of mental health.
Dr. Regina Lapate serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), within the College of Letters & Science. She directs the LEAP Neuro Lab (Lapate Experimental Affective Psychophysiology and Neuroscience Laboratory), where her team investigates neural mechanisms of emotion-cognition interactions using multimodal methodologies including TMS, EEG, fMRI, and psychophysiology. Her educational trajectory includes a PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2015) under Dr. Richard Davidson, followed by an NIH postdoctoral fellowship at UC Berkeley (2016) with Dr. Mark D'Esposito. She co-edited the 2nd edition of The Nature of Emotion: Fundamental Questions in 2018. Dr. Lapate's research centers on emotional processing, cognitive control, and adaptive emotion regulation, with particular emphasis on temporal memory dynamics and prefrontal cortex function. Her lab employs causal inference approaches to explore how emotional states sculpt sensory processing and behavioral goals, aiming to uncover mechanisms that promote resilience against psychopathology. Recent work demonstrates how emotional context modulates temporal memory and action goal representations, revealing critical prefrontal circuitry involved in emotional adaptation. Her publication trends reveal deep integration of time perception with emotional processing, neurostimulation-based causal testing of prefrontal mechanisms, and translational applications for mood and anxiety disorders. The 2024-2025 publications particularly highlight anorexia nervosa symptomatology, temporal coding in emotion, and open-loop motor circuit dissociations. Scientific recognition includes: Hellman Fellowship (2024) Prestigious NIH grant for prefrontal mechanism research (2023) Regent’s Junior Faculty Award (2023) Dr. Lapate has secured substantial grant funding including an NIH award to elucidate prefrontal mechanisms of emotional processing and regulation. Her LEAP Neuro Lab functions as a collaborative hub where graduate and undergraduate researchers investigate fundamental questions about how emotional experiences dynamically interact with cognitive processes to shape adaptive functioning and psychopathology vulnerability.
Henrik Jeldtoft Jensen is a Professor of Mathematical Physics and leads the Centre for Complexity Science at Imperial College London. His work spans multiple disciplines, focusing on the statistical mechanics of complex systems, with applications in physics, biology, neuroscience, and finance. Professor, Mathematical Physics Leader, Centre for Complexity Science Institution: Imperial College London His research interests lie at the intersection of theoretical physics and complex systems. He is best known for developing the Tangled Nature Model of evolving ecosystems, which has been extended into financial modeling through the Tangled Finance approach. His work in brain dynamics involves analyzing fMRI and EEG data using tools from statistical physics. He has made significant contributions to self-organized criticality and stochastic dynamics of complex systems, particularly in condensed matter and evolutionary contexts. The recent publications reflect a strong trend toward interdisciplinary complexity science, integrating concepts from physics, biology, economics, and neuroscience. Keywords across these works include complexity, statistical mechanics, dynamical systems, and network theory, with subfields ranging from neural avalanches to financial instability and biodiversity modeling. Henrik Jensen is the author of two influential books: Self-Organized Criticality and Stochastic Dynamics of Complex Systems (with Paolo Sibani), which have been widely cited across disciplines. He has supervised numerous PhD and postdoctoral researchers through the Centre for Complexity Science, though specific names are not listed. His research has been supported by grants from UK research councils and international collaborations, particularly in interdisciplinary complexity projects. He is affiliated with the Centre for Complexity Science, a multidisciplinary research hub at Imperial College London that brings together physicists, mathematicians, biologists, and social scientists to study complex adaptive systems.
