Find Academic Supervisors

Charlotte LawView profile

Teaching Professor

• Behavioural Neuroscience
• Learning and Memory
• Memory Reconsolidation
• +3 more

Charlotte Law is a Teaching Professor in Biosciences at Aston University, part of the College of Health and Life Sciences. She joined Aston in 2019 as a Lecturer, specializing in Physiology education. Previously, she served as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham's Memory Persistence Lab, investigating memory reconsolidation mechanisms. Her research focuses on understanding how memories are updated, with implications for treating phobias, PTSD, and addiction. Education: PhD in Nociceptive Inputs into Cerebellar Pathways (University of Bristol, 2009) Research Interests include Behavioral Neuroscience, Learning and Memory, and Memory Reconsolidation. Her work bridges molecular mechanisms (e.g., non-coding RNA roles in anxiety) and behavioral outcomes, using rodent models to explore fear memory modulation. Recent articles highlight studies on dopamine receptors' roles in fear memory destabilization, hippocampal memory dynamics, and epigenetic regulation linked to anxiety. She actively engages in science outreach, explaining brain function to public audiences. As a module coordinator for Physiology (BY1HP1), personal tutor, and final-year project supervisor, she mentors students in biosciences. Her contributions include 13 peer-reviewed articles since 2014, focusing on memory persistence and fear conditioning mechanisms.

Riccardo StorchiView profile

Research Fellow

• Visual Neuroscience
• Neural Coding
• Electrophysiology
• +3 more

Riccardo Storchi is a Sir Henry Dale Fellow and Principal Investigator in the Division of Neuroscience within the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health at the University of Manchester. His research focuses on visual and somatosensory systems using rodent models, with particular expertise in neural coding, electrophysiology, and animal behavior. His primary research interests span Visual Neuroscience, Neural Coding, Electrophysiology, Animal Behaviour, Circadian Rhythms, and Retinal Ganglion Cell function. Storchi investigates how visual information is processed across different ecological niches and how motor control influences sensory coding in freely moving animals. His work frequently employs advanced techniques including optogenetics and behavioral analysis in naturalistic settings. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on visual system plasticity across species, sensorimotor integration in natural environments, and neural adaptations to photoreceptor degeneration. His research bridges fundamental neuroscience with potential applications in understanding visual disorders and neural rehabilitation. Action in Vision - Wellcome Trust (2020) Interrogating the mouse visual system by automated analysis of voluntary behaviour - NC3Rs (2017) Storchi leads multiple significant research projects including the Centre for Biological Timing as Principal Investigator, and collaborates extensively on circadian rhythm research and sensory-motor integration studies. His current projects examine neural networks underlying circadian decisions and the effect of motor control on sensory coding in awake, freely moving mice. He maintains active collaborations with researchers across neuroscience disciplines, particularly in visual and somatosensory systems. His laboratory work integrates electrophysiological recordings with behavioral analysis in freely moving animals, utilizing advanced techniques to study neural coding in natural contexts. The research team focuses on both fundamental neural mechanisms and translational applications related to visual processing and circadian regulation.

Anne UraiView profile

Assistant Professor

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Decision Making
• Neurophysiology
• +6 more

Dr. Anne Urai is an Assistant Professor at Leiden University's Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, specializing in Cognitive Psychology. Her research focuses on the neural mechanisms of decision-making, combining psychophysics, computational modeling, and electrophysiological recordings in both humans and rodents. Key research areas include: Neural dynamics of choice repetition biases in parietal cortex Computational processes in evidence accumulation for decisions Neurophysiological correlates of internal states and experience Open science methodology and reproducibility standards Her recent work analyzes cortical signals (gamma-band and beta-band activity) that track previous choices and actions, mapping them to distinct parameters in decision models. She advocates for team science, diversity in academia, and sustainable academic practices. Scientific contributions include: 2024 grant for innovative psychology research 2023 publication on standardized decision-making measurements 2021 eLife study on evidence accumulation dynamics Dr. Urai actively participates in the Open Science Community Leiden and collaborates with the CoCoSys lab. Her work emphasizes both empirical rigor and broader institutional reforms in academic practices.

• Wildlife Management
• Pest Control
• Invasive Species Ecology
• +5 more

James Ross serves as a Professor in the Department of Pest-Management and Conservation at Lincoln University, where he also co-directs the Centre of Wildlife Management and Conservation. He coordinates the Masters of Pest Management (Vertebrate stream) and Masters in Nature Conservation programmes, and acts as the 'Improved Toxins and New Devices' champion in the National Science Challenge (Biological Heritage). His professional affiliations include technical advisory roles with Taranaki Mounga, Zero Invasive Predators, and Pest Free Banks Peninsula projects. PhD from Lincoln University, New Zealand BPRMT (Hons) from Lincoln University, New Zealand Professor Ross's research spans two decades focused on sustained control of introduced mammalian pests in New Zealand. His work integrates behavioral ecology, terrestrial ecology, and biosecurity science to develop innovative pest management solutions. Current projects include evaluating combination lures for possum control and elimination techniques for possums on Bank Peninsula under PFNZ2050 funding. His research bridges theoretical ecological understanding with practical field applications, emphasizing humane and effective pest control methodologies. Analysis of his publication record reveals consistent contributions to wildlife management, particularly in invasive species control. His work shows a clear progression from fundamental ecological studies to applied conservation solutions, with increasing focus on technological innovations in monitoring and control methods. Recent publications demonstrate strong interdisciplinary collaboration across ecology, engineering, and molecular biology fields. Lincoln University Excellence in Postgraduate Supervision Award (2018) Professor Ross actively supervises postgraduate research, with numerous completed Master's and PhD projects focused on wildlife management topics including pest control methodologies, translocation strategies, and monitoring techniques. He serves on multiple academic committees including the AGLS Postgraduate Research Committee and Ecology Curriculum Committee, and provides expert reviewing for journals such as Mammal Review, New Zealand Journal of Zoology, and Biological Conservation. His technical advisory work extends to major conservation initiatives like Operation Solutions for Primary Industry (OSPRI). As Co-Director of the Centre of Wildlife Management and Conservation, Professor Ross leads research teams working on predator-free initiatives and invasive species management. His current projects involve collaboration with Zero Invasive Predators (ZIP) and technical advisory groups focused on developing new tools for removing possums, rats, and stoats from mainland areas.

• Neuropsychiatry
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• +4 more

Lee Tih-Shih is a Professor in the Signature Research Programme in Neuroscience & Behavioural Disorders at Duke-NUS Medical School. He holds academic appointments as an Associate Professor at Duke University and clinical privileges at Singapore General Hospital (20% FTE), where he leads the Neuropsychiatry Subspecialty Clinic. His research focuses on neuropsychiatric disorders, cognitive training using brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies, and precision medicine for conditions like ADHD and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). He established Duke-NUS’s Neurocognitive Genomics and Brain-Computer Interface Laboratories, pioneering BCI-based therapies for neurodevelopmental and cognitive disorders. Education: BS (Honors), Northwestern University MD, Yale University PhD (Genomic and Pathophysiological Characterization of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy), Yale University MSc (Psychological Medicine), University of New South Wales Professional Contributions: Deputy Chief Examiner for Psychiatry, Ministry of Health Singapore (2014) Inaugural Chair of the Section of Neuropsychiatry at the Academy of Medicine Singapore (2017–2021) Board certifications: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Fellow of Royal College of Physicians (Canada & Edinburgh) Research Interests: His work integrates BCI systems with neuroimaging and wearable devices to address attention deficits, memory disorders, and ASD. Recent studies explore home-based BCI therapies for children with co-occurring ASD and ADHD, as well as sleep behavior analysis using multi-modal data. His lab’s innovations have led to pilot trials for elderly cognitive training and epilepsy gene expression profiling. Awards: Duke-NUS Pioneer Award (2016) for advancing translational research Duke-NUS Teaching Award (2008) for excellence in medical education Teaching & Mentorship: Engages in clinical teaching at Duke-NUS, mentoring medical students and specialist trainees. His educational initiatives include team-based learning and bedside neurology training. Labs & Collaborations: Leads the Brain-Computer Interface Laboratory, collaborating with institutions like SingHealth and the National University of Singapore on neurotechnology and precision medicine projects.

Daniel WearyView profile

Professor

• Animal Welfare
• Applied Animal Behaviour
• Dairy Cattle Welfare
• +3 more

Daniel Weary is a Professor in the Department of Applied Biology at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Land and Food Systems. He serves as an Associate Dean in Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and leads the Animal Welfare Program. NSERC Industrial Research Chair (1997–present) Killam Prize recipient (2015) Clarivate Analytics Highly Cited Researcher (2018) His research focuses on advancing animal welfare through: Developing behavioral/cognitive methods to assess animal emotions Improving livestock housing systems for dairy cattle and lab animals Evaluating pain management practices in farm animals Integrating automation for early disease detection Examining ethical frameworks for animal use Key research trends include: Systematic reviews of animal management practices Interdisciplinary approaches combining ethics and science Public perception studies influencing welfare policies Technological innovations in behavioral monitoring Comparative welfare assessments between conventional and modified systems Significant contributions: Co-developed UBC's Applied Animal Biology undergraduate program (2009) Created award-winning course 'Animal Welfare and the Ethics of Animal Use' (APBI 315) Conducted extensive studies on pain empathy and social behavior in dairy calves Lead research on refining anesthesia protocols for lab animals Major affiliations: Centre for Applied Ethics Dairy Education and Research Centre

• Animal Welfare
• Farm Animal Welfare
• Pain Management
• +3 more

Dr. Dorothy McKeegan is a Senior Lecturer in Physiology Ageing & Welfare at the University of Glasgow. She holds a BSc in Zoology from the University of Glasgow (1990–1994), an MSc in Applied Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare (University of Edinburgh, 1994–1995), and a Ph.D. in Behavioural Endocrinology from the Roslin Institute/University of Edinburgh (1996–1999). Her academic career includes a postdoctoral role at the Roslin Institute (1999–2005) and appointment as Lecturer at Glasgow in 2005, promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2010. Her research focuses on integrating behavioral, physiological, and neurophysiological techniques to address animal welfare issues in farm animals, particularly pain, humane slaughter, and welfare assessment methods. She has pioneered work on novel depopulation techniques for poultry, Low Atmospheric Pressure Stunning (LAPS), and ethical reasoning in veterinary practice. Her research has influenced UK and EU policies, including updates to poultry welfare standards. Key grants include BBSRC funding for studies on poultry breathlessness and DEFRA projects on emergency depopulation methods. Key contributions include advancing non-invasive welfare assessment tools like thermography and EEG monitoring. She has led international collaborations, such as the research dossier enabling LAPS inclusion in EU legislation. Current projects explore humane euthanasia methods for laboratory rodents and welfare implications of postpartum pain relief in dairy calves.

Anna JohnsonView profile

Professor

• Animal Welfare
• Livestock Behavior
• Swine and Poultry Management
• +3 more

Dr. Anna Johnson is a Professor and Artz Chair for Faculty Excellence in Animal Science at Iowa State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. in Animal Science from Texas Tech University (2001), an M.Sc. in Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare from the University of Edinburgh (1997), and a B.Sc. in Animal Science with Honours from the University of Reading (1995). Her research focuses on livestock welfare, with particular emphasis on swine and poultry behavior, environmental enrichment, and humane handling practices. Key research areas include optimizing thermal conditions for feeder pigs, improving transport welfare for market pigs, and developing enrichment strategies to mitigate stress during weaning. She has pioneered methods for assessing cattle disease through novel tools like cotton ropes and investigated social buffering effects in weaned calves. Dr. Johnson also advocates for diversity, equity, and inclusion in academic and agricultural settings, conducting studies on DEI within her department. Her recent publications highlight advancements in laser-based enrichment for broilers, validation of welfare assessment techniques, and characterization of chronic conditions in feedlot cattle. She collaborates on projects addressing sow lameness, toe overgrowth, and the economic impacts of welfare improvements.

• Neuroscience
• Neural Circuits
• Instinctive Behaviors
• +3 more

Vanessa Stempel is a Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research , Germany, where she heads the Instinctive Behaviour Circuits Group . Her research investigates the neural circuits underlying instinctive behaviors (e.g., hunting, escape, mating) in rodents, focusing on how synaptic and cellular mechanisms enable behavioral flexibility through adaptive information processing. Education : PhD in Neuroscience (2015) from Free University of Berlin and Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin; MSc in Biomedicine (2009) at UCL; BSc in Biology (2008). Her work combines in vivo neural activity recordings and behavioral manipulations with molecular, cellular, and circuit-level analyses in vitro. Recent publications explore the role of GABAergic neurons in escape behavior (2024, Current Biology ) and the evolutionary conservation of brainstem circuits (2024, Current Opinion in Neurobiology ). Scientific awards include the ERC Starting Grant (2025–2029) , Behrens-Weise Foundation funding (2023–2025) , and the UCL Early Career Neuroscience Prize (2019) . She previously held a DFG postdoctoral fellowship (2017–2020) and a DAAD undergraduate scholarship (2007–2008). The lab she leads focuses on adaptive behavior , neural plasticity , and evolutionary neuroscience , with affiliations to institutions in Germany, the UK, Hungary, and Poland.

Marie-H. MonfilsView profile

Professor

• Learning and Memory
• Fear Memory Attenuation
• Affiliative Kinship
• +3 more

Marie-H. Monfils serves as Professor and Associate Chair for Research and Operations in the Department of Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin's College of Liberal Arts. She holds a Ph.D. in behavioral neuroscience from the University of Lethbridge (Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience) and completed postdoctoral training at New York University. Ph.D. in Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge Postdoctoral Fellowship, New York University Her research focuses on three interconnected streams: (1) developing post-consolidation interventions to persistently attenuate fear memories, (2) investigating affiliative kinship mechanisms and social information transmission between conspecifics, and (3) analyzing individual differences affecting fear extinction efficacy. Using longitudinal rat models, her work emphasizes ethical animal care with humane euthanasia protocols strictly limited to minimizing suffering or natural lifespan completion. Dr. Monfils actively mentors graduate students and will accept new applicants for Fall 2026 and 2027 cohorts. Her Monfils Memory Lab operates within a robust ethical framework that includes formal land acknowledgment of Turtle Island and specific recognition of Texas Indigenous tribes including Alabama-Coushatta, Caddo, and Lipan Apache peoples. The lab's research methodology combines behavioral neuroscience with lifespan analysis to optimize fear attenuation techniques while examining social transmission variables. All experimental procedures prioritize animal welfare within federally mandated ethical guidelines for rodent research.

Robert J. McDonaldView profile

Associate Professor

• Learning and Memory Systems
• Psychiatric Disorders
• Alzheimer's Disease
• +5 more

Robert J. McDonald is an Associate Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Lethbridge, where he holds a Canada Research Chair. He is affiliated with the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience and is part of the faculty at the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience (CCBN). Dr. McDonald received his BSc from the University of Lethbridge, followed by an MSc and PhD in Psychology from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. After completing postdoctoral training at the University of New Mexico on a NSERC post-doctoral fellowship, he joined the Department of Psychology at the University of Toronto where he received tenure in 2000. He later returned to Lethbridge to take his current position. Dr. McDonald's research focuses on understanding interactions among learning and memory systems, the role of memory system dysfunction in psychiatric disorders, testing alternative theories of Alzheimer's disease, co-factors contributing to cognitive and motor deficits following stroke, and multiple pathways for memory consolidation. His work primarily uses rodent models to investigate these questions, with particular emphasis on how different brain regions contribute to various forms of learning and memory. Analysis of his recent publications reveals consistent investigation of hippocampal-striatal interactions, stress effects on memory, and mechanisms underlying Alzheimer's disease pathology and stroke recovery. Dr. McDonald has been recognized with a Canada Research Chair, highlighting his significant contributions to neuroscience research. His publication record demonstrates sustained productivity with numerous high-impact papers in leading neuroscience journals from 2007-2011. While specific information about his advising is limited in the provided text, his extensive publication record with multiple co-authors, particularly N.S. Hong and L.A. Craig, suggests active mentorship of graduate students and research collaborators. His Canada Research Chair position indicates successful grant funding to support his laboratory operations. Dr. McDonald is an integral part of the research team at the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience (CCBN), where he conducts rodent-based neuroscience research investigating fundamental questions about brain function and memory processes.

• Animal Behavior
• Neuroendocrinology
• Comparative Physiology
• +3 more

Prof Karen Spencer is a Professor and Director of Research in the School of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of St Andrews. Her research focuses on multi-disciplinary approaches to understanding mechanisms underlying animal behavior, integrating behavioral, physiological, endocrine, and neuroendocrine methods using avian species. She heads the Mechanisms of Behaviour Research Group (MOBLAB) and co-directs the Institute of Behavioural and Neural Sciences (IBANS). Her work emphasizes developmental stress impacts on behavior, circadian rhythms, and neuroimmune function, with a focus on Japanese quail and songbirds. Dr Spencer supervises PhD students in areas like developmental stress, social behavior, and neuroendocrine adaptation. Her research spans topics such as prenatal glucocorticoid effects, social isolation impacts, and the interplay between biological aging and stress responses. Key findings include the transgenerational transfer of circadian clock genes and the neurogenomic consequences of early-life adversity. Her lab’s research is supported by collaborations and has been published in journals like Journal of Comparative Physiology , Hormones and Behavior , and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences . Dr Spencer’s work bridges basic and applied sciences, with implications for animal welfare and stress management strategies in wildlife and domesticated species.

• Behavioural Genetics
• Epigenetics
• Neuropsychiatric Genetics
• +13 more

Professor Lawrence Wilkinson is a leading academic at Cardiff University, holding a joint professorship in the Schools of Medicine and Psychology. He is Co-Director of the Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute and a key member of the Behavioural Genetics Group (BGG) and the MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics. His work bridges molecular genetics, neuroscience, and psychiatric research. His research focuses on the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms underlying brain function and behavior, with particular emphasis on psychiatric and neurological disorders. He investigates how risk genes for schizophrenia, autism, and dementia affect neural circuits and behavior using preclinical models. His work also explores sex chromosome effects, genomic imprinting, and epigenetic regulation in mental health. The recent publications highlight a strong trend in psychiatric genetics, neurodevelopmental disorders, and synaptic function. His team frequently employs rodent models to dissect the behavioral and molecular consequences of genetic variations such as those in Cacna1c , Cyfip1 , DLG2 , and SETD1A . Key themes include cognitive inflexibility, emotional behavior, synaptic plasticity, and the role of neuroimmune mechanisms like the complement system in brain development and psychiatric risk. While no specific awards are listed in the provided text, his sustained publication record in high-impact journals and leadership roles indicate significant recognition in the field. Professor Wilkinson collaborates widely across disciplines and institutions, contributing to major research initiatives in neuropsychiatric genetics. He has not indicated any part-time status and is actively publishing, confirming his full-time, current faculty role. He is involved in major research units including the Behavioural Genetics Group and the MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, where his team conducts cutting-edge research using advanced genetic and behavioral methodologies.

Michael DenkerView profile

Researcher

• Neuroscience
• Reproducible Science
• Data Analytics
• +4 more

Dr. Michael Denker is a Team Leader in the Computational and Systems Neuroscience department at the Institute for Advanced Simulation (IAS-6) , Forschungszentrum Jülich. His research focuses on data analytics for electrophysiology and optophysiology in behavioral neuroscience, emphasizing reproducible science practices and collaborative workflows. He leads the Data Science of Electro- and Optophysiology in Behavioural Neuroscience team, developing tools like Elephant , Neo , and Cobrawap to standardize data analysis across neuroscience experiments. His work addresses challenges in metadata management, provenance tracking, and interoperability between experimental and simulation datasets. Key contributions include the Neuroelectrophysiology Analysis Ontology (NEAO) for structured data sharing and frameworks for validating neural network simulations. Denker actively promotes open science through initiatives like the German National Research Data Infrastructure (NFDI-Neuro) and collaborates with the Human Brain Project (HBP) on EBRAINS services. His research integrates multi-scale data from electrophysiological recordings and computational models to study cortical waves and spike patterns, particularly in rodent and primate systems.

• Brain evolution
• Comparative neuroanatomy
• Neuroethology
• +4 more

Professor Paul Manger is a Research Professor in the Department of Anatomical Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand. His work focuses on the evolution of brain and behaviour in African mammals, particularly through comparative neuroanatomy of species ranging from small rodents to elephants. He has established the first major brain bank in the southern hemisphere, housing over 300 well-prepared mammalian brain specimens, enabling advanced neuroanatomical studies. Qualifications: BSc, BSc Hons, PhD (University of Queensland, Australia) Manger investigates sleep patterns in free-roaming mammals to understand their relationship with brain evolution. His controversial thermogenetic hypothesis for cetacean brain evolution challenges traditional intellect-based theories, gaining gradual acceptance in the field. He currently serves as Field Editor for Frontiers in Mammal Science .