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Liv Merve Akca Abrahamsson is a Research Fellow at the Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, University of Oslo. Her work focuses on auditory cognition, social-emotional processing, and multisensory integration, particularly in the context of autism spectrum conditions and clinical psychology. Education: PhD in Auditory Cognition (2022, University of Oslo), MSc in Psychology (2016, Lund University), BSc in Psychology (2014, Izmir University of Economics) Her research explores: Attentional mechanisms in auditory processing Perception of vocal and musical stimuli Emotional and social cognition in clinical populations Publications demonstrate expertise in: Attentional blink phenomena Cognitive neuroscience methods Music psychology Autism research She is affiliated with the Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Lab (CANlab) and has contributed to projects examining mental effort, rhythm perception, and social decision-making.

• Auditory emotional processing in autism spectrum conditions
• Clinical social cognition
• Voice and music cognition
• +8 more

Dr. Juliana M. Pistorius is a music historian affiliated with the University College London (UCL) Institute of Advanced Studies as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Global Postdoctoral Fellow . Her research interrogates the intersections of Western art music, coloniality, and racial politics, particularly in postcolonial contexts. PhD, University of Oxford (2018) Leverhulme Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Huddersfield (2018-2021) Founding member, Black Opera Research Network (BORN) Reviews Editor, Cambridge Opera Journal Her current project, Beyond Boycott: Musical Internationalism and the Making of Race in Apartheid South Africa , analyzes how classical musicians' participation in apartheid-era South Africa reinforced racial hierarchies. This work builds on her monograph Postcolonial Opera: William Kentridge and the Unbounded Work of Art (forthcoming, 2025), which examines Kentridge's operatic experiments as decolonial narratives. Their research spans interdisciplinary analyses of opera as a colonial tool, cultural resistance in apartheid-era performances, and the ethical paradoxes of music's role in empire-building. Key themes include civic empowerment, racial profiling, and the enduring legacies of colonial soft power in artistic practice. Scientific Awards Leverhulme Postdoctoral Fellowship Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Global Postdoctoral Fellowship Pistorius is a founding member of the Black Opera Research Network (BORN) , contributes to Cambridge Opera Journal , and collaborates with institutions in South Africa, including the University of the Witwatersrand during her MSCA fellowship's outgoing phase.

• Music History
• Postcolonial Studies
• Race and Coloniality in Music
• +7 more

Dr. Jeffrey Proudfoot is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Computer Information Systems Department at Bentley University. He holds a Research Affiliate position at MIT's Cybersecurity at MIT Sloan (CAMS) center and coordinates the Business Core course CS305. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Arizona, and M.S./B.S. from the University of Utah. Teaching focuses on business process management, ERP systems, and information security. His research examines cybersecurity regulations, corporate board governance of cyber risk, behavioral information security, and deception detection. Recent publications explore cybersecurity investment decisions, regulatory impacts, and human factors in security compliance. Articles demonstrate consistent focus on organizational risk management and behavioral aspects of cybersecurity. Awards include: AIS Best Information Systems Publication Award Leads multiple industry partnerships with organizations including Google, Boston Consulting Group, and Department of Homeland Security. Research has been presented to congressional committees and Fortune-50 boards.

• Cybersecurity Regulations
• Corporate Governance of Cyber Risk
• Behavioral Information Security
• +1 more

Dr. Debra Phyland is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, where she works part-time as Director of Clinical Research for the ENT, Head and Neck Department of Monash Health. With over 36 years of experience as a speech pathologist primarily in acute hospital settings, she combines clinical practice with academic work and performance arts. Her educational background includes: PhD MAppSc (Master of Applied Science) DipEd (Diploma of Education) BAppSc (Bachelor of Applied Science) FSPAA (Fellow of Speech Pathology Australia Association) Dr. Phyland's research focuses on the intersection of voice medicine and performing arts, with particular expertise in neurolaryngology, professional voice disorders, and vocal rehabilitation. Her clinical work bridges the gap between medical science and performance, addressing the unique needs of professional voice users. She has developed specialized assessment and rehabilitation protocols for performers, integrating medical knowledge with practical performance demands. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on vocal cord dysfunction, diagnostic methodologies, and evidence-based interventions. Her work increasingly incorporates multidisciplinary approaches, bringing together otolaryngology, respiratory medicine, and speech pathology to address complex voice disorders. A significant portion of her research addresses the needs of performing artists, reflecting her dual career as both clinician and performer. Dr. Phyland has received multiple prestigious awards recognizing her contributions: Victorian Green Room Award 'Outstanding Contribution to the Melbourne Stage' (2012) Australian Voice Association award for 'Outstanding contribution to the Australian voice community' (2014) Speech Pathology Australia Association's Elinor Wray Award (2010) Churchill Fellowship (2002) Garnet-Passe Post-Doctoral fellowship (2016-2018) As an active researcher and clinician, Dr. Phyland has secured competitive funding including the Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams Memorial Foundation grant for her project on 'The relationship between vocal load, inflammation and the development of benign laryngeal pathologies' (2016-2018). She serves as PhD supervisor and is accepting new students through Monash University's Supervisor Connect program. Her leadership extends to professional organizations where she previously served as president of the Laryngology Society of Australasia (2014-2017) and currently chairs the Voice Committee for the International Association of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Dr. Phyland co-founded and owns the Melbourne Voice Analysis Centre and serves as principal speech pathologist for Voice Medicine Australia, a team of eight specialists dedicated to laryngology. Her clinical work uniquely combines with her background as a music theatre singer-performer, giving her distinctive insight into the vocal demands of professional performers. She has served as resident voice consultant for the Melbourne Theatre Company for over twenty-two years and for major productions including Frozen, Moulin Rouge, and Six the Musical.

• Speech Pathology
• Voice Medicine
• Laryngology
• +5 more

Dr. Francesca Talamini is a post-doctoral University Assistant at the University of Innsbruck, Austria, within the Department of Personality Psychology, Differential Psychology & Assessment . She holds a Ph.D. and leads research bridging music psychology and cognitive science. Research Interests: Music Psychology: expertise, aptitude, emotions, contour perception, inter-individual differences Cognition: working memory, memory-perception interactions Aesthetic emotions: cross-arts emotion comparisons Methods: meta-analysis, multi-lab replication studies Her investigations exploit behavioral, meta-analytic and multi-lab approaches to understand how musical training modulates memory and emotion processing across auditory and visual domains. Projects & Collaborations: She currently manages studies on contour perception, music-emotion congruency effects, and memory differences between musicians and non-musicians, and welcomes motivated students for master-thesis supervision and internships. Publications Profile: Talamini’s 2022-2024 output reveals concentrated attention to the cognitive repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on relationships, as well as continued exploration of auditory-cognition interactions, with papers appearing in Journal of Personality , Music Perception , Hearing Research , Scientific Reports , PLOS ONE and other high-impact journals.

• Music Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology
• Working Memory
• +6 more

Dr. Justin John Moniz is an Associate Professor of Vocal Performance and Associate Director of Vocal Performance & Coordinator of Vocal Pedagogy at New York University's Steinhardt School. His roles include leading NYU's graduate vocal pedagogy program, teaching courses on pedagogic theory and applied voice, and directing the award-winning NYU Pop/Rock Ensemble. Additionally, he serves as a vocal faculty member at Manhattan School of Music and Hawaii Performing Arts Festival's Executive Director. He is a 2025 Ellen Faull Master Teacher and recipient of NYU's Steinhardt Teaching Excellence Award. Education: Four degrees from Florida State University, University of Miami, and SUNY Potsdam, with certifications from Harvard Business School, Duke University, and NASM. Notable awards include Yamaha's Top 40 Music Educator and recognition as one of Florida State's Notable Noles and Miami's 30 Under 30. Research focuses on vocal pedagogy, vocal hygiene, and outreach programs like NYU's Vocal Pedagogy Outreach Program (VPOP), which has engaged 1,800+ students in underserved communities. His work bridges voice science with sports medicine, emphasizing vocal load management and sustainability. Over 30 peer-reviewed articles by his students reflect his mentorship impact. Awards include The American Prize in Vocal Performance (three-time winner), BroadwayWorld accolades, and leadership roles in NATS-NYC as President. His administrative achievements include securing $2M in grants for Hawaii Performing Arts Festival, doubling its enrollment. Performance highlights include over 90 opera/musical theatre roles, a debut album *Along the Way*, and collaborations with orchestras like Chicago Symphony Center. He also directs NYU's Broadway Orchestra and leads ArtsBridge Summer Program for high school singers.

• Vocal Pedagogy
• Performance Studies
• Vocal Hygiene & Wellness
• +5 more

Zoe Kriegel, Ph.D., CCC-SLP is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Communication Disorders at the University of Wyoming. She holds a Ph.D. (2022), M.S. (2018), and B.S. (2016) from Bowling Green State University and Kent State University respectively, with a research focus on speech motor control in individuals with Parkinson Disease. Ph.D., Bowling Green State University, 2022 M.S., Bowling Green State University, 2018 B.S., Kent State University, 2016 Her research examines how competing cognitive demands affect speech production, using dual-task paradigms and cognitive-linguistic interference to analyze changes in speech acoustics, kinematics, and facial muscle activity. This work aims to improve clinical assessment and intervention strategies for speech disorders in Parkinson's patients. Recent publications highlight her expertise in speech kinematics, dual-task performance, and cognitive-speech interactions. Dr. Kriegel teaches courses on neurological communication disorders and voice disorders, contributing to both graduate and undergraduate education in speech-language pathology.

• Speech Motor Control
• Parkinson Disease
• Speech Kinematics
• +3 more

Dr. Sarah Berger is a Full Professor at the College of Staten Island, CUNY. Her research focuses on infant development, particularly the interplay between motor skills, sleep, and cognitive processes. She leads the Child Development Lab, exploring how locomotion and postural control influence problem-solving and learning in infants. Her educational background includes a PhD and MA from New York University and a BA from the University of Texas. Notable awards include National Science Foundation grants (2020-2023, 2016-2021) and a Fulbright Research Fellowship (2010-2011). Research interests include cognition-action trade-offs, sleep's role in motor learning, and the impact of motor delays on learning. Collaborations involve Dr. Anat Scher (University of Haifa) on sleep and locomotion, and Dr. Regina Harbourne (Duquesne University) on postural control and motor interventions. She also partners with Nanit for sleep-motor development studies. Key findings highlight sleep's role in enhancing problem-solving after learning, and the cognitive demands of balancing during reaching tasks. Her work bridges developmental psychology, physical therapy, and neuroscience. Scientific Awards: NSF Awards (2020-2023, 2016-2021), Fulbright Fellowship Advising: Mentor to over 20 students in experimental and observational studies Labs/Teams: Child Development Lab, collaborations with NYU and Duquesne University

• Infant Development
• Cognitive Development
• Motor Learning
• +3 more

Chandan R. Narayan is an Associate Professor of Linguistics at York University's Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, where he directs the Speech and Psycholinguistics Lab. His research examines speech perception, acoustic phonetics, and language acquisition, with focus on infant speech perception and historical sound change. Education includes a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan (2006) and undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley. Current research includes cross-linguistic studies of infant-directed speech, acoustic-perceptual explanations for historical sound changes in Dravidian languages, and bilingual lexical access. Research bridges laboratory phonetics with psycholinguistics, investigating how speech perception develops in infancy and how acoustic properties of language input influence phonological development and historical language change.

• Speech Perception
• Acoustic Phonetics
• Language Acquisition
• +2 more

Laura Dilley is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders at Michigan State University. She holds a Ph.D. in Speech and Hearing Biosciences and Technology from MIT and Harvard (2005) and a B.S. in Brain and Cognitive Sciences from MIT (1997). Her research focuses on phonetics, prosody, and speech processing, with significant work on cochlear implants, infant-directed speech, and the cognitive mechanisms of spoken language understanding. Education: B.S., Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT (1997) Ph.D., Speech and Hearing Biosciences and Technology, MIT and Harvard (2005) Her publications span prosodic transcription systems, auditory rhythm discrimination, cochlear implant-related speech processing, and AI applications in clinical practice. Recent work explores generative AI risks and QAnon propaganda as information warfare. Earlier studies examine speech segmentation, perceptual isochrony, and acoustic variability in infant-directed speech. Laura’s research integrates neuroscience, linguistics, and technology to address challenges in language development and speech intelligibility. She actively investigates the interplay between distal speech rate, prosodic cues, and contextual predictability in spoken communication.

• Phonetics
• Phonology
• Speech and Hearing Biosciences
• +6 more

Gary McPherson is the Ormond Professor of Music at the University of Melbourne's Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, Australia. A distinguished scholar in music education and psychology, he has held significant academic positions globally including the Marilyn Pflederer Zimmerman Endowed Chair at the University of Illinois and Professor of Creative Arts at the Hong Kong Institute of Education. His educational background includes: Undergraduate training in music education at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Licentiate (L.T.C.L) and Fellowship (F.T.C.L.) in trumpet performance from Trinity College, London Master of Music Education at Indiana University Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Sydney Professor McPherson's research focuses on understanding how individuals develop musical skills, investigating the biological, cognitive and social processes involved in acquiring musical competencies. His work examines personal, environmental and developmental factors that affect musical development, ability, identity, and wellbeing. He is particularly known for his longitudinal studies tracking musicians' development over time and for establishing interdisciplinary connections across the university through the Music, Mind & Wellbeing initiative. His extensive publication record shows a clear trajectory toward understanding self-regulated learning in music, the psychology of musical performance, and gifted education in music. Recent work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, combining insights from psychology, education, and neuroscience to enhance music teaching and learning practices. Professor McPherson has received significant recognition for his contributions: Honorary Life Membership of the International Society for Music Education (ISME) Fellow of the Australian Society for Music Education (ASME) As an educator and mentor, Professor McPherson has supervised numerous doctoral students and early-career researchers. His editorial work includes serving on the boards of major research journals in music education and as Associate Editor for Psychology of Music, Research Studies in Music Education (which he helped establish in 1993), and the Journal of Interdisciplinary Music Studies. He has secured significant research funding for longitudinal studies on musical development and interdisciplinary wellbeing projects. Professor McPherson leads the Music, Mind & Wellbeing initiative at the University of Melbourne, fostering collaboration between music, psychology, and health sciences. His work connects researchers across disciplines to explore how music impacts human development and wellbeing, creating a vibrant research community focused on practical applications of music psychology research.

• Music Education
• Music Psychology
• Performance Science
• +3 more

Giosuè Baggio is a Professor of Psycholinguistics at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), affiliated with the Department of Language and Literature within the Faculty of Humanities. His research focuses on cognitive science, neurolinguistics, and the neural mechanisms underlying language processing, including semantics, syntax, and compositionality. He is the author of influential works such as Meaning in the Brain and Neurolinguistics , published by MIT Press. Baggio teaches courses such as Language and Cognition , Semantics and Pragmatics , and Research Methods in Linguistics . His work bridges experimental psychology, neuroscience, and computational models, with a particular interest in how language is represented in the brain and the implications for artificial intelligence. He actively engages in science communication, contributing to media outlets like Nature , The Guardian , and Norwegian public radio (NRK), discussing topics ranging from AI ethics to university policies. His research has explored the cultural transmission of symbolic systems, the neural basis of deductive reasoning, and the role of computational complexity in quantifier processing. Baggio is a vocal advocate for rigorous scientific methodology, emphasizing preregistration and theory development. He collaborates internationally, including roles at the Embodied Cognitive Science Unit (OIST, Okinawa) and the Sydney Music, Mind, and Body Lab. His recent work includes organizing conferences like the 2025 Linguistic Association of Finland Symposium on 'Meaning in Language, Machines, and Humans.'

• Cognitive Science
• Neurolinguistics
• Psycholinguistics
• +4 more

Julia Merrill serves as Adjunct Professor at the University of Kassel's Institute of Music and Senior Research Fellow in the Music Department at the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics since 2014. Her academic journey includes a Habilitation in Musicology (2018, University of Kassel), PhD in Cognitive Science (2013, University of Potsdam), Diploma in Speech Science (2010, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg), and Diploma in Church Music (2004, University of Church Music Heidelberg). Habilitation in Musicology, University of Kassel (2018) PhD in Cognitive Science, University of Potsdam (2013, summa cum laude) Diploma in Speech Science, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (2010) Diploma in Church Music, University of Church Music Heidelberg (2004) Merrill's research centers on the psychological and physiological dimensions of musical aversion, with groundbreaking work on disliked music's emotional and bodily impacts. Her concert research examines physiological synchrony during live performances, while vocal studies explore the speech-song boundary and aesthetic evaluation of voices. Current projects include investigating perceived versus felt emotions in music and analyzing pandemic-era shifts in musical engagement. Her publication trends reveal a methodological evolution from lesion studies and fMRI toward ecological concert research and psychophysiological measurement. Recent work emphasizes mixed-methods approaches combining self-report with cardiac/respiratory monitoring, particularly regarding musical dislikes and live audience experiences. No scientific awards are explicitly documented in available materials. Merrill has served as guest professor at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (2015-2016) and edited conference proceedings for the International Association for the Study of Popular Music. Current externally funded work includes the INHABIT Artist-in-Residence program at the Max Planck Institute. She collaborates extensively on interdisciplinary projects spanning music cognition, neuropsychology, and empirical aesthetics. Her laboratory work focuses on the Music Department at the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics, where she leads research on disliked music and concert experiences. Current team initiatives include the Musicovid international research network examining pandemic impacts on musical behavior and projects studying physiological synchrony during ensemble singing.

• Musical Taste (Disliked Music)
• Concert Research
• Language and Music Cognition
• +5 more

Jing Shen serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Temple University's College of Public Health. Her research program, supported by the National Institute of Deafness and Communication Disorders (NIDCD), addresses critical communication challenges faced by older adults in everyday listening environments. Her academic credentials include: PhD in Experimental Psychology from University of California, San Diego MS in Psychology (Social and Personality) from East China Normal University BA in Political Science (Minor: Psychology) from East China Normal University Dr. Shen's research investigates perceptual mechanisms underlying speech understanding in adverse conditions, with particular focus on how hearing loss and cognitive decline interact in aging populations. Her work develops innovative outcome measures for speech processing in realistic scenarios and examines individual variability in communication abilities. The SPAC Lab employs multimodal approaches including pupillometry to quantify listening effort and cognitive load during speech tasks. Analysis of her publication record reveals sustained investigation into dynamic pitch cues, breathy vocal quality, and noise effects on speech perception across aging cohorts. Recent work expands methodological approaches through remote testing validation and inclusion of vulnerable populations like older adults experiencing homelessness, demonstrating translational impact from laboratory to real-world settings. Dr. Shen directs the Speech Perception and Cognition (SPAC) Lab where her team conducts both laboratory and field studies. Her NIDCD-funded research bridges basic science with clinical applications, aiming to improve audiological services through better understanding of individual differences in speech communication challenges among older adults.

• Speech Perception
• Aging and Communication
• Hearing Loss
• +3 more

Professor Sophie Scott CBE is a prominent cognitive neuroscientist and director of the Institute for Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London (UCL). Her research focuses on the neurobiology of speech, laughter, and emotional vocalizations, emphasizing their social and communicative dimensions. She holds leadership roles in advancing neuroscience education and public engagement, including delivering the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures (2017) and TED Talks. Scott’s academic positions include roles within UCL’s Faculty of Brain Sciences, where she contributes to interdisciplinary research across institutes like the Institute of Neurology and the Ear Institute. Her work bridges basic science and clinical applications, with recent studies exploring laughter perception in autism and the neural basis of vocal authenticity. Awarded a CBE (2020) for services to neuroscience, Scott is also a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and British Academy. Her public engagement efforts include stand-up comedy performances to communicate science, and she advocates for women in STEM through mentorship and collaborative initiatives. Key research themes include auditory processing pathways, emotional expression recognition, and the social neuroscience of laughter. Her lab investigates how vocal behaviors reflect group dynamics and social bonds, with studies published in high-impact journals like Journal of Neuroscience and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences .

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Emotional Expression
• +3 more