معرفی
Professor Klaus Kessler is a Full Professor of Affective, Behavioural, and Cognitive (ABC) Neuroscience at University College Dublin's School of Psychology since February 2022. Previously, he held positions at Aston University (2013–2022) and the University of Glasgow (2005–2013). He obtained his Dipl.-Psych. (BSc/MSc equivalent) and PhD from Mannheim University (1995 and 1999, respectively). Kessler's research focuses on understanding cognitive mechanisms in the brain using neuroimaging techniques like MEG, EEG, TMS, and virtual reality (Neuro-VR), with an emphasis on social neuroscience, perspective-taking, mentalizing, decision-making, and memory. He has supervised numerous research projects and grants, including Neuro-VR interventions for older drivers and studies on social-emotional reciprocity in autism. His work bridges experimental psychology, neuroscience, and interdisciplinary collaborations in clinical and virtual environments.
Education:
- Dipl.-Psych., Mannheim University (1995)
- PhD, Mannheim University (1999)
Research Interests: Kessler employs MEG, EEG, TMS, and Neuro-VR to study cognitive mechanisms in typical and atypical populations. Key areas include embodied perspective-taking, social cognition, decision-making, and memory. His work explores how neural oscillations (theta, alpha, gamma) underpin these processes, particularly in autism spectrum disorder and aging populations.
Articles Summary: Recent work highlights findings on autism-related neural connectivity deficits, embodied perspective-taking mechanisms, and expert decision-making in virtual reality. His studies emphasize the role of theta oscillations in social-cognitive processes and the application of Neuro-VR for clinical assessment and intervention.
Grants and Funding: Over 13 grants secured, including projects on Neuro-VR interventions, social memory enrichment, and attentional mechanisms in aging. Notable funders include the Leverhulme Trust, Medical Research Council, and Wolfson Foundation.
Advising & Labs: Kessler supervises PhD and MLitt students in research-based projects. He co-directed the Aston Laboratory for Immersive Virtual Environments (ALIVE) and led the TMS lab at AIHN. Current teaching includes modules on Mind and Brain, Psychology of Perception, and Embodied & Social Cognitive Neuroscience.
