Dr. J.P. de Ruiter is a Professor in both the Psychology and Computer Science departments at Tufts University. He holds a PhD from the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics and a Drs (equivalent to MS) from Radboud University. His research focuses on the cognitive foundations of human communication, including how humans and artificial agents use language, gesture, and multimodal signals to communicate. He previously served as Chair of Psycholinguistics at Bielefeld University and founded the Natural Communication HD Lab there. Research Interests: Cognition and Psycholinguistics Computational models of conversation Artificial Intelligence applications in communication Social robotics and intention recognition Recent work investigates top-down effects of dialogue coherence on speaker identity perception and limitations of Large Language Models in conversational timing. His lab (Human Interaction Lab) explores human-machine interaction through datasets and algorithms enhancing social communication.
Andrew Yonelinas is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Davis, where he directs the Human Memory Lab. He holds additional leadership roles as Associate Director of the Center for Mind and Brain and is an affiliated faculty member with the UC Davis Center for Neuroscience. His research bridges cognitive psychology and neuroscience to investigate fundamental memory mechanisms and their neural substrates. His educational background includes a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from McMaster University (1995) and a B.S. in Cognitive Science from the University of Toronto (1990). These foundational studies established his expertise in experimental methodologies and cognitive theory. Yonelinas specializes in dual-process models of memory, distinguishing between recollection (detailed contextual retrieval) and familiarity (vague recognition). His lab employs process dissociation, remember/know procedures, and ROC modeling alongside neuroimaging (fMRI, ERP) and clinical studies with amnesic and Alzheimer's patients. Recent work expands into auditory working memory, multisensory integration, and the impact of mental illness on cognitive processes, revealing hippocampal roles across memory systems. His research consistently addresses how memory fails in clinical conditions while developing unified theoretical frameworks. Analysis of his 2024-2025 publications shows a strong focus on memory mechanisms across sensory modalities, with increasing emphasis on clinical applications. Key trends include hippocampal contributions to visual/auditory working memory, EEG-based biomarkers for mental illness, and the interplay between schema knowledge and memory distortion in aging populations. His work demonstrates methodological innovation through model-based EEG phenotyping and multisite clinical collaborations. His scientific recognition includes: American Psychological Society’s Shahin Hashtroudi Memorial Award University of California Chancellor’s Fellow Award European Brain and Behavior Society International Lecture Award Yonelinas actively shapes his field through editorial roles at top journals including Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and Journal of Experimental Psychology, while serving as a grant reviewer for NIH, NSF, and international funding bodies. His Human Memory Lab trains next-generation researchers in memory theory and methodology, with recent projects examining stress effects on memory precision and neural mechanisms of action slips. The Human Memory Lab operates within UC Davis's neuroscience ecosystem, collaborating closely with the Center for Mind and Brain on projects involving clinical populations and neuroimaging. Current initiatives include the CNTRACS Consortium for EEG standardization in mental illness and investigations into how stress modulates memory binding through hippocampal mechanisms.
Dr. Naseem Choudhury is a Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Ramapo College of New Jersey, affiliated with the School of Social Science and Human Services (SSHS). She holds a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from the University of Vermont. Her research focuses on the neural basis of infant information processing, particularly how perceptual abilities influence typical and atypical development, with an emphasis on familial and sociocultural factors. Her work spans auditory processing in infants at risk for developmental language disorders, electrophysiological studies in children with autism, and cross-cultural analyses of artistic perception. She directs the Palestroni Integrated Neuroscience Lab, exploring neural mechanisms underlying cognitive development. Dr. Choudhury has published extensively in journals like Journal of Neuroscience and Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience , with over 50 peer-reviewed articles since 2002. Her studies often involve ERP and EEG methodologies to track developmental milestones and intervention efficacy in high-risk populations. Her research demonstrates that early auditory experiences shape prelinguistic acoustic mapping and that neuroplasticity interventions improve outcomes for language-impaired children. She collaborates internationally on projects linking sensory perception to linguistic outcomes, particularly in Italian and bilingual populations. Dr. Choudhury’s contributions bridge basic neuroscience and clinical applications, emphasizing early screening and preventive strategies for developmental disorders.
Lee Miller is a Professor in the Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior at the University of California, Davis, College of Biological Sciences. His research integrates neural engineering, physiology, and computational methods to develop communication restoration technologies and investigate sensory processing mechanisms. His primary research interests include neural engineering for speech neuroprosthetics, electrophysiological analysis of speech production, auditory neuroscience, and geometric approaches to neuromuscular signal decoding. He employs surface electromyography (EMG), electroencephalography (EEG), and computational modeling to study brain-machine interfaces for speech restoration and multisensory integration. Recent publications reveal a dominant focus on EMG-based speech neuroprostheses, with geometric and topological analysis of neuromuscular signals emerging as a key methodology. His lab has pioneered non-invasive approaches to speech articulation decoding, created standardized EMG databases, and investigated neural mechanisms of attention in speech-in-noise processing. This work bridges engineering innovation with fundamental neuroscience to address communication disorders. Professor Miller leads the Miller Lab at UC Davis, which specializes in neural engineering for communication restoration. The lab develops real-time speech synthesis systems from neural signals and investigates the physiological basis of speech production and perception using multimodal recording techniques.
Mathias Funk is an Associate Professor in the Industrial Design department at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), leading the Things Ecology lab. His research focuses on designing with data and systems behavior, particularly in IoT and medical technology contexts. He co-founded UXsuite GmbH and developed the OOCSI communication framework. With a PhD in Electrical Engineering from TU/e (2011), Funk has held academic roles since 2013, including postdoctoral positions in Electrical Engineering and Industrial Design. He teaches courses like 'Data-enabled design' and supervises projects on AI, data foundry, and OOCSI applications. His work bridges engineering and design, addressing sustainability and human values through systemic design approaches. Education: PhD in Electrical Engineering, TU/e (2011) Computer Science background from RWTH Aachen Postdoc at TU/e's Electrical Engineering and Industrial Design departments Research Interests: Data-driven design methodologies, IoT systems, medical technology innovation, sustainable design practices, and interactive systems for musical expression. Recent work emphasizes telemonitoring efficacy in heart failure care and federated learning applications. Awards: Best Paper Award (2014) Honorable Mention (2021) Grants/Projects: Leading initiatives like MEDICAID (medtech solutions), ACACIA (interpretable AI), and Data-Driven Servitizing in Professional Printing. Active in clinical workflow prototyping and cardiovascular disease detection projects. Lab Activities: Manages the Things Ecology lab, focusing on systemic design challenges in smart ecosystems. Collaborates internationally through spin-offs and visiting lectureships.
Rahul Sarpeshkar is a Professor of Engineering, Microbiology & Immunology, Physics, and Molecular & Systems Biology at Dartmouth College, holding the Thomas E. Kurtz Professorship and chairing the Neukom Computational Science Cluster. His research bridges analog circuits with quantum physics, synthetic biology, and ultra-low-power systems. BS in Electrical Engineering and Physics from MIT (1995) PhD in Computation and Neural Systems from Caltech (1998) His research focuses on analog synthetic biology , quantum circuit design , and bio-inspired supercomputing , emphasizing noise, thermodynamics, and energy efficiency. He develops cytomorphic chips to model biochemical networks and quantum-inspired circuits for spectrum analysis. Recent work integrates quantum and classical computation for biological simulations, drug cocktail formulation , and ATP energy measurement in living cells. Patents highlight innovations in quantum emulation and medical devices. Scientific awards include: Fellow, National Academy of Inventors (2018) IEEE Fellow (2018) NSF CAREER Award ONR Young Investigator Award Packard Fellow Award Junior Bose Teaching Award, MIT He leads a wet lab for synthetic microbial circuit implementation and a dry lab for quantum and nanoelectronics, mentoring a multidisciplinary team of physicists, bioengineers, and computer scientists.
Henrike K. Blumenfeld is an Associate Professor at San Diego State University (SDSU), affiliated with the School of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences within the College of Health and Human Services. She serves as Director of the Bilingualism and Cognition Laboratory and holds joint faculty status in the SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Language and Communicative Disorders. Her primary research focuses on bilingualism, cognitive control, and language processing across the lifespan. Education: Ph.D., Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University (2001–2008) B.A., Linguistics, Bryn Mawr College (1997–2001) Research Interests: Bilingualism and cognitive aging Cross-linguistic effects in language comprehension Cognitive control mechanisms in bilingual speakers Neurobiological bases of bilingual language processing Assessment of multilingual populations Grants & Awards: She has secured funding from NIH/NIDCD, NSF, and SDSU grants totaling over $200,000. Notable awards include the 2022 CHHS YES Award for service, 2013 Undergraduate Professor of the Year, and multiple research travel grants. Labs/Teams: Directs the Bilingualism and Cognition Lab, collaborating with institutions like the Gary and Mary West Senior Wellness Center and Bangor University’s Centre for Research on Bilingualism.
Jens Kreitewolf is a Faculty Lecturer in the Departments of Psychology and Mathematics and Statistics at McGill University. He teaches courses in statistics, research methodology, and psychophysics. His research focuses on auditory cognition, speech comprehension, and the neural mechanisms underlying voice perception. Dr. Kreitewolf holds a Ph.D. (Dr. rer. nat.) from Humboldt University of Berlin and completed postdoctoral fellowships at BRAMS and the University of Lübeck. His work combines experimental psychology, neuroimaging, and psychophysics to explore auditory processing challenges in adverse listening conditions. Key interests include how familiarity with a talker’s voice aids comprehension and the impact of hearing impairment on speech perception. Education: M.Sc. in Psychology (Ruhr University Bochum, 2009); Ph.D. in Psychology (Humboldt University of Berlin, 2014). Research Interests: Auditory scene analysis and speech-in-noise processing Voice recognition and familiarity effects Neural correlates of perceptual decision-making Circadian rhythms and perceptual sensitivity Cognitive neuroscience of auditory attention Publications highlight contributions to understanding: Risk factors for depression symptom progression Self-concept clarity in romantic evaluations Neurobiological mechanisms of working memory vulnerability Vestibular symptoms in migraine patients His interdisciplinary approach bridges psychology, statistics, and neuroscience, with applications to clinical populations and sensory processing disorders.
Andrea Megela Simmons is a Professor at Brown University in the Department of Cognitive, Linguistic, and Psychological Sciences with a secondary appointment in the Department of Neuroscience . She is a member of the Carney Institute for Brain Science and serves as a Principal Investigator on an ONR MURI project. Education : A.B. from the University of Pennsylvania (1973), Ph.D. from Harvard University (1978), Postdoctoral research at Cornell University Simmons specializes in cognitive and neural mechanisms of sound perception and communication across species including frogs, bats, dolphins, and humans. Her work bridges behavioral neuroscience, comparative neurology, and developmental studies to explore auditory processing, echolocation, and sensory integration. Her recent publications highlight interdisciplinary trends in auditory neuroscience, focusing on sound exposure effects, metamorphic neurodevelopment, and sensory-motor coordination in cluttered environments. Key subfields include echolocation, lateral line function, tectal connectivity, and acoustic adaptation across species. Scientific Awards : Fellow, Acoustical Society of America Simmons has received grants from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) for MURI projects and has taught courses such as Animal Behavior , Evolution and Development of the Brain , and Auditory Perception Laboratory .
Stéphanie P. Lacour is a Full Professor at the School of Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), where she holds the Foundation Bertarelli Chair in Neuroprosthetic Technology. She leads the Laboratory of Soft Bioelectronic Interfaces (LSBI) and is affiliated with multiple departments including INX-STI, STI-SMT, SV-SSV, and AVP-DLE-EDOC. Since 2025, she has served as EPFL’s Vice-President for Support to Strategic Initiatives, overseeing institutional research strategy. Her research is centered at Campus Biotech in Geneva, where she was the founding director of the Neuro-X Institute. PhD in Electrical Engineering, INSA Lyon, France (1998–2001) Postdoctoral Research, Princeton University and University of Cambridge Joined EPFL in 2011 Her research focuses on soft bioelectronic interfaces that seamlessly integrate with biological tissues. She pioneers the development of stretchable, compliant electronics for implantable and wearable applications, using techniques from MEMS and microelectronics adapted to elastomeric substrates. Her work enables long-term, minimally invasive neural interfacing for applications in neuroprosthetics, rehabilitation, and health monitoring. Key innovations include soft electrocorticography arrays, liquid metal sensors, and encapsulation methods for chronic implants. Her recent publications span high-impact journals such as Nature , Science Robotics , Advanced Materials , and Nature Nanotechnology , covering topics like neural stimulation, soft robotics, wireless implants, and hydrogel-based interfaces . The work demonstrates a strong trend toward multimodal, closed-loop, and translational neurotechnologies with real-world clinical potential. Scientific Awards: No scientific awards explicitly mentioned in the provided text. She advises a large cohort of PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, many of whom have completed their theses under her supervision. Her team has received funding for projects in neural interfacing, bioelectronics, and soft robotics. She is actively involved in teaching courses such as Soft Microsystems Processing and Devices and Neural Interfaces . Lacour leads the Laboratory of Soft Bioelectronic Interfaces (LSBI) , a multidisciplinary research team focused on the fabrication, characterization, and in vivo evaluation of soft bioelectronic systems. The lab collaborates extensively across EPFL and with clinical partners to translate technologies from bench to bedside.
C. Daniel Meliza is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Virginia. His research focuses on the neural mechanisms of auditory learning and perception, primarily using zebra finches as a model system to understand how brains process complex vocal communication. Dr. Meliza's research investigates how neural circuits enable auditory learning and perception in songbirds. His lab studies experience-dependent plasticity, examining how early acoustic environments shape auditory processing. They also investigate how birds form internal models of vocal signals and use them to reconstruct degraded communication in noisy environments. This work has implications for understanding speech perception and communication disorders in humans. His recent publications reveal a strong focus on intrinsic plasticity mechanisms in the auditory cortex, computational modeling of neural systems, and how experience shapes neural coding of vocalizations. The work spans from cellular mechanisms to systems-level processing, with increasing integration of computational approaches to understand neural dynamics. Dr. Meliza has received significant recognition for his research: NIH R01 grant from NIDCD to examine mechanisms of intrinsic plasticity in early auditory learning (2021) NSF CAREER Award to study neural mechanisms of auditory restoration (2020) UVA Presidential Fellowship for Collaborative Neuroscience (2022) Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Postgraduate Scholarship (2023) UVA Double Hoo Award (2023) Dr. Meliza has successfully mentored multiple PhD students including Yao Lu, Samantha Moseley, Christof Fehrman, and Margot Bjoring. His lab is well-funded through competitive grants from NIH and NSF, supporting research into the fundamental neural mechanisms underlying auditory learning and perception. The lab employs a multidisciplinary approach combining behavioral experiments, electrophysiology, computational modeling, and molecular techniques. The Meliza Lab at the University of Virginia operates at the intersection of neuroscience, psychology, and computational modeling. The team uses zebra finches to investigate how the brain processes complex vocal communication, with particular focus on how experience shapes neural circuits during development. Current research directions include examining how complex acoustic environments influence auditory perception and neural coding, and how neural circuits implement rapid gain control mechanisms.
Sarah Ita Levitan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Hunter College, CUNY, and a member of the doctoral faculty in both Computer Science and Linguistics PhD programs at the CUNY Graduate Center. She previously served as a Postdoctoral Research Scientist at Columbia University, where she completed her PhD in Computer Science in 2019 under Dr. Julia Hirschberg. Research Focus: Spoken Language Processing Natural Language Processing Paralinguistic Analysis Trustworthiness and Deception Detection Acoustic-Procedic and Lexical Feature Extraction Online Radicalization and Misinformation Recent Publications demonstrate expertise in analyzing speech and text for trust cues, deception detection, and mental health prediction. Her awards include grants from NSF, Google, and Columbia University fellowships. She leads the Hunter Speech Lab , mentoring PhD, MS, and undergraduate students in computational linguistics research. Scientific Awards and Grants: NSF EAGER Grant (2023) Google Cyber NYC Grant (2023) NSF AI Institute Grant (2023) Air Force Office of Scientific Research Grant (2020) Brown Institute Seed Grant (2020) Knight News Innovation Fellowship (2018) Teaching: Courses include Natural Language Processing (undergraduate/graduate), Computational Linguistics, Computer Theory, and advanced topics in spoken language processing at both Hunter College and Columbia University.
Richard M. Stern is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), holding courtesy appointments in the Language Technologies Institute and Department of Computer Science, and serving as an Artist Lecturer in the School of Music since 2007. His interdisciplinary work bridges engineering and music technology through the School of Music's programs. Education: Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), 1976 Professor Stern's research spans sound, speech, hearing, and music, with core emphases on robust speech processing in variable acoustic environments, music information retrieval, automated accompaniment, and foundational contributions to binaural perception theory. His work integrates psychoacoustic principles with machine learning to address challenges in speech recognition and human-robot interaction. Recent publications (2022-2025) reveal intensified focus on deep learning for speech enhancement in reverberant/noisy conditions, human-robot interaction scenarios, and music tagging—highlighting innovations in beamforming, source separation, and temporal modulation modeling. Awards and Honors: Fellow of the IEEE Fellow of the Acoustical Society of America Fellow of the International Speech Communication Association (ISCA) ISCA Distinguished Lecturer Allen Newell Award for Research Excellence (1992) Lutron Award for Teaching Excellence (2018) Professor Stern has advised numerous graduate students in speech and audio research, though specific names are unlisted in source materials. His grant portfolio includes significant National Science Foundation and industry-funded projects in speech technology, with leadership roles in initiatives like Interspeech 2006. He actively collaborates with CMU's Language Technologies Institute and Music and Technology program. He maintains strong ties to CMU's interdisciplinary ecosystem through the Language Technologies Institute and School of Music's Music and Technology program, contributing to research that merges acoustic engineering with musical applications.
Jeff Searl is a Professor in the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders at Michigan State University (MSU), within the College of Communication Arts and Sciences. Previously, he held faculty roles at the University of Kansas Medical Center’s Hearing and Speech Department and the Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery Department. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Kansas. His research focuses on understanding how chemoradiation and surgery for head and neck cancers affect speech and voice production. The goal is to develop clinical practices that preserve or rehabilitate communication for patients post-treatment. His methods include physiological, acoustic, and auditory-perceptual measurements. Key emphases include optimizing communication while balancing speech intelligibility, physical/cognitive effort, and associated fatigue. Recent work addresses pandemic impacts on laryngectomy patients, clinician practices during crises, and vocal effort measurement across cultures. His lab investigates articulatory pressures, tracheoesophageal speech dynamics, and dysphagia treatment innovations. Though no specific awards are listed, his contributions to voice rehabilitation and clinical methodologies are significant. Dr. Searl advises on telemedicine applications for Parkinson’s voice therapy, group therapy feasibility, and alaryngeal communication modalities. His lab at MSU collaborates on interdisciplinary projects involving speech-language pathologists, engineers, and oncologists to advance communication restoration technologies.
Dr James Herbert-Read is an Associate Professor and Whitten Lecturer in Marine Biology at the Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge. He serves as Deputy Head of Department (Postgraduate Education) and leads the Marine Behavioural Ecology Group. His research focuses on understanding how animals, particularly marine organisms, collect and process information from their environments to make behavioral decisions, with emphasis on social interactions, adaptation mechanisms, and ecological constraints. His group employs theoretical frameworks, controlled experiments, and quantitative field studies to investigate behavioral diversity in marine species. Key themes include collective behavior, predator-prey dynamics, camouflage strategies, and the impacts of environmental stressors on animal decision-making. Recent publications highlight work on lionfish vocalization mechanisms, cuttlefish camouflage, citizen science applications in marine research, and behavioral responses to visual and acoustic noise. Scientific awards and affiliations include: Whitten Lecturer in Marine Biology Associate Professor, University of Cambridge He has supervised research projects on topics such as: Social attraction in invasive fish species Evolution of coordinated movement Neurophysiological basis for leadership in shoals Maternal effects on offspring exploration
