Sarah Moore is a researcher affiliated with Newcastle University , focusing on post-stroke rehabilitation and physical activity assessment. Her work spans motor recovery, gait analysis, and technological interventions like wristband accelerometers to monitor and motivate movement in stroke survivors. Research Themes : Stroke rehabilitation, sedentary behavior, and application of wearable technology for movement analysis. Key Collaborations : Regularly collaborates with Professor Christopher Price, Dr. Lisa Shaw, and Dr. Darren Flynn on clinical trials and systematic reviews. Technological Focus : Pioneering studies (e.g., WAVES, ACTIVATE) on auditory cueing and accelerometer-based feedback systems for home-based rehabilitation. Methodological Contributions : Validating measurement tools for gait asymmetry and energy expenditure post-stroke. Her recent publications (2025–2019) emphasize clinical guidelines, behavioral interventions, and objective activity monitoring. Trends in her research include improving free-living physical activity, understanding motor recovery biomarkers, and developing accessible rehabilitation frameworks.
Dr Will Bailey is an Industry Collaboration Fellow at the University of Salford's School of Science, Engineering & Environment. He holds a PhD in Acoustics and Audio Engineering (2019) and completed postdoctoral research at the Universities of Cambridge and Sheffield, focusing on machine learning for assistive hearing devices. His current work at Salford Acoustic Labs involves commissioned projects across hearing science, sound design, and acoustics innovation. Research interests include applied machine learning (TinyML), human auditory perception, spatial audio technologies, and forensic analysis of animal cruelty cases. He has contributed to international challenges such as the Clarity Prediction Challenge and ICASSP SP Clarity Challenge, advancing speech enhancement and intelligibility prediction for hearing aids. Education: PhD in Acoustics and Audio Engineering (University of Salford, 2019) Postdoctoral Research: University of Cambridge (Machine Learning for Hearing Devices) Postdoctoral Research: University of Sheffield (Assistive Technology) Awarded the Noise Abatement Society John Connell Award (2024) and Best Business Collaboration (Rising Star) at the University of Salford (2024). His work bridges academic research with industry applications, emphasizing collaborative innovation. Associated with the Acoustics Innovation Institute and Salford Acoustic Labs, focusing on applied acoustic solutions for healthcare, urban environments, and immersive technologies.
Robert Cook is Professor of Psychology at Tufts University School of Arts and Sciences and Interim Chair of Sociology. His NIH-supported research examines animal cognition, visual perception, discrimination learning, and memory mechanisms across species including pigeons, starlings, and humans. Research investigates the perceptual and cognitive processes underlying object recognition, same-different concept learning, action recognition, temporal information processing, and equivalence class formation. Studies explore how animals form perceptual representations to guide learning and behavior. Recent publications advance understanding of visual and auditory processing, sequential learning dynamics, perceptual grouping, and cross-species cognitive strategies. Work integrates computational modeling with behavioral experiments to characterize cognitive architecture. Teaches courses on cognition origins and comparative psychology. Serves as Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and publishes Comparative Cognition & Behavior Reviews. Developed online multimedia resources including Avian Visual Cognition and Animal Spatial Cognition cyberbooks.
J. Christopher Holt is an Associate Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. He leads the Holt Lab, which focuses on the synaptic pharmacology of the vestibular apparatus, investigating how efferent feedback mechanisms modulate sensory input to the brain. Education: Ph.D. in Pharmacology from Tulane University School of Medicine (1994-1999) Postdoctoral Training at University of Chicago (2000-2005) M.S. in Biology from University of Louisiana at Monroe (1991-1994) B.S. in Biology and Chemistry from University of North Carolina at Pembroke (1986-1991) Holt's research centers on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of synaptic transmission in the vestibular periphery. His work examines how efferent feedback mechanisms modulate sensory information regarding head position and movement. The vestibular system, which begins as small detectors in the inner ear, is endowed with prominent efferent innervation whose functional role is relatively unknown. Holt's lab takes a reductionistic approach to address vestibular efferent system function from multiple vantage points: identifying receptor mechanisms, characterizing how these mechanisms modulate afferent response properties, identifying efferent discharge patterns, and developing behavioral assays for monitoring vestibular efferent function. His recent publications reveal a consistent focus on cholinergic mechanisms in vestibular function, with particular attention to how efferent pathways modulate afferent responses. There's a clear progression from basic mechanistic studies in animal models toward understanding these processes in mammals, including humans. A significant theme across his work is the role of specific receptor types (particularly nicotinic and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors) and their downstream effectors in generating different afferent responses to efferent stimulation. Scientific Awards: Advanced Predoctoral Fellowship (1997-1999) James F. Ebert Award (1989) J.P. Stevens Scholarship (1989-1990) Chancellor's Scholar Program (1986-1991) Holt mentors graduate students and postdoctoral scholars in neurophysiological, pharmacological, and immunohistochemical methods for studying vestibular synaptic transmission. His lab provides training in multiple animal models and computational techniques for data analysis. The lab has multiple ongoing projects examining efferent receptors and synaptic mechanisms, modification of vestibular output during efferent stimulation, characterization of vestibular efferent neurons, and behavioral assessment of efferent function. The Holt Lab maintains strong affiliations with multiple departments and programs at the University of Rochester, including Neuroscience, the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, and various PhD programs. This multidisciplinary approach allows for comprehensive investigation of vestibular function from molecular to behavioral levels.
Associate Professor Damien Ricketson is a composer and academic at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney. His research explores vibration, non-cochlear listening, and the intersection of sound with environmental and interdisciplinary studies. He holds affiliations with the Sydney Environment Institute, University of Sydney Nano Institute, and Charles Perkins Centre. Ricketson co-founded Ensemble Offspring (1995–2015), a Sydney-based new music ensemble, and has created works performed globally by ensembles like Sydney Symphony Fellows and MusikFabrik (Germany). His projects include Sound Touch (2022), an immersive work on vibration and the body, and The Howling Girls (2018), an opera addressing trauma through sound. Education : PhD in Composition, Sydney Conservatorium of Music (2007) Masters/Composition studies at Royal Conservatory of The Hague (with Louis Andriessen) IRCAM computer music course (Paris) Research Interests : His work focuses on multisensory music experiences, environmental soundscapes, and technology-driven sensory interfaces. Collaborations with Diana Chester (sound studies scholar) explore human-environment connections through sound, resulting in installations exhibited internationally. Article Trends : Recent publications emphasize interdisciplinary projects merging sound with environmental science (e.g., Sound Touch ), while earlier works focus on percussive innovation ( Chinese Whisper ) and chamber opera ( The Howling Girls ). Awards : International Music Theatre Now Prize (2018) Art Music Awards: Vocal/Choral Work (2019) NSW Composition Award (2008) Advising & Grants : Current students research topics like climate change temporality and virtual heritage representation. Grants include Sydney Environment Institute funding for Listening to the Earth (2022) and Australia Council support for Sound Touch development (2019). Labs/Teams : Co-directs Listening to Earth project with Diana Chester, and collaborates with Ensemble Offspring on archival and performance initiatives.
Dr. Helen Kelly is a state-registered Speech and Language Therapist and Lecturer in the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences at University College Cork, Ireland. With clinical experience in NHS Scotland on Stroke and Medical wards as well as in the Community, her research bridges clinical practice and academic inquiry, focusing on adults with acquired swallowing difficulties and communication impairment following brain injury, particularly post-stroke aphasia. She actively collaborates with international research networks including the Collaboration of Aphasia Trialists (CATs) and COST Action NET4Age-Friendly. BSc Hons in Speech and Language Pathology, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh (2000) PhD in Speech and Language Therapy, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh (2006) MSc Education in Action 1 & 2, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh (2010-2011) Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, UCC (2018) Dr. Kelly's research emphasizes patient and public involvement (PPI) and co-design methodologies in developing interventions for people with communication disorders. Her work explores how technology can enhance rehabilitation outcomes while reducing the digital divide for people with aphasia. She investigates medication adherence challenges in post-stroke patients with communication disorders and examines the lived experiences of individuals with Motor Neurone Disease and dysphagia. Her research often involves participatory design approaches, collaborating directly with user-led groups like Speakability. Analysis of Dr. Kelly's recent publications reveals a strong focus on medication adherence for people with aphasia, dysphagia management across healthcare settings, and the integration of technology in rehabilitation. Her work demonstrates increasing international collaboration, particularly through the Collaboration of Aphasia Trialists (CATs), where she contributes to developing core outcome sets and fidelity standards for aphasia trials. The research shows a clear trajectory toward more patient-centered, co-designed interventions that address real-world challenges faced by people with communication disorders. Clinical Research Fellowship (Nursing, Midwifery & Allied Health Professions Consortium Stroke Programme, 2006) Highest Scoring Abstract across disciplines (Stroke Forum 2011) Substantial research funding from Health Research Board, Irish Research Council, and Higher Education Authority Dr. Kelly supervises multiple PhD and MSc students focusing on critical areas including medication adherence in aphasia, dysphagia management, and technology applications in speech therapy. She has secured over €400,000 in research funding from diverse sources including the Health Research Board, Irish Research Council, and Higher Education Authority. Her ENSPIRED project established an all-island Speech and Language Therapy student network across Ireland. She currently leads online Aphasia Home Cafés facilitating communication practice during and beyond the pandemic. Dr. Kelly leads collaborative research initiatives including the Consortium from all five Higher Education Institutions on the island of Ireland running Speech and Language Therapy programs. She co-leads Working Group 1 of COST Action NET4Age-Friendly focusing on user-centered inclusive design of age-friendly environments. Her research actively involves people with aphasia through co-design approaches, particularly in developing technology-based interventions and resources like the aphasia-accessible website she created with Speakability.
Samuel David Jones is a Lecturer in Psychology at Bangor University's School of Psychology & Sport Science and a member of the Cognitive Neuroscience Institute. His research focuses on computational approaches to understanding individual differences in human cognitive development across the lifespan, with particular emphasis on speech, language, and communication skills. Dr. Jones earned his PhD from Lancaster University in April 2020 and an MA from the University of Nottingham in April 2017. His educational background has equipped him with strong methodological expertise in behavioral experimentation and computational modeling. His research program centers on three key areas: (i) auditory processing, particularly how frequency discrimination relates to developmental language disorders; (ii) the neural population dynamics of neurodivergent learning and cognitive control; and (iii) resource-rational models of neurodivergent information seeking. His work employs computational modeling to develop transdiagnostic theories that can explain patterns across neurodevelopmental conditions including developmental language disorder, dyslexia, dyscalculia, and autism spectrum disorder. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a clear trajectory from foundational work on auditory processing mechanisms toward more theoretical contributions around rational inattention frameworks. His research increasingly integrates computational modeling with behavioral experimentation to develop unified theories of neurodevelopmental variation. The work spans multiple disciplines including cognitive neuroscience, developmental psychology, and computational cognitive science, with strong implications for clinical assessment and intervention. Dr. Jones has secured significant research funding including a £59,472 grant from The Waterloo Foundation for "The Waterloo Foundation report into transdiagnostic neurodevelopmental assessment" (2025-2026), a £30,896 Royal Society Research Grant for "Enhancing developmental speech perception modelling through head and torso simulation" (2024-2025), and a £7,160 UKRI grant for high-spec computing resources to model the neurodivergent brain. He actively supervises PhD students and has directed the North Wales Speech and Language Exchange since 2023, organizing academic workshops and developing community engagement initiatives. His research group collaborates extensively with Dr. Kami Koldewyn at Bangor University and Professor Gert Westermann, with whom he has co-authored multiple high-impact publications. Dr. Jones maintains an open science approach, with all papers, code, and data available through his Open Science Framework page.
Professor Sandra Hale is a faculty member in the Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences at Washington University. She holds a PhD from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, an MA from the University of California, Riverside, and a BA from the same institution. Her research examines developmental changes in information processing speed across the lifespan and its cascading effects on working memory and reasoning abilities. Additional research explores how sensory and cognitive abilities influence lip reading and auditory comprehension in diverse populations. Professor Hale is currently in a two-year phased retirement period, during which she continues teaching and completing ongoing research projects.
Michelle Shevon Troche is a Professor of Speech and Language Pathology at Teachers College, Columbia University within the Graduate School of Education. She serves as Director of the Graduate Program in Communication Sciences and Disorders and Director of The Upper Airway Dysfunction Lab (UAD Lab). Her work focuses on improving clinical outcomes and quality of life for patients with dysphagia, dystussia, and dysarthria through research, clinical care, and education. Dr. Troche earned her educational credentials from the University of Florida, including: Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders (2006-2009) M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology (2004-2006) B.A. in Communication Sciences and Disorders and Linguistics, with minors in Teaching English as a Second Language and Gerontology (2000-2004) Her primary research interests center on airway protection disorders, particularly dysphagia and dystussia in neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson's disease. Dr. Troche's work bridges basic science understanding of airway protection mechanisms with clinical applications for evaluation and treatment. She has pioneered research in expiratory muscle strength training, cough rehabilitation, and telehealth applications for swallowing disorders. Her laboratory employs both basic science approaches to understand airway protection mechanisms and clinical research to develop novel evaluation and treatment techniques. Analysis of Dr. Troche's extensive publication record reveals consistent focus on Parkinson's disease and airway protection, with increasing attention to telehealth applications and methodological rigor in swallowing research. Her work demonstrates strong translational value, moving from basic research on cough and swallowing mechanisms to clinical interventions that improve patient outcomes. Dr. Troche mentors numerous students and fellows through the UAD Lab, including post-doctoral researchers, doctoral students, and clinical fellows. Her interdisciplinary approach involves collaborations across departments and institutions, particularly in neurology and rehabilitation science. The UAD Lab forms part of a University-funded and IRB-approved Clinical Research Neurorehabilitation Initiative that provides free clinical research screenings for people with neurological diseases. As director of the UAD Lab, Dr. Troche oversees research on multiple behaviors contributing to airway protection and their modification through non-pharmacological treatment paradigms. The lab works with diverse populations including healthy volunteers, people with Parkinson's disease, other movement disorders, and ischemic stroke patients.
Dr. Dale W. Laird is a Full Professor in the Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology at Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry in London, Ontario. He holds a B.Sc. from the University of Prince Edward Island and M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of British Columbia. After postdoctoral training at Caltech, he joined McGill University as an Assistant Professor before moving to Western University in 1997, where he was promoted to Full Professor in 2002. He currently serves as Assistant Dean, Research Chairs and Awards. His research focuses on connexin and pannexin proteins, particularly their roles in gap junction communication, inherited diseases (e.g., oculodentodigital dysplasia), hearing loss, cancer, and organ development. Key tools include genetically modified mice, patient-derived cells, and advanced imaging technologies like the Zeiss LSM800 confocal microscope. Major awards include the Tier 1 Canada Research Chair (2004–2018) and Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. His lab collaborates with Dr. Donglin Bai on electrophysiology and Dr. Brian Allman on auditory studies. Facilities include specialized equipment for confocal microscopy, cryostat sectioning, and electrophysiology.
Dr. Shawn Whitehead is a Professor and Director of the Western Institute for Neuroscience at Western University's Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology. He holds a Ph.D. and B.Sc. (Honours) from The University of Western Ontario. His research focuses on neurodegenerative diseases, stroke pathophysiology, and vascular cognitive impairment, with an emphasis on lipid biochemistry and neuroinflammation mechanisms. Key methodologies include rodent models of co-morbid conditions and MALDI-MS imaging for lipid analysis. Research interests include understanding the interplay between Alzheimer's disease and cerebrovascular disorders, lipid raft dynamics in neurons, and the role of gangliosides in neurodegeneration. He explores how vascular risk factors like hypertension and diabetes exacerbate cognitive decline and amyloid-beta pathology. His work integrates molecular, behavioral, and imaging approaches to address translational challenges in neurodegenerative diseases. Publications highlight breakthroughs in lipid biomarker discovery, stroke-induced cardiac dysfunction, and the development of novel animal models. Collaborative projects include investigations into neurovascular unit dysregulation and the brain-heart connection. Current efforts aim to identify therapeutic targets for co-morbid conditions through lipidomic profiling and extracellular vesicle analysis.
Bethany Plakke is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences within the College of Arts and Sciences at Kansas State University. She maintains an active research laboratory focusing on neurobiological mechanisms underlying autism spectrum disorders using rodent models, with particular emphasis on Fragile X syndrome and valproic acid models. Her research examines social interactions, repetitive behaviors, cognitive flexibility, and multisensory processing across the lifespan. Dr. Plakke earned her PhD in Psychology from the University of Iowa in 2010, following an MA (2005) and BS (2003) from the same institution. Her early research focused on auditory and audiovisual memory systems in primates, but her work has increasingly centered on neurodevelopmental disorders in recent years. Her research interests span behavioral neuroscience, autism spectrum disorders, Fragile X syndrome, cognitive neuroscience, neurodevelopmental disorders, rodent models, electrophysiology, and prefrontal cortex function. Current projects include examining altered frontal cortex function in Fmr1 knockouts, investigating how aging impacts frontal function and cognition, and collaborating with Dr. Julio Hernandez-Pavon on transcranial magnetic stimulation to improve cognitive performance in rats. Analysis of Dr. Plakke's publication record shows a clear trajectory from primate auditory neuroscience toward rodent models of autism. Her recent work (2023-2024) demonstrates strong focus on neuroanatomical changes in autism models, cognitive interventions like exercise and choline supplementation, and sex-specific effects in neurodevelopmental disorders. The research employs diverse methodologies including behavioral testing, neuroimaging, electrophysiology, and molecular analyses. Dr. Plakke actively mentors students at multiple levels, with a track record of guiding undergraduate and graduate researchers toward successful careers in medicine and science. Her lab has produced numerous publications with student co-authors, and former lab members have pursued advanced degrees at institutions including Yale University, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Kansas. Students in Dr. Plakke's laboratory gain experience with behavioral handling and training of animals, histology, ELISA assays, immunohistochemistry, and data analysis. The lab actively recruits students interested in designing experiments and presenting work at regional or national conferences. Current lab members include graduate research assistant Bhavana Sivayokan and undergraduate Tsam Myu Shawng Maji, with numerous alumni having advanced to medical schools and graduate programs.
Ehsan Akbari is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of New Brunswick (Fredericton), teaching Visual Arts Education courses including creativity, visual arts pedagogy, and art education issues. He holds a BFA from York University, and MA/PhD in Art Education from Concordia University. His research examines how art enriches learning through creative cartography, sensory education, STEAM integration, and digital literacies. He develops innovative methods like smartphone sensory photography and collective online mapping to explore place-based learning. Publications analyze spatial learning, sensory design, and technology-enhanced art education, often employing participatory methodologies that bridge physical and digital experiences.
Sara C. Steele is an Associate Professor in the Department of Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences at Saint Louis University's Doisy College of Health Sciences. She holds a Ph.D., M.A., and B.S. in Speech and Hearing Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her research focuses on developmental language disorders, vocabulary acquisition, and the impact of poverty on language development. Dr. Steele has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and presented her work internationally. Her teaching includes courses on language disorders, literacy, and clinical research. She mentors graduate students and has advised numerous theses and capstone projects. Awards include induction into Alpha Eta Honor Society and multiple teaching nominations. Dr. Steele serves on university committees and professional boards, including the Missouri Commission for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. Her grants include studies on stress and language outcomes, and she collaborates on projects addressing literacy and poverty-related language barriers. She is an editorial board member for ASHA's Special Interest Group 01 and actively reviews for top journals in speech-language pathology.
Adjunct Associate Professor Nick Reid is an emeritus academic at the University of New England (UNE), specializing in Australian Aboriginal linguistics and language revitalization. He retired in 2019 but continues research on Daly River languages (NT), including Ngan'gikurunggurr and Ngan'giwumirri. His work bridges descriptive linguistics, ethnomusicology, and environmental science, notably linking Indigenous oral traditions to sea-level chronologies. A pioneer of online education, he co-developed UNE's Master of Applied Linguistics and created multimedia resources like the Phonetics: An Interactive Introduction CD-ROM. Reid holds a BA (Hons) and PhD from ANU, with research interests spanning morphosyntax, nominal classification systems, and Indigenous language maintenance. He collaborates with institutions like the Northern Institute (CDU) and the University of Melbourne on projects blending linguistics with environmental science. Awards include the Carrick Citation (2006) for student learning innovations and UNE's Vice-Chancellor's Award (2000) for teaching excellence. His publications emphasize language documentation, including grammars and curriculum resources for Aboriginal communities. Recent work focuses on collaborative projects with the Ngan’gi Schools Network and coastal inundation studies with Patrick Nunn. He has supervised numerous higher-degree students and remains active in eResearch initiatives, such as digitizing the Ngan’gi language collection.
