Andrea Reiter is a Professor at the Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, holding the W1-Professur für Lernprozesse in der Entwicklungspsychiatrie, Psychotherapie und Prävention. Her research focuses on decision-making processes in clinical populations, lifespan changes, and the impact of stress/social influences. She employs computational modeling combined with fMRI and EEG. Education: Dr. rer. nat. (summa cum laude, 2016) from University of Leipzig, Master of Advanced Studies in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (University of Bern), and Diploma in Psychology from Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (2012). She also studied Literature and Educational Sciences alongside Psychology. Professional Experience includes a research position at TU Dresden (since 2015), guest research at Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences (since 2015), and PhD work at IMPRS NeuroCom (2012-2015). She has clinical experience as a Psychologist at Kreiskrankenhaus Tauberbischofsheim. Research Awards: Austrian Academy Grant (2016), Poster Award (2014), DZ Banken Career Prize (2013), and IMPRS PhD stipend (2012-2015). Her publications (2013-2016) emphasize neuroimaging studies on decision-making deficits in disorders like binge eating and alcohol dependence, with methodological strengths in computational modeling and EEG/fMRI integration.
Peter A. Tass is a Professor of Neurosurgery at Stanford University's School of Medicine, where he leads the Tass Lab within the Department of Neurosurgery. His research focuses on developing groundbreaking neuromodulation techniques designed to impact the course of neurological diseases including Parkinson's disease, stroke, epilepsy, and tinnitus. The Tass Lab is part of several prestigious Stanford initiatives including Bio-X, the Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance, the Maternal & Child Health Research Institute (MCHRI), and the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute. MD from Universities of Ulm and Heidelberg, Germany (1989) PhD in Physics from University of Stuttgart, Germany (1993) Diploma (master's degree) in Mathematics from University of Stuttgart, Germany (1993) Habilitation thesis in Physiology from RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany (2001) Dr. Tass's primary research interests center around computational neuroscience approaches to understanding and treating neurological disorders. His lab pioneers neuromodulation techniques based on thorough computational modeling that employs dynamic self-organization, plasticity, and other neuromodulation principles to produce sustained therapeutic effects after stimulation. He specifically focuses on developing stimulation methods that cause sustained neural desynchronization by unlearning abnormal synaptic interactions. His work spans both invasive techniques like deep brain stimulation and non-invasive approaches such as vibrotactile and acoustic stimulation. Current projects involve developing novel therapies for Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, tinnitus, and other neurological conditions using comprehensive computational neuroscience methods derived from non-linear dynamics, statistical physics, and numerics. Analysis of Dr. Tass's recent publications reveals a strong focus on coordinated reset stimulation techniques, neural network modeling with plasticity mechanisms, and computational approaches to brain stimulation. His work consistently bridges theoretical computational neuroscience with clinical applications, particularly for Parkinson's disease treatment. A significant portion of his recent research examines how stimulation parameters, sequences, and timing affect long-lasting desynchronization effects in neural networks. His publications demonstrate an interdisciplinary approach combining physics, mathematics, neuroscience, and clinical medicine to develop novel therapeutic interventions. Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts (2012) Nicolaus August Otto Innovation Prize (2011) German Innovation Award in Medicine (2011) Rapid Response Innovation Awards from The Michael J. Fox Foundation (2009, 2010) Runner-up for the German future prize (2006) Erwin Schrödinger prize (2005) Fritz Winter prize (2000) Dr. Tass actively mentors a diverse team of researchers including staff scientists, postdoctoral fellows, clinician-scientists, and students. His lab currently includes researchers with backgrounds in physics, computational neuroscience, biomedical engineering, and clinical neurology. The lab is involved in multiple clinical trials, including studies on coordinated reset spinal cord stimulation and vibrotactile coordinated reset stimulation for Parkinson's disease. His research is supported by various funding sources including foundations focused on neurological disorders and innovation in medical technology. Dr. Tass collaborates extensively with both internal Stanford researchers and external collaborators worldwide. The Tass Lab at Stanford is a multidisciplinary research group comprising physicists, neuroscientists, engineers, and clinicians working together to develop novel neuromodulation therapies. The lab team includes staff scientists like Justus Kromer (theoretical physicist), postdocs like Daniel Ehrens and Kanishk Chauhan, clinician-scientists like Tina Munjal, and clinical research coordinators. The lab maintains active collaborations with Stanford colleagues across departments including Kwabena Boahen, Vivek P. Buch, and Jaimie Henderson, as well as external collaborators like Alexander Neiman and Kęstutis Pyragas. Current research directions include developing non-invasive vibrotactile treatments for Parkinson's disease, acoustic coordinated reset therapy for tinnitus, and responsive deep brain stimulation for conditions like loss-of-control eating.
Jessica Fish is an Associate Professor in Family Science and Behavioral and Community Health at the University of Maryland School of Public Health. She co-directs the UMD Prevention Research Center and serves as Faculty Affiliate at the Maryland Population Research Center. Her research examines LGBTQ+ health equity with focus on substance use, mental health, and family systems. Dr. Fish's work identifies modifiable factors contributing to health disparities to inform prevention strategies and policies. She holds a Ph.D. in Family and Child Sciences from Florida State University and will accept PhD advisees starting 2025-2026.
Dr. Joel Town is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and cross-appointed in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Dalhousie University . He holds a BSc (Hons) from the University of York and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) from the University of Sheffield. Education: BSc (Hons) in Psychology, University of York, England Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy), University of Sheffield, England Dr. Town's research focuses on psychotherapy outcome research , mechanisms of change in psychotherapy , and psychological treatments for depression and medically unexplained symptoms . He specializes in Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) , examining its efficacy for conditions like treatment-resistant depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and somatic symptom disorders. His work includes clinical trials , systematic reviews , and meta-analyses to evaluate therapeutic processes and outcomes. His recent publications highlight ISTDP applications for personality disorders, anxiety, chronic pain, and eating disorders. Key trends include emotional processing , therapeutic alliance dynamics , and cost-effectiveness of brief interventions . Dr. Town also explores how unconscious emotional conflicts influence treatment outcomes. As a clinician, he serves as the lead clinical psychologist at the Medically Unexplained Symptoms Clinic, QE-II Health Science Centre, and as Director of Dynamic Health Psychological Services, Halifax . He supervises clinical psychology interns and practicum students and contributes as a Consulting Editor for journals like Psychotherapy and Psychotherapy Research .
Dr. Jonathan Mond is an Associate Professor at the School of Medicine and Psychology , Australian National University (ANU). He holds a PhD and MPH in related fields. His research focuses on eating disorders, mental health, and the psychological well-being of adolescents and international students. He has contributed to projects addressing public health challenges such as obesity, gambling behaviors, and health literacy among diverse populations. Recent research highlights include studies on stakeholder perspectives in health promotion, gambling trends among international students, and clinical indicators of binge-eating disorder. His work integrates behavioral, psychological, and community health perspectives to address complex health issues. He has co-led a commissioned review on improving home and aged care services, reflecting his commitment to applied health research. Key areas of investigation include the interplay between body image, psychological distress, and clinical outcomes. His research emphasizes evidence-based interventions and cross-cultural comparisons to inform policy and practice in mental health.
Stephen D. Benning is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. His research focuses on the psychophysiology of emotion and personality, particularly the two-factor model of psychopathy (fearless dominance vs. impulsive antisociality) and its implications for emotional processing, reward systems, and risk-taking behavior. He has developed novel psychophysiological measures like the postauricular reflex to study positive emotion in psychopathology. Education: Ph.D. in Clinical Science and Psychopathology Research (University of Minnesota, 2006) Employment: UNLV (2012–present); Vanderbilt University (2006–2012) His work spans psychopathy, autism, depression, and schizophrenia, with a focus on translating animal models to human studies. He has secured multiple NIH grants, including NIMH R21 awards for hedonic processing in depression and autism. His lab (PEPlab) explores intersections of personality, emotion, and morality, particularly in Las Vegas’ unique context. Recent publications highlight his contributions to misophonia, moral decision-making, and behavioral risk assessment. He emphasizes open science practices and methodological rigor, advocating for alpha justification and replication studies. Awards include the UNLV Outstanding Teaching and Mentoring Award (2024) and the Howell Award for Undergraduate Research (2000). Scientific Awards: Outstanding Teaching and Mentoring Award (UNLV, 2024) Howell Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research (Rice University, 2000) National Merit Scholar (1996–2000) Volunteer Service Award (Walk-In Counseling Center, 2004) Student Poster Award (Society for Psychophysiological Research, 2003)
Xiaobo Li is a Professor in the Department of Bio-Medical Engineering at New Jersey Institute of Technology. Holding a Ph.D. in Computer Aided Geometric Design from the University of Birmingham and a B.S. in Automation from Nanjing University of Aeronautics, their research bridges computational methods with neuroimaging and psychiatric disorder analysis. Ph.D., University of Birmingham (Computer Aided Geometric Design, 2004) B.S., Nanjing University of Aeronautics (Automation, 1999) Dr. Li’s work focuses on applying machine learning and graph theory to understand brain network abnormalities in conditions like ADHD , schizophrenia , and traumatic brain injury . Their studies analyze structural-functional connectivity , reward processing , and gut-brain axis interactions using fMRI , fNIRS , and diffusion tensor imaging . Recent publications highlight their development of tools like the GAT-FD MATLAB toolbox for brain network analysis and their exploration of multimodal MRI in schizophrenia diagnosis. They also investigate the neurobiological effects of photobiomodulation and vision therapy interventions.
Mathangi Gopalakrishnan, PhD, MPharm, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Practice, Science, and Health Outcomes Research at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. She is actively engaged in research, mentoring, and academic scholarship, with a focus on quantitative clinical pharmacology and data-driven therapeutic optimization. Education: PhD, Statistics, University of Maryland, Baltimore County MS, Statistics, University of Maryland, Baltimore County MPharm, Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani, Rajasthan, India BPharmacy (Honors), Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani, Rajasthan, India Her research interests center on pharmacometrics, precision therapeutics, predictive analytics, real-world data, and drug development . She integrates principles of clinical pharmacology, advanced frequentist and Bayesian statistical methods, and artificial intelligence/machine learning to enhance patient outcomes, particularly among vulnerable populations. Her lab's work includes designing prospective clinical pharmacokinetic trials for anti-epileptics and antimicrobials in patients on continuous renal replacement therapy, leveraging real-world data from electronic health records to optimize dosing in neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome and pediatric anticoagulation, and developing models for disease progression in conditions like schizophrenia and binge-eating disorders. The trends in her recent publications reflect a consistent focus on model-informed precision dosing, real-world evidence generation, pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) modeling in special populations, and methodological innovation in clinical trial design . Her work spans diverse therapeutic areas including critical care, neonatology, psychiatry, and maternal health, demonstrating a broad impact of quantitative pharmacology. Dr. Gopalakrishnan is accepting applications for postdoctoral positions in pharmacometrics at the Center for Translational Medicine, indicating active research funding and team leadership. Her collaborations extend to academic medical institutions nationwide, underscoring her role in multi-center research initiatives. She is involved in collaborative research with academic medical institutions across the country and has presented her work at major conferences including the Joint Statistical Meetings (JSM) and the American Conference on Pharmacometrics (ACoP).
Antonio Verdejo-Garcia is a Professor (Research) in the School of Psychological Sciences and the Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health at Monash University. He holds an NHMRC Leadership Fellowship and serves as Co-Chair of the Neuroscience Interest Group at the International Society of Addiction Medicine. He has an Adjunct Honorary Appointment at Turning Point (Eastern Health). His academic journey includes a PhD from the University of Granada (2006) and postdoctoral training at Johns Hopkins University, University of Cambridge, and Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mediques. Before joining Monash in 2012, he held roles as Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, and Associate Professor at the University of Granada. Research interests center on cognitive and neural mechanisms of executive control, decision-making, and their implications for addiction, compulsive eating, and obesity. He has authored over 290 peer-reviewed articles, edited a book on Cognition & Addiction, and secured continuous national/international research funding. His work has garnered over 17,000 citations. He serves on editorial boards for journals like Addiction , PLoS One , and Current Addiction Reports . Key projects include the AAT-APP Trial for alcohol use disorder, decoding drivers of food choices for obesity management, and neurocircuitry studies in addiction. Recent articles (2023–2025) focus on impulsivity, telehealth interventions for eating disorders, and neuropharmacological comparisons between MDMA and methamphetamine users. Scientific achievements include NHMRC Leadership Fellowship and contributions to clinical translation of cognitive rehabilitation. He advises on grants and mentors students in addiction neuroscience. Current projects involve psilocybin treatment for anorexia nervosa and cortical control of feeding circuits.
Donna J. Calu , PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine . Her research focuses on behavioral and systems neuroscience to uncover brain mechanisms underlying addiction vulnerability , reward learning , motivation , and individual differences . She employs optogenetics , chemogenetics , in vivo electrophysiology , and fiber photometry to investigate amygdala, cortical, and striatal circuitry. Education: BS in Biology (University of Maryland, College Park), PhD in Neuroscience (University of Maryland School of Medicine) Postdoctoral Training: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), mentored by Yavin Shaham Her work identifies dopamine signaling and neural pathways (e.g., BLA-insular cortex, BLA-nucleus accumbens) as critical for cue-driven behaviors and resilience to relapse . Recent studies explore CB1R signaling , psychedelic effects on dopamine, and sex differences in addiction models. Scientific Awards include PECASE , NARSAD Young Investigator Award , Outstanding Young Scientist (Maryland Science Center), and Top Junior Investigator (Winter Conference on Brain Research). She serves as Director of the Program in Neuroscience (2023-present) and holds editorial roles in Journal of Neuroscience and Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience .
Kyle T. Ganson is an Assistant Professor at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work at the University of Toronto, specializing in adolescent health behaviors, eating disorders, and muscle dysmorphia. He leads the Canadian Study of Adolescent Health Behaviors, a longitudinal study tracking health trends in Canadian youth. His research bridges clinical practice and public health, with over 125 peer-reviewed publications, focusing on marginalized populations including boys and young men. Education: PhD (Social Work, Simmons University), MSW (Wheelock College), BFA (School of Visual Arts). Research Interests: Eating disorders, muscle-building behaviors, body image, substance use, and disparities in mental health outcomes among adolescents. His work addresses societal influences like social media, cyberbullying, and discrimination on health behaviors. Key Projects: Investigates anabolic-androgenic steroid use, muscle dysmorphia, and the impact of adverse childhood experiences. Collaborates on studies with the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) cohort to explore screen time, sleep, and mental health. Teaching: Teaches clinical social work courses including Elements of Social Work Practice and Social Work Practice with Children and Adolescents. Awards: 2021 Connaught New Researcher Award. Recognized for innovative research on male eating disorders and mental health interventions. Public Engagement: Frequently cited in media (CBC, CTV, Healthline) for expertise on adolescent health issues. Maintains a private clinical practice integrating research insights into social work practice.
Hedy Kober is an Adjunct Associate Professor in Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine and an Adjunct Associate Professor of Law. She serves as Director of the Clinical and Affective Neuroscience Laboratory at Yale. Her work bridges psychology, neuroscience, and clinical interventions, with a focus on emotion regulation, mindfulness, and addiction. Education PhD in Clinical Psychology (Respecialization), Fielding Graduate University (2021) PhD, Columbia University (2009) MPhil, Columbia University (2008) MA, Columbia University (2007) Research Interests Dr. Kober's research focuses on the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying emotion regulation, with particular emphasis on mindfulness-based interventions for various conditions including addiction, eating disorders, and depression. Her work explores how individuals regulate cravings, manage negative emotions, and develop healthier behavioral patterns through cognitive strategies and mindfulness practices. She employs a range of methodologies including fMRI, ecological momentary assessment, and clinical trials to investigate these processes in both healthy individuals and those with clinical conditions. Her recent work has increasingly focused on digital interventions that make evidence-based therapies more accessible, particularly for substance use disorders and eating disorders. She examines how brief, scalable interventions can effectively target core mechanisms of behavior change. Research Trends Dr. Kober's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on the intersection of emotion regulation, mindfulness, and clinical applications. Her work connects basic cognitive neuroscience with clinical interventions, particularly examining how individuals regulate cravings and negative emotions. Recent studies have expanded to include digital delivery of interventions, network approaches to understanding emotional processes, and the development of neuromarkers for addiction. Her research increasingly incorporates longitudinal and ecological momentary assessment methods to capture real-world emotional dynamics. Scientific Awards Outstanding Mentor Award (2019) from American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Early Career Investigator Award (2018) from NIDA and NIAAA Teaching Excellence at Yale (2017) from Yale Center for Teaching and Learning Helmsley Fellowship in Cross Disciplinary Science (2016) from Helmsley Charitable Trust Scholar Award (2011) from Yale Center for Clinical Investigation Advising and Grants Dr. Kober has received significant grant funding for her research on emotion regulation and addiction. She serves as Principal Investigator on clinical trials examining brief training for alcohol craving regulation and the role of reward learning and decision making in addiction. Her work has been supported by organizations including NIDA and NIAAA. As a mentor, she has guided numerous students and early-career researchers, recognized by her Outstanding Mentor Award from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Laboratory Dr. Kober directs the Clinical and Affective Neuroscience Laboratory at Yale, which investigates the neural and cognitive mechanisms of emotion regulation and their application to clinical problems. The lab employs a multi-method approach including neuroimaging, behavioral experiments, and clinical interventions to understand how people regulate emotions and cravings, with the goal of developing more effective treatments for conditions like addiction and eating disorders.
Dr. Ann F. Haynos is an Assistant Professor in the Clinical Psychology department at Virginia Commonwealth University, where she conducts research on restrictive eating disorders and mechanisms of goal pursuit leading to harmful health outcomes. Her work integrates neuroscience and clinical science through a bench-to-bedside approach. Ph.D., University of Nevada, Reno (2015) Her research focuses on decision-making mechanisms (e.g., reward processing, cognitive control) in eating disorders, particularly anorexia nervosa, and explores interventions to disrupt rigid goal pursuit patterns. She employs neuroimaging, ecological momentary assessment, and computational modeling to achieve mechanistic insights. Recent publications highlight trends in neuroimaging applications, emotion regulation frameworks, and virtual interventions for eating disorders. Her work spans neurocognitive heterogeneity, reward responsivity, and sociocultural influences on body dissatisfaction. 2019 Finalist, Informing Prevention Article of the Year 2018 Mentor, Best Paper by an Early Career Scholar 2018-2022 Loan Repayment Program, National Institute of Mental Health
Jennifer Celene Veilleux is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychological Science at the University of Arkansas, College of Arts & Sciences. She is actively involved in research, teaching, and clinical supervision, with a focus on emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and motivational processes underlying mental health. She directs the Treating Emotion and Motivational Processes (TEMPT) laboratory and mentors numerous graduate and undergraduate students. Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago (2011) M.A. in Clinical Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago (2007) B.A., Macalester College (1999) Dr. Veilleux's research centers on transdiagnostic emotional and motivational mechanisms, particularly how beliefs about emotion and distress tolerance influence self-control and regulation. Her work takes a broad approach, examining processes across various behaviors such as substance misuse, binge eating, and non-suicidal self-injury. She employs diverse methodologies including ecological momentary assessment, experimental paradigms, and qualitative analysis to understand real-time emotional dynamics. Her recent publications (2019–2023) reflect a consistent focus on distress tolerance, emotion regulation flexibility, and the dynamic nature of emotional beliefs. These studies appear in high-impact journals like Clinical Psychological Science , Motivation and Emotion , and Assessment , indicating strong scholarly engagement in affective science and clinical psychology. The research often involves co-authorship with graduate and undergraduate mentees, highlighting her active mentorship role. Dr. Veilleux is also committed to clinical training and supervision. She has published on psychotherapy supervision and managing client death in training, and she supervises doctoral students at the university's Psychological Clinic. She teaches courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels, including Statistics, Research Methods, Abnormal Psychology, Personality, and advanced seminars on emotion regulation and psychotherapy. She recently published a popular book titled Open to Emotion: How Acknowledging, Understanding, and Regulating Your Feelings can Improve Your Mental Health , extending her research impact beyond academia. She is currently recruiting new graduate students for the clinical psychology doctoral program, indicating ongoing research expansion.
Bernadette von Dawans is a Research Associate and Senior Academic Advisor in Research and Teaching at the Department of Biological and Clinical Psychology, Faculty I, University of Trier, Germany. She is also a licensed psychological psychotherapist and certified supervisor in cognitive behavioral therapy, leading the Psychotherapy Outpatient Clinic for Stress, Social Interaction and Behavioral Medicine. Her research focuses on the psychobiology and clinical aspects of stress, including social interaction, stress protection mechanisms (e.g., social support, oxytocin), stress management across age groups, and the impact of sex hormones on behavior. She investigates methods of stress induction and measurement, with applications in personality disorders, social phobia, and burnout. Her recent publications, primarily in psychoneuroendocrinology and clinical psychology journals, reveal a strong trend in examining how acute stress modulates social cognition, emotion recognition, prosocial behavior, and hormonal responses. She frequently employs the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST-G) and explores gender differences, hormonal influences (e.g., oral contraceptives, cortisol, oxytocin), and interventions like glucose intake or internet-based stress management. Common oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) polymorphism and social support interact to reduce stress in humans Oxytocin, vasopressin, and human social behavior Dr. von Dawans has contributed to research on stress resilience, affiliative behaviors under stress, and the neuroendocrine underpinnings of social functioning. She collaborates extensively with researchers such as Markus Heinrichs and Gregor Domes. She supervises clinical work and contributes to training early-career researchers in clinical psychology, though no formal advisees are listed. Her work is supported by empirical studies and systematic reviews, contributing significantly to stress and social behavior research.
