Dr. Lorenz Fenk is a Max Planck Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence , leading the Neural Dynamics and Evolution department. His research focuses on neural systems function, natural behavior, and evolutionary neuroscience. Education: PhD in Neurobiology/Genetics (2016), University of Cambridge, UK Diploma (Mag. rer. nat.) in Biology/Anthropology (2010), University of Vienna, Austria His work combines quantitative methods and modern tools to study unconventional model systems like reptiles. Research themes include: Mechanisms of neural circuit dynamics during sleep Interhemispheric competition in reptiles Evolutionary aspects of sleep and cognition Internal brain activity and its link to memory/perception Recent publications demonstrate interdisciplinary trends in sleep research, neural computation, and evolutionary biology. Studies span vertebrate ultradian rhythms, reptilian brainstem circuits, and environmental modulation of behavior in Caenorhabditis elegans . Dr. Fenk's current affiliation is with the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, where he employs molecular, neurophysiological, and computational approaches to unravel cognitive processes and flexible behavior.
Alex Holcombe is a Professor in the School of Psychology at the University of Sydney . His research spans two major domains: perception and attention (investigating visual information bottlenecks and temporal processing) and meta-science (advancing open science and reproducibility through tools like tenzing.club and editorial roles in open-access journals). Education: PhD in Psychology (Harvard), BA in Psychology and Cognitive Science (University of Virginia) Editorial Roles: Associate editor for WikiJournal of Science , Collabra: Psychology , and Meta-psychology His experimental psychology work uses behavioral studies to reveal limits in visual processing speed, feature binding, and attentional resource allocation. Key findings include the role of naps in learning, parietal lobe function in rapid letter processing, and temporal binding dynamics in perception. Recent publications focus on peer review reform (2025 PNAS ), contributorship attribution (2024 Accountability in Research ), and visual cognition (2024 Journal of Vision ). These works reflect his dual commitment to understanding perceptual mechanisms and improving scientific practices. Advising: Mentors PhD students including De-wei DAI, Jye MARCHANT, and Rasmus PEDERSEN Labs: Leads research on visual perception and attentional bottlenecks Grants: 2024 Core Funding Grant for object tracking research
Anna Taylor, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacology within the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Alberta. She holds the Canada Research Chair in Pain and Addiction and the Alberta Cancer Foundation Chair in Palliative Care, and is a member of both the Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute and the Cancer Research Institute of Northern Alberta. Dr. Taylor completed her doctoral training at the McGill Pain Center followed by postdoctoral research at UCLA's Hatos Center for Opioid Pharmacology. Her educational background established a foundation in pain mechanisms and opioid pharmacology that directly informs her current research program. Her research critically examines how chronic pain alters affective and cognitive brain regions, with particular focus on interactions between pain pathways, opioid systems, and emotional processing. Key areas include neuroinflammation in pain chronification, gut microbiome-pain interactions, sex differences in pain and addiction, and the development of non-addictive analgesics targeting alternative opioid pathways. Her work consistently employs sophisticated rodent models to dissect neural circuitry underlying pain and reward. Analysis of her recent publications reveals an accelerating focus on neuroimmune mechanisms and sex-specific pain processing, with growing emphasis on the gut-brain axis. A defining trend is her investigation of non-canonical opioid agonists as safer alternatives to traditional opioids - research that directly addresses the dual crises of chronic pain management and the opioid epidemic through mechanistic innovation. Dr. Taylor's significant contributions to pain and addiction research have been recognized through prestigious appointments: Canada Research Chair in Pain and Addiction Alberta Cancer Foundation Chair in Palliative Care She actively mentors graduate students and postdoctoral fellows while securing competitive research funding from national agencies. Her collaborative approach spans neuroscience, immunology, and clinical pain medicine, with particular emphasis on translating basic findings into improved therapeutic strategies for pain and addiction disorders. The Taylor Lab operates as a multidisciplinary hub within the Medical Sciences Building, integrating molecular, behavioral, and neuroanatomical approaches to study pain's emotional dimensions. Current team projects investigate central amygdala neuroinflammation in pain hypersensitivity, microbiome-mediated modulation of opioid responses, and sex chromosome effects on pain processing - all aimed at developing targeted interventions for chronic pain conditions.
Frederick S. Barrett is a Professor of Neuropsychopharmacology of Consciousness at Johns Hopkins University, holding dual appointments in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (School of Medicine) and the Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences. As Director of the Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, his work focuses on understanding the psychological and neurological mechanisms of psychedelic drugs, particularly psilocybin and LSD. His research explores therapeutic applications for mood disorders, substance use disorders, and the enduring effects of psychedelics on brain function. Key achievements include leading the first federally funded NIH R03 grant since the 1970s investigating psilocybin's biological mechanisms, developing the Challenging Experience Questionnaire, and pioneering studies on psilocybin’s effects on brain structures like the claustrum. His clinical trials assess psilocybin for major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder. Research interests span psychedelic neurobiology, neuroimaging, and therapeutic alliance dynamics in psychedelic-assisted therapies. He emphasizes rigorous methodologies in psychedelic science and cross-cultural assessment tool development. Grants: NIH R03 (2017) Labs/Teams: Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research Key Projects: Psilocybin-brain connectivity studies, LSD-music interaction analyses, and psychedelic clinical trial methodology
Adam C. Puche, PhD, is a tenured Professor and Vice Chair of the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. His laboratory investigates olfactory system development, neural circuitry, and function using neuroanatomical, electrophysiological, and advanced imaging techniques. He directs the medical school course Structure and Development , covering gross anatomy, histology, and embryology. Education: Ph.D. in Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Melbourne (Australia) Post-doctoral training at University of Maryland with Dr. Michael T. Shipley Research Focus: Dr. Puche's work examines: (1) Embryonic/postnatal olfactory system development; (2) Neurogenesis and migration of olfactory interneurons via the rostral migratory stream; (3) Synaptic processing in glomerular microcircuits; (4) In vivo neural activity mapping using calcium imaging and electrophysiology; (5) Clinical applications in trauma training and neurodegenerative diseases. Publication Trends (2019-2025): His recent articles demonstrate strong foci on olfactory bulb neural dynamics, cortical signaling pathways, innovative surgical training models (VR/cadaveric), fluorescence imaging techniques, and neuropathology of brain injury. Computational approaches like AI-based medical imaging analysis are emerging themes. Laboratory: The lab employs multidisciplinary approaches including whole-cell patch clamping, two-photon microscopy, molecular biology, and behavioral assays to study neural circuit mechanisms in rodent models.
Lawrence Hirsch, MD, is a Professor of Neurology at Yale University School of Medicine, serving as Chief of the Division of Epilepsy and EEG, Co-Director of the Yale Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, and Co-Director of the Critical Care EEG Monitoring Program. He holds leadership roles in epilepsy research and clinical care, focusing on EEG monitoring in critically ill patients, status epilepticus, and epilepsy surgery. His research spans over 250 publications and includes contributions to the development of the Atlas of EEG in Critical Care . Education & Training: MD: Yale University School of Medicine (1991) Residency: Neurology at Columbia University (completed 1995) Fellowship: Epilepsy and EEG at Columbia University (1997) Research Interests: His work emphasizes EEG-based diagnostics, seizure management in critical care, and innovative therapies for refractory epilepsy. Key areas include new-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE), febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome (FIRES), and the use of brain stimulation for treatment-resistant cases. Publications & Recognition: Over 150 original manuscripts and 100+ reviews/chapters. Awards include Fellow of the American Epilepsy Society, Attending of the Year (2013), and invitations as a keynote speaker globally. His research group collaborates widely, including the Critical Care EEG Monitoring Research Consortium. Labs & Initiatives: Leads the Yale Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, a multidisciplinary program with expertise in surgical epilepsy treatment, EEG monitoring, and translational research. Active in telemedicine and educational outreach to improve access to epilepsy care.
Ivan Rodriguez is a Full Professor at the University of Geneva's Faculty of Science, leading the Laboratory of Neurogenetics. His research focuses on understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying neural circuits governing innate behaviors in mammals, particularly through the olfactory and vomeronasal systems. His work combines genetic, physiological, and computational approaches, including the development of transgenic mouse models and single-cell technologies. Key projects include studying the claustrum’s role in memory and sensory integration, the evolution of chemoreceptors, and the impact of pathogens on neural behavior. Research Interests Dr. Rodriguez’s lab investigates neural circuits in the olfactory system, claustrum, and vomeronasal organ. Specific topics include: Neuronal coding and plasticity in sensory systems Genetic and molecular mechanisms of olfactory receptor choice Pathogen detection and immune-to-olfactory receptor evolution Claustrum function in memory and inter-areal communication Key Collaborations His team includes researchers such as Sabine Fièvre (Ambizione Fellow), Daniel Rossier, and Alan Carleton, focusing on projects like genetic tool development for the claustrum and SARS-CoV-2 entry mechanisms in olfactory tissues. Recent work highlights the claustrum’s critical role in working memory and long-term memory consolidation. Grants & Lab The laboratory employs advanced techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing and optogenetics. Current projects are supported by grants from Swiss National Science Foundation and EU funding, though specific grant details are not explicitly stated in the provided texts. Publications Recent contributions span Nature , Neuron , and Cell , with a focus on sensory systems, neural circuits, and evolutionary biology. Notable papers include studies on claustrum function, vomeronasal receptor evolution, and SARS-CoV-2 receptors in olfactory tissues.
Raudel Sánchez Campusano serves as a Professor in the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology at Pablo de Olavide University, specializing in neural mechanisms underlying motor control and memory processes. His research integrates electrophysiological recordings, computational modeling, and behavioral paradigms to investigate learning and memory systems. He earned his doctorate from Pablo de Olavide University in 2007 with a thesis titled "Optimized analytical and experimental methods for neuromuscular control of learned motor responses: the eyelid motor system," supervised by Dr. José María Delgado García and Dr. Agnès Gruart. His academic foundation combines rigorous experimental physiology with advanced analytical techniques. Dr. Sánchez Campusano's research spans multiple neuroscience domains: Motor control systems, particularly extraocular and facial motor pathways Memory processes and their deterioration in neurodegenerative conditions Cerebellar and hippocampal contributions to associative learning Neural oscillations and cortical dynamics during cognitive tasks Computational modeling of neural circuits and brain stimulation effects Analysis of his recent publications (2014-2023) reveals a consistent focus on the neural basis of learning and memory, with increasing emphasis on pathological mechanisms in Alzheimer's disease models and translational applications of brain stimulation techniques. His work frequently employs rabbit and mouse models to examine synaptic plasticity in the cerebellum, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex during motor and cognitive tasks, while developing novel algorithms for neural signal processing. He actively contributes to doctoral programs on "Genesis and Control of Motor Commands with Special Emphasis on Extraocular and Facial Motor Systems" and "Brain Mechanisms Underlying Memory Processes and Their Deterioration." As a core member of the Neuroscience Laboratory and Translational Neuroscience Group (tNeuro), he leads research on cortical circuit dynamics in both healthy and pathological states.
Dr. Nafiseh Atapour Senior Research Fellow in Physiology at Monash University since 2015. Holds a PhD in Neurophysiology and completed postdoctoral training at RIKEN Brain Science Institute (Japan), studying visual circuit plasticity. Her research focuses on neuronal plasticity, critical periods in development, inhibitory interneurons, and neurodevelopmental disorders like schizophrenia and epilepsy. Education & Training PhD in Neurophysiology Postdoctoral Fellowship: Prof. Takao K. Hensch’s Lab at RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Japan Research Projects Thalamic plasticity following cortical damage: recovery of vision (2023-2026, PCI) The effects of early exposure to bushfires on adult brain structure and function (2022-2026, CI) Awards Razi Award for Early-Career Scientists (1999) Gender Equity Travel Support Grant (2016) Key Research Themes Explores structural/physiological plasticity in visual circuits, developmental critical periods, and neurochemical markers of cortical neurons. Uses marmoset and mouse models to investigate epilepsy mechanisms and circuit rewiring post-brain injury. Her work contributes to UN SDGs related to health and well-being.
Ida Fredriksson is an Assistant Professor at Linköping University, affiliated with the Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV) and the Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience (CSAN). Her research focuses on understanding the mechanisms underlying opioid relapse and craving during voluntary abstinence, using preclinical models to identify key brain circuits. She collaborates extensively with international teams and has published in high-impact journals such as Science Advances and Neuropsychopharmacology . Educational background not explicitly stated in provided texts. Research emphasizes translational neuroscience, particularly the role of brain regions like the claustrum, ventral subiculum, and dorsal striatum in addiction relapse. Her work integrates behavioral, pharmacological, and neuroimaging approaches to address unmet clinical needs in addiction treatment. Scientific awards: None explicitly mentioned. Grants and advising: No student names or grant details provided. The Fredriksson Lab is part of the broader Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, which focuses on social and emotional brain processes. Her current projects aim to uncover neural correlates of craving incubation and develop predictive models for relapse prevention.
Professor Irene Tracey is the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, effective from January 2023. She holds a Professorship in Anaesthetic Neuroscience within the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences. Previously, she served as Warden of Merton College and Head of the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences (2015–2019). Her academic journey began at Oxford, where she earned degrees in Biochemistry under Sir George Radda, followed by postdoctoral work at Harvard Medical School. Tracey’s research focuses on pain mechanisms, anaesthesia, and neuroimaging. As a founding member and director of the Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging (formerly FMRIB), she pioneered techniques like functional MRI to study pain processing and neural pathways. Her work bridges discovery science and clinical translation, challenging traditional views of pain as merely nociceptive input. She has supervised over 35 PhD students and mentors numerous early-career researchers. Awards include the CBE (2022), Feldberg Prize (2017), and the British Neuroscience Association’s Outstanding Contribution Award (2018). She advocates for women in science and chairs committees like the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS). Her leadership roles span institutional governance, national academies, and global health initiatives. Key research themes include the neural basis of chronic pain, central sensitization, and anaesthetic agents’ effects on consciousness. Collaborations with industry and academia aim to develop pain biomarkers and therapeutics, reflected in her extensive publication record on neuroimaging, pain modulation, and interdisciplinary methods.
Eyiyemisi Damisah, MD , is an Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at Yale School of Medicine , specializing in Epilepsy and Functional Neurosurgery . She leads the Center for Brain and Mind Health and directs the Division of Epilepsy and Functional Neurosurgery . Bachelor's in Religious Studies, Biola University (2006) MD, Residency, and Fellowship, Yale School of Medicine (2011–2018) Her research explores threat-processing neural mechanisms and interoceptive feedback in anxiety/PTSD, using single-neuron recordings , intracranial EEG , and computational modeling . She investigates memory impairments in epilepsy and develops direct electrical brain stimulation therapies for neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. Recent publications focus on epilepsy surgery innovations , threat avoidance neural correlates , and statistical learning in cognition . Collaborations span Neurology , Psychiatry , and Psychology departments. Hypothesis Fund Seed Award (2023) Spector Award (2020) Academy Award, American Academy of Neurological Surgeons (2017) NREF Grant (2014) Swebilius Award (2014) She directs the Damisah Lab , combining engineering , psychiatry , and neurosurgery to advance circuit-level therapeutics . Her clinical practice includes DBS , RNS , and VNS for seizure and movement disorder management.
Lawrence J. Hirsch, MD, is a Professor of Neurology at Yale School of Medicine, Chief of the Division of Epilepsy and EEG, and Co-Director of the Yale Comprehensive Epilepsy Center and Critical Care EEG Monitoring Program. With over 50 years of institutional history, the center is renowned for clinical and research excellence in adult and pediatric epilepsy. Education: MD from Yale University School of Medicine (1992), Residency at Columbia Presbyterian Center (1995), Fellowship at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center (1997) Dr. Hirsch's research spans epilepsy surgery, brain stimulation therapies, anti-seizure medications, seizure clusters, and critical care EEG monitoring. He has published over 230 peer-reviewed manuscripts and 100 book chapters, with an H-index of 90 and >31,000 citations. His work includes foundational guidelines like the 2012 and 2021 ACNS critical care EEG terminology and the first critical care EEG atlas. Recent publications focus on microbiome alterations in status epilepticus, inflammatory profiling in NORSE, AI-driven EEG analysis, post-traumatic epilepsy prediction via CT, and SUDEP mechanisms. Collaborators include Emily Gilmore, Hitten Zaveri, and Robert Duckrow. Scientific Awards: Fellow of American Epilepsy Society (2017), Attending of the Year at Yale (2013), Insley Lecturer (2018), Sahlie Distinguished Lecturer (2013), and multiple Top Doctors recognitions Dr. Hirsch mentors numerous trainees and leads initiatives to improve epilepsy care access through telemedicine, home EEG services, and educational outreach. His clinical focus includes curative epilepsy surgery and advanced therapies like responsive neurostimulation.
Alfred Kaye, MD, PhD is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine, affiliated with multiple research centers including the Center for Brain & Mind Health, Damisah Lab, Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Janeway Society, Neuroscience Research Training Program (NRTP), Neuroscience Track Psychiatry, Swartz Program in Theoretical Neurobiology, Wu Tsai Institute, and Yale Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS). Kaye earned his MD and PhD from the University of California, San Diego in 2014 and 2013 respectively. He completed his psychiatry residency and served as Chief Resident at Yale University in 2018, followed by a Research Fellowship at the Veterans Administration National Center for PTSD in 2020. He is board certified in Psychiatry by the ABPN (2021). Dr. Kaye's research focuses on understanding adaptations to environmental danger and their relationship to PTSD using circuit and computational approaches. His lab investigates how neuromodulatory circuits reprogram one another to create adaptive responses to traumatic experiences, addressing the central problem of developing a mechanistic and functional understanding of stress and anxiety. His work employs advanced techniques including microendoscope and two-photon imaging of calcium and neurotransmitter sensors, large-scale electrophysiology (Neuropixels), computational analysis of behavior (DeepLabCut), and single cell transcriptomics. His recent publications (2023-2025) reveal a strong focus on norepinephrine signaling in threat processing, psychedelic mechanisms, ketamine's antidepressant effects, and computational modeling of trauma responses. His work spans from molecular neuroscience to clinical applications, with particular emphasis on neural circuit dynamics during decision-making under uncertainty and threat prediction. Pilot Grant Research Award (2020) Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (K08) (2020) The Seymour L. Lustman Award for Psychiatric Research (2019) NARSD Young Investigator Award (2019) Outstanding Resident Award Program (2017) Dr. Kaye collaborates extensively with prominent researchers including Alex Kwan, Christopher Pittenger, and John Krystal. His work bridges computational neuroscience with clinical psychiatry, aiming to translate basic findings into novel treatments for anxiety and trauma-related disorders. His lab is actively investigating how neuromodulatory systems respond to trauma and how these responses might be targeted for therapeutic intervention. Dr. Kaye is part of Yale's Damisah Lab and contributes to the Division of Molecular Psychiatry, focusing on the intersection of circuit neuroscience, computational modeling, and psychiatric disorders. His work represents a cutting-edge approach to understanding the neural basis of stress responses and developing novel interventions for PTSD and related conditions.
Christopher Pittenger is the Elizabeth Mears and House Jameson Professor of Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine. He holds secondary appointments as Professor of Psychology and in the Child Study Center, with additional roles as Director of the Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit and Deputy Chair for Translational Research in Psychiatry. Yale School of Medicine Yale Department of Psychiatry Child Study Center Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program Dr. Pittenger's research spans basal ganglia function, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) pathophysiology, Tourette syndrome modeling, and psychedelic science applications for mental health. His lab employs genetically modified mice to investigate habit formation mechanisms and translational approaches to neuropsychiatric treatment. Recent publications demonstrate his interdisciplinary focus: 2025: Machine learning applications in OCD research 2024: Psychedelic medicine integration in residency training 2024: Neuroimmune mechanisms in pediatric neuropsychiatric syndromes 2024: Prefrontal astrocyte-mediated depression models Scientific recognition includes: Senior Researcher Award (2016) Eva King Killam Award (2015) NARSAD Independent Investigator Award (2015) Fellow of three major medical colleges Clinical trials under his leadership explore: Psilocybin dosing for OCD Neuroimaging biomarkers for treatment response Novel pharmacological interventions
