John Gigg is Senior Lecturer in Neuroscience at University of Manchester with PhD from Open University. Research focuses on hippocampal neural circuitry using electrophysiology and behavioral analysis. Current projects investigate information flow in medial temporal lobe structures in normal and Alzheimer's model mice. Research Focus: Hippocampal-subicular-entorhinal interactions with emphasis on parallel processing pathways. Examines neural basis of cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's using transgenic models (3xTg, TgF344-AD). Collaborations: Neural processing with Stefano Panzeri, circadian influences with Hugh Piggins, epilepsy networks with Jon Turner, and Alzheimer's mechanisms with Stuart Allan. Funded by BBSRC and Royal Society.
Buddhika Bellana is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Science at Glendon College, York University. They lead the Memory & Meaning Lab, which investigates human memory, spontaneous thought, and narrative processing. Bellana holds a PhD in Psychology from the University of Toronto (2013–2018) and postdoctoral fellowships at Johns Hopkins University (2018–2021) and the University of Toronto (2020–2021). Their research focuses on episodic memory, the role of narratives in cognition, and the neural mechanisms underlying spontaneous thought, particularly involving the default mode network and hippocampus. Bellana has secured grants from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) for projects on memory consolidation and predictive models in naturalistic contexts. They teach courses such as 'Stories, Minds, and Brains' and 'Introduction to Experimental Psychology,' and mentor graduate students exploring topics like curiosity, aging, and episodic memory. The lab collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to apply natural language processing and machine learning to study timeless narratives and mental context persistence. Education: PhD in Psychology, University of Toronto (2013–2018) MA in Psychology, University of Toronto (2012–2013) BA in Psychology, York University (2007–2012) Research Interests: Episodic memory, spontaneous thought dynamics, narrative analysis, neuroimaging, default mode network, aging, computational modeling. Grants: Multiple NSERC grants (2012–2028) focused on memory, predictive models, and aging. Labs/Teams: Principal Investigator of the Memory & Meaning Lab; collaborations with institutions like Johns Hopkins University and York University.
Prof. Pål Erik Goa is a Professor at the Department of Physics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). He leads the Norwegian 7T MR Center, focusing on advancing MRI methodologies for clinical applications, particularly in collaboration with NTNU’s Medical Faculty and St. Olavs Hospital. His research emphasizes high-field MRI (7T), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and applications in neuroimaging, breast cancer, and prostate cancer diagnostics. Research interests include developing novel MRI techniques for improved lesion detection, segmentation, and characterization, with a focus on clinical translation. His work spans from methodological advancements in DWI and T2-mapping to multimodal imaging strategies for disease stratification (e.g., Parkinson’s disease). Publications highlight contributions to breast and prostate cancer imaging, 7T MRI’s enhanced lesion visualization, and the integration of Bayesian methods in tumor classification. He has authored over 60 peer-reviewed articles, including studies on diffusion models, MRI artifact correction, and MRI-guided radiation therapy. Prof. Goa’s leadership in the Norwegian 7T MR Center underscores his role in fostering interdisciplinary research and clinical innovation in advanced MRI technologies.
Nesha Burghardt is an Associate Professor and Director of the Behavioral Neuroscience Concentration BA Program at Hunter College, CUNY. Her research focuses on identifying neural circuits underlying cognitive and emotional impairments in neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, and anorexia nervosa. She holds a PhD from New York University. Research Interests : Dr. Burghardt investigates serotonin regulation of fear learning, chronic stress effects on mood/cognition, adult hippocampal neurogenesis's role in cognitive flexibility, and dopamine mechanisms in anorexia nervosa. Current lab projects include serotonin-extended amygdala interactions, curcumin's antidepressant effects, and neurobiological risk factors for eating disorders. Key Contributions : Her work has advanced understanding of SSRI antidepressant mechanisms, fear extinction deficits, and neurogenesis-dependent learning. Notable findings include identifying vulnerable/resilient phenotypes in anorexia models and curcumin's resilience-promoting effects under chronic stress. Awards : Her 2013 study on antidepressants and fear extinction was highlighted by Faculty of 1000. She maintains an active NIH-funded translational neuroscience lab. Labs/Teams : Directs behavioral neuroscience labs using rodent models to study psychiatric disorders. Collaborates with NYU and Icahn School of Medicine researchers on translational neurobiology projects.
Dr. Stephen Glasgow is an Assistant Professor in Biological Sciences at Brock University's Faculty of Mathematics and Science, where he leads a research laboratory focused on synaptic plasticity and memory consolidation. He holds a PhD in Psychology from Concordia University (2011), an MA from the same institution (2006), and a BA from the University of Calgary (2003). His professional experience includes postdoctoral work at the Montreal Neurological Institute (McGill University) and research scientist roles in neurotherapeutics. Research interests center on molecular mechanisms of memory, including guidance cue functions in synaptic plasticity, neuromodulation of neural circuits, spatial memory formation, and REM sleep's role in memory consolidation. His laboratory employs techniques spanning optogenetics, in vivo electrophysiology, live-cell imaging, and behavioral analysis to investigate hippocampal function and neural circuit dynamics. The Glasgow Lab maintains active research on three interconnected themes: 1) Roles of guidance cues (netrin-1/DCC) in adult synaptic plasticity, 2) Neuromodulation of excitatory synapses, and 3) Spatial memory consolidation mechanisms. Recent publications demonstrate acetylcholine-netrin synergy in entorhinal persistent firing and DCC-dependent hippocampal memory processes. Canadian Institute for Health Research Fellowship (2014-2016) FRQS Postdoctoral Award (2014-2015, 2012-2014) CPA Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Award (2011) NSERC Postgraduate Scholarship (2008-2010) FQRNT Doctoral Award (2008) CPA Outstanding Master’s Thesis Award (2007) NSERC-USRA (2003) Dr. Glasgow currently advises MSc students Emily Kacur and Harshit Thakare, with recent alumni including Zoe Gagnon (MSc). The lab supports undergraduate researchers through honors projects and NSERC USRA opportunities. Grant support includes funding from CIHR, FRQS, and NSERC. The Glasgow Laboratory is located in the Mackenzie Chown Complex at Brock University, equipped for electrophysiology, cellular imaging, and behavioral analysis. Collaborative networks extend to McGill University, Montreal Neurological Institute, and international partners.
Dr. Christian Schiffer is a Research Fellow at the Research Centre Jülich, leading the 'Large-scale AI for Brain Mapping' team within the Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1). His work focuses on developing deep learning algorithms for automated analysis of cytoarchitectonic brain structures using high-resolution histological data. He heads the Helmholtz AI Young Investigator Group, which integrates contrastive learning, graph neural networks, and high-performance computing (HPC) workflows to advance brain mapping technologies. His research applies methods like convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and generative models to extract microstructural features from petabyte-scale microscopy datasets. Key contributions include 3D cytoarchitectonic mapping, integrating topology with histological data, and improving computational efficiency for large-scale neuroimaging analysis. Schiffer also collaborates with the 'Big Data Analytics' group, advancing tools for 3D reconstruction and interactive AI applications in neuroscience. Notably, he received the Helmholtz AI Award 2023 for his contributions to AI-driven neuroscience. His work bridges artificial intelligence, supercomputing, and neuroanatomy to create data-driven brain atlases, enabling deeper insights into brain connectivity and function. Schiffer’s group actively contributes to open-source tools like the Julich-Brain platform and participates in initiatives such as the 'BigBrain' project.
Prof. Michael Schmid is the Chair in Systems Neuroscience at Newcastle University's Institute of Neuroscience, leading the Schmid Lab. Previously, he held the position of Emmy Noether Group Leader at the Ernst Strüngmann Institute (ESI) for Neuroscience in Frankfurt until 2017. His research focuses on neural circuit operations in the visual system, including thalamocortical interactions during attentive vision, rhythmic neuronal activity, and mechanisms of brain plasticity after injury. He also explores pre-clinical applications like optogenetics-based cortical prosthetics for blindness and visual processing alterations in developmental dyslexia. Key achievements include securing an ERC Starting Grant in 2015 and pioneering work on optogenetic targeting and neuroimaging in non-human primates. His lab employs advanced techniques such as optogenetics, electrophysiology, and fMRI to study spatial navigation, neural circuit dynamics, and sensory restoration. Notable publications span high-impact journals like Neuron , Nature , and Current Biology . Lab Members: Includes postdocs (e.g., Dr. Michael Ortiz-Rios, Dr. Samy Rima), PhD students (e.g., Beshoy Agayby, Tenri Prasakti Fanyiwi), and lab manager Dr. Marcus Haag. Alumni: Former students include Dr. Carsten Klein, Dr. Joscha Schmiedt, and Dr. Katharine Shapcott, among others. Grants: Active ERC Starting Grant supporting research on perceptual brain circuits. Research highlights include identifying functional thalamocortical pathways, elucidating beta oscillation dynamics post-lesion, and developing MRI-compatible implants for primate studies. Ongoing projects aim to map entorhinal-hippocampal circuits and improve neuroprosthetic strategies for vision restoration.
Dr. Jennifer Vega is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School. She holds a BS in Psychology from the University of Arizona and a PhD in Cognitive & Systems Neuroscience from Vanderbilt University (2018). Her research focuses on translational neuroscience addressing cognitive aging in vulnerable populations, particularly chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment in cancer survivors. Key areas include neuroimaging, cognitive psychology, and clinical neuroscience. Education: Bachelor of Science in Psychology, University of Arizona Doctorate in Cognitive & Systems Neuroscience, Vanderbilt University (2018) Her work investigates novel interventions like nicotine therapy and computerized cognitive training to mitigate cognitive deficits in cancer survivors. Research themes span pathologic cognitive aging, neuro-oncology, and patient-centered translational strategies. Publications emphasize neuroimaging biomarkers, functional connectivity alterations, and clinical trial methodologies. Dr. Vega’s contributions include pioneering feasibility studies on cognitive enhancement strategies and advancing understanding of post-chemotherapy cognitive dysfunction mechanisms. She maintains affiliations with the T.H. Chan School of Medicine’s Psychiatry department and collaborates on projects addressing late-life cognitive impairment in diverse populations.
Edvard Ingjald Moser is a Professor at NTNU’s Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience and Co-Director of the Centre for Algorithms in the Cortex. He holds a PhD in neurophysiology from the University of Oslo (1995) and is a Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine (2014). His research focuses on spatial navigation and memory, particularly grid cells in the entorhinal cortex. Collaborating with May-Britt Moser, he discovered grid cells, pivotal to understanding spatial mapping. Current work explores neural microcircuits for space, time, and memory using advanced technologies like Neuropixels and 2-photon imaging. Key projects include the Moser group, KiloNeurons, and TheMini2P. He directs major research centers, including the Centre for Algorithms in the Cortex (2023–2033). His articles investigate theta rhythms, spatial coding, and neural dynamics, reflecting his expertise in computational neuroscience. Award highlights include the Nobel Prize and leadership in international neuroscience initiatives. His grants support cutting-edge neurotechnology and systems neuroscience. The Moser group’s labs and teams drive innovation in understanding brain circuits and their computational principles.
Jordan Poppenk is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Queen's University. His research focuses on the neural mechanisms of memory formation, retrieval, and their consequences. He employs fMRI and computational modeling to investigate hippocampal function, neural reactivation, and individual differences in memory ability. Poppenk is affiliated with the Cognitive Neuroscience Program and has contributed to neuroanatomical modeling methodologies. Education: B.Sc. (Hons), Western University, 2005 M.A., University of Toronto, 2007 Ph.D., University of Toronto, 2011 Research Interests: Poppenk studies how memory retrieval influences future cognition, including planning and perception. His work examines hippocampal specialization along its long axis and the effects of brain anatomy on memory performance. He develops methods to analyze neuroanatomical complexity and investigates neural correlates of motor learning and emotional memory. Key Themes in Publications: His recent work addresses rumination in depression, hippocampal volume changes, pandemic stress impacts, and sleep's role in memory consolidation. Findings emphasize neuroanatomical markers (e.g., entorhinal/hippocampal volumes) predicting cognitive abilities and psychiatric outcomes. Awards & Grants: No specific awards are listed, but his extensive publications suggest sustained research funding. Grants likely support his neuroimaging and computational work. Labs & Teams: His lab focuses on combining fMRI with computational approaches. Collaborations include the CAN-BIND study on depression and trauma effects.
Dr. Jon Brown is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Exeter, UK. His research focuses on understanding neuronal network changes in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and schizophrenia, using mouse models to explore synaptic and intrinsic neuronal properties. He leads the Exeter Applied Neurophysiology Group and collaborates with the NIHR Exeter Biomedical Research Centre. Dr. Brown holds a PhD from the University of Bristol (2004), following an MRes (2000) and BSc (1999) from the University of Manchester. His work integrates electrophysiological recordings, transcriptomics, and computational modeling to uncover mechanisms underlying cognitive deficits. He advises postgraduate students and engages in external examining roles. His research interests include synaptic dysfunction, network integrity in dementia, and the role of neuronal oscillations in disease. Recent studies investigate spatial transcriptomics in mouse models and the impact of tau pathology on sensory encoding. Dr. Brown’s publications span neurophysiology, molecular biology, and translational neuroscience, with a focus on early biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Education: PhD, University of Bristol, UK (2004) MRes, University of Manchester, UK (2000) BSc, University of Manchester, UK (1999) Research Interests: Cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer’s and frontotemporal dementia Neuronal network dynamics in neurodegenerative diseases Mouse models of tauopathy and schizophrenia Synaptic physiology and circuit-level analysis High-density EEG and spatial transcriptomics Lab/Team: Exeter Applied Neurophysiology Group.
Dr. Christa McIntyre is an Associate Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), affiliated with the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences. She holds roles including Cognition and Neuroscience Program Head (2016–2017) and Neuroscience Program Head (2014–2016). Her research focuses on neural mechanisms underlying stress effects on memory and fear extinction, particularly exploring how emotional arousal influences synaptic plasticity and memory consolidation. Dr. McIntyre earned a B.A. in Psychology from American University (1994), a Ph.D. in Psychobiology from the University of Virginia (2000), and completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Neurobiology at the University of California, Irvine (2006). She joined UTD in 2006 as an Assistant Professor, advancing to her current rank in 2013. Her research employs techniques like in vivo microdialysis, immunohistochemistry, and optogenetics to study amygdala-hippocampal interactions in memory storage. Key areas include PTSD treatment via vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), which her work has shown enhances fear extinction and generalization across sensory modalities. Recent studies also investigate VNS applications for autism spectrum disorder and migraine relief through glucocorticoid signaling modulation. Dr. McIntyre has received notable awards, including the Aage Møller Teaching Award (2013) and multiple NIH grants totaling over $3.5 million. Her lab, the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory Lab, collaborates on patents related to paired plasticity and VNS-enhanced exposure therapy. Current research emphasizes translating preclinical findings into clinical tools for anxiety and memory disorders.
Michel van den Oever is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Science at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, holding dual affiliations with Amsterdam Neuroscience (Compulsivity, Impulsivity & Attention and Mood, Anxiety, Psychosis, Stress & Sleep programs). His research focuses on the neural circuitry underlying long-lasting episodic memories, particularly the stabilization of new memories into persistent remote memories. He employs mouse models of drug addiction and conditioned fear, combined with optogenetics and viral vector approaches to manipulate neuronal activity. His work bridges molecular plasticity with behavioral outcomes, aiming to dissect the spatial and temporal organization of cortical circuits in memory formation. Key research interests include synaptic engram dynamics, the role of astrocytes in memory retrieval, and the impact of stress on memory consolidation. He teaches courses on Behavioral Neurosciences and The Developing Brain , reflecting his expertise in neurobiological mechanisms. His team's contributions advance understanding of addiction, fear, and memory disorders, with implications for psychiatric and neurodegenerative conditions.
Dr. Stephanie Theves is a Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics. Her work focuses on understanding the neural mechanisms underlying intelligence, relational reasoning, and concept representation through cognitive neuroscience approaches. Department of Cognitive Neuropsychology Her research explores how the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex encode hierarchical concepts, construct cognitive maps, and support relational memory systems. Key findings demonstrate that neural representations prioritize conceptual relationships over raw feature distances, and that place-cell-like mechanisms in the brain modulate memory organization. Theves' recent publications examine category abstraction, spatial cognition, and beta-band activity modulation through sensory training. Her methodological approach combines neuroimaging with computational modeling to investigate neural processes. As part of the Max Planck Society, her work contributes to foundational knowledge in cognitive neuroscience while intersecting with interdisciplinary research themes in music, language, and computational auditory perception.
Armando Miguel Caseiro Pires Remondes holds a tenured Professor position in Physiology and Pharmacology and Therapeutics at Lusófona University's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FMV-ULHT), alongside an invited Assistant Professor role in Physiology at the University of Lisbon's Faculty of Medicine (FMUL) and research affiliation with iMM-JLA. His career bridges clinical veterinary practice and neuroscience research, with 15 years of prior work at Caltech and MIT. Educational background includes: DVM from the University of Lisbon PhD in Neuroscience at California Institute of Technology (Caltech) under Erin Schuman Postdoctoral training at MIT's Brain and Cognitive Sciences Department with Matthew Wilson His research centers on neural circuit mechanisms in memory and learning, with emphasis on hippocampal and entorhinal cortex functions. Key methodologies include electrophysiology, optogenetics, and behavioral analysis. The fingerprint analysis from his publications shows dominant focus areas: Hippocampus (100%), Synapse (64%), Information Processing (64%), and Entorhinal Cortex (52%), alongside synaptic plasticity and behavioral neuroscience. Recent publications (2021-2024) reveal three thematic clusters: opioid addiction memory traces (2024), cognitive control under processing fluency (2022-2023), and neural timing mechanisms (2021). His interdisciplinary work spans rodent models, electrophysiology, and even environmental virology during the pandemic. Scientific awards: No specific prizes, fellowships, or medals are documented in the source material. Remondes established and leads the Circuits/Systems Neuroscience Lab at FMV-ULHT from its inception in 2014, personally training students in electronics, micromechanics, computer analysis, animal surgery, electrophysiology, animal behavior, and optogenetics. The lab operates with a multidisciplinary team focused on neural circuit dynamics, though no grant details are provided. Lab infrastructure includes custom-built systems for electrophysiology and optogenetics, supporting research on memory encoding and behavioral outputs. His collaborative network spans neuroscience and marine science, as evidenced by the SARS-CoV-2 study referenced in policy sources.
