Prof. Stephen Mayhew is a Professor at Aston University's School of Life & Health Sciences, affiliated with the College of Health and Life Sciences. He leads the Cognition & Neuroscience Research Group (CNRG) and contributes to the Aston Research Centre for Health in Ageing. His research focuses on multimodal neuroimaging (EEG/fMRI/MRI/MEG) to study brain activity in health and cognition, particularly negative BOLD responses and their role in neural inhibition and behavior. Recent work includes investigating task-demand effects on BOLD responses, brain state dynamics during rest, and neurovascular coupling methods. Education & Affiliations: Affiliated with Aston University's School of Life & Health Sciences Member of CNRG and Health in Ageing Centre Research Interests: His work explores collaborative/antagonistic brain networks, lifespan changes in brain function, and the functional significance of negative BOLD responses. Techniques include fMRI, EEG, and advanced neuroimaging analysis methods like fractal dimension and laminar 7T MRI. Key Contributions: Published over 30 peer-reviewed articles on neuroimaging and brain networks Systematic reviews on neurovascular coupling and transcranial Doppler methods Labs & Teams: Active in CNRG and collaborates across disciplines in health sciences and bioengineering.
Kristian O'Connor is a Professor in the Department of Kinesiology within the College of Health Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where he also serves as Associate Vice Provost for Research Education. His academic credentials include a Ph.D. in Exercise Science from the University of Massachusetts (2002), an M.S. in Exercise Science from Arizona State University (1998), and a B.A. in Physics from Colorado College (1994). Dr. O'Connor's research centers on the biomechanics of musculoskeletal injury, with particular emphasis on knee injury mechanisms during sports activities. His work investigates how neuromuscular fatigue contributes to increased injury risk in conditions like anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears and anterior knee pain, and explores its role in osteoarthritis progression. A significant innovation in his research involves developing portable single-camera 3D motion capture technology for clinical settings, eliminating the need for specialized laboratory environments. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals consistent focus on age-related movement changes, knee biomechanics during dynamic tasks, and fatigue-induced injury mechanisms. His work spans geriatric mobility, athletic performance, and clinical rehabilitation, with strong methodological emphasis on motion analysis and neuromuscular assessment. Key trends include transition step descent biomechanics, visual-motor integration in aging populations, and foot-joint coupling dynamics in runners. Dean’s Award for Outstanding Service (2016), College of Health Sciences As Associate Vice Provost for Research Education, Dr. O'Connor oversees research training programs while maintaining active NIH-funded research. His recent grants include NIH R44HD068147-02 ($1.5M) and R43HD068147-01 ($215k) for developing clinical gait assessment tools, plus industry funding from Sport Biomechanics, Inc. His research program integrates motion capture technology development with fundamental injury mechanism studies, focusing on translating laboratory findings to clinical applications for injury prevention and rehabilitation. Dr. O'Connor leads a biomechanics research laboratory focused on developing portable motion analysis systems and investigating injury mechanisms across diverse populations including athletes, older adults, and clinical patients. His team's development of single-camera 3D motion tracking represents a significant advancement toward accessible clinical biomechanics assessment.
Panying Rong, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Speech-Language-Hearing: Sciences & Disorders at the University of Kansas , within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on the neuromechanical basis of motor speech disorders and the development of quantitative tools for speech assessment. Primary Affiliation: University of Kansas Department: Speech-Language-Hearing: Sciences & Disorders Academic Rank: Assistant Professor Email: prong@ku.edu Research Interests Dr. Rong’s work investigates the biomechanical and neurological mechanisms underlying speech impairments in neurodegenerative diseases like ALS and Parkinson’s. Key areas include: Mechanistic modeling of speech motor control Development of data-driven speech diagnostics Acoustic and kinematic analysis of bulbar disorders Compensatory articulatory strategies in speech pathologies Temporal structuring of speech signals Integration of multimodal assessments for neurological conditions Article Trends Her recent publications emphasize automated, multimodal frameworks for assessing bulbar ALS, neuromechanical biomarkers, and cultural-linguistic influences on speech outcomes. Techniques include EMA, EMG, kinematic modeling, and computational analysis of speech subsystems.
Vineet Pandey is an Assistant Professor at the Kahlert School of Computing, University of Utah, and a Responsible AI Faculty Fellow starting Spring 2025. His research focuses on human-centered computing tools to bridge communities and institutional experts in science and medicine, emphasizing digital health and citizen science. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from UC San Diego (2013-2019) and postdoctoral roles at MIT (2022-2023) and Harvard University (2020-2022). Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science, UC San Diego (2013-2019) Postdoctoral Researcher, MIT (2022-2023) Postdoctoral Fellow, Harvard University (2020-2022) Research Interests: Designing systems for community-led scientific work Remote health assessment tools for neurological disorders Social platforms for public participation in policymaking Collaborations with rare disease communities and healthcare institutions Articles Trends: Recent work spans motor impairment monitoring in ataxia-telangiectasia, digital phenotyping in ALS, and citizen science platforms like Galileo. Earlier contributions include key-value store systems and microbiome research via the American Gut Project. Scientific Awards: 2019 School of Engineering Henry Booker Award for Exemplary Ethical Engineering Advising/Grants: Supervises PhD/MS/BS students on HCI projects in digital health and citizen science. Alumni include Jenny Yijun Zhan (MSD) and Gunasekhar Athuluri (CS MS). Teaches courses like 'Designing Digital Health Systems' and 'Designing Human-Centered Systems'. Labs/Teams: Leads a multidisciplinary group collaborating with medical experts, rare disorder communities, and institutions. Current projects include fine-finger tracking for motor performance analysis and platform design for participatory science.
Dr. Marina Schoemaker is a Senior Lecturer at the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), affiliated with the Faculty of Medical Sciences and the Department of Human Movement Sciences. She holds a PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Groningen (1992) and has conducted research in the UK under an ESF grant. Her expertise focuses on Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), motor control, and pediatric rehabilitation. She has organized international DCD conferences and chairs the Dutch steering committee for DCD clinical guidelines. Education includes a Master's in clinical psychology and a PhD on physical therapy interventions for children with DCD. Research interests span assessment tools, intervention efficacy, motor performance variability, and cross-cultural DCD screening. She supervises PhD students on topics like motor control theories and DCD risk factors. Her work contributes to UN SDG 3 (Good Health) through improving DCD diagnosis and intervention. Key projects include the Little DCD-Q screening tool validation and motor variability studies in children with DCD. Teaching includes courses on motor development and rehabilitation theories for medical students. Professional activities include roles on international DCD research groups and organizing consensus meetings. Media engagements address child motor development topics like swimming and play-based interventions.
Efi Psomopoulou is Lecturer in Data Science at the University of Bristol's School of Engineering Mathematics and Technology. Her research develops tactile sensing and control strategies for robotic manipulation, with applications in industrial robotics and minimally invasive surgery. Specializes in learning dexterous skills from demonstrations, underactuated hand design, and sim-to-real transfer for tactile robotics. Key innovations include the Tactile Softhand-A (3D-printed anthropomorphic hand with antagonistic tendons), BioTactIP optical tactile sensor for 3D force estimation, and Anyrotate system for gravity-invariant object rotation. Recent work advances efficient learning of fine manipulation skills from limited real-world data. Active in IEEE RAS Women in Engineering initiatives, promoting equity in robotics. Surgical robotics contributions include master controllers for da Vinci systems and palpation feedback evaluation. Publications demonstrate progression from surgical applications to fundamental dexterous manipulation research.
Tatyana Konkova is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Design, Manufacturing and Engineering Management at the University of Strathclyde, Faculty of Engineering, Glasgow, UK. She is actively engaged in research, teaching, and professional leadership in the field of Materials Science and Engineering, with a focus on metallurgy and advanced manufacturing techniques. Education: Doctor of Science, Mechanisms of cryogenic plastic deformation and features of microstructure formation in technically pure copper, Institute for Metals Superplasticity Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences (awarded 2011) Master of Business Administration (MBA), Strathclyde Business School (awarded 2023) PG Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, University of Strathclyde (awarded 2021) MSc (Hons) in Materials Science and Engineering, Ufa State Aviation Technical University (awarded 2005) BSc in Engineering, Ufa State Aviation Technical University (awarded 2004) Research Interests: Her research spans Severe Plastic Deformation (SPD), cryogenic deformation, additive manufacturing, microstructure evolution, and advanced characterization using EBSD, TEM, and SEM. She focuses on materials such as titanium alloys, copper, and nickel-based superalloys, aiming to bridge fundamental science with industrial applications. Her work emphasizes grain boundary engineering, abnormal grain growth, and deformation-induced boundaries. Publication Trends: Recent publications highlight her growing interdisciplinary work combining additive manufacturing with electric machine design, as well as continued deep microstructural investigations in aerospace and microelectronic materials. Her research integrates data-driven optimization and advanced characterization to improve material performance and manufacturing efficiency. Scientific Awards and Honors: Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (FIMMM) Chartered Engineer (CEng) by the Engineering Council Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (MIMechE) Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) PG Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education Advising and Grants: She has supervised undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD students and serves as Principal Investigator on multiple research projects, including EPSRC-funded CDT in AI-enabled Digital High-Value Manufacturing and AFRC projects on titanium alloy forgeability. She has secured funding from national and international sources, including the Russian Foundation for Fundamental Research. Her leadership in industrial collaboration and knowledge exchange is evident through her roles in Catapult projects and industrial group supervision. Labs and Teams: She has led the Materials Characterisation Theme at AFRC and represented the center in Cross-Catapult forums on additive manufacturing. She is part of the Horizon Europe Working Group with the University of Waterloo and actively collaborates with national and international research teams.
Marc H. Schieber, M.D., Ph.D. is a Part-Time Professor in the Department of Neurology at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. He leads the Schieber Lab, which focuses on neural control of hand and finger movements and brain-machine interface technology development. His research has significant implications for restoration and repair of damaged neurological function. Dr. Schieber's educational background includes both an MD and PhD from Washington University School of Medicine (1982), followed by a Neurology residency at Massachusetts General Hospital (1983-1986) and an Internal Medicine internship at Barnes-Jewish Hospital South (1982-1983). His academic journey was supported by prestigious fellowships including the Medical Scientist Training Program Fellowship (1974-1982). His research primarily investigates how the brain controls fine finger movements used in activities like typing, playing musical instruments, or performing delicate surgery. More recent work explores the combination of reaching, grasping, and manipulating. His lab studies how the brain controls complex muscle movements to achieve required actions, with applications to brain-machine interface technology. His publications reveal consistent focus on neural coding, motor cortex function, and the development of neuroprosthetics for restoring lost function. Dr. Schieber's work shows strong trends in understanding neural representations of movement, cortical organization for motor control, and translating these findings to practical brain-computer interfaces. His recent publications (2023-2025) increasingly focus on intracortical microstimulation for injecting information into cortical networks, neural synchrony in sensorimotor systems, and computational approaches to motor control. Javits Investigator Merit Award (2003-2010) Clinical Investigator Development Award (1986-1989) Phi Beta Kappa (1974) A.B. summa cum laude (1974) Medical Scientist Training Program Fellowship (1974-1982) Dr. Schieber has mentored numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who have gone on to successful careers in academia and industry. His lab has received substantial research funding supporting investigations into neural control mechanisms and brain-machine interface development. The Schieber Lab has been an important contributor to understanding distributed motor control in the cortex and translating these findings to potential clinical applications for neurological rehabilitation. His laboratory work has consistently examined the distributed nature of motor control in the cortex, challenging traditional views of somatotopic organization and demonstrating how multiple cortical areas work together to produce coordinated movements. Current research directions include investigating how to effectively inject information into cortical networks using microstimulation and understanding the computational principles underlying motor control.
Dr. Garrick Forman serves as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Kinesiology within Brock University's Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, where he conducts pioneering research in esports biomechanics and ergonomics. Holding a PhD in Neuromechanics and Ergonomics from Brock, he focuses on optimizing gamer performance while mitigating injury risks through industry partnerships with GM Canada, NotionMedical, and Waterloo Regional Police. His educational background includes: PhD in Neuromechanics and Ergonomics, Brock University Forman's research centers on esports biomechanics, neuromuscular control of the distal upper limb, and fatigue-induced motor performance degradation. His work integrates advanced biomechanical analysis with practical ergonomic solutions, particularly addressing repetitive strain in gaming contexts. Recent studies employ robotics for precise movement quantification and examine sex-specific responses to physical demands, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach to human performance optimization. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2025-2020) reveals a dominant focus on upper extremity biomechanics in gaming and occupational settings, with emerging trends in corticospinal excitability assessment and robotic movement analysis. His research consistently bridges laboratory findings with real-world applications through industry collaborations, emphasizing injury prevention and performance enhancement in both esports and traditional athletic domains. Dr. Forman's scholarly contributions have earned significant recognition: ISEK John V. Basmajian Memorial Award NSERC Canada Graduate Scholarship – Doctoral CIHR Banting & Best Scholarship In academic service, he teaches Clinical Biomechanics, Motor Control, Motor Learning, and Balance and Gait courses. While specific grant funding details aren't publicized, his industry partnerships indicate applied research support. His mentorship extends to laboratory instruction though formal graduate student supervision isn't documented. Current research leverages wrist robotics and electromyography to develop evidence-based ergonomic guidelines for gamers and professionals. His laboratory work operates at the intersection of sports science and human-computer interaction, utilizing motion capture and robotic systems to translate biomechanical insights into practical interventions for pain reduction and performance optimization in high-demand motor tasks.
Dr. Suzanne Houwen is an Assistant Professor at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, specifically within the Department of Orthopedagogy & Clinical Educational Science. Her research focuses on child development, motor skills, and behavioral sciences. She has contributed to studies on developmental coordination disorder, motor performance in children, and the interplay between play, motor skills, and executive functioning. Her work often employs innovative observational tools like 'Hands-On!' to assess fine motor skills in young children. She has collaborated on projects such as 'Bewegend leren' (Moving Learning), which emphasizes active learning and motor skill development. Her research has been published in journals like Behavioral Sciences , Frontiers in Psychology , and Children . Key research interests include developmental psychology, educational interventions for motor skill improvement, and understanding how motor abilities relate to broader cognitive and emotional outcomes. She has systematically reviewed motor-executive function interactions and explored handwriting challenges in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder using advanced statistical methods like structural equation modeling. Dr. Houwen has also engaged in public engagement activities, contributing to educational initiatives and disseminating research findings to broader audiences. Her work bridges clinical, educational, and developmental perspectives to promote inclusive and effective interventions for children.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Joachim Denzler is a Professor leading the Chair for Digital Image Processing (Lehrstuhl für Digitale Bildverarbeitung) at Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena. His research spans computer vision, machine learning, medical imaging, and remote sensing applications across diverse domains including biomedical analysis, environmental monitoring, and facial recognition systems. His research interests focus on explainable AI, causal discovery, physics-informed neural networks, and bias mitigation in deep learning models. He has made significant contributions to fine-grained classification, concept activation vectors, and privacy-preserving techniques in facial recognition. His work often bridges theoretical computer vision with practical applications in medical diagnostics, environmental science, and infrastructure monitoring. His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward causal discovery methods, physics-informed neural networks, and addressing bias in machine learning systems. His work spans both theoretical advancements in model interpretability and practical applications in medical imaging, environmental monitoring, and infrastructure safety. The interdisciplinary nature of his research is evident from collaborations with ecologists, neuroscientists, and civil engineers. Best Paper Award at International Conference on Pattern Recognition (ICPR) 2024 Prof. Denzler actively mentors numerous PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, with frequent co-authors including Maha Shadaydeh, Niklas Penzel, Gideon Stein, and Tim Büchner appearing as first authors on significant publications. His laboratory has secured research funding across multiple domains including medical imaging, environmental monitoring, and AI safety. His work on CausalRivers represents a major contribution to benchmarking causal discovery methods with real-world time series data. The Chair for Digital Image Processing maintains strong industry and clinical partnerships, particularly in medical imaging applications for facial palsy analysis and neonatal care. Prof. Denzler's team has developed novel techniques for dam deformation monitoring using remote sensing data and created advanced methods for analyzing plant diversity effects on ecosystem functioning.
Jennifer Lape, OTD, OTR/L is an Associate Professor and Program Director at Chatham University's College of Health Sciences. She has been with Chatham since August 2009 and specializes in occupational therapy with a focus on evidence-based practice, gerontology, and rehabilitation services management. Her work emphasizes teambuilding and inter-professional collaboration, particularly through the application of the Kawa Model across various healthcare settings. Education Doctorate of Occupational Therapy, Chatham University, 2008 Master of Occupational Therapy, Chatham University, 1999 Bachelor of Science, Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, 1997 Research Focus Dr. Lape's primary research interests include sensory processing and multisensory environments for dementia care, evidence-based practice implementation, and strategies to improve collaboration among multidisciplinary rehabilitation teams. She has developed innovative applications of the Kawa model in acute care, geriatrics, and interprofessional settings. Her work bridges clinical practice with academic research, creating practical solutions for real-world healthcare challenges. Publication Trends Dr. Lape's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on the Kawa model's applications across healthcare contexts, telehealth innovations, sensory-based interventions for dementia, and educational strategies for occupational therapy students. Her research consistently emphasizes practical, evidence-based approaches that enhance patient care and professional collaboration, with numerous studies examining team dynamics and communication in rehabilitation settings. Professional Recognition Faculty Technology Fellowship, Chatham University (2015) Professional Engagement Dr. Lape actively contributes to the field through national conference presentations, co-authoring the textbook "Research for the Health Professional," and membership in the American Occupational Therapy Association and Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association. Her clinical background across pediatrics, acute care, home health, and skilled nursing informs her academic work, creating a strong practice-to-theory connection.
Dr. Esther Hartman is an Associate Professor in the Department of Human Movement Sciences at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Medical Sciences. She holds additional roles as Chair of the Program Committee for Human Movement Sciences and a fellow at the Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health. Her research focuses on motor development, physical activity's impact on cognition and health in children and adolescents, and interventions targeting sedentary behavior reduction. Notably, she led the award-winning 'Fit and Vaardig op School' project, recognized by both public and scientific juries of NWO. Education: MSc in Human Movement Sciences (University of Groningen), PhD (Wageningen University), and teaching qualifications including the Senior Teaching Qualification. She coordinates courses like 'Development of Movement Interventions' and 'Child Development in Sports and Exercise', integrating research with academic skill development. Her work emphasizes translational research, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to address public health challenges. She actively contributes to national health policy through her membership in the National Health Council's expert group on physical activity guidelines for 0-4 year-olds.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şevki Özer Akçay is an Associate Professor at the Department of Music Sciences, Faculty of Fine Arts, Atatürk University. He holds a PhD from Gazi University (2015) and has conducted extensive research in musicology, neuromusicology, music education, and the relationship between music and brain activity. His work includes developing performance assessment scales for guitar education and exploring cognitive approaches in music research. He teaches courses such as individual guitar performance, music sociology, and scientific research methods at both undergraduate and graduate levels. His academic activities include jury participation, editorial roles in scientific journals, and leadership in research projects. Notable contributions include studies on hemodynamic brain activity during guitar performance using fNIRS technology and analyses of music preferences among university students. Dr. Akçay has composed original music for theater and promotional films, arranged traditional Turkish music for guitar, and performed as a soloist in multiple concerts. His research spans music policy studies, music sociology, and interdisciplinary methodologies in musicology. His educational background includes a B.Ed. from Atatürk University (2007), M.Ed. from Atatürk University (2011), and PhD from Gazi University (2015), all in music education fields. He has advised five theses and participated in ten research projects.
Sabrina Chou is an artist, researcher, and writer currently serving as a Lecturer in Critical Studies Fine Art at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London (2022–present). Her practice intertwines art, theory, and social critique, exploring themes of bodily collectivity, technological mediation, and infrastructural systems. Education: PhD (Practice-led Art, 2022, University of Oxford), MFA (Piet Zwart Institute), BA (Harvard University) Residencies: Centre International d’art et du paysage Île de Vassiviere, Kunsthuis Syb Exhibitions: Het Nieuwe Institute (NL), Museum of Contemporary Art (US), Jakobstads Museum (FI), and numerous international galleries Publications: Contributions to Datapolis , Thresholds , and Ringgummimatte Her artistic research examines how technological apparatuses shape social bodies and how artworks act as discursive objects. Works like Gross Motor Skills AB (2023) critique AI-driven logistics systems, while Body Shop (2016) interrogates biopolitical regulation through textile and sculpture. Recent articles such as Divining the Sewer (2024) expand this inquiry into environmental infrastructure and data governance. Scientific awards include Clarendon Fund and St Johns College scholarships for her doctoral research, as well as Fellow (FHEA) from Advance HE and SEDA Recognized Supervisor certification. Her teaching extends across institutions in the UK, Netherlands, and US, with a focus on critical art pedagogy.
