Ashley J Thomas is an Assistant Professor at Harvard University, specializing in infant and child social cognition. Her research explores how young humans develop naive sociology, focusing on social hierarchy, intimacy perception, and moral judgments of parenting decisions. Education: PhD in Psychology (2018), MA in Psychology (2015) from UC Irvine, BA in Architecture (2008) from UC Berkeley. Her work reveals infants use caregiver interactions to evaluate social partners and demonstrates that saliva sharing serves as a key cue for relationship recognition. She examines how implicit theories of intelligence correlate with brain plasticity beliefs, showing that malleable intelligence theories align with environmental influence acceptance. Scientific awards include the NIH National Research Service Award and multiple fellowships. She has organized symposia on social cognition at the Cognitive Development Society and Society for Research on Child Development conferences.
Dustin Scheinost is an Associate Professor at Yale School of Medicine, affiliated with the Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, Yale Child Study Center, Department of Statistics, and Yale Biomedical Imaging Institute. His research focuses on connectomics , machine learning , and neuroinformatics through the Multi-modal Imaging, Neuroinformatics, & Data Science (MINDS) Lab. Radiology & Biomedical Imaging (Primary) Child Study Center (Secondary) Statistics (Secondary) Wu Tsai Institute Yale Stress Center Research Interests include developing novel statistical and machine learning methods for functional connectivity in big neuroscience data, leading the BioImage Suite Web (BISWeb) platform, and advancing early life neuroimaging through the Fetal, Infant, Toddler Neuroimaging Group (FIT’NG). His work is supported by grants from NIMH, NIAA, NIDA, and NHLBI. Selected Scientific Contributions span functional connectivity in laterality preferences, anti-racist AI governance in psychiatry, self-citation trends in neuroscience, and predictive modeling of mood disorders. He collaborates extensively with Todd Constable and others on multimodal neuroimaging studies.
Dr. Kelley Gabriel is a Professor and Associate Dean in the School of Public Health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), with a primary appointment in the Department of Epidemiology. She holds additional roles as a Senior Scientist in multiple UAB research centers, including the Nutrition Obesity Research Center (NORC) and the Integrative Center for Aging Research. Her research focuses on optimizing physical activity and sedentary behavior measurement in large epidemiological studies, with a particular emphasis on cardiorespiratory fitness, chronic disease prevention, and life-course health trajectories. Dr. Gabriel earned her PhD in Public Health (Epidemiology) from the University of Pittsburgh, an MS in Exercise Physiology from Northeastern University, and a BS in Athletic Training and Sports Medicine from Ithaca College. Her research interests include developing methodological strategies for precise physical activity measurement, examining the timing of physical fitness and disease risk, and leveraging cohort studies like CARDIA and SWAN. She has secured grants from NIH, NHLBI, and other agencies to support studies on the 24-hour movement paradigm, cognitive health, and cardiovascular outcomes. Key collaborations involve large-scale epidemiological cohorts such as the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) and the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). Her over 200 peer-reviewed publications and four book chapters reflect expertise in physical activity epidemiology and translational research. Grants include NIH-funded projects on cognitive resilience to Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular health trajectories, and the role of activity patterns in aging populations. Her work emphasizes translational strategies to improve public health through evidence-based lifestyle interventions. Dr. Gabriel leads multidisciplinary teams at UAB, contributing to initiatives like the Osteoporosis in Men (MrOS) Study and the Cooper Center Longitudinal Study. Her research integrates wearable technologies, biomarker analysis, and advanced statistical methods to address global health challenges related to physical activity and chronic disease.
Andrew Perfors is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Melbourne, leading the Computational Cognitive Science Lab and directing the Complex Human Data Hub. His research focuses on quantitative approaches to higher-order cognition, including concepts, language, decision-making, and misinformation dynamics. He holds a PhD from MIT and degrees from Stanford University. Education: PhD in Brain & Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2008) MA in Linguistics, Stanford University (2000) Bachelor of Science in Symbolic Systems, Stanford University (1999) Research Interests: He investigates computational models of cognition, cultural and social evolution, and the spread of misinformation. Recent work emphasizes the cognitive mechanisms underlying inductive reasoning, sampling assumptions, and trust in information. Key Projects: Understanding Information and Trust: From the Individual to the Population (2018–2025) Bridging the Meaning Gap: Computational Approach to Semantic Variation (2023–2027) Awards: Recipient of multiple best paper awards for contributions to cognitive science and computational linguistics. Labs & Groups: Leads the Complex Human Data Hub and co-leads the Computational Cognitive Science Lab, focusing on interdisciplinary research in human behavior and data science.
Dr. Lauren Emberson (she/her/hers) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia, Faculty of Arts. She directs the Baby Learning Lab, which is part of UBC's Early Development Research Group, a consortium focused on infant and child development. Prior to her position at UBC, Dr. Emberson was an Assistant Professor at Princeton University where she co-founded and co-directed the Princeton Baby and Princeton Kid Labs. Education: Postdoctoral Associate, University of Rochester (PI Aslin) Ph.D, Cornell University (PIs Amso, Goldstein, Spivey) B.Sc, University of British Columbia Dr. Emberson's research focuses on learning, perception (audition, vision, crossmodal or multisensory), language development, face/object perception, and attention in infants. She investigates these capacities using behavioral and neuroimaging techniques, particularly fNIRS (functional near infrared spectroscopy), working primarily with very young infants (birth through 1 year) and preterm/premature infants. Her work examines how infants' learning capacities contribute to rapid development of perception in ecological contexts, with implications for understanding how early life experiences affect later outcomes. Analysis of Dr. Emberson's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on infant perception, learning mechanisms, and neuroimaging methodology. Her work increasingly incorporates advanced fNIRS techniques while maintaining focus on fundamental questions about how infants learn from their environment. There's a growing emphasis on individual differences, cross-cultural comparisons, and applications to infants facing developmental challenges. Dr. Emberson serves on the editorial board of Infancy (journal of the International Congress of Infancy Studies) and is a consulting editor for the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience . Her research has been published in top journals including PNAS, Current Biology, Psychological Science, Cognition, Developmental Science, and the Journal of Neuroscience. Dr. Emberson has secured significant research funding from prestigious organizations including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, James S. McDonnell Foundation, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). She collaborates with clinicians at BC Women's and Children's Hospitals to understand how different early life experiences impact learning and brain development. Dr. Emberson is currently accepting graduate students into her research program. The Baby Learning Lab, under Dr. Emberson's direction, is part of UBC's Early Developmental Research Group and collaborates with multiple institutions. The lab strives to provide interactive research experiences for infants and families while advancing scientific understanding of early cognitive development. The lab acknowledges that it operates on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people.
Dr. Julie Markant is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Tulane University and a Faculty Associate in the Tulane Brain Institute. Her research focuses on the interplay between selective attention and learning in infants and young children, emphasizing developmental and neurobehavioral perspectives. She uses behavioral, eye-tracking, genetic, MRI, and fNIRS methods to explore how attention control influences learning efficacy and vice versa. Education: Ph.D., 2010, University of Minnesota Her research interests include developmental attention mechanisms, perceptual learning, and how biological and contextual factors shape cognitive outcomes. Key themes involve understanding how infants and children selectively attend to information and how this attention drives learning processes. Recent work explores caregiver influence on attention, prenatal factors affecting infant attention, and the role of competing information in school-aged learning. Dr. Markant leads the Learning and Brain Development Lab , which investigates cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying attention and learning. She is actively recruiting graduate students from Tulane’s Psychology and Neuroscience Ph.D. programs. Her publications reflect a focus on attention biases, developmental learning dynamics, and methodological innovations like remote infant studies. Awards and honors are not explicitly listed in the provided text.
Steve Luck is a Distinguished Professor at the University of California, Davis, holding appointments in the Department of Psychology and the Center for Mind and Brain (CMB). He served as CMB Director from 2009–2019 and is affiliated with the UC Davis MIND Institute and the Center for Neuroscience. His research focuses on attention, working memory, and cognitive dysfunction in psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia), employing ERP recordings, eye tracking, and behavioral methods. He is a leading developer of ERP methodologies, including the ERPLAB Toolbox and global ERP Boot Camp workshops. Education: Ph.D., Neurosciences, UC San Diego, 1993 M.S., Neurosciences, UC San Diego, 1989 B.A., Psychology, Reed College, 1986 Research Interests: Dr. Luck explores mechanisms of cognitive control, with a focus on working memory's role in guiding attention. His lab investigates ERP correlates of attentional deficits in schizophrenia and develops standardized ERP protocols. Recent work emphasizes multivariate decoding of EEG signals and transdiagnostic neurocognitive biomarkers. Awards: Troland Award (2001) APA Distinguished Scientific Award (1998) McGuigan Young Investigator Prize (2004) Elected Fellow, Society of Experimental Psychologists and AAAS Teaching & Leadership: Professor Luck pioneered hybrid course formats in Cognitive Science and teaches advanced topics in perception and cognitive neuroscience. He co-founded the UC Davis Cognitive Science major and advocates for innovative undergraduate education models. Labs & Collaborations: The Luck Lab integrates clinical and basic research, collaborating globally on ERP method development and schizophrenia biomarker studies. Key projects include ERP Core resources and the CNTRACS consortium for neurocognitive reliability studies.
Katarzyna Chawarska is the Emily Fraser Beede Professor of Child Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine, with primary affiliation in the Child Study Center and secondary appointments in Pediatrics and Statistics. She is a leading expert in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), directing the NIH Autism Center of Excellence, the Social and Affective Neuroscience of Autism Program, and the Yale Toddler Developmental Disabilities Clinic. Education: PhD in Psychology, Yale University (2000) Post-Doctoral Fellowship, Yale University School of Medicine (2000) MS in Psychology, Yale University MPhil in Psychology, Yale University MA, Jagiellonian University (1986) Her research focuses on identifying early diagnostic markers and novel treatment targets in ASD, particularly in infants at risk due to familial, genetic, or perinatal factors. Her work integrates clinical assessment, neuroimaging, eye-tracking, and longitudinal design to understand the neurodevelopmental trajectories of autism. Her recent publications explore disrupted functional connectivity, atypical visual attention, social anhedonia, and familial recurrence in autism. She employs advanced methodologies including fMRI, eye movement dynamics, and machine learning to identify biomarkers. Her research spans developmental neuroscience, clinical psychology, genetics, and pediatric psychiatry, with strong emphasis on early detection and intervention. Scientific Awards: No specific awards mentioned in the provided text. Dr. Chawarska is the Principal Investigator on active clinical trials, including studies on emotional development in infants at risk for ASD and regulation of visual attention and emotion in autism. She mentors research through her lab and collaborates extensively with experts such as Fred Volkmar, James McPartland, and Frederick Shic. She leads the Chawarska Lab, which is part of the Center for Brain & Mind Health and the Wu Tsai Institute at Yale.
Sven Bölte is a Professor at Karolinska Institutet where he leads the research group focused on Autism, ADHD and other developmental neurological conditions as part of the Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND). His work bridges clinical research, education, and practical implementation of evidence-based approaches for neurodevelopmental conditions. Professor Bölte's research spans multiple domains within neurodevelopmental disorders, with particular emphasis on implementing the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Core Sets for autism and ADHD using digital solutions. His group has developed and evaluated social skills training programs (KONTAKT, SKOLKONTAKT, iKONTAKT) for autistic children and adolescents, conducted twin research through the Roots of Autism and ADHD Twin Study in Sweden (RATSS), and advanced diagnostic instruments for autism, ADHD, social cognition, and adaptive behavior. His recent publications reveal a strong focus on translating research into practice, with significant work on strengths-based approaches, social inclusion, neurodiversity-affirmative assessment, and the development of practical tools for clinicians and educators. The research demonstrates increasing attention to adult experiences of autism, cross-cultural validation of interventions, and the integration of digital technology in assessment and intervention. Bölte's group also delivers extensive educational components for professionals through KI-Utbildning (Assignment Education), making it one of the largest providers of training on diagnosis and support for individuals with developmental neurological conditions within Karolinska Institutet. His work frequently addresses policy implications, as evidenced by participation in Swedish parliamentary discussions about autism and ADHD.
Aurélie Labbe is a Full Professor in the Department of Decision Sciences at HEC Montréal, holding the prestigious FRQ-IVADO Chair in Data Science. Appointed as Co-Scientific Director – Academic Partnerships at IVADO in October 2023, she plays a key leadership role in establishing connections between IVADO and partner universities. Her academic journey includes a PhD in Statistics from the University of Waterloo, a Master's degree in Statistics from the University of Montreal, and dual Bachelor's degrees in Applied Mathematics and Social Sciences from Paris-Dauphine University and Pure Mathematics from Versailles-St Quentin University. Her research spans multiple interdisciplinary domains with a focus on developing advanced statistical and machine learning methodologies for big data analysis. Labbe's work bridges theoretical statistics with practical applications across diverse fields including genomics, neuroscience, transportation systems, and health informatics. She has made significant contributions to kernel methods, matrix factorization techniques, random forest applications, and spatiotemporal data analysis, with publications appearing in top journals across multiple disciplines. Analyzing her recent publications reveals a clear trend toward methodological innovation applied to complex real-world problems. Her work demonstrates expertise in handling high-dimensional data from diverse sources including neuroimaging, transportation networks, and genomic studies. The interdisciplinary nature of her research connects statistical theory with applications in healthcare, transportation safety, and biological sciences, reflecting her ability to develop methods that address domain-specific challenges while advancing statistical methodology. Holder of the FRQ-IVADO Chair in Data Science Member of the Center for Mathematical Research Training Professor Labbe actively mentors the next generation of data scientists, supervising numerous doctoral and master's students. Her supervision portfolio includes 1 doctoral thesis (2023), 4 master's theses (2022-2024), and 32 supervised projects spanning 2019-2025. Her students' work covers diverse applications including transportation safety, healthcare analytics, financial modeling, and environmental analysis. Through her leadership of the FRQ-IVADO Chair in Data Science, she coordinates research activities that integrate mathematical, statistical, and computer science expertise with domain knowledge from various data-generating fields. As Co-Scientific Director at IVADO, Professor Labbe leads efforts to establish connections with faculties and departments across five partner universities, integrating them into IVADO's research and knowledge transfer activities. Her leadership role positions her at the forefront of advancing data science research and applications in Quebec's academic ecosystem.
Dr. Chanel Watson is a Senior Lecturer and Programme Director in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), where she also serves as Deputy Director of Academic Affairs and coordinates Erasmus activities. She holds a Doctorate in Higher and Adult Education from Maynooth University (2020) and has additional postgraduate qualifications in Healthcare Ethics and Health Professions Education. Her research focuses on nursing education and prescribing practices, employing qualitative methodologies. She currently co-supervises 3 PhD students and is the primary supervisor for an additional 3. Dr. Watson has held roles in research ethics committees, including appointment to the National Research Ethics Committee for clinical trials in 2024, and has led national initiatives in nurse prescribing education frameworks. She has secured grants totaling over €1.6M for projects including nurse prescribing programs, gerontology education, and clinical trial coordination. Dr. Watson is an external examiner at multiple universities and actively reviews submissions for journals like Nursing Ethics and Journal of Nursing Education and Practice . Her professional engagements include leadership in national healthcare education reforms and international conference speaking engagements. Education: MSc in Healthcare Ethics and Law, RCSI (2004–2006) Post Graduate Diploma in Health Professions Education, RCSI (2014–2015) Doctorate in Higher and Adult Education, Maynooth University (2016–2020) Research Interests: Dr. Watson’s work emphasizes advancing nurse and midwife prescribing education, healthcare ethics, and clinical trial coordination. She has pioneered programs such as Ireland’s first Professional Certificate in Musculoskeletal Casting and Splinting. Her qualitative research explores nurse-patient interactions in acute care settings and the impact of burnout on pediatric nursing outcomes. She advocates for evidence-based practices in pain management and patient safety. Grants & Awards: €968,830 National Tender for PGDip Gerontology (2024) €450,000 Sexual Assault Forensic Nurse Examiner Education (2025) €225,180 Residential Care Education (2024) Fellowship of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery Committees & Leadership: National Lead for Nurse/Midwife Prescribing Competency Framework (HSE/NMBI) Member of National Research Ethics Committee CT-D External Examiner for University of South Wales and University College Cork
Dr. Ori Ossmy is an Associate Professor (Reader) and Head of the Physical Cognition Lab at Birkbeck College, University of London. His research examines physical cognition across development, injury, and rehabilitation using interdisciplinary approaches combining psychology, neuroscience, and computational methods. Research spans: Infant locomotor development and error learning Neurorehabilitation using VR-manipulated feedback EEG/EMG correlates of motor coordination ADHD interventions through embodied gaming Publication analysis shows strong emphasis on translational research with applications in pediatric healthcare, neurorehabilitation, and educational technology. Methodological innovations include motion tracking, VR environments, and machine learning. Honors include: Best Supervisor Award (2023) Innovative Methods Award from British Psychological Society (2022) Distinguished Early Career Award from ICIS Dr. Ossmy leads the Physical Cognition Lab with 11 PhD students/postdocs and has secured funding from Leverhulme Trust, UKRI, and Simons Foundation. Current projects examine motor learning in Parkinson's patients, infant movement quantification, and cognitive flexibility in ADHD children.
Angela Kashuba, Ph.D., is the John A. and Margaret P. McNeill, Sr. Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy. She serves as Director of the Clinical Pharmacology and Analytical Chemistry Core at the UNC Center for AIDS Research. Her research focuses on optimizing HIV treatment, prevention, and cure strategies through clinical pharmacology and analytical chemistry, with an emphasis on antiretroviral drug distribution in tissues and adherence monitoring. Education: Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy, University of Toronto (Canada) General Practice Residency, Women’s College Hospital (Toronto) Critical Care Pharmacy Practice, Mount Sinai Hospital (Toronto) Pharm.D., State University of New York at Buffalo Postdoctoral Pharmacology Training, Bassett Healthcare Clinical Pharmacology Research Center Research Interests: HIV drug pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution Development of novel adherence monitoring techniques (e.g., mass spectrometry imaging of hair) Optimizing dosing strategies for HIV prevention and cure interventions Impact of sex, gender, and comorbidities on drug efficacy Long-acting drug delivery systems (e.g., implants, biodegradable formulations) Grants & Projects: NIH P30-AI50410: UNC Center for AIDS Research Core NIH R01AI111891: Multi-Species Mechanisms of Drug Bio-distribution in HIV Tissue Reservoirs NIH/NIAID UM1AI126619: Collaboratory of AIDS Researchers for Eradication (CARE) Industry partnerships (e.g., Chimerix, TaiMed Biologics) Awards: Rawls-Palmer Progress in Medicine Award (ASCPT, 2023) John A. and Margaret P. McNeill, Sr. Distinguished Professorship (UNC, 2013) Labs & Collaborations: Director of the Clinical Pharmacology & Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, pioneering mass spectrometry imaging and drug reservoir analysis. Future Work: Advancing ultra-long-acting HIV PrEP implants Exploring sex-specific pharmacology in transgender populations Global HIV prevention initiatives via data sharing (HIV Pharmacology Data Repository)
Elena Serena Piccardi is a Senior Lecturer in Developmental Psychology at the University of East London (UEL), School of Childhood and Social Care. Her research focuses on the early development of sensory perception in infants at elevated likelihood for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), utilizing EEG to identify neural markers linked to sensory processing and their longitudinal relationships with behavioral and clinical assessments. Education: PhD in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Birkbeck, University of London (2021) Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Supporting Learning in Higher Education, Birkbeck & Higher Education Academy (2019) MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience & Clinical Neuropsychology, University of Padova (2015) BSc in Clinical Psychology, University of Bergamo (2013) Elena's research explores how early sensory atypicalities in tactile, auditory, and visual domains impact later social and cognitive development. Her work emphasizes translational foundations for early intervention protocols and cross-institutional collaboration with the Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development (Birkbeck), University of East Anglia, and Cambridge University. Her recent publications span topics like sensory regulation in typical/atypical development, research reproducibility frameworks, and neural markers of tactile processing in infants. She is a Wellcome Trust Research Fellow and Local Lead for the UK Reproducibility Network, advocating for open science practices. Teaching & Public Engagement: Module Leader for PY7160 (Independent Research Dissertation, MSc) Contributor to PY6010, PY5010, and other developmental psychology courses Public dissemination: STAARScast podcast (2022), UEL Women in Science feature (2022), and international media collaborations
Larissa Samuelson is a Professor in the School of Psychology at the University of East Anglia, specializing in developmental cognitive science with a focus on early word and category learning. She holds administrative roles including Director of Research (2018–present). Her research integrates neural network models with empirical studies to understand how children process information and learn language. Education: BS (Honors) in Psychology, Indiana University (1993) PhD in Psychology & Cognitive Science, Indiana University (2000) Research Interests: Cognitive development in early childhood Word learning mechanisms and neural models Executive function development Cross-cultural language processing Awards: American Psychological Association Distinguished Scientific Award (2010) European Research Council Grant (2025–2031) Recipient of Leverhulme Trust funding (2025–2029) Projects: System of shape representations in cognition Neural process theory of vocabulary variability Language processing in deaf individuals Lab & Teams: Leads the Developmental Dynamics Laboratory , focusing on precision science of word learning and ensuring equitable early language potential for toddlers.
