Sebastian Löbbers is a Research Software Engineer specializing in Natural Language Processing (NLP) at the School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science, Queen Mary University of London. He contributes to both teaching and research, focusing on ethical AI, sound synthesis, and creative technologies. His teaching includes postgraduate modules on ethics in digital information processing and undergraduate/postgraduate courses on sound recording and production techniques. His research explores cross-modal sound control interfaces, sound-shape associations, and the role of AI in creative collaborations. Key projects include the development of SketchSynth, a browser-based tool for sound synthesis through sketching, and studies on ethical frameworks for AI systems. Löbbers actively participates in interdisciplinary events like the Digital Music Research Network workshops. No scientific awards or grants are explicitly mentioned in the provided text. His work integrates technical innovation with creative applications, emphasizing user-centered design and empirical validation of interactive systems.
Pedro Sarmento is a Research Fellow at Queen Mary University of London's School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science. His research focuses on Sound and Music Computing , leveraging deep learning and AI techniques for symbolic music generation, particularly in guitar tablature formats. He leads projects like Guitar-Oriented Neural Music Generation , exploring prescriptive notation in fretted instruments using datasets like dadaGP and GigaMIDI. His work integrates transformer models for tasks such as emotion-conditioned music generation, style transfer, and live coding performances. Notable applications include mapping smart city sensor data (e.g., air quality) to musical outputs. Collaborations span music informatics, interdisciplinary projects in progressive metal composition, and AI ethics in creative processes. Research highlights include conditional music generation, guitarist style modeling, and dataset development for expressive music performance analysis. Pedro contributes to the Centre for Digital Music (C4DM) and actively publishes in AI-driven music technology, bridging computational methods with artistic creativity.
Dr. Laura Speed is an Assistant Professor at the Centre for Language Studies, Radboud University (Nijmegen). Her research investigates the interaction between language and sensory systems, focusing on olfaction, embodied cognition, and crossmodal perception. She explores how verbal labels influence odor perception and how multimodal resources aid olfactory meaning, including synesthesia studies. PhD in Cognitive, Perceptual, and Brain Sciences, University College London Postdoctoral researcher, University of York and Radboud University (NWO VICI project) Education: MA (Hons) in Psychology, University of Edinburgh Current research examines: Odor-color associations in synesthesia Contextual influences on olfactory perception Multisensory integration in semantic processing Language comprehension across sensory modalities Conceptual representation in aphantasia Gesture-based communication in blind vs. sighted individuals Publications demonstrate expertise in: Mental simulation Embodied semantics Crossmodal cognition Food concept encoding Motion perception linguistics Perceptual modality norms Her work bridges psycholinguistics, cognitive neuroscience, and sensory linguistics through empirical studies on perception-languagre interactions.
Francesca Peressotti is a Full Professor at the University of Padua's Department of Psychology. Her research focuses on language processing, bilingualism, and cognitive neuroscience, particularly exploring how language interacts with other cognitive processes. She leads projects such as the PRIN 2022 grant investigating multisensory speech perception and neural mechanisms. Key areas include predictive speech processing, moral judgments in multilingual contexts, and speech motor control in stuttering. Her work integrates electrophysiological methods (ERP, EEG) and neuroimaging to study language comprehension and production. Her research interests encompass bilingualism, predictive processing, sign languages, and the neural underpinnings of language. Recent studies address speaker-specific prediction mechanisms, the impact of language modality on decision-making, and aging effects on semantic retrieval. She has published widely in journals like Cortex , Psychonomic Bulletin & Review , and Scientific Reports . Active grants include investigating multisensory speech perception and motor-sensory interactions. Collaborations involve interdisciplinary teams exploring plant behavior and neurobiological processes. No specific awards are listed, but her contributions span cognitive science and linguistics. Her lab focuses on experimental psychology and neuroimaging, with ongoing studies on cochlear implant users' audiovisual speech processing and bilingual language control networks. She advises graduate students on topics like speech prediction and moral cognition across languages.
Magdalena Radkowska-Walkowicz is a Professor at the University of Warsaw’s Faculty of Social and Cultural Studies and Head of the Department of Medical and Corporeal Anthropology. She serves as UW Senator and Vice-Dean for Research at her faculty, and chairs the Scientific Council of the Discipline of Cultural and Religious Studies. Her research focuses on medical anthropology, corporeal practices, and the intersection of biomedical technologies with cultural narratives. Current research includes studies on Turner Syndrome, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and children’s perspectives on health. In 2023/2024, she is a visiting scholar at the University of Edinburgh’s Center for Biomedicine, Self and Society. Key research interests include reproductive ethics, rare diseases, and participatory methodologies with children. Her work bridges anthropological theory with practical biomedical contexts, emphasizing patient narratives and societal debates. She leads the Interdisciplinary Childhood Research Team, advocating for child-centric research frameworks and ethical considerations in medical studies involving minors. Publications span over two decades, addressing topics such as IVF controversies in Poland, hormone discourses (e.g., cortisol narratives), and the role of media in shaping children’s health perceptions. Her articles highlight tensions between biomedical practices and cultural values, particularly in post-socialist contexts.
Dr. Fleur Bouwer is an Assistant Professor at the Cognitive Psychology Unit of Leiden University, affiliated with the Music Cognition Group and Amsterdam Music Lab. Her research focuses on rhythm perception and its neural mechanisms, combining cognitive neuroscience approaches with behavioral studies. She holds an NWO Veni Grant for investigating temporal expectations in rhythm and has received awards such as the Distinguished Women Scientists Fund and ABC Talent Grant for postdoctoral work. Her work spans cross-species comparisons (e.g., rhesus monkeys) and developmental studies (e.g., newborns). She collaborates widely, including with Prof. Henkjan Honing and Dr. Heleen Slagter, and actively engages in public science communication through lectures and media appearances. Key Roles: Assistant Professor (Leiden University), Postdoctoral Researcher (University of Amsterdam), Affiliate Researcher (Music Cognition Group) Education: PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience (likely from University of Amsterdam, based on collaborations) Grants: NWO Veni (2020), Distinguished Women Scientists Fund (2017), ABC Talent Grant (2016) Public Engagement: NEMO lectures, Atlas TV features, Volkskrant articles, and science communication projects like Toontjehoger Her research explores beat perception, rhythmic entrainment, and the interplay between attention and memory-based expectations. She uses EEG, ERP, and behavioral paradigms to study how rhythmic patterns are processed in the brain, with implications for music therapy and clinical applications (e.g., Parkinson’s disease). Her publications emphasize methodological rigor in cross-species research and highlight differences between beat-based and pattern-based temporal expectations. Recent work includes updated reviews on ERP methods for studying rhythm perception across species and collaborations on rhythmic complexity influenced by musical training. Awards: NWO Veni Grant, Distinguished Women Scientists Fund, ABC Talent Grant Labs/Teams: Cognitive Psychology Unit (Leiden), Cognition & Plasticity Lab (UvA), Music Cognition Group
Elyse S. Sussman is a Professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, holding dual appointments in the Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience and the Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery . Her research focuses on the neurobiology of auditory perception, attention, and memory, employing human electrophysiology to study neural adaptation, multisensory interactions, and changes in auditory cognition across the lifespan. She investigates neural development in both typical and atypical conditions, including neurodevelopmental disorders and the effects of childhood leukemia treatments. Her laboratory combines non-invasive brain recordings with behavioral metrics to map auditory information processing. Notable areas include auditory scene analysis, predictive coding mechanisms, and the impact of attention on perception. Recent work spans topics like spatial hearing, sensory prediction errors, and bilingual language disorders in children. Research Highlights: Neuroplasticity in auditory processing Chemotherapy-induced sensory deficits Cross-modal sensory integration No scientific awards are explicitly listed. Her lab is based at the Rose F. Kennedy Center in Bronx, NY.
Monica Mody is an Adjunct Senior Lecturer in Women's Spirituality at the School of Consciousness and Transformation, California Institute of Integral Studies. She holds a PhD in East West Psychology, an MFA in Creative Writing, and a law degree. Her research advances earth-based and decolonial feminist worldviews through cross-genre, border-crossing scholarship. Mody's research focuses on decolonial feminist consciousness, South Asian borderlands, critical hermeneutics, autohistoria/teoría, and poetry as transformative practice. Her work interrogates colonial epistemologies while reclaiming indigenous knowledge systems through creative methodologies. Mody's publications demonstrate consistent engagement with themes of cultural memory, trauma healing, and spiritual decolonization. Her recent articles explore animistic relationality, arts-based research methods, and visionary poetics, while her poetry collections examine diaspora, language as home, and goddess traditions. 2020 Kore Award for Best Dissertation in Women and Mythology Cultural Integration Fellowship Integral Scholarship Sparks Prize (University of Notre Dame) Zora Neale Hurston Award (Naropa University) Toto Funds the Arts Award for Creative Writing Mody mentors emerging scholars through academic programs focused on feminist pedagogies and decolonial methodologies. She collaborates with international literary communities and activist networks advancing cultural transformation.
Stephanie A. Berger, PhD, serves as a Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychology at the College of Mount Saint Vincent, where she is affiliated with the Undergraduate College. With a research program centered on autobiographical memory, Dr. Berger investigates the accuracy and distortion of personal memories, their role in maintaining self-coherence, and their influence on goal-directed behavior. Her work has demonstrated that memories threatening self-identity are often distorted, while those aligned with goals are recalled more accurately, suggesting a dynamic interplay between memory and self-regulation. Education: PhD, Adelphi University MA, Adelphi University BA, University of Dayton Dr. Berger's research delves into the functions and accuracy of autobiographical memory . Key findings include the role of autobiographical memories in building self-coherence and guiding behavior toward personal goals. Her lab has shown that memories inconsistent with self-image are prone to distortion, whereas goal-relevant memories are preserved with higher fidelity. Additionally, she examines how cognitive processes underpin unusual beliefs, fostering critical analysis of memory mechanisms in her students. This work bridges cognitive and social psychology, emphasizing real-world applications in education and mental health. Analysis of Dr. Berger's recent publications (2016-2023) reveals a sustained focus on autobiographical memory across diverse populations and contexts. Her research spans pandemic-related academic behaviors, deception in relationships, trauma in genocide survivors, and replication studies in social psychology. Common threads include memory accuracy, self-continuity, and goal pursuit. The work increasingly integrates real-world challenges, such as educational disruptions and interpersonal conflict, highlighting the adaptive and maladaptive roles of memory in daily life. Dr. Berger mentors undergraduate and graduate students, with several co-authored presentations at national conferences including the Eastern Psychological Association and Society for Applied Research in Memory and Cognition. Her laboratory at CMSV provides hands-on research experience in memory studies, focusing on experimental and survey methodologies. While specific grants are not detailed, her active publication record and professional affiliations indicate sustained research productivity. She also contributes to the academic community through memberships in Psi Chi and the Psychonomic Society.
Vania Vigolo is Associate Professor of Management at the Department of Business Administration, University of Verona. She earned her PhD in Marketing for business strategies from the University of Bergamo in 2008 and has established herself as a prominent researcher in tourism and services marketing. Her research interests focus on tourism and hospitality marketing (particularly tourist behavior, destination marketing, and tourism-technology relationships), services marketing and management (with emphasis on co-creation, service quality, and customer satisfaction), branding strategies in both B2C and B2B contexts, and sustainable consumption . Her work appears in journals such as International Journal of Tourism Research, The TQM Journal, Journal of Environmental Management, and Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management. Vigolo's publication record shows consistent contributions to understanding destination management, service quality in hospitality, and branding strategies. Her research often employs both qualitative and quantitative methods to explore tourist behavior across different phases of the tourist experience and examines how service organizations, especially in retail and hospitality, can improve customer experience. Outstanding paper award from Emerald for Ugolini, Cassia and Vigolo (2014), 'Services branding: is it a matter of gender?' (2015) Highly commended article award from Emerald for Bonfanti, Vigolo, Douglas and Baccarani (2017), 'Servicescape navigation: a customer typology based on the wayfinding ability of Italian hospital visitors' (2018) She serves on the editorial board of Sinergie Italian Journal of Management and reviews for several international journals. Vigolo has been involved in numerous research projects, including those examining the economic impact of cultural events in Verona, strategic planning of tourism destinations, and digital transformation for small businesses. She is also an active participant in university governance, serving on the Governing Board of the University Language Centre since 2017 and holding various committee positions related to quality assurance and curriculum development.
Josiane Riverin-Coutlée is a Researcher at the Institute of Phonetics and Language Processing (IPS) within the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München . Her position is part of the Spoken Language Processing Group , focusing on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of linguistics, computer science, and acoustics. She is based in Munich, Germany, occupying office 014 at Akademiestraße 7. While specific research interests, educational background, and formal publications are not detailed in the provided text, her affiliation with the IPS suggests expertise in areas such as speech production, signal processing, and language acquisition. No grants, awards, or advised students are explicitly mentioned here.
Monica Seger is a Professor at the University of William & Mary since 2014, affiliated with Environment & Sustainability, Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies, and Film and Media Studies. She holds a PhD in Italian from the University of Wisconsin. Her research focuses on modern and contemporary Italian literature, film, environmental humanities, and gender studies, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to environmental crises and cultural narratives. Dr. Seger’s major works include the book Landscapes in Between: Environmental Change in Modern Italian Literature and Film (2015) and Toxic Matters: Narrating Dioxin in Today's Italy (2022), both critically examining environmental storytelling and cultural responses to ecological issues. Her scholarship bridges literature, cinema, and environmental ethics, often addressing marginalized perspectives in ecological discourse. Her recent publications analyze topics such as dioxin contamination narratives in Puglia, feminist media programming in Cold War Italy, and the intersection of gender and masculinity in contemporary cinema. She actively engages in decolonizing humanities through interdisciplinary frameworks, emphasizing sustainability and equity in cultural studies. No scientific awards or grants are explicitly listed in the provided texts. Dr. Seger’s teaching and research foster critical engagement with environmental crises, gender dynamics, and the socio-political dimensions of cultural production.
Danial Salvucci is an Instructor at Fontbonne University's College of Education and Allied Health Professions, specializing in Communication Disorders and Deaf Education. He focuses on audiology research related to speech perception and production in children with cochlear implants, as well as teacher preparation in deaf education and distance learning. His work bridges clinical audiology with educational practices, emphasizing inclusive education models and evidence-based interventions. Salvucci has contributed to scholarly publications, including a chapter in Preparing to Teach, Committing to Learn (2017), and has presented at international conferences such as The Alexander Graham Bell Convention and the Best Practices in Mainstream Education Conference. His research addresses professional learning frameworks for educators and future directions in teacher training programs. He teaches courses like Introduction to Research Methods (CDS 500) and Foundations in Listening & Spoken Language (CDS 508), reflecting his commitment to advancing communication strategies for children with hearing impairments and preparing educators for inclusive settings.
Hedda Lausberg is a Professor at Duale Hochschule Köln, affiliated with the Institute for Movement Therapy and Movement-oriented Prevention and Rehabilitation. Her work bridges neurology, psychosomatic medicine, and psychiatry, with a focus on gesture analysis and neuroscientific methods. She leads projects like the Mind in Motion initiative and explores nonverbal communication in healthcare contexts. Education details are not explicitly provided in the text, but her academic career is centered at Duale Hochschule Köln. Research interests include gesture production neuroscience, prefrontal cortex dynamics during social interaction, and motor learning applications in sports and therapy. Recent studies investigate hemispherical specialization in gesture execution and pandemic-related neurophysiological changes in social touch. Her projects span from using horses in multiple sclerosis therapy to analyzing physician-patient communication. Over 120 publications highlight her collaborative work with institutions globally. No awards are listed, but her work garners significant academic engagement, including Mendeley readership and media features in outlets like 'Pferde sollen MS-Patienten helfen.' Advising and grants include funded projects on movement therapy innovation and interdisciplinary studies on athlete concussion symptoms. Her lab focuses on embodied cognition and neurorehabilitation techniques.
Maho Morimoto is an Assistant Professor at Chuo University's Faculty of Commerce, specializing in Phonetics and Phonology. She holds a Ph.D. in Linguistics from the University of California, Santa Cruz (2020), following a Master's (2015) and Bachelor's (2013) in related fields. Her research focuses on Japanese articulatory phonetics, particularly geminate consonants, vowel articulation, and cross-linguistic comparisons with languages like Chinese and Italian. Key research contributions include studies on tongue contours in geminate consonants, pitch-accent influences on articulation, and second-language acquisition challenges faced by Chinese learners of Japanese. She has authored/co-authored over 20 peer-reviewed papers in journals like Journal of the Phonetic Society of Japan and presented at major conferences such as the International Congress of Phonetic Sciences. Dr. Morimoto serves on multiple committees for the Phonetic Society of Japan and the Phonological Society of Japan. In 2022, she received the prestigious 24th Director's Award from the National Institute for Japanese Language and Linguistics for her work on prosody research. She teaches courses in phonetics, sociolinguistics, and academic writing at Chuo University and other institutions.
