Andy Alexander is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at UC Santa Barbara. He holds a B.S. and Ph.D. in Cognitive Science from UC San Diego and completed postdoctoral training at Boston University. His research focuses on neural mechanisms underlying spatial cognition, memory, and corticothalamic circuit interactions. Current projects investigate how large-scale neural ensembles coordinate to mediate spatial navigation and mnemonic processes in rodents, using advanced techniques like in vivo electrophysiology and neuroimaging. Education: B.S. in Cognitive Science, UC San Diego Ph.D. in Cognitive Science, UC San Diego Postdoctoral Fellow, Boston University (Hasselmo Lab) Research Interests: Neural coding of spatial and temporal information Cortico-cortical and cortico-thalamic interactions Computational models of spatial navigation Neural ensemble dynamics during behavior Lab Environment: Housed in UCSB's Neuroscience Research Institute Recruiting graduate students (PB&S or Dynamical Neuroscience programs) and postdoctoral fellows Focus on interdisciplinary approaches combining experimental and computational neuroscience
Dr. Stefan Arnau is a Researcher at the Leibniz Institute for Work Research Dortmund (IfADo) since 2019, specializing in Experimental Ergonomics and Information Processing . His work focuses on cognitive fatigue, aging, and neurophysiological markers in applied settings. Key Techniques: Mobile EEG, eye blink analysis, ERP Collaborators: Prof. Edmund Wascher, Dr. Sarah Getzmann, Dr. Jonathan Reiser His research interests span cognitive ergonomics, neurophysiological correlates of mental load, and real-world applications of EEG technology. Recent publications emphasize aging-related cognitive decline, task-switching efficiency, and stress-induced neural changes. Analysis of his 15 most recent articles reveals a consistent focus on: Decoding cognitive states via EEG and eye blink activity Age-related differences in attentional resource allocation Neuroergonomic applications in driving and workplace environments Theta and alpha oscillations as markers of cognitive effort Machine learning for artifact removal in real-world EEG data Temporal perception under distraction He contributes to third-party funded projects and participates in the Dortmunder Vital-Studie for health assessment in occupational settings.
Jeanne Shinskey is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Psychology at Royal Holloway, University of London. She leads the Royal Holloway Baby Lab, which investigates cognitive development in infancy and early childhood with a focus on the interaction between cognition, perception, and action affecting mental representations (e.g., object permanence) and symbolic thinking (e.g., learning from pictures and apps). Her research spans developmental psychology, language acquisition, and interoceptive processing. Key projects include 'Do infants learn new words from educational picture books?' funded by Princeton University (2025-2026), and 'Developmental changes in infants' object representations' (2007-2011). Current collaborations with the Nuffield Foundation explore the educational efficacy of preschool apps. Research outputs from 2022-2025 reveal expertise in infant cognition, with recent publications addressing cardiac interoception, tactile book design, and maternal stroking behaviors. She serves as an external examiner for the MSc Developmental Psychology program at the University of Kent (2022-2025). Her work contributes to understanding early developmental mechanisms through experimental paradigms, with a particular emphasis on applied contexts like educational media and caregiver-infant interactions. She maintains active research networks across Europe and North America.
Manuela Chessa is an Associate Professor in Computer Science at DIBRIS (Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics, and Systems Engineering) within the Interschool Section of Mathematical, Physical, and Natural Sciences at the University of Genoa. Her research focuses on natural human-machine interfaces using virtual, augmented, and extended reality (XR) systems, with an emphasis on perceptual and cognitive aspects of immersive interaction. MSc in Bioengineering (2005) and PhD in Bioengineering (2009) from University of Genoa Her work integrates bioinspired models with modern XR technologies to address misperception issues, visual stress, and fatigue in immersive environments. She investigates the use of sensing (Kinect, RealSense, ZED) and visualization devices (HMDs, 3D monitors) to create ecological interaction systems grounded in human perception principles. Current research themes include: XR for rehabilitation and training User Experience (UX) in immersive systems 3D reconstruction techniques Self-avatar representation Change detection in virtual environments Her publications span topics like gamified coding in XR, cognitive aspects of interaction, and bioinspired VR design. She leads the Perception & Interaction Lab @ DIBRIS, supervising 4 PhD students and 1 research associate.
Volker Dürr is a Professor of Biological Cybernetics at Bielefeld University , Faculty of Biology, and a member of the Center for Cognitive Interaction Technology (CITEC) . His work focuses on sensory control of locomotion , active tactile sensing in insects , and biomimetic modeling of movement systems. Education : Habilitation in Zoology (University of Cologne, 2008; Bielefeld, 2005), PhD in Biology (Bielefeld, 1998), Diploma in Biology (Tübingen, 1994) Academic Career : Professor at Bielefeld (2009-present), Junior Research Group Leader (University of Cologne, 2007-2009), Research Assistant (Bielefeld, 1998-2006) His research investigates how insects use antennal mechanosensory systems and proprioception to control locomotion in complex environments. Key themes include goal-directed movements , sensorimotor integration , and biomimetic robotics . Publications emphasize tactile sensing (15/23 articles), neural control of movement (9/23), biomechanical modeling (7/23), and cross-species locomotion analysis (4/23). Recent work explores virtual reality paradigms for locomotion studies and spiking neural networks for proprioceptive modeling.
Dr. Myrthe Plaisier is an Assistant Professor at the Human Technology Interaction group within the Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences school at Eindhoven University of Technology . She holds a PhD in Experimental Physics from Utrecht University (2010) and conducted postdoctoral work at Bielefeld University and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Research Interests : Multisensory technology for sensory substitution Haptic perception and tactile feedback systems Assistive technology for deafblind individuals Audiovisual temporal integration in virtual environments Vibrotactile spatial acuity Article Trends : Her research spans haptic device design, spatial perception studies, sensory substitution methodology, and tactile communication frameworks. Recent works focus on outdoor virtual reality synchronization, wearable navigation aids, and vibrotactile co-design tools for accessibility. Scientific Awards : 2010: Thesis award from Dutch Psychonomics Society 2011: NWO Rubicon grant 2013: NWO VENI grant 2024: Horizon 2020 Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant #812719 Grants & Collaborations : She has secured multiple competitive grants including NWO VENI and Rubicon, and participates in European consortiums like SUITCEYES. Her work involves cross-disciplinary collaboration with institutions across Germany and the Netherlands.
Dr. Sibylle Künzler is a senior assistant professor, researcher, and mobility coordinator at the Department of Cultural Studies and European Ethnology within the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Basel, where she has been employed since 2019. She remains authorized to administer examinations until HS25 (end of January 2026), allowing students to write papers and take exams with her during this period. Dr. Künzler's academic background includes studies at the Universities of Zurich and Vienna in Empirical Cultural Studies, Sociology, Popular Literature and Media, Cultural Studies, and Geography. Prior to her position at Basel, she served as an assistant professor at the Institute for Social Anthropology and Empirical Cultural Studies at the University of Zurich (UZH), where she completed her dissertation on the perception of augmented spaces using Google Maps and Street View, and specialized in digital teaching. Her research program spans epistemological questions in cultural studies as teaching and learning practice, Science and Technology Studies, cultural spatial research, technology research, sensory ethnography, media and visual studies, post-digitality, and cultural theory. She approaches her work with a transdisciplinary-integrative perspective, exploring the connections between perception and the design of everyday life environments, particularly in relation to digital technologies. With over 25 publications since 2010, Dr. Künzler's scholarly output demonstrates a consistent evolution from examining digital mapping technologies (particularly Google Maps and Street View) to increasingly focusing on teaching and learning practices within cultural studies. Her 2023 monograph 'Moving Topology: Cultural Studies Explorations of Augmented Spaces' represents a significant contribution to understanding how digital technologies reshape our spatial experiences and cultural practices. Teaching Commission of the University of Basel, Representation of Group III German Society for Empirical Cultural Studies (DGEKW) Swiss Society for Folklore (SGV) DGEKW Commission, Digital Anthropology (founding member) Network B – independent think tank (founding member) Cultural Studies Network 'Everyday Life and Technology' Dr. Künzler has taught numerous courses at both the University of Basel and University of Zurich, covering diverse topics including biographical research, play and toys, space, mindfulness, power, and artistic knowledge practices. Her teaching expertise includes digital teaching methods, and she completed a Teaching Skills Certificate at UZH. Her current cumulative habilitation project 'Empirical Cultural Studies as Teaching and Learning Practice' explores how the subject, its perspectives, and content are produced, performed, and shaped in teaching and learning practices, and which hegemonic, socio-technical negotiations accompany these multisensorial, collective epistemic processes.
Dr Tanja Beer is a Senior Lecturer at Queensland College of Art and Design, Griffith University, Australia, where she is also a member of the Creative Arts Research Institute, Cities Research Institute, and the Griffith Institute for Human and Environmental Resilience. She is the Co-Director of the Performance + Ecology Research Lab (P+ERL) and serves as the Lead Investigator on the Australian Research Council Linkage Project "Culture for Climate: Harnessing Eco-Creativity to Transition Australia's Performing Arts to Environmental Sustainability" (2023-2027). Dr Beer's educational background includes: PhD in Sustainable Design from the University of Melbourne (2011-2016) Master of Arts in Stage Design from the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, Austria (1995-2000) Graduate Diploma in Animateuring (cross-modal performance making) from the University of Melbourne (2001-2002) She previously held positions as Academic Fellow in Performance Design and Sustainability and Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne. Dr Beer is globally recognized for advancing sustainability in the performing arts, particularly through establishing the field of "ecoscenography" (ecological design for performance). Her research intersects with performance design, public art, event space, arts-science communication, co-design, exhibition design, installation, temporary architecture, landscape architecture, place-making, and sustainability. She has developed the "3 Cs" framework (Co-creation, Celebration and Circulation) for sustainable scenography and is the author of "Ecoscenography: An Introduction to Ecological Design for Performance" (2021), which was shortlisted for the Prague Quadrennial Publication Award 2023. Her recent creative research outputs reveal trends across ecological performance design, sustainable pedagogy, and community engagement. The publications demonstrate growing integration of ecoscenography into mainstream performance practice, with increasing focus on climate action within the performing arts sector, interdisciplinary approaches to sustainability, and the development of practical frameworks for implementing ecological principles in theatre production. Dr Beer has received several notable awards: PAC Australia IMPACT Award (2024) for "When the World Turns" Shortlisted for the Prague Quadrennial Publication Award 2023 Shortlisted for the Space and Object Design category for World Stage Design 2025 Institute of Advanced Studies Fellowship Award 2025/2026 Glasgow City Council Environmental Initiative Award for the Uprooted production As an educator and supervisor, Dr Beer has mentored numerous doctoral and masters students in areas related to ecoscenography, sustainable design, and ecological performance. Her current research projects include the "Culture for Climate" national survey to understand sustainability practices in the Australian performing arts sector and the development of teaching resources for the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) to "green" their curriculum. Dr Beer's creative practice is exemplified by "The Living Stage," a global initiative that combines stage design, horticulture, and community engagement to create recyclable, biodegradable, biodiverse, and edible performance spaces. This project has been realized in multiple locations internationally and has been featured in exhibitions at the V&A Museum and the Prague Quadrennial.
Florian Müller serves as Assistant Professor for Mobile Human-Computer Interaction at Technical University of Darmstadt, leading the Urban Interaction Lab. His research pursues seamless integration of digital information, AI agents, and physical environments into unified Extended Reality (XR), with focus on novel interaction techniques for mobile XR and human-AI collaboration through body-centric, tangible, and haptic interfaces. Müller's primary research spans Extended Reality, Human-Computer Interaction, and Mobile Interaction with specialization in Haptic Interfaces, Tangible Interfaces, and Body-Centric Interaction. He investigates how multimodal sensory feedback enhances user experiences in immersive environments, particularly examining AI-driven adaptation for context-aware XR systems and the social implications of pervasive interactive technologies in urban settings. Recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate strong interdisciplinary trends across multisensory XR (taste modulation, thermal feedback), social VR/AR applications (privacy, content sharing), and human-AI co-creation systems. Key domains include health (motor control assessment), education, and urban interaction contexts, with consistent emphasis on user experience, safety, and practical implementation challenges. Müller directs the Urban Interaction Lab at TU Darmstadt, which develops and evaluates interactive technologies for public spaces through prototyping novel mobile and XR interfaces. The lab's work emphasizes real-world deployment in urban environments, focusing on social engagement, situational awareness, and seamless interaction between physical and digital layers of city infrastructure.
Surya Tapas Tokdar is a Professor of Statistical Science at Duke University and a Faculty Network Member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences. His research bridges Bayesian statistics, machine learning, and neuroscience. Ph.D. from Purdue University (2006) Research Interests include neural signal processing, Bayesian density regression, Gaussian process modeling, and quantile regression. He focuses on understanding how statistical methods can decode brain activity patterns and address high-dimensional data challenges. Recent Publications highlight his work on neural multiplexing, Bayesian topic models, and spatial data analysis. His studies often explore how neurons encode information and how statistical tools enhance interpretability. Awards include the Leonard J. Savage Dissertation Award and participation in prestigious Bayesian inference seminars. Grants span projects on neural information preservation, dependent extremes analysis, and gene-environment interactions.
Marty G. Woldorff is a Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience, and Professor in Neurobiology at Duke University. He holds multiple affiliations including Associate of the Duke Initiative for Science & Society, Faculty Network Member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, Affiliate of the Center for Brain Imaging and Analysis, and Member of the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience. Dr. Woldorff's primary research focuses on the cognitive neuroscience of attention, investigating how the brain selects and processes sensory information from our environment. His work employs a multimethodological approach combining electrophysiological techniques (ERP, MEG) and functional neuroimaging (fMRI) to study attentional processes across five major research lines: (1) The influence of attention on sensory and perceptual processing; (2) Cognitive and attentional control mechanisms; (3) The role of attention in multisensory environments; (4) The interactive relationship between attention and reward; and (5) The role of attention in perceptual awareness. His recent publications demonstrate a strong emphasis on clinical applications of attention research, particularly in aging populations, postoperative cognitive outcomes, and neural mechanisms underlying attentional processes. The research spans developmental neuroscience (studying preadolescents), cognitive aging, and clinical populations with conditions like mild cognitive impairment. Methodologically, his work integrates EEG, fMRI, TMS-EEG, and behavioral paradigms to provide comprehensive insights into attentional mechanisms. Dr. Woldorff has secured substantial funding for his research, with active grants spanning from 2024 through 2029 focusing on neural mechanisms of attention in aging, adaptive neuromodulation of working memory networks, and low neurophysiologic resistance to anesthetics as markers for Alzheimer's pathology. He teaches research independent study courses (PSY 393, NEUROSCI 493, NEUROSCI 494), mentoring students in neuroscience research methodology and experimental design.
Hauke Hellwig is a Lecturer at the Department of Biology Didactics and Teaching/Learning Research within the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at Humboldt University of Berlin. His academic work focuses on the intersection of biology education, environmental education, and education for sustainable development, examining how these fields converge in classroom practice. Dr. Hellwig's research primarily investigates how biology teachers conceptualize and implement environmental education in their classrooms, with particular attention to developing students' non-subject-specific environmental competencies. His work often employs comparative approaches, examining differences between German and Swedish teachers' concepts and approaches to sustainability education. He has published extensively on topics including the ecological footprint concept, nature experience in biology education, and the integration of sustainability principles into biology curricula. His publication record from 2006-2019 demonstrates an evolving research trajectory from foundational studies on teachers' concepts of environmental education toward more specific applications and methodologies. Recent work has increasingly focused on practical tools for developing sustainability-oriented action competence and examining the potential and limitations of various teaching approaches, including digital nature experiences and multisensory learning through animal sounds. Dr. Hellwig has been consistently active in the biology education research community, regularly presenting at major conferences including the International Conference of European Researchers in Didactics of Biology (ERIDOB) and meetings of the German Society for Biology Education. His work bridges theoretical educational frameworks with practical classroom applications, often connecting with teacher training initiatives and school-based educational programs.
Dr. Tim Byron is a Lecturer in the School of Psychology at the University of Wollongong, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, where he has held academic appointments since 2018. His research focuses on the intersection of music psychology and cognitive processes, particularly examining how musical structures interact with memory systems and expectation formation. His educational background includes a PhD from Western Sydney University (2004-2009), which provided the foundation for his specialized work in music cognition. This training is evident in his methodologically rigorous approach to studying auditory phenomena. Byron's research program centers on music cognition with particular emphasis on earworm phenomena, musical hooks, and the physiological responses to musical expectation violations. His work demonstrates how musical elements like vocals, compound hooks, and choruses enhance memorability through complex interactions between auditory processing and memory systems. Recent investigations have explored autonomic responses to rhythm changes using heart rate variability measurements, revealing the deep physiological embedding of musical processing. Analysis of his publication trends shows consistent output across multiple formats including high-impact journal articles, book chapters, and media contributions. His work spans fundamental cognitive processes in music perception to applied analyses of contemporary streaming habits and chart music evolution. The 2022 book "Hooks in Popular Music" represents a significant synthesis of his research on musical catchiness factors. Byron actively supervises doctoral research with five current students working on topics including cardiac responses during music listening, philosophical pitch analysis, and mental health in music performance students. His teaching portfolio includes coordinating the History and Philosophy of Psychology course while offering supervision in music psychology and cognition. His leadership roles include serving as Head of Students since February 2023 and regular media engagement through The Conversation, ABC broadcasts, and international conference presentations. This public scholarship demonstrates effective translation of complex cognitive concepts for broader audiences.
Florian Walter is a researcher at the Technische Universität München under the Department of Robotics, Artificial Intelligence and Real-Time Systems. He holds a Master’s degree in informatics and has been involved in the Human Brain Project (HBP) SP10 Neurorobotics research group since 2014, focusing on neurobiological learning methods for robotics. His work bridges neuroscience and robotics through spiking neural networks, neuromorphic systems, and cognitive navigation frameworks. Education : Master’s in Informatics (TUM, high distinction), internship in automotive industry, visiting researcher at Stanford University’s AI Lab. Research Interests : Neurobiological learning methods, spiking neural networks, neuromorphic computing, cognitive navigation, multisensory integration, and soft robotics. Publications : Recent work spans deep spiking reinforcement learning, domain adaptation, object detection with event-based cameras, and neuromorphic implementations on Loihi chips. Teaching : Courses on Cognitive Systems, Real-Time Systems, and Advanced Machine Learning in Neurorobotics. Leadership : Coorganized workshops at IROS 2015 and EuroAsianPacific Joint Conference 2015, and organized HBP workshops. Email : florian.walter@tum.de
Stefania Serafin is a Professor at the Department of Architecture and Media Technology, Aalborg University, where she leads the Multisensory Experience Laboratory. Her work focuses on creating inclusive virtual reality systems that enhance communication, well-being, and accessibility for diverse populations including children, youth, and individuals with hearing impairments. University: Aalborg University School: Technical Faculty of IT and Design Department: Architecture and Media Technology Email: sts@create.aau.dk Research Interests: Serafin specializes in virtual reality systems that integrate auditory and haptic feedback, with particular emphasis on applications for hearing-impaired individuals, educational escape rooms, and elder mobility solutions. Her work bridges sensory technology with human-centered design, contributing to fields like music computing, social presence in VR, and multisensory experience engineering. Recent Research Trends: Analysis of her 2023-2025 publications shows increasing focus on hygiene protocols for VR equipment, AI-generated speech realism, and tactile feedback systems for auditory prosthetics. She explores VR applications across education, healthcare, and gaming, with a strong commitment to accessibility and well-being metrics. Scientific Awards: Best Use of Sound - Academic (2023) Best Papers Award (DAFx20in21) (2021) Danish Sound Prize (2021) 3D User Interfaces Contest Winner (2015) Advising & Grants: Serafin supervises multiple PhD students and has secured major funding from the Independent Research Foundation of Denmark and Velux Stiftung for projects like Audio-Only VR for Blind Gamers and the Telecyclette initiative. She actively participates in peer review, conference organization, and sensory technology standardization. Laboratory: She directs Aalborg University's Multisensory Experience Laboratory, which develops VR systems that combine audio, haptics, and olfactory feedback to improve quality of life metrics.
