Judith Wolfe is a Research Fellow at the Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry, part of the Faculty of Theology and Philosophy. Her work bridges theology, philosophy, and cognitive science, focusing on religious imagination, narrative theory, and the intersection of art and meaning. She explores how biblical narratives shape theological understanding and investigates the cognitive effects of engaging with art and fiction. Her interdisciplinary approach addresses questions of perception, emotion, and the role of faith in contemporary contexts. Her research interests include the philosophical underpinnings of religious attitudes, the role of narrative in transmitting knowledge, and the empirical study of religious experience. Notable contributions address topics like the buffering effect of fiction on negative emotions, cross-modal associations in art, and the renewal of perception through religious faith. Wolfe has collaborated extensively with scholars such as Marina Iosifyan on studies of art perception and narrative engagement. Her publications span journal articles and edited volumes, reflecting her commitment to advancing interdisciplinary dialogue between theology, philosophy, and empirical research.
Prof. Dr. Oliver Paul is a Full Professor at the Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK), University of Freiburg, since 1998. He previously held roles such as Dean of Studies (1999–2002), Director of IMTEK (2006–2008), and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering (2016–2018). His research focuses on Microsystems for biomedical applications, MEMS technology, sensor systems, and advanced fabrication techniques. Key projects include the Excellence Cluster BrainLinks-BrainTools (2012–2017) and the Institute for Brain-Machine Interfacing Technology (IMBIT, 2015–present). Paul’s education includes a Diploma in Physics (1986, ETH Zurich) and a PhD in Solid-State Physics (1990, ETH Zurich). He has supervised numerous PhD students and postdocs, contributing to topics like neural probes, energy harvesting, and sensor calibration. His teaching spans courses in MEMS, semiconductors, and quantum mechanics. He co-founded Sensirion (1998) and Atlas Neuroengineering (2012), and holds editorial roles in journals like Sensors and Actuators A and IOP Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering. His research interests include multisensory system calibration, biohybrid microsystems, and MEMS-based tools for neuroscience. Notable contributions include silicon neural probes, advanced microneedles, and telemetric smart orthodontic brackets. He has led large collaborative projects involving academia and industry, emphasizing interdisciplinary innovation in microsystems and biomedical engineering.
Leah Findlater is an Associate Professor in the Department of Human-Centered Design & Engineering at the University of Washington (College of Engineering). She also holds adjunct and affiliate appointments in Computer Science & Engineering and Disability Studies, respectively, and serves as Associate Director of UW CREATE (Center for Research and Education on Accessible Technology and Experiences). Since 2021, she has led a research team in AI and accessibility at Apple. Her research focuses on creating adaptive technologies that accommodate individual needs, particularly for people with disabilities. Key areas include touchscreen personalization, machine learning interfaces, and sound recognition systems for deaf and hard-of-hearing users. Funding sources include NSF, DoD, and major tech companies. Recent work explores AI-driven tactile graphics, visual privacy management for blind users, and sound recognition systems. Her research combines lab studies, field deployments, and qualitative methods. NSF CAREER Award (2014) She advises through the Inclusive Design Lab, emphasizing mixed-methods research and collaborations with disability communities.
Angelica Lim is an Assistant Professor of Professional Practice and Rajan Family Scholar in the School of Computing Science at Simon Fraser University. Her research focuses on Human Robot Interaction, Affective Computing, and Multimodal Perception with applications in healthcare and developmental robotics. She holds a PhD in Informatics from Kyoto University (2014), an M.Sc. from Kyoto University (2012), and a B.Sc. in Computing Science from SFU (2008). Her work bridges robotics and human-centered AI through projects like the ROSIE Lab, exploring emotion-aware systems, socially assistive robots, and VR programs for aging populations. Key contributions include benchmarking emotional speech recognition (BERSting), developing embodied emotion models for robots, and co-designing healthcare technologies with patient partners. Recent publications emphasize ethical AI, multimodal perception systems, and human-robot collaboration in dynamic environments. Teaching includes courses on software engineering, artificial intelligence, and introductory computer science. Her research has been applied in dementia care through VR programs, robotic companionship for older adults, and emotion-aware human-robot communication systems. Current initiatives focus on inclusive HRI design and sim2real methodologies for underrepresented data in affective computing.
Filipa Matos Wunderlich is an Associate Professor in Urban Design at University College London's Bartlett School of Planning, where she serves as Director of the cross-faculty MRes Interdisciplinary Urban Design (MRes IdUD) program and Urban Design Strategic Coordinator. She previously co-designed and directed the MSc Urban Design and City Planning program and has held academic positions at UCL since 2008, initially as a Research Associate before becoming a Lecturer in 2010. Her educational background includes a PhD from University College London (2010), a Diploma of Architecture from Universidade do Porto (2000), and a Bachelor of Music from ArtEZ Institute of the Arts (2001). This interdisciplinary foundation informs her unique approach that bridges architecture, urban design, and musical performance. Wunderlich's research centers on temporality in urban places, urban rhythms, and place-rhythmanalysis, with significant contributions to temporal urban design theory and practice. Her work explores sensory and performative urbanisms, affect in the city, and the interface between urban and musical aesthetics. She also investigates gender-neutral urban design and alternative hybrid typologies in contemporary cities, emphasizing the synergy between theoretical innovation and practical application in urban design. Her publication record reveals a clear evolution from foundational theoretical work on urban rhythms and place-temporality toward increasingly sophisticated applications of temporal design principles. The most recent publications demonstrate a maturation of her temporal urban design framework, moving from conceptual explorations to practical implementations across diverse urban contexts, with growing emphasis on wellbeing, health, and sustainability implications. As a respected academic, Wunderlich regularly serves as keynote speaker at international conferences, including recent invitations to Oxford University, AESOP conferences, and the Conscious Cities Festival. She is a guest editor for Planning Theory and Practice and Architecture Open-Access journals, and frequently reviews for leading urban studies publications. In her teaching and advising roles, Wunderlich directs the MRes IdUD program and coordinates the Major Research Projects module across multiple postgraduate programs. Her grant activities include Innovate UK's Smart Walkability Platform project, UCL ChangeMakers initiatives, and the European COST Action Go2CHANGE research project on cultural heritage conservation under climate change. Wunderlich leads several research initiatives including the Post Growth Planning Research Cluster, Temporal Urban Design Research Podcast and Journal, and Collective Zebra - an online journal focused on walking. These platforms foster interdisciplinary dialogue on temporal approaches to urban design and facilitate knowledge exchange between academic research and professional practice.
Dr. Benjamin de Haas is a vision scientist and faculty member at Justus Liebig University Giessen , Germany, within the Department of Psychology and Sports Science . He currently leads the ERC-funded Indivisual project and co-leads project C9 Factors influencing categorical face processing within the Collaborative Research Centre CRC/TRR 135. He is also a principal investigator in the NeurOscientific Workflow Assistance (NOWA) infrastructure project, dedicated to open, reproducible neuroscience. Research Focus Dr. de Haas pursues two intertwined questions: How do early and late stages of visual processing interact—from the initial registration of slanted edges to the recognition of faces? How and why do our perceptions differ from one person to the next? To answer these questions his group combines psychophysics, high-resolution eye-tracking, functional and quantitative MRI, and computational modelling, with a strong emphasis on face perception, individual differences, and naturalistic viewing conditions. Publications Overview Across more than 20 publications since 2016, Dr. de Haas has advanced understanding of individual differences in face processing, gaze control, and visual salience. His work repeatedly appears in Journal of Vision , Nature Communications , PNAS , and NeuroImage , highlighting a sustained focus on eye-movement behaviour, cortical representations of faces and scenes, and methodological best practices in neuroimaging. Current Supervision & Team Dr. de Haas currently supervises two PhD students: Elaheh Akbarifathkouhi Hilal Nizamoglu Together with Dr. Katharina Dobs (co-project leader) and affiliated post-docs and research technicians, the group forms the Indivisual laboratory at Giessen. Contact & Resources Email: Benjamin.de-Haas@psychol.uni-giessen.de Department of Psychology and Sports Science Otto-Behaghel-Str. 10F, 35394 Gießen, Germany
Lee M. Miller is a Professor and Vice Chair of Academic Affairs in the Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior at the University of California, Davis, affiliated with the Center for Mind and Brain. His research focuses on neuroengineering, computational neuroscience, and neural mechanisms underlying attention, speech processing, and multisensory integration. Research interests include the development of neural prosthetics, decoding of neuromuscular signals for prosthetic control, and understanding how auditory and visual systems interact during speech perception and attentional processes. His work bridges clinical applications (e.g., cochlear implants) with fundamental neuroscience, leveraging tools like electrophysiological recordings, EEG/MEG, and advanced signal processing techniques. Recent publications highlight innovations in electromyographic speech neuroprosthetics, the topology of neuromuscular signals, and the neural basis of speech-in-noise processing. Miller’s studies emphasize translational potential, such as improving speech synthesis from brain signals and designing haptic feedback systems for motor coordination. His contributions have advanced understanding of neural mechanisms in sensory integration, auditory attention, and the impact of cognitive factors on perception. Miller maintains a lab dedicated to these interdisciplinary efforts, with a focus on both basic science and clinical applications.
Philippe Souères is a Researcher at LAAS-CNRS (Laboratory for Analysis and Architecture of Systems) within the University of Toulouse. He leads the Gepetto team, focusing on advanced robotics, humanoid motion generation, and the integration of human biomechanics into robotic systems. His work bridges robotics, neuroscience, and biomechanics, emphasizing optimal control, sensor-based systems, and human-robot interaction. Research interests include robot control (optimal control, nonlinear systems), neurosciences (human motor control, sensorimotor integration), and biomechanics (organization of human movement). Notable contributions include models for humanoid locomotion, human-like motion generation using inverse dynamics, and studies on task-dependent balance in humans and robots. Souères has authored/co-authored over 50 publications, including award-winning work on human movement modeling for robotics. He has supervised numerous PhD students and contributed to projects like the EAR initiative (Robot Audition) and the development of the Pyrène humanoid robot. His research also extends to aerial robotics, ducted fan vehicles, and interdisciplinary collaborations with neuroscientists and biomechanics experts. Awards include the Best Conference Paper Award (2010) for integrating human movement invariants into humanoid robotics. Souères is actively involved in academic outreach, appearing in media discussions on robotics ethics and technological innovation.
Marta Moita is a Research Professor and Principal Investigator at the Champalimaud Foundation's Champalimaud Research center in Lisbon, Portugal, where she leads the Moita Lab in the Behavioral Neuroscience research group. Her laboratory investigates the neural and behavioral mechanisms underlying threat responses in animals, with particular focus on how contextual cues influence defensive decision-making between freezing and fleeing behaviors. Dr. Moita's research spans multiple levels of analysis, from collective behavior in social contexts to detailed neural mechanisms. Her lab employs diverse model organisms, particularly fruit flies ( Drosophila melanogaster ) and rats, to study how animals integrate social, spatial, and internal state information to guide threat responses. Key research areas include fear conditioning, emotional contagion, social safety cues, and the neural circuits underlying defensive behaviors. Her work often bridges behavioral neuroscience with evolutionary biology perspectives, examining how defensive strategies have been shaped by natural selection. The Moita Lab's publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on innovative approaches to understanding threat processing across species. Recent work has revealed how looming visual stimuli drive defensive responses in rats, how social cues can override threat levels, and the physiological consequences of threat exposure. The lab frequently publishes in high-impact journals including Current Biology , Nature Communications , and Science Reports , reflecting the significance of their contributions to the field. Dr. Moita actively mentors several PhD and Masters students, including Charlotte Rosher, Violetta La Franca, Mariana Franco, Matilde Henriques, and Mirjam Heinemans. Her laboratory team also includes postdoctoral researchers like Alexandre Leitão, Anna Hobbiss, and Ricardo Neto Silva, along with research technicians and lab administrators who support the diverse research projects.
Professor Lisa Kervin is a leading academic in early childhood education at the University of Wollongong (UOW), serving as Director of Early Start Research and holding a Professorial appointment in the School of Education. Her research focuses on young children’s literate practices, play-based learning, and digital technology integration in education. She leads the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child and has secured significant funding, including a 2025 ARC Future Fellowship exploring intergenerational play. Kervin was honored as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2024 for contributions to early childhood digital literacy research. She has supervised over 35 research students, many now in academic and leadership roles, and currently oversees seven doctoral candidates. Her work bridges theory and practice through collaborations with educators and industry partners, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to child development and policy influence globally. Education: PhD in Language and Literacy from UOW (2001–2004). Professional roles include Principal Fellow of the Australian Literacy Educators’ Association and Director qualifications from the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Her research spans digital childhood ethics, play pedagogy, and literacy curriculum design, with outputs impacting government policies and international educational frameworks. Ongoing projects include the ‘DigIQ’ program promoting digital literacy and ‘Playgroups for All Ages’ fostering intergenerational engagement. Grants and collaborations involve partnerships across six universities and 33 global organizations. Her teaching innovations include the Early Childhood Elevate Mentoring Program to support educators’ academic progression. Kervin’s work addresses critical issues like screen time impacts, STEAM education, and culturally responsive pedagogies, positioning her as a key voice in 21st-century early childhood education.
Professor Bruce N. Walker holds a joint appointment in the School of Psychology and School of Interactive Computing at Georgia Institute of Technology, within the College of Sciences. His research focuses on human-centered technology design, emphasizing accessibility, auditory displays, and human-AI interaction. He leads the Sonification Lab, pioneering multimodal interfaces and inclusive technology solutions. He earned his Ph.D. in Human Factors and Human-Computer Interaction from Rice University in 2001. Research Interests: Trust in technology, accessible interfaces, sonification, AI-human collaboration, and HCI in non-traditional environments. Current projects include the AccessCORPS VIP initiative to enhance course accessibility and studies on automated vehicle interaction. Awards: Best Paper Award at AudioMostly 2014 for auditory weather reports research. Active in professional organizations like the International Community for Auditory Display and Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. Teaching: Courses include Research Methods for Human Factors, Sensation and Perception, and HCI Foundations. Supervises interdisciplinary teams in the Sonification Lab R&D Studio and AccessCORPS VIP. Labs/Teams: Sonification Lab (multimodal data exploration) and AccessCORPS (disability-inclusive course design). Collaborates on international projects like the Mwangaza initiative for learners with vision impairment in Kenya.
Valeria Bruschi is a Researcher at the Department of Information Engineering (DII) within the Faculty of Engineering at Università Politecnica delle Marche (UNIVPM) in Ancona, Italy. Her academic profile was last updated on April 13, 2024, and she maintains her office at the Engineering Faculty on via Brecce Bianche, with contact information including phone +39 071-220-4486 and email v.bruschi@staff.univpm.it. Dr. Bruschi's research spans multiple domains within audio and signal processing, with particular expertise in spatial audio systems, automotive human-computer interaction, and biomedical signal applications. Her work bridges theoretical signal processing techniques with practical implementations across diverse fields including automotive safety systems, hearing aid technology, sleep medicine, and agricultural monitoring. She has made significant contributions to head-related transfer function (HRTF) processing, real-time audio enhancement algorithms, and innovative monitoring systems that utilize acoustic signals for various applications. Analysis of Dr. Bruschi's recent publications reveals a strong trajectory in developing practical audio processing solutions with real-world applications. Her work shows increasing integration of machine learning techniques with traditional signal processing approaches, particularly in areas like driver monitoring systems, snoring detection and cancellation, and spatial audio rendering. A notable trend is her focus on creating lightweight, real-time implementations suitable for embedded systems and practical deployment scenarios, while maintaining high performance standards. Her research consistently demonstrates interdisciplinary collaboration, connecting audio engineering with fields as diverse as automotive safety, sleep medicine, and agricultural technology. Dr. Bruschi actively contributes to advancing audio engineering through her research on equalization techniques, noise reduction systems, and immersive audio technologies. Her work on pulse compression techniques for hearing aid distortion measurement represents an important contribution to audiological assessment methodologies. Her publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly output with increasing impact across multiple application domains, reflecting her ability to translate theoretical signal processing concepts into practical engineering solutions.
Dr. Alexander Hunter is a Lecturer and Composition Convenor at the School of Music, Australian National University (ANU). He holds a PhD in composition from Edinburgh Napier University (2014) and has taught composition, theory, and music history since relocating to Canberra in 2014. Hunter founded ANU's Experimental Music Studio, focusing on open-form compositions that engage performers in fluid interpretive roles. His research spans open musical forms, spectralism, acoustic ecology, and intersectional feminism, with a commitment to disability and autistic advocacy in the arts. Education includes studies at Northern Illinois University (BA 2006) and HNC from Colaisde Bheinn na Faoghla (2007). His work integrates multimedia collaborations with artists like Mike Parr and Martyn Jolly, exploring themes of dis/ability, environmental health, and Métis cultural heritage. Key projects include Helping the River Sing (2018–2021), linking river health with artistic expression, and AI-driven music composition research with Charles Martin. Hunter’s performance-led projects often involve magic lantern technology, reimagining 19th-century projection as a medium for contemporary ecological and historical narratives. Research interests also encompass New York School music, reductionist improvisation, and anarchist philosophies in composition. His collaborations with ensembles like Ensemble Dal Niente and the Edinburgh Quartet highlight his commitment to experimental performance practices. Recent publications (2023–2025) explore AI applications in music creation and interdisciplinary performance frameworks.
Prof. Julijana Gjorgjieva is a tenured W3 Professor of Computational Neuroscience at the School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich (TUM). She leads an independent research group at the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research and is affiliated with the Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience. Her research focuses on the principles governing neural circuit development, balancing learning plasticity with functional stability through computational and theoretical approaches. Key interests include synaptic organization, energy-efficient neural computation, and evolutionary optimality principles. Education & Career: B.Sc. Mathematics, Harvey Mudd College (2006) M.A.St. in Applied Mathematics, University of Cambridge (2007) Ph.D. Applied Mathematics, University of Cambridge (2011) Postdoctoral Fellowships: Harvard University (2011-2014), Brandeis University (2014-2016) Max Planck Research Group Leader (2016-2022) W2/W3 Professor at TUM since 2016 Research Interests: Computational neuroscience, theoretical modeling of neural circuits, synaptic plasticity mechanisms, homeostatic regulation, and the interplay of development and evolution in shaping brain architecture. She employs mathematical frameworks to study how circuits achieve robustness while enabling adaptive learning. Awards: Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Prize (2022) Eric Kandel Young Neuroscientist Prize (2021) ERC Starting Grant (2018) Multiple postdoctoral and early-career fellowships Grants & Funding: Includes DFG Collaborative Research Center on Neural Homeostasis, HFSP grants, and EU Horizon 2020 initiatives. Active in mentoring and promoting computational neuroscience through programs like Neuromatch Academy. Labs & Collaborations: Leads a multidisciplinary lab integrating experimental and theoretical approaches. Collaborates with institutions such as the Max Planck Society and international computational neuroscience networks.
Jordan Theriault is an Assistant Professor at Northeastern University, affiliated with both the Biology and Psychology departments. His research focuses on understanding the brain as a self-regulating system, particularly exploring brain-based metabolic costs of information encoding and their implications for mental health and neuroimaging interpretation. He employs advanced neuroimaging technologies like 7 Tesla MRI and simultaneous PET/MR imaging to study brain metabolism and functional changes in critical regions like the brainstem and hypothalamus. Dr. Theriault’s theoretical work emphasizes the brain’s role in predicting sensory input and regulating bodily states, proposing that predictable environments enhance metabolic efficiency. This framework has implications for mental/physical health and social dynamics, such as conformity and social pressure. His lab, the Interdisciplinary Affective Sciences Laboratory, integrates neuroscience, psychology, and philosophy to address complex questions about emotion, morality, and interoceptive control. Key technical innovations include high-resolution imaging techniques and methodological critiques of brain-behavior relationships. His work bridges basic research with applied insights into human behavior, leveraging interdisciplinary approaches to advance understanding of neural systems and their societal relevance.
