Evelyn Lake is an Associate Professor in the Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging at Yale University, with affiliations to the Wu Tsai Institute and Yale Biomedical Imaging Institute. Her research focuses on functional neuroimaging, particularly using rodent models to study brain connectivity, neurovascular coupling, and disorders like Alzheimer’s disease and autism spectrum disorder. PhD in Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto (2016) Postdoctoral Associate, Yale University (2019) BSc (Honors) in Biophysics, University of Guelph (2010) Her work spans multimodal imaging techniques (e.g., simultaneous Ca2+ and fMRI), examining how genetic mutations (e.g., PTEN, KATNAL2) affect cerebrospinal fluid dynamics and neuronal connectivity. She investigates longitudinal changes in Alzheimer’s models and methodological aspects of animal neuroimaging, such as sample size optimization and awake imaging protocols. Recent publications highlight her contributions to understanding autism-related white matter abnormalities, transdiagnostic connectome predictive modeling, and the impact of neurovascular uncoupling in awake mice. Collaborations include Todd Constable, Francesca Mandino, Xilin Shen, and Xenophon Papademetris.
Donald Rio holds the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Distinguished Chair in the Biological Sciences and is a Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology. He is affiliated with the Division of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the Center for Integrative Genetics. His lab focuses on nucleic acid transactions, including transposable element mobilization (P elements) and RNA binding protein mechanisms controlling alternative splicing. Research highlights include studies on THAP9 proteins in humans/zebrafish, cryo-EM structural analysis of transposase-DNA complexes, and splicing regulation in neurodegenerative diseases like ALS and Parkinson’s. His work combines biochemical, genetic, and computational approaches, including the development of the Junction Usage Model (JUM) for splicing analysis. Research interests span transposition mechanisms linked to HIV integration, immune system recombination, and evolutionary genome dynamics. His team investigates how RNA binding proteins like hnRNPA1 influence splicing in disease contexts, with projects involving CRISPR-based models and patient RNA-seq data analysis. Collaborations include studies on splicing accuracy across tissues and age, and the impact of splicing defects in neurodegenerative disorders. Key awards include the Goldman Chair. His lab’s contributions bridge fundamental molecular mechanisms with translational applications in genetic disease modeling and drug discovery. Recent work focuses on isogenic stem cell models (iSCORE-PD) for Parkinson’s research and structural biology insights into transposase function. Grants and projects involve NIH funding for ALS splicing studies and collaborations with institutions like the Buck Institute. His lab actively publishes in top journals such as Genome Research , PNAS , and Nature , with a strong emphasis on cryo-EM and bioinformatic methods.
Prof. Friederike Ebner holds the Chair of Infection Pathogenesis at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) since 2023, within the TUM School of Life Sciences. Her research focuses on the immunobiology of parasite infections, particularly studying gastrointestinal helminths like Ascaris suum and their interactions with host immune systems to design novel intervention strategies. She also develops biomedical models for studying infectious diseases. Educational Background: Friederike Ebner earned a biotechnology degree from TU Berlin and Dongseo University (South Korea). She completed her PhD in biology at Humboldt University Berlin (2014), followed by postdoctoral research in immunology at Freie Universität Berlin, where she became an assistant professor before moving to TUM. Research Interests: Her work spans helminth-host immune dynamics, vaccine development, microbiome interactions in parasitic infections, and translational models for human diseases. Key topics include Th2/Th1 immune balance, helminth-derived immunomodulators, and xenotransplantation safety. Notable Contributions: Her recent studies address diagnostic methods for ascariasis, microbiome roles in helminth survival, and immunotherapeutic applications of parasite products. Current efforts emphasize bridging fundamental immunology with clinical and veterinary applications. Professional Activities: Prof. Ebner teaches immunology and parasite biology at TUM while maintaining active collaborations in global health and infectious disease research. She advocates for interdisciplinary approaches to address knowledge gaps in parasitology and vaccinology.
Thomas Winkler is an Associate Professor at the Division of Micro and Nanosystems, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden, and collaborates with TU Braunschweig, Germany. His research focuses on solving life science challenges using microsystems tools, particularly in neuropsychiatric disorders like schizophrenia. He develops organ-on-chip models, engineered microfluidic platforms, and biosensors for point-of-care diagnostics. Winkler leads an interdisciplinary ERC-funded team addressing metabolic coupling in neurovascular units and oxidative stress biomarkers. Key achievements include the ERC Starting Grant (2023) and work on electrochemical sensors for clozapine monitoring. He teaches courses such as Microsystem Technology (EK2350) and supervises PhD and postdoctoral researchers. Current projects include machine learning-guided robotic organoid maturation and electrochemical technology development for the CHIPzophrenia initiative. His lab actively seeks talent through open positions in Stockholm and Braunschweig. Scientific awards include the ERC Starting Grant and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Fellowship. Research spans sensor development, microfabrication, and biomaterials, with a focus on translating lab technologies to clinical applications. Collaborations bridge engineering and life sciences, emphasizing personalized mental healthcare solutions.
Christopher Buckley is the Kennedy Professor of Translational Rheumatology and Director of Clinical Research at the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford. He holds concurrent roles as Director of NIHR Infrastructure for Birmingham Health Partners. His research focuses on fibroblast biology in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), stromal cell interactions, and translational medicine approaches to stratified therapy. He leads the Arthritis Therapy Acceleration Programme (A-TAP), advancing precision medicine strategies for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Educations: BSc Biochemistry, University of Oxford (1985) MBBS Medicine, Royal Free Hospital, London (1990) DPhil in Molecular Medicine (Wellcome Trust Fellowship) under Prof. John Bell (Oxford) Research Interests: Pathogenic fibroblast subpopulations in RA and systemic sclerosis Tissue-resident memory T cells in chronic inflammation Spatial transcriptomics of synovial and tendon tissues Pro-resolving fibroblast networks during inflammation resolution Development of biomarkers for disease flare/remission Awards & Leadership: MRC Senior Clinical Fellowship (2001) Arthritis Research UK Professorship (2002) Director, Birmingham NIHR Clinical Research Facility (2012-2017) Key Projects: Leading A-TAP's stratified pathology approach for drug development Investigating Wnt signaling in stromal inflammation Developing cellular atlases of joints using spatial transcriptomics
Christopher J. Chang is the Edward and Virginia Taylor Professor of Bioorganic Chemistry at Princeton University's Department of Chemistry. His research focuses on chemical biology, catalysis, and inorganic chemistry, with an emphasis on transition metal signaling, activity-based sensing, and drug discovery. He leads the Chang Lab, which develops innovative chemical tools to study metal-dependent biological processes, including copper's role in neurobiology and cancer, formaldehyde's role in epigenetic regulation, and redox-driven protein function. His work integrates organic, inorganic, and biological chemistry, enabling discoveries in imaging, proteomics, and precision medicine. Notable achievements include pioneering activity-based sensing platforms for copper and reactive metabolites, revealing metalloplasia in cancer, and developing copper-specific therapies. Christopher Chang has received over 50 prestigious awards, including the Guggenheim Fellowship and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigatorship. His lab's infrastructure includes advanced analytical instruments, synthetic chemistry facilities, and cell culture capabilities, supported by grants from NIH, NSF, and industry partnerships. Awards: ACS Bader Award (2024), Ivano Bertini Award (2022), Blavatnik National Award (2015) Lab Focus Areas: Transition metal signaling, copper-dependent biology, formaldehyde metabolism, redox drug discovery Key Technologies: Activity-based sensors, imaging probes, bioconjugation methods
Giorgio Ascoli is a University Professor in the Department of Bioengineering at George Mason University, where he has been since 1997. He is the Founding Director of the Center for Neural Informatics, Structures, & Plasticity (CN3) and Founding Editor-in-Chief of the journal Neuroinformatics . His affiliations span computational neuroanatomy, neuroinformatics, and hippocampal modeling. Education : PhD in Biochemistry and Neuroscience (1996), Scuola Normale Superiore; MS in Chemistry and Biochemistry (1993), Pisa University; BS in Chemistry and Physics (1991), Scuola Normale Superiore. Dr. Ascoli investigates the relationship between brain structure, activity, and function from cellular to circuit levels. His research focuses on anatomically plausible neural networks to model mammalian brains, particularly the hippocampus, with implications for understanding human memory and consciousness . He pioneered computational neuroanatomy, developing tools like L-Neuron for neuronal shape modeling and curating NeuroMorpho.Org , a central repository for digitally reconstructed neurons. His recent publications emphasize neuronal classification , connectome analysis , and biologically informed machine learning . Awards include the 2012 Outstanding Faculty Award (Virginia), 2022 AIMBE fellowship , and 2023 Presidential Faculty Excellence Awards . He has mentored over 20 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, with funding from NIH, NSF, DARPA, and private foundations. Scientific Contributions : Over 137 peer-reviewed articles, 4 patents, 2 authored/edited books, and leadership in NeuroMorpho.Org and Hippocampome. Grants : $20M+ in cumulative funding, including NIH R01s, NSF BRAIN EAGERs, and Burroughs-Wellcome Trust support. Labs : Leads the Computational Neuroanatomy Group within CN3, focusing on hippocampal modeling, neuronal morphology, and consciousness theories.
Prof. Dr. Tobias Gemmeke is a University Professor at RWTH Aachen University's Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, leading the Chair of Integrated Digital Systems and Circuit Design. His work focuses on neuromorphic computing, hardware accelerators, and energy-efficient electronics. He has pioneered advancements in FPGA-based computational neuroscience simulators, neuromorphic processor architectures, and sensor integration for industrial and medical applications. Research interests include time-domain computing, ReRAM reliability, and co-optimization of neural networks with hardware. Notable contributions include the neuroAIx framework for accelerated neuroscience simulations and energy-efficient ASIC designs for post-quantum cryptography. He actively explores memristive devices and domain generalization techniques for edge computing. Recent publications highlight innovations in spiking neural networks, sensor systems for plain bearings, and time-domain compute-in-memory engines. His work bridges theoretical neuroscience with practical hardware implementations, emphasizing scalability and real-time performance.
Professor Gavan McNally is a distinguished behavioral neuroscientist at the University of New South Wales, where he serves as a Professor in the School of Psychology. He is actively engaged in research on the fundamental behavioral and brain mechanisms for learning and motivation, with applications to clinical conditions such as addictions, anxiety disorders, and mood disorders. McNally holds several prestigious editorial positions, including Editor-in-Chief of Neurobiology of Learning & Memory and Senior Editor of The Journal of Neuroscience. He also serves as President-Elect of the European Behavioral Pharmacology Society and is a Member of the Australian Research Council College of Experts. McNally's research interests span behavioral neuroscience, focusing on how fundamental brain mechanisms apply to clinical conditions. He employs a systems neuroscience approach, combining well-controlled behavioral approaches with optogenetics, chemogenetics, in vivo calcium imaging, and whole brain circuit mapping in both normal and transgenic animals. His work bridges basic science with clinical applications through collaborations with colleagues at University of Sydney, Sydney Local Health District, Monash University, and Turning Point. McNally's research particularly examines the cellular, circuit, and systems level mechanisms underlying learning, motivation, and their dysregulation in disorders like addiction. His laboratory investigates how these mechanisms translate to human conditions, with a strong emphasis on developing new treatments for psychological disorders. His extensive publication record demonstrates a clear trajectory in understanding punishment learning, addiction mechanisms, and the neural circuits underlying motivated behavior. Recent work has increasingly focused on the cognitive pathways to punishment insensitivity, the role of specific neural circuits in addiction, and translational approaches to understanding maladaptive behaviors. McNally's research bridges animal models with human studies, creating a comprehensive understanding of the neural mechanisms that govern learning and motivation, with particular attention to how these processes go awry in addiction and other psychological disorders. 2008 QEII Fellow, Australian Research Council 2009 Association for Psychological Science, International Rising Star 2010 Fellow, Association for Psychological Science 2010 UNSW Faculty of Science Staff Excellence Award for Research and Training 2011 Pavlovian Research Award, The Pavlovian Society 2012 Future Fellow (Level 3), Australian Research Council 2016 D.G. Marquis Behavioral Neuroscience Award, American Psychological Association 2017 Fellow, American Psychological Association 2019 Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia 2021 D.G. Marquis Behavioral Neuroscience Award, American Psychological Association 2022 Ross Day Plenary Lecturer, Australasian Brain and Psychological Sciences 2023 European Behavioural Pharmacology Society Plenary Lecturer 2024 Elspeth McLachlan Plenary Lecturer, Australasian Neuroscience Society 2024 D.G. Marquis Behavioral Neuroscience Award, American Psychological Association Professor McNally actively supervises several students including Bixuan Lin, Si Yin Lui, Hannah Machet, Bart Cooley, Kelly Zhuang, and Alexandra Gregory. His current research is supported by significant funding including an Australian Research Council Discovery Project (2024-2026) on "Risky choices: From cells and circuits to computations and behaviour," another Discovery Project (2025-2028) on "Multimodal mapping of punishment learning," and NHMRC grants including a Synergy Grant on "Linking clinical and basic science discovery to find new treatments for alcohol-use disorder" and an Ideas Grant on "Novel pathways to abstinence from alcohol seeking." These projects reflect his commitment to both fundamental neuroscience and translational applications for treating psychological conditions. His teaching responsibilities include PSYC2081 Learning & Physiological Psychology and PSYC3051 Physiological Psychology. McNally's laboratory employs advanced techniques including optogenetics, chemogenetics, in vivo calcium imaging, and whole brain circuit mapping to investigate the neural mechanisms underlying learning, motivation, and their dysregulation in disorders. His team works at the intersection of basic neuroscience and clinical applications, with strong collaborations across multiple institutions to translate fundamental findings into potential treatments for addiction and other psychological disorders. The lab has made significant contributions to understanding the role of brain regions like the ventral pallidum, paraventricular thalamus, and nucleus accumbens in addiction, fear learning, and punishment sensitivity.
Lili Zheng is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Statistics at the University of Illinois. Her research focuses on statistical methodology, machine learning, and high-dimensional data analysis with applications in neuroscience and network science. Key areas of expertise include graphical models, stochastic processes, and algorithmic optimization. She collaborates extensively on projects involving functional connectivity analysis, neuronal data imputation, and interpretable machine learning frameworks. Her work bridges statistical theory and computational practice, addressing challenges in model inference, feature importance assessment, and low-rank tensor completion. Notable contributions include techniques for distribution-free inference, spectral clustering in patchwork learning, and Gaussian process parameter estimation using mini-batch stochastic gradient descent. Dr. Zheng's research emphasizes interdisciplinary applications, particularly in neuroimaging (calcium imaging, functional connectivity) and multi-modal data integration. She actively explores statistical challenges in big data contexts, emphasizing robust methodologies for real-world datasets.
Istvan Mody is a Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with appointments in the Department of Neurology and Department of Physiology . His research focuses on synaptic signaling in health and disease, including mechanisms of GABAergic transmission, calcium homeostasis, and their roles in neurological disorders such as epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, stress, alcoholism, and postpartum depression. He utilizes advanced techniques like patch-clamp electrophysiology, neuroanatomical and immunohistochemical methods, and molecular biology in animal models and human brain tissue . Research Interests: Dr. Mody investigates the physiology, pharmacology, and pathology of synaptic transmission and extrasynaptic receptor activation , with a particular emphasis on GABA(A) receptors and their subunit-specific modulation. His work explores how disruptions in excitation-inhibition balance contribute to neurological diseases, including mechanisms of tonic inhibition , calcium signaling , and neurosteroid interactions . He also studies the effects of chronic stress and hormonal fluctuations on neural excitability and behavior. Publications Trends: Recent studies highlight his work on gamma oscillations in Alzheimer's models, microglial dynamics , and rehabilitation strategies for stroke. His lab develops optical tools like dqGEVI for neuronal activity monitoring and investigates human brain organoids to model network dysfunction in epilepsy and intellectual disability. Laboratory Location: 635 Charles Young Dr S, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States.
Matthew W. Buczynski is an Assistant Professor at the School of Neuroscience , part of the College of Science at Virginia Tech . Holding a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of California San Diego (2008) and postdoctoral training at The Scripps Research Institute (2009-2016), he joined Virginia Tech in August 2016 after completing his postdoctoral fellowship. Education: B.S. in Chemistry, University of Michigan , 2001 Ph.D. in Biochemistry, University of California San Diego , 2008 Postdoctoral Training, The Scripps Research Institute , 2009-2016 Dr. Buczynski’s research program focuses on identifying novel druggable targets for addiction and neurological disorders through mass spectrometry and behavioral pharmacology . His work integrates chemical biology , molecular pharmacology , and in vivo microdialysis to study molecular changes in the brain during chronic drug exposure. Key areas include nicotine dependence , ethanol withdrawal , and cross-talk between pain and addiction mechanisms. His recent publications highlight endocannabinoid system modulation , TRPV1/TRPA1 receptor activation in pain, and diacylglycerol lipase (DAGL) mechanisms in nicotine withdrawal. He employs both self-administration and forced exposure models to validate therapeutic targets. Prospective students can contact him directly through his lab’s website .
Sharon Abrahams is a Professor of Neuropsychology and holds a Personal Chair at the University of Edinburgh's School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences. She leads research in clinical and experimental neuropsychology, focusing on neurodegenerative diseases like motor neurone disease/ALS and frontotemporal dementia. Her work integrates neuroimaging, cognitive assessment, and clinical intervention. She is affiliated with the Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease, the Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, and Edinburgh Neuroscience. Current PhD students include Monica de Icaza Valenzuela, Debbie Gray, and Caroline McHutchison. Abrahams has secured over 17 research grants since 2008, including projects on cognitive screening in MND, apathy impact, and the ECAS tool. Her research emphasizes cognitive and behavioral changes in ALS, with a focus on early detection, staging, and patient quality of life. Notable contributions include the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen (ECAS), validated across multiple languages and populations.
Jerome Engel, M.D., Ph.D. is a Professor at the Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior , University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He serves as Director of the Epilepsy Telemetry Unit within the Seizure Disorder Center and is a member of the Brain Research Institute and the Neuroscience GPB Home Area. His work spans neurology, psychiatry, and biomedical research. Research Focus: Epilepsy, epileptogenesis, high-frequency oscillations (HFOs), neuroimaging, surgical interventions, and biomarker development. Key Contributions: Pioneering studies on fast ripples as biomarkers, network-based surgical outcome prediction, and advanced HFO detection algorithms. Publications (15 most recent) address topics such as kainic acid models of epileptogenesis, thalamic sleep spindles in pediatric epilepsy, self-supervised HFO analysis, and graph theoretical measures for surgical planning. His work frequently employs medRxiv and Epilepsia as platforms for translational findings. Contact: engel@ucla.edu
Hang Lu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication and Media at the University of Michigan's College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. He specializes in science, health, environmental, and risk communication (ComSHER), with a focus on media psychology. His research explores audience responses to media messages about sensitive topics and strategies to enhance message effectiveness. Lu holds a Ph.D. in Communication from Cornell University (2018), along with advanced degrees from Cornell, Marquette University, and Central South University in China. He directs the Media and Risk (MaR) Lab and previously served as a postdoctoral fellow at the Annenberg Public Policy Center. His research spans four main areas: 1) emotion dynamics in media responses, 2) predictors of information behaviors, 3) media effects on stigmatization, and 4) AI applications in sensitive domains. He has published in journals like Journal of Communication , Risk Analysis , and Public Understanding of Science , earning multiple top paper awards. As Vice Chair of the Environmental Communication Division at the International Communication Association, Lu contributes to interdisciplinary dialogue. His work addresses critical societal issues such as climate change communication, vaccination hesitancy, and emerging technology ethics.
