Jan Krzysztof Blusztajn is a Professor at Boston University whose research focuses on brain development and epigenetics. His work investigates how perinatal choline availability influences long-term cognitive outcomes, including memory facilitation in aging. Education: M.S. in Molecular Biology from Warsaw University; Ph.D. in Neural and Endocrine Regulation from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Research Interests: His studies employ biochemical, neuroanatomical, and behavioral techniques to explore epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, linking choline nutrition to gene expression changes in brain development and aging. He is developing genetic mouse models to further elucidate these processes. Key Findings: His research demonstrates that choline deficiency during pregnancy can paradoxically upregulate DNA methylation by increasing expression of methylating enzymes like DNMT1 and DNMT3A, suggesting an adaptive epigenomic response to nutritional challenges.
Michael Eriksen Benros is a Clinical Professor at the Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, and heads the Biological and Precision Psychiatry unit at Mental Health Centre Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital. He serves as a board member of the Psychiatric Immunology Section of the World Psychiatric Association and is co-PI on the DanFunD study. Dr. Benros is a leading expert in Immuno-Psychiatry, Biological Psychiatry, Epidemiology, and Precision Psychiatry. His research focuses on the intersection of immune-related factors and mental illness, utilizing Danish nationwide registers, biobanks, and clinical studies. He leads significant efforts to understand the role of the immune system in severe mental disorders through immunogenetic investigations and novel research on cerebrospinal fluid and blood samples from patients with psychotic and affective disorders. His most recent publications (2025) demonstrate a continued focus on neuroimmunology, with studies examining the neurological impacts of COVID-19, perinatal immune markers and ADHD, genetic prediction methods, and lifestyle factors in functional somatic disorders. Earlier landmark publications (2020) established foundational work in autoimmune psychosis and the mental health consequences of the pandemic. His scientific recognition includes: Sapere Aude Research Leader award from the Independent Research Fond Denmark Dr. Benros has secured substantial research funding for his work on immuno-psychiatry and precision psychiatry, including leadership of the Precision Psychiatry Initiative which utilizes systems biology and machine learning methods to develop more precise diagnostics and identify new treatment targets. His research leverages Denmark's unique nationwide registers and biobanks to investigate immune exposures in relation to mental disorders. He directs a significant research group focused on Biological and Precision Psychiatry at Mental Health Centre Copenhagen, where they combine register data with immunogenetic investigations and novel research on cerebrospinal fluid and blood from clinical studies. His team employs omics and systems biology approaches to unravel the complex relationship between the immune system and mental health.
Jon Lansner serves as an External Lecturer at the Study Board of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, with office location at Øster Farimagsgade 2A, Copenhagen. His academic profile centers on the intersection of psychopharmacology and cognitive neuroscience, with particular emphasis on antidepressant effects on cognitive functions and memory systems. His research portfolio demonstrates deep engagement with: SSRI pharmacology and its impact on visual perception thresholds Development and validation of cognitive assessment instruments Neurobehavioral effects of antenatal depression and medication exposure Attentional mechanisms and neural correlates of cognitive processing Clinical applications of cognitive testing in psychiatric populations Methodological approaches in psychopharmacological research Analysis of his publication timeline (2016-2025) reveals consistent specialization in randomized controlled trials examining SSRI effects on perceptual and memory systems, complemented by systematic reviews addressing perinatal psychiatric interventions. His work bridges clinical practice with fundamental cognitive neuroscience through rigorous experimental designs and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Dr. Lansner maintains active research collaborations with prominent neuroscience groups at the University of Copenhagen, including investigators from the Department of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology units. While specific funding sources aren't detailed in available records, his publication record indicates sustained research activity through university-affiliated projects. His institutional role within the Psychology Study Board involves academic governance and curriculum oversight for psychology programs at the University of Copenhagen, contributing to educational standards while maintaining active research engagement.
Julia Klein is a research scientist at Åbo Akademi University in Vaasa, Finland, specializing in demographic and health studies with a particular focus on mortality patterns and the Swedish-speaking population in Finland. She received her doctoral degree in 2022 with a thesis examining disability pension as both an outcome following sickness allowance receipt and a predictor for mortality. Her research interests span mortality studies, population health, religious affiliation and health outcomes, longitudinal register data analysis, and the unique demographic characteristics of Finland's Swedish-speaking minority. Dr. Klein has developed expertise in analyzing large-scale national register data to uncover patterns in health outcomes across different demographic groups. Analysis of her publication record reveals a diverse research portfolio spanning epidemiology, neuroscience, immunology, and environmental science. Her most recent work focuses on the relationship between religious affiliation and life expectancy in Finland across a 50-year period (1972-2020), representing her core demographic research interests. She also contributes to neuroscience research, particularly in Alzheimer's disease pathology and neuroinflammation, as well as immunological studies related to cancer and autoimmune disorders. Dr. Klein's collaborative work extends across multiple disciplines and international boundaries, as evidenced by her co-authorship on studies ranging from pediatric brain tumor immunotherapy to African tropical forest ecology. Her methodological strengths include longitudinal data analysis, epidemiological modeling, and interdisciplinary research approaches.
Janelle M. Jones is a Senior Lecturer in Social Psychology and Director of Graduate Studies at Queen Mary University of London, where she is affiliated with the Department of Psychology within the School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences. Her academic work is centered in the Centre for Research in Social Psychology, where she investigates how group memberships shape self-perception, social interactions, and health outcomes. Dr. Jones earned her Ph.D. in Social Psychology from York University in 2009. Her academic trajectory includes significant research contributions at the University of Exeter before her current appointment at Queen Mary, where she has established herself as a leading scholar in social identity processes and health. Her research program examines how multiple group memberships (friends, family, social categories) influence psychological resilience, self-worth, and well-being across diverse contexts. She specifically investigates how group salience provides strength during challenges, strategies for managing conflicting identities, and the impact of group loss on psychological health following injury or life transitions. Her work demonstrates how social identity processes serve as critical resources during adversity, bridging theoretical social psychology with practical health applications. This research has important implications for understanding resilience mechanisms in clinical populations, aging individuals, and those experiencing social transitions. Analysis of Dr. Jones's publication record reveals a consistent thematic focus on social identity as a psychological resource across varied populations and contexts. Her research spans clinical settings (including psychosis and brain injury), aging populations, and general community samples, with a recurring emphasis on how multiple group memberships contribute to self-esteem, quality of life, and recovery from trauma. Her methodological approach combines experimental, survey, and qualitative techniques to examine the complex pathways through which social connections translate into psychological benefits. Senior Lecturer in Social Psychology at Queen Mary University of London Director of Graduate Studies overseeing psychology graduate programs Active researcher with publications in top journals including Clinical Psychological Science, PLOS ONE, and British Journal of Social Psychology Recipient of research funding for projects on social identity and health outcomes Dr. Jones teaches Essential Skills for Psychologists, Introduction to Positive Psychology, and Introduction to Social Psychology. She supervises graduate students through her leadership role and mentors early-career researchers in the Centre for Research in Social Psychology. Her laboratory currently focuses on social identity mapping techniques to understand quality of life in people with psychosis, employing both quantitative and qualitative methods to explore how individuals conceptualize their social worlds and how this relates to psychological outcomes.
Catherine Cahill, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) , where she directs the Pain and Addiction Lab and serves as a member of the Hatos Center for Neuropharmacology and Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior . Her research bridges chronic pain mechanisms and opioid addiction neurobiology , focusing on how pain alters reward circuitry and dopaminergic signaling . She has secured funding from NIDA , NIH , DoD , and the Shirley & Stefan Hatos Foundation . Education: Ph.D. in Pharmacology, Dalhousie University (1996) Recruited to UC Irvine (2012) and UCLA (2017) Research Themes encompass kappa opioid receptor (KOR) function in pain aversion, microglial modulation of reward pathways , and translational strategies for non-addictive analgesics. Her lab pioneered the identification of KOR upregulation in chronic pain models and microglial BDNF release mechanisms in opioid tolerance. Scientific Leadership includes editorial roles at the British Journal of Pharmacology and Pain Research Forum , alongside over 25 years of NIH/DoD grant support. She mentors a diverse team of postdocs , graduate researchers , and undergraduate trainees in interdisciplinary projects spanning rodent behavioral testing , GPCR interactomics , and human clinical collaborations .
Katherine Narr is an Associate Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) , affiliated with the Department of Neurology Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and the Brain Research Institute . Her work focuses on neuroimaging in psychiatric disorders, particularly depression and neurodevelopmental consequences of prenatal exposures. Neuroimaging biomarkers for antidepressant response Effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and ketamine on brain structure Developmental impacts of prenatal alcohol/HIV exposure in South African cohorts Her research integrates structural and functional MRI with machine learning to predict treatment outcomes. Collaborations span institutions in the U.S., South Africa, and Europe. Scientific Awards: No specific awards mentioned. Advising & Grants: No explicit student advisement or grant details provided. Key publications highlight collaborations on ECT, ketamine, and developmental neuroimaging studies. Labs & Teams: Collaborates with the Global ECT MRI Research Collaboration (GEMRIC) and South African birth cohort research groups.
Tuong-Vi Nguyen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at McGill University's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. She also serves as a Scientist at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) within the Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience (BRaIN) Program. Research Focus: Investigates developmental neuroendocrinology and reproductive psychiatry, studying how parental mental health and prenatal hormonal programming affect child development. Key Themes: Perinatal mental health, neuroendocrinology, women's mental health, and public health strategy development. Her recent publications emphasize maternal-infant health interactions, hormonal biomarkers, and longitudinal epidemiological studies. She aims to bridge perinatal mental health research with public health infrastructure to support families during the perinatal transition.
Teresa M. Reyes is a Senior Research Associate at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, with affiliations at the Salk Institute of Biological Sciences and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. She holds a PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and has over two decades of expertise in neuroimmunology, developmental neuroscience, and epigenetics. B.S., M.S., PhD in Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin–Madison Postdoctoral Fellowship, Salk Institute of Biological Sciences Her research focuses on how maternal nutrition, opioid exposure, and inflammation during pregnancy program offspring neurodevelopment, leading to sex-specific cognitive and behavioral deficits. She investigates mechanisms involving microglia, astrocytes, and epigenetic modifications in mouse models of childhood cancer, chemotherapy, and metabolic disorders. Key trends in her 15 most recent publications (2025–2021) include: microglial transcriptomic responses to perinatal opioid exposure; high-fat diet impacts on neuroinflammation and executive function; transcriptional profiling of astrocytes/microglia in cancer/chemotherapy models; and sex differences in neurodevelopmental disorders. Scientific Awards: NARSAD Young Investigator Award Grants & Collaborations: Multiple federal grants (NIH, NINDS, NIDDK) as PI Private funding from Burroughs Wellcome Fund and Rally Foundation
Charles V. Vorhees is a Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, with primary research conducted at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. His laboratory focuses on developmental neurotoxicology and neuroteratology, investigating how early-life exposures to pharmaceuticals and environmental agents impact brain development and behavior. Dr. Vorhees' research spans multiple critical areas in neurotoxicology: Antidepressant Risks: Demonstrated that third-trimester-equivalent SSRI exposure causes learning deficits in rat offspring and serotonin reductions, with clinical correlations to increased Autism Spectrum Disorder risk Methamphetamine Neurotoxicity: Extensive work on how developmental methamphetamine exposure affects monoamine systems, spatial learning, and memory across different developmental periods Novel Assessment Methods: Developed improved approaches for developmental neurotoxicity testing that better align rodent models with human child outcomes His publication record shows consistent high-impact research since the 1970s, with recent work focusing on molecular mechanisms of neurotoxicity, including phosphodiesterase enzymes, tubulin mutations, and creatine metabolism. Dr. Vorhees maintains a long-standing collaboration with Dr. Michael T. Williams, with whom he has co-authored over 100 publications. Dr. Vorhees has contributed significantly to regulatory science through commentaries on developmental neurotoxicity testing standards, advocating for more comprehensive cognitive assessment in regulatory studies to better protect child health. His laboratory employs sophisticated behavioral paradigms including the Cincinnati Water Maze for egocentric navigation and Morris Water Maze for allocentric learning, with particular expertise in dissecting how developmental exposures alter specific cognitive domains rather than producing generalized deficits.
Michael K. Georgieff is a Professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School's Department of Pediatrics and the Institute of Child Development. He holds the Martin Lenz Harrison Land Grant Chair in Pediatrics, serves as Executive Vice Chair of Pediatrics, and directs the Center for Neurobehavioral Development and co-directs the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain. His work bridges clinical neonatology and developmental neuroscience, focusing on fetal/neonatal nutrition's lifelong impact on brain function. MD from Washington University in St. Louis Completed neonatal fellowship at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Minnesota Dr. Georgieff investigates how early life nutritional factors, particularly iron, shape brain development and cognitive outcomes. His research identifies critical developmental windows, explores epigenetic mechanisms, and links neonatal adversity to lifelong mental health risks. Current projects examine antibiotic exposure effects on memory and interventions for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. His publications (over 250) reflect collaborations with international organizations like UNICEF and WHO, emphasizing nutrition policy. Key studies include genetic models of iron deficiency, longitudinal choline trials, and cross-population analyses of growth stunting. Scientific Recognition Martin Lenz Harrison Land Grant Chair As a principal investigator continuously funded by NIH since 1992, Dr. Georgieff mentors through multiple training grants (MSTP, GPN, CTSI) and welcomes new PhD co-advising opportunities in 2026. His lab collaborates with the Center for Neurobehavioral Development and international research groups to translate findings from bench to policy.
Dr. Sylia Wilson is an Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota's Institute of Child Development. She leads the Family Cognitive Affective Neurodevelopment (Fam CAN) Lab, focusing on developmental psychopathology through multimodal methodologies. BA in Psychology and English, Macalester College (2002) MS and PhD in Clinical Psychology, Northwestern University (2009, 2012) Her research integrates developmental, clinical, and neuroscience approaches to study psychopathology etiology across lifespan stages. Key areas include: Major depression and substance abuse comorbidity Neurodevelopmental vulnerability periods Genetically informative study designs Multimodal neurocognitive assessment Preventive intervention strategies Recent publications examine: 2024: Sociodemographic reporting in psychopathology research 2023: Substance use hippocampal consequences 2022: Cannabis legalization effects on parenting Scientific recognition includes the prestigious McKnight Land-Grant Professorship. The Fam CAN Lab employs longitudinal twin studies to investigate environmental adversity's neurodevelopmental impacts.
Carolina Muguruza Millán is a Teaching and Research Staff member at the Department of Medicine , Faculty of Health Sciences , University of Deusto . She teaches undergraduate programs in Medicine and Nursing . Accredited by UNIBASQ as Associate Professor and Doctoral Researcher , her research focuses on molecular and epigenetic mechanisms in psychiatric disorders , with special interest in schizophrenia , the endocannabinoid system , and cognitive effects of psychotropic drugs . Her educational background includes a PhD in Pharmacology (2013) and a Master's in Pharmacology (2009) from the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) , followed by postdoctoral research at Neurocentre Magendie (INSERM, France) . She leads the Interuniversity Doctoral Program in Health, Well-being, and Bioethics and has directed projects like Schizo-EPICOG (European Commission MSCA funding). Key research areas include: Epigenetic regulation in schizophrenia Molecular mechanisms of antipsychotic drugs Endocannabinoid system in mental disorders Imidazoline I2 receptor ligands for neurodegenerative diseases Sex differences in cannabinoid effects Neuroinflammation in cognitive deficits Article trends reveal consistent contributions to: Neuropharmacology (13 papers) Medicinal Chemistry (9 papers) Neuroscience (7 papers) She collaborates with leading researchers like Luis Felipe Callado Hernando and José Javier Meana Martínez , and her work appears in journals such as Nature Neuroscience , Journal of Medicinal Chemistry , and Translational Psychiatry . Current projects focus on molecular evaluation of neuroinflammatory signaling , translational animal models of schizophrenia , and pharmacological regulation of epigenetic mechanisms . Her work bridges basic neuroscience and clinical pharmacology , with emphasis on diagnostic radiotracers and novel therapeutic targets .
Mandy Brown Belfort, M.D. is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, specializing in neonatal nutrition and preterm infant development. Her research focuses on optimizing human milk feeding for vulnerable infants, with particular emphasis on brain development and growth outcomes. Dr. Belfort's research interests center on preterm infant nutrition , specifically examining how human milk composition influences growth, body composition, and neurological development in premature infants. Her work investigates the role of specific milk components (including oligosaccharides, lactoferrin, and macronutrients) in promoting optimal outcomes, while addressing health disparities in neonatal care access and implementation. She employs both clinical and translational approaches to bridge laboratory findings with bedside applications in the NICU. Analysis of Dr. Belfort's recent publications reveals a strong focus on human milk science and preterm infant outcomes . Her work spans from basic milk composition analysis to large multicenter clinical studies across diverse populations (including Bangladesh and Brazil). Key themes include the development of brain-specific nutritional indicators, precision fortification approaches, and understanding how early nutritional interventions affect long-term neurodevelopment. Her research increasingly incorporates advanced methodologies like point-of-care milk analysis and sophisticated neuroimaging. R01HD112751 (2023-2028): Infant diet and cardiometabolic risk among children born preterm (PI) R01HD111016 (2022-2026): Development of a brain-specific nutritional status indicator for very preterm infants (PI) R01HD097327 (2019-2024): Targeting human milk fortification to improve preterm infant growth and brain development (PI) K23DK083817 (2008-2014): Balancing the Risk and Benefits of Rapid Weight Gain in Infancy (PI) Dr. Belfort leads a multidisciplinary research team that includes neonatologists, nutrition scientists, neuroimagers, and epidemiologists. Her work involves collaborations with international research groups and participation in major consortia focused on newborn brain development. Current projects examine how human milk components influence brain growth trajectories and develop practical tools for individualized nutritional support in the NICU.
Katherine Bell is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Brigham and Women's Hospital , affiliated with Harvard Medical School . Her research focuses on neonatology , preterm infant development , and human milk nutrition . Institution: Brigham and Women's Hospital Academic Rank: Assistant Professor of Pediatrics Research Affiliation: Harvard Medical School Research Interests: Katherine Bell investigates body composition metrics , brain development in preterm infants , and nutritional optimization through human milk analysis . Her work spans neonatal care , macronutrient impacts , and neuroimaging techniques like MRI and diffusion tensor imaging . Publication Trends (2017-2024): Her 15 most recent publications address pediatric nutrition , preterm infant growth , and neonatal brain injury . Key journals include J Perinatol , Nutrients , and Pediatr Res . Collaborations with researchers like Mandy Belfort and Terrie Inder highlight her interdisciplinary approach. Networks & Tools: Dr. Bell's work involves magnetic resonance imaging , clinical utility frameworks , and quality improvement initiatives in neonatal care . She has contributed to international newborn brain conferences and pioneered point-of-care milk analysis for preterm infant nutrition .
