Andrea Reiter is a Professor at the Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, holding the W1-Professur für Lernprozesse in der Entwicklungspsychiatrie, Psychotherapie und Prävention. Her research focuses on decision-making processes in clinical populations, lifespan changes, and the impact of stress/social influences. She employs computational modeling combined with fMRI and EEG. Education: Dr. rer. nat. (summa cum laude, 2016) from University of Leipzig, Master of Advanced Studies in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (University of Bern), and Diploma in Psychology from Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (2012). She also studied Literature and Educational Sciences alongside Psychology. Professional Experience includes a research position at TU Dresden (since 2015), guest research at Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences (since 2015), and PhD work at IMPRS NeuroCom (2012-2015). She has clinical experience as a Psychologist at Kreiskrankenhaus Tauberbischofsheim. Research Awards: Austrian Academy Grant (2016), Poster Award (2014), DZ Banken Career Prize (2013), and IMPRS PhD stipend (2012-2015). Her publications (2013-2016) emphasize neuroimaging studies on decision-making deficits in disorders like binge eating and alcohol dependence, with methodological strengths in computational modeling and EEG/fMRI integration.
Univ-Prof. Dr. med. Malek Bajbouj serves as Director of the Institute for Affective Neuroscience and Emotion Modulation at Charité – University Medicine Berlin's Campus Benjamin Franklin (CBF), operating within the Department of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry (CC 15). His position integrates clinical leadership with translational neuroscience research focused on severe mental illnesses. Dr. Bajbouj's research program centers on affective neuroscience and emotion dysregulation mechanisms in psychiatric disorders, particularly schizophrenia spectrum conditions and depression. He pioneers multimodal intervention approaches combining neuromodulation (tDCS), oxytocin augmentation, mindfulness therapies, and digital health tools. His work emphasizes translational biomarker development using neuroimaging, machine learning, and physiological stress parameter analysis to personalize treatment for treatment-resistant populations. Analysis of his 2023-2025 publications reveals three dominant research trajectories: (1) novel treatment combinations for negative symptoms in schizophrenia (oxytocin + mindfulness, yoga therapy); (2) real-world implementation of neuromodulation (at-home tDCS protocols, technical efficacy monitoring); and (3) global mental health responses to crises (pandemic impacts on vulnerable groups, culturally adapted refugee interventions). His methodology consistently employs rigorous randomized controlled trials with embedded biomarker studies. As director of his eponymous institute, Dr. Bajbouj leads a multidisciplinary team conducting neuroimaging studies, clinical trials, and international collaborations focused on emotion modulation pathways. The institute coordinates research across CC 15's clinical infrastructure at CBF Building V, with particular emphasis on bridging laboratory neuroscience with clinical psychiatry through the DepressionDC and OXYMIND trial frameworks.
Dr. Daniel Keeser is a Research Fellow and Research Group Leader at the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy of the University of Munich (LMU) and affiliated with the NeuroImaging Core Unit Munich (NICUM). His work focuses on clinical deep phenotyping and multimodal neuroimaging, integrating advanced MRI, EEG, and non-invasive brain stimulation methods to study severe mental and neurological disorders. Research Interests: Elucidating neurobiological mechanisms of schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and Alzheimer's disease through multimodal neuroimaging and neuromodulation. His recent publications highlight methodologies like resting-state fMRI, diffusion tensor imaging, and transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with MRI, emphasizing personalized treatment strategies. Collaborative affiliations include the University Hospital of LMU Munich and the Clinical Deep Phenotyping (CDP) Working Group. Affiliations: NeuroImaging Core Unit Munich (NICUM) Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Munich (LMU)
Prof. Dr. Axel Mecklinger is a leading cognitive neuroscientist at Saarland University , specializing in the neurocognition of memory and language through spatiotemporal brain imaging (EEG/MEG/fMRI). His career spans over three decades, with significant contributions to understanding visual working memory , associative recognition , and memory development . Key research areas: Memory binding, ERP subsequent memory effects, novelty detection, and cognitive aging Major grants: DFG Research Groups, Collaborative Research Centers, and international collaborations with the Chinese Academy of Sciences Scientific leadership: Organized conferences, edited journals, and served as speaker for research training groups His recent work explores unitization in memory formation , cross-cultural differences in memory processing , and theta neurofeedback interventions . Awards include the Early Career Award of the German Psychophysiology Society (1992) and the European Federation of Psychophysiology Societies' Federation Prize (1994). Current projects investigate the neural mechanisms of semantic surprisal and memory plasticity in aging populations.
Jeffrey D. Schall is the E. Bronson Ingram Professor of Neuroscience at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, where he has been a faculty member since 1989. His research focuses on the neural mechanisms underlying executive control, visual attention, and decision-making processes, particularly in relation to eye movements and cortical processing. Research Interests: Dr. Schall's work centers on cognitive neuroscience, with emphasis on how the brain controls attention, resolves conflict, and regulates speed versus accuracy in decision-making. He investigates neural correlates of error detection, distractor inhibition, and oculomotor control using electrophysiological and behavioral methods in primates and humans. His studies often involve the supplementary eye field and medial frontal cortical areas. Recent Research Trends: Analysis of his recent publications shows a strong focus on cortical mechanisms of cognitive control, including theta-band error signals, distractor positivity, and neural dynamics of speed-accuracy trade-offs. His work bridges experimental neuroscience with theoretical models of attention and executive function. Scientific Awards: E. Bronson Ingram Professor of Neuroscience Advising and Grants: While specific students and grants are not listed in the provided text, Dr. Schall leads an active research program with extensive publication output and editorial engagement. His long tenure and named professorship suggest a history of successful mentoring and external funding. Labs and Teams: Though no lab name is provided, Dr. Schall directs a neuroscience research group at Vanderbilt focused on cognitive control and visual processing. He collaborates widely with experts in attention, perception, and cognitive neuroscience across institutions.
Dr. Leif Langsdorf is a Researcher at the Department of Psychology within the Faculty of Philosophy I at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg. His work focuses on cognitive processes related to multitasking, motivation, and cognitive control, utilizing both behavioral methods and electrophysiological techniques including EEG. Langsdorf's research interests center on understanding how motivation affects multitasking abilities, particularly examining how reward processing influences cognitive control in dual-task situations. His work investigates whether motivated individuals show faster reaction times in simple response tasks and explores the underlying cognitive processes that enable this enhanced performance. His research employs a range of methodologies from cognitive psychology and EEG to examine the physiological processes during multitasking. His publication record shows a consistent focus on reward effects in dual-task paradigms, with recent work examining the neural correlates of task switching, temporal dynamics of reward utilization, and the application of neuromodulation techniques like tDCS to influence task coordination. His research has appeared in journals including Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, Attention Perception & Psychophysics, and Acta Psychologica. Langsdorf actively supervises thesis work on multitasking and motivation, guiding students through research on how motivation impacts multitasking capabilities. His work has been presented at multiple conferences including TeaP (Experimental Psychology conference) and HexKop. He collaborates extensively with Prof. Torsten Schubert and other researchers at the university, including Sebastian Kübler, Daniel Darnstaedt, and Maryam Talarposhti, forming part of a research group focused on cognitive control and task switching phenomena.
Surjo R. Soekadar is the Einstein Professor of Clinical Neurotechnology at Charité – University Medicine Berlin. He leads the Clinical Neurotechnology Laboratory , which focuses on developing noninvasive neurotechnologies for treating neurological and psychiatric disorders through closed-loop brain stimulation and advanced brain-machine interfaces (BCI/BMI). His work integrates real-time EEG/MEG monitoring with electromagnetic stimulation to modulate pathological brain oscillations and enhance neuroplasticity in conditions like stroke, spinal cord injury, and psychiatric disorders. Education : Studied medicine in Mainz, Heidelberg, and Baltimore Clinical Training : Residency in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at University of Tübingen Academic Journey : 2008-2011 Research Fellow at NINDS (USA); 2017 Venia Legendi at University of Tübingen; 2018 First Professor of Clinical Neurotechnology in Germany His research interests span: • Closed-loop neurostimulation combining real-time brain state monitoring with targeted intervention • Next-generation BCI using optically pumped magnetometers (OPM) for mobile MEG recordings • Neurorehabilitation through exoskeleton control and sensory feedback • Neurophysiological modeling of entropy measures and phase flows Recent publications highlight: • Adaptive deep brain stimulation protocols • Real-time phase-sensitive tACS applications • OPM-based BCI innovations • Stroke recovery mechanisms through corticospinal tract analysis Scientific recognition includes: International BCI Research Award BIOMAG Award NARSAD Young Investigator Award Funded by the European Research Council (ERC) , his lab trains doctoral students like David Haslacher (EEG/MEG integration), Khaled Nasr (multicoil TMS optimization), and Annalisa Colucci (entropy-driven BCI development). The team also explores quantum AI applications in clinical decision-making and bidirectional BCI systems using OPM and tES.
Dr. Julia Mierau is a researcher at the Institute of Movement and Neuroscience, German Sport University Cologne. She is actively involved in projects related to digitalization in sports teacher education, cognitive performance, and exercise neuroscience. Her work bridges pedagogy and neuroscience, with a strong focus on EEG, motor performance, and digital learning tools. Institution: German Sport University Cologne Department: Institute of Movement and Neuroscience Email: j.mierau@dshs-koeln.de Phone: +49 221 4982-8613 Her research interests include electroencephalography, cognitive performance, exercise psychology, sports pedagogy, and digital media in education. She investigates how physical activity influences brain function and learning, particularly in educational contexts. The recent publications reflect a strong trend in digital innovation in sports education, EEG-based monitoring of exercise effects, and cognitive performance in athletes and children. Her work combines experimental neuroscience with practical pedagogical applications. Scientific Awards: ECSS Young Investigators Award (2011) Fellowship for Digital Higher Education Innovation (2019) Graduiertenstipendium (2007) Reisestipendium (2011, 2014) Dr. Mierau has been principal or co-investigator in multiple externally funded projects, including ComeSport, ComeIn, and S.P.O.R.T.S., focusing on digital competence development in teacher training. She also served as co-editor of the Journal for Study and Teaching in Sports Science in 2021 and 2022, demonstrating academic leadership. She collaborates extensively with researchers such as Jens Kleinert, Heiko Strüder, and Andreas Mierau, contributing to a robust network in sports neuroscience and pedagogy.
Hauke Heekeren is a full Professor in the Division of Biological Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience within the Department of Education and Psychology at Freie Universität Berlin. He leads a research group focused on the neural mechanisms underlying human decision-making, emotion regulation, and social cognition, utilizing neuroimaging and computational approaches. His research interests center on understanding how the human brain processes value, makes perceptual and economic decisions, regulates emotions, and engages with social environments, including digital platforms like social media. His work integrates methods from cognitive neuroscience, psychology, and computational modeling to explore fundamental aspects of brain function. The recent publications highlight a strong trend in investigating decision-making under uncertainty, the neural valuation system, emotion regulation strategies, and the social brain. His studies frequently employ fMRI and behavioral paradigms to dissect the prefrontal-striatal and fronto-parietal circuits involved in cognition. Over time, his research has expanded from basic perceptual decisions to complex social and economic behaviors. While no specific awards are listed in the provided content, his publication record in top-tier journals such as Nature Human Behaviour , Nature Neuroscience , and PNAS reflects significant scientific impact and recognition in the field of cognitive neuroscience. As a principal investigator, he likely supervises graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, though no named students are listed. His work is supported by research grants, implied by his extensive publication output and institutional position, though specific funding sources are not detailed in the provided text. He is affiliated with the Division of Biological Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience at Freie Universität Berlin, where he conducts research using advanced neuroimaging techniques to explore the neural basis of human behavior.
Daniela Sammler is an Adjunct Professor at Goethe University Frankfurt and Research Group Leader of the Neurocognition of Music and Language research group at the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics in Frankfurt/Main. She has established herself as a leading researcher at the intersection of music cognition, language processing, and neuroscience, with a particular focus on prosody, syntax, and the neural mechanisms underlying both speech and musical processing. Education 2025: Adjunct Professor, Goethe University Frankfurt/M. 2022: Venia Legendi, Goethe University Frankfurt/M. 2018: Habilitation and Venia Legendi, University of Leipzig (Topic: Intonation in speech and music) 2004-2008: Dr. rer. nat. in Psychology, University of Leipzig and MPI for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig (Topic: Syntax in language and music) 1997-2004: Psychology studies at University of Leipzig and Université Louis Pasteur, Strasbourg (Diploma from Leipzig) Research Interests Daniela Sammler's research focuses on the neurocognitive foundations of music and language processing , with particular emphasis on how prosody, melody, and syntax are represented and processed in the brain. Her work explores the common neural mechanisms underlying speech and music, investigating how the brain processes intonation patterns in both domains. She has made significant contributions to understanding the dorsal and ventral pathways for prosody and the neuroanatomical overlap of syntax processing in music and language. Her research employs a variety of methodologies including fMRI, EEG, intracranial ERP studies, and behavioral experiments with both healthy participants and patient populations. She has conducted groundbreaking work on amusia and language disorders , prosodic structure building , and the neural bases of musical joint action . Analysis of her recent publications reveals a growing focus on interpersonal musical interaction, interbrain synchrony, and the cognitive mechanisms underlying collaborative music-making. Scientific Awards Gold Medal for outstanding achievements in the preservation of historic monuments in Europe (2012) Otto Hahn Medal of the Max Planck Society (2010) Otto Hahn Award of the Max Planck Society (2010) Poster Award, Organization of Human Brain Mapping (2010) Research Leadership and Grants Since 2020, Dr. Sammler has led the Neurocognition of Music and Language research group at the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics. Prior to this, she headed the Otto Hahn Group Neural Bases of Intonation in Speech and Music at the MPI for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences from 2013-2020, which was funded through her Otto Hahn Award. Her research has been supported by prestigious grants from the Max Planck Society and other funding bodies, enabling her to establish cutting-edge research programs at the intersection of music, language, and neuroscience. She currently leads multiple research projects including "Neural Networks for Real-Time Joint Music Performance: Piano duos in the MR-scanner" and "Cognitive drivers of interbrain synchrony during musical interaction," which investigate the complex cognitive and neural processes underlying musical collaboration. Her research group has also explored how vocal tone carries information about emotional state and speaker intention through prosody. Research Environment Dr. Sammler's research group operates within the Department of Music at the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics in Frankfurt. Her lab employs state-of-the-art neuroimaging techniques including fMRI, EEG, and intracranial recordings to investigate the neural substrates of music and language processing. The research environment fosters interdisciplinary collaboration between neuroscientists, linguists, musicologists, and cognitive scientists, creating a rich intellectual space for exploring the complex relationships between music and language.
Prof. Philippe Tobler is an Associate Professor of Neuroeconomics and Social Neuroscience at the Department of Economics, University of Zurich. His research focuses on the neural mechanisms underlying decision making, reward learning, and social behavior, particularly studying brain structures like the dopaminergic midbrain, striatum, and prefrontal cortex. He employs functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and pharmacological interventions to investigate how economic reward parameters (e.g., risk, delay, probability) are processed in the brain. His work also explores individual differences in reward processing and the implications for conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Tobler has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, including studies on social threat learning, testosterone's impact on social behavior, and the role of neurotransmitters in decision-making processes. He collaborates with institutions like the Zurich Center for Neuroeconomics and teaches courses on decision neuroscience and neuroeconomics.
Christian Büchel is a Professor in the Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurobiology at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE). He holds a faculty position within the Medical Faculty of Hamburg University. His research focuses on understanding brain mechanisms underlying pain, placebo/nocebo effects, and psychiatric disorders using advanced neuroimaging techniques. He leads studies on brain-body interactions, developmental neuroscience, and translational neurology. Key research areas include structural and functional MRI investigations of pain modulation, addiction, and stress responses. He has contributed to multi-center neuroimaging studies and pioneered methods for spinal cord imaging. His work integrates cognitive neuroscience principles with clinical applications, particularly in chronic pain management and mental health. Büchel's recent studies explore how environmental factors (e.g., urban green spaces) influence brain structure, and he investigates neural correlates of resilience to substance use in adolescents. He collaborates internationally on projects like the IMAGEN study and the ENIGMA consortium, emphasizing reproducibility in neuroimaging research. His publications span over 20 years, with a focus on brain network dynamics, decision-making processes, and translational neuroscience. He actively contributes to developing open-access neuroimaging standards and has authored seminal papers on placebo mechanisms and brain plasticity.
Myriam C. Sander is a faculty member at the International Max Planck Research School on the Life Course (LIFE) and the Berlin School of Mind and Brain, affiliated with the Max Planck Institute for Human Development. Her research focuses on lifespan changes in memory processes, neural oscillations, and cognitive aging. PhD in Natural Sciences (2011), Humboldt University Berlin MSc in Psychology (2007), Humboldt University Berlin Her research interests include: Development of perception and memory across the lifespan Working and episodic memory mechanisms Neuronal correlates of aging (oscillations and activity patterns) Multivariate MRI/EEG methods Her recent publications analyze age-related differences in: Theta-gamma coupling precision Neural pattern similarity Alpha/beta desynchronization Memory consolidation during sleep Cortical and hippocampal structural integrity She advises doctoral students including Charlotte Pauley and Anna E. Karlsson.
Prof. Simone Schütz-Bosbach is a Professor of Experimental Neuro-Cognitive Psychology at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), leading the Body Social Cognition & Action Lab. Her research focuses on human sensation, perception, and action using methodologies like fMRI, EEG, and TMS. She has held academic positions at institutions including the Max Planck Society and Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg. Her awards include the Otto Hahn Medal (2004) and a Heisenberg Fellowship (2013). Education: Diploma in Psychology (University of Bonn, 2000), PhD (LMU Munich, 2004), Habilitation (FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, 2015). Research interests include cognitive neuroscience of action, self-other distinction, and body perception. She has explored topics like sensory attenuation, interoceptive processing, and neural mechanisms of agency. Publications span 20+ years, with recent works on social evaluative stress, cardiac-phase effects on motor inhibition, and neural dynamics in belief updating. Her lab investigates the interplay between interoception, action, and social cognition. She collaborates internationally and engages in interdisciplinary research, bridging neuroscience and psychology. Awards and memberships include the Junge Akademie (2008–2013), Leopoldina (2008–2013), and VolkswagenStiftung-funded European Platform for Life Sciences. Her work emphasizes embodied cognition and predictive coding frameworks to understand self-representation and action.
Michel Besserve is a Senior Research Scientist in the Empirical Inference department at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Tübingen, Germany. His research bridges machine learning theory with applications in neuroscience and complex systems analysis. He leads a research group focused on developing causal machine learning tools to uncover the internal structure and transformations of complex artificial, physical, and socioeconomic systems. Dr. Besserve's primary research interests center on causal machine learning and its applications to understanding complex systems. His work investigates how causality can provide principled ways to study and improve AI algorithms, particularly focusing on the identifiability of causal models and the principle of Independence of Causal Mechanisms (ICM). He develops theoretical frameworks and practical tools for causal inference in complex equilibrium systems, neural circuits, and socioeconomic contexts. His research has significant implications for building trustworthy and interpretable AI systems that can reliably handle real-world complexity. Analysis of Dr. Besserve's recent publications reveals a strong focus on causal representation learning, with significant contributions to independent mechanism analysis and the identifiability of nonlinear generative models. His work spans both theoretical foundations and practical applications, connecting machine learning with neuroscience to understand brain function through causal inference. The interdisciplinary nature of his research is evident in publications spanning top machine learning conferences (NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR) and leading neuroscience journals (Nature, PLOS Biology). Dr. Besserve has established productive collaborations across multiple institutions, particularly with researchers at the Max Planck Institute and ETH Zurich. His work demonstrates how integrating causal principles with machine learning can address fundamental challenges in AI robustness and interpretability, with applications ranging from brain network analysis to economic modeling. His research group focuses on developing the Causal Computational Model (CCM) framework, which aims to create digital representations of real-world systems that integrate data, domain knowledge, and interpretable causal structure. This work has potential applications in climate modeling, industrial digital twins, and economic simulation.
