Jens Edlund is a Professor at KTH Royal Institute of Technology's Division of Speech, Music and Hearing. His research focuses on speech technology, dialogue systems, prosody, and evolutionary phonetics. He has contributed to foundational work on speech synthesis, conversational interaction, and multimodal corpora like the D64 corpus. Key projects include the MonAMI Reminder system and analysis of primate vocalizations to understand speech evolution. Edlund has collaborated extensively with global researchers, producing over 150 peer-reviewed works. His work integrates computational methods with linguistic and biological insights, emphasizing human-like dialogue systems and cross-species vocal analysis. Education: Ph.D. in Speech Technology (2011, KTH) Grants: Multiple EU and Swedish Research Council grants for speech technology and interdisciplinary studies Research labs include the KTH Speech, Music and Hearing Lab and collaborations with institutions like Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. Current work explores evolutionary origins of speech biomechanics and AI-driven speech synthesis evaluation.
Nicolas Mathevon is a Professor at the University of Saint-Etienne, with a focus on Animal Behavior and Bioacoustics . He currently serves as Director of Studies at Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes and leads the ENES Team . His research explores acoustic communication across diverse species, including crocodiles, seals, penguins, and humans, with particular emphasis on vocal recognition, signal evolution, and neurobiological underpinnings. Major collaborations include Dr. T. Aubin (CNRS), Dr. I. Charrier (marine mammals), Dr. N. Grimault (crocodilian bioacoustics), and Prof. D. Reby (human communication). He also co-edits a new book, The Voices of Nature , published by Princeton University Press. His recent work spans ecoacoustic monitoring for conservation, multi-modal communication in crocodiles, and cross-species analysis of distress signals in bonobos, chimps, and humans. Neurobiological studies include brain activation patterns in response to vocalizations and sound localization mechanisms in reptiles. Scientific Awards include senior membership in the Institut universitaire de France .
Kelly Arnold is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan. Her research integrates systems engineering principles with immunology to investigate variability in immune responses across infection, vaccination, and injury, with a focus on computational modeling and clinical translation. Research Focus Systems-level immune response modeling Vaccination and antibody functionality Vaginal microbiome-host interactions Chronic lung disease progression Computational serology and proteomics Recent Work Her 2025 studies examine SARS-CoV-2 vaccination responses in cancer patients and computational frameworks for vaginal probiotics. Earlier works (2024-2007) span COPD progression, lupus fibrosis, HIV susceptibility, and tissue engineering for fertility preservation. Methodologies include proteomic profiling, network modeling, and microfluidic systems.
Krista Milich is an Assistant Professor of Biological Anthropology at Washington University in St. Louis, specializing in primate behavioral ecology and socioendocrinology. She holds a PhD from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and has conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Chicago and the University of Texas at Austin. Her work integrates field studies with laboratory analyses to understand primate social systems, reproductive strategies, and conservation challenges. Her research focuses on reproductive physiology, sexual selection, and zoonotic diseases in nonhuman primates. Key projects include long-term studies of red colobus monkeys in Uganda’s Kibale National Park, collaborative community conservation efforts to reduce human-wildlife conflict, and investigations into Zika virus in Amazonian primates. She also examines hormonal correlates in spider monkeys and woolly monkeys, linking social behavior to ecological and physiological factors. Her academic trajectory includes postdoctoral fellowships at the Institute for Mind and Biology (University of Chicago) and the Department of Anthropology (UT Austin), where she expanded into genetics and microbiome research. Her lab emphasizes comparative approaches to primate behavioral ecology, with fieldwork in Africa, South America, and Puerto Rico.
Aylwyn Scally is a researcher at the Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, specializing in human evolutionary genetics and ancestry. His work focuses on computational and mathematical models of genome evolution, leveraging population-scale datasets and archeogenetic evidence to explore ancient human populations and their spatial dynamics. University: University of Cambridge Department: Department of Genetics Fields of Interest: Human Evolutionary Genetics, Population Genetics, Ancestry Analysis, Paleobiology, Environmental Genomics, Genome Evolution Scally's research integrates spatial dynamics into genetic models, offering insights into demographic, social, and cultural factors in ancient populations. His methodologies have broader applications for studying other species as genomic data becomes available. Recent publications highlight his work on mutation rate analysis, historical migration patterns, and ancestral population structures. These studies often employ computational simulations and large-scale genomic datasets to address evolutionary questions. He is associated with the Cambridge NERC Doctoral Landscape Awards (CREATES) and C-CLEAR DTP, contributing to training and collaborative research in genetics and environmental genomics.
Konstantinos Anastassiadis is a Professor at the Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB) of Dresden University of Technology , leading the Stem Cell Engineering group at the Biotechnology Center (BIOTEC) . His research focuses on unraveling molecular pathways regulating stem cell self-renewal and lineage commitment, with a strong emphasis on genetic engineering tool development and epigenetic mechanisms during cellular reprogramming. The lab utilizes mouse and human embryonic stem cells, neural stem cells, mesenchymal stromal cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in their investigations. Core Research Areas: Molecular regulation of stem cell fate Epigenetic mechanisms (e.g., UTX/UTY histone demethylases) Genetic engineering tool development (Flp, Dre, Vika recombinases, CRISPR protocols) Conditional immortalization systems for rare cell expansion Publications highlight his contributions to understanding: Role of histone methyltransferases (MLL1, MLL2, Setd1b) in hematopoiesis and cancer Epigenetic regulation during mouse development and spermatogenesis Genetic tools for protein tagging, transposon-mediated BAC transgenesis Interactions between stem cells and niche microenvironments Transcriptional and mechanical markers during reprogramming Collaborations span immunology , developmental biology , and bioinformatics . The lab actively participates in teaching activities at CMCB and maintains a focus on translational applications of stem cell research.
Mona Singh is a Professor of Computer Science at Princeton University, with affiliations to the Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics and the Department of Molecular Biology. She has been a faculty member since 1999. Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1995 A.B. and S.M. degrees in Computer Science from Harvard University Her research focuses on computational molecular biology, integrating machine learning and algorithms to analyze biological networks, protein interactions, and mutational impacts. Key areas include DNA/RNA binding prediction, protein structure analysis, and network-based disease gene discovery. Her recent work highlights trends in protein language models, kinase-substrate prediction, and equitable MHC binding algorithms. These span sub-fields like structural bioinformatics, network biology, and functional genomics. Scientific Awards: Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) Rheinstein Junior Faculty Award ACM Fellow (2019) ISCB Fellow (2018) She has taught an introductory computational biology course with Professor Coleen Murphy, covering sequence analysis, phylogenetics, and network reconstruction. Her group has developed tools like dPUC , nCOP , and DiffMut . Her lab collaborates with institutions including Carnegie Mellon, Duke University, and the Broad Institute, advancing applications in cancer genomics, metabolic disease, and precision medicine.
George Perry is a Professor of Anthropology at Pennsylvania State University, with research intersections in Biology, Evolutionary Medicine, and Genomics. He is affiliated with the Huck Institutes' Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Ecology, Molecular Cellular and Integrative Biosciences, and Bioinformatics and Genomics programs. Perry directs the Anthropological Genomics Lab , focusing on paleogenomics and evolutionary adaptation. Research areas: anthropological genomics, parasite evolution, human body size transitions, and evolutionary medicine Key collaborations: international teams in Madagascar, Europe, and Africa Leadership: Bioinformatics and Genomics Chair (2019–2023) His 2025–2022 publications span evolutionary responses to invasive species, human migration health impacts, chemosensory gene adaptation, and primate genomic diversity. Notable methodological contributions include ancient DNA recovery and comparative paleogenomics. Perry advises graduate students like Vanessa Garcia and Annette Mercedes, with grants including NIH support for Cuban health disparity studies. Scientific leadership includes tenure-line promotions (2023) and NASA Space Grant collaborations.
Dr. Rachel Carmody is the Thomas D. Cabot Associate Professor of Human Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University, affiliated with the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on energy metabolism, gut microbiome interactions, and their evolutionary implications. She leads the Nutritional & Microbial Ecology Lab, exploring how diet, genetics, and microbial communities influence human energy dynamics. Her work integrates evolutionary biology, physiology, and metagenomics to address questions about human uniqueness in digestion, maternal-offspring energy conflicts, and non-caloric dietary components. Office: Museum of Comparative Zoology 542; Email: carmody@fas.harvard.edu. Key research themes include gut microbiome-modulated obesity, placental hormone roles in pregnancy metabolism, and dietary digestibility frameworks. She also investigates evolutionary shifts in gut microbiota during human industrialization and animal domestication. Her lab employs mouse models, comparative studies, and multiomics approaches to dissect host-microbial interactions. Recent articles highlight microbiome effects on exercise-induced weight changes, antibiotic-induced obesity mechanisms, and cross-cultural dietary comparisons. While no awards are explicitly listed, her prolific publications reflect sustained impact in nutritional and evolutionary microbiology. No student advisees or grants are detailed in the provided text.
Dr. Jacinta C. Beehner is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology & Psychology at the University of Michigan. Her research focuses on sexual conflict theory, reproductive strategies in primates, and the physiological and behavioral mechanisms underlying these dynamics. She directs the Core Assay Facility/Beehner Endocrine Laboratory and co-directs the Simien Mountains Gelada Research Project, Capuchins at Taboga, and the Evolution and Human Adaptations Program. Her work examines non-human primates like geladas, capuchins, and baboons in natural African and American habitats. Key themes include infanticide avoidance, hormonal responses to environmental stress, and the evolutionary implications of reproductive trade-offs. Recent studies highlight the impact of climate change on primate health, the role of social status in parasite resistance, and hormonal adaptations to high-altitude environments. Beehner has contributed to over 60 peer-reviewed articles since 2015, spanning topics from primate social networks to genomic adaptations. Her fieldwork emphasizes integrative methods combining endocrinology, genetics, and behavioral observation. She has presented at international forums like the National Geographic Explorer’s Festival and collaborates across disciplines to advance primate conservation and evolutionary biology.
Carolyn Parkinson is an Associate Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), holding the Bernice Wenzel and Wendell Jeffrey Term Endowed Chair in Cognitive Neuroscience. Her research integrates social psychology with computational neuroscience to explore how the human brain represents, navigates, and shapes social environments. University: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Academic Rank: Associate Professor Research Focus: Social and Affective Neuroscience, Social Network Analysis, Neural Mechanisms of Psychological Distance At the Computational Social Neuroscience Lab , Parkinson investigates: Neural encoding of social network structures Shared mechanisms for spatial, temporal, and social distance perception Computational modeling of social cognition Functional MRI analysis of social relationships Her work reveals that: Resting-state brain connectivity predicts social proximity Multivoxel patterns decode social knowledge representations Old cortical structures repurpose spatial processing for social cognition Neural population coding transcends historical phrenology-based approaches Notable awards include the Bernice Wenzel and Wendell Jeffrey Term Endowed Chair. She employs machine learning and social network theory to analyze distributed brain activity patterns, advancing understanding of human social behavior and cognition.
Dr. Alastair Key serves as Director of Studies in Archaeology and Official Fellow in Archaeology at Queens' College, University of Cambridge. His research bridges Paleolithic archaeology, stone tool technology, and hominin behavioral evolution through experimental and computational approaches. Director of Studies and Official Fellow at Queens' College, Cambridge Specializes in Paleolithic stone tool analysis, Acheulean technology, and hominin adaptation Conducts experimental archaeology and computational modelling to assess tool functionality Key's research focuses on Acheulean handaxe production , lithic microwear patterns , and ergonomic constraints in prehistoric tool use . He has extensively published on topics including glacial-stage hominin occupations , Oldowan toolmakers , and machine learning applications to archaeological analysis . His recent publications (2025-2023) span diverse subfields: Acheulean chronology , hominin tool use biomechanics , experimental projectile testing , and computational morphometric methods . The work often integrates multidisciplinary datasets and open-source analytical tools to address fundamental questions about human technological evolution. Current research directions include stone tool sharpness quantification , handaxe social signaling potential , and cross-species tool use comparisons through primate studies.
Kep Kee Loh is a Senior Tutor in the Department of Psychology at the National University of Singapore (NUS). Currently, he also holds an NUS Overseas Postdoctoral Fellowship position at both the Montreal Neurological Institute (McGill University) and the University of Oxford. His research focuses on comparative primate neuroanatomy, examining what makes the human brain special compared to other primates through multimodal MRI techniques. Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Université Claude Bernard Lyon I (2014-2018) M.Sc. in Cognitive Neuroscience from University College London (2011-2012) B.Soc.Sci. (Hons.) in Psychology from National University of Singapore (2007-2011) Dr. Loh's research primarily investigates the anatomical organization of brains across humans and various primate species including chimpanzees, baboons, and macaques. He employs different magnetic resonance imaging techniques (anatomical, resting-state, diffusion-weighted MRI) to compare brain organization across species, with particular focus on the medial frontal cortex, sulcal anatomy, and the evolution of speech and language in the human brain. His work adopts a multimodal approach to provide an integrative view of what sets human brains apart from other primates. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on comparative neuroanatomy across species, with particular emphasis on primate brain evolution, frontal cortex organization, and language-related neural pathways. The research spans multiple disciplines including neuroscience, cognitive science, and evolutionary biology, with increasing attention to methodological advancements in neuroimaging techniques for cross-species comparisons. NUS Overseas Postdoctoral Fellowship (2021) Institute of Language, Communications and the Brain (ILCB) Postdoctoral Fellowship (2019) Fondation Recherche Médicale (FRM) Fin de Thèse (PhD funding) (2017) BRAIN Student Travel Award, 6th Motivation and Cognitive Control Symposium (2016) Dr. Loh has been involved in numerous collaborative research projects across international institutions, including the French Institute of Health and Medical Research (Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute), Aix-Marseille Université, and currently McGill University and the University of Oxford. His work has received significant recognition with over 1,000 citations for his 33 publications. While specific grant information isn't detailed in the provided text, his postdoctoral fellowships indicate successful competitive funding. Dr. Loh collaborates with several research groups including the Montreal Neurological Institute at McGill University and research teams at the University of Oxford. His work connects with broader initiatives like the collaborative resource platform for non-human primate neuroimaging, indicating participation in larger research networks focused on advancing primate neuroscience through shared resources and methodologies.
Dr. Andrew Best is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA), specializing in biological anthropology with a focus on human physiological evolution. His primary research examines the role of sweating in human evolution, contemporary human sweat characteristics, and the metabolic limits of endurance performance. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts (2021), an M.A. from the University of Massachusetts (2016), an M.A. from Quinnipiac University (2006), and a B.A. from Saint Michael’s College (2004). Dr. Best teaches courses including BIOL 101: Biology Seminar for Majors , BIOL 342/343: Anatomy and Physiology , BIOL 440: Exercise Physiology , and BIOL 484: Biomechanics . His research integrates evolutionary biology, thermal physiology, and exercise science to explore how human metabolic and thermoregulatory systems have evolved to support extreme endurance activities. Key projects include studying sweat gland density variation across populations and the physiological constraints of ultra-endurance events. His publications span topics such as ultramarathon energy expenditure, strength training’s impact on endurance, and primate sweat gland evolution. He actively participates in academic conferences and collaborates with researchers globally. No scientific awards are explicitly noted in the provided materials. Dr. Best’s work reflects interdisciplinary approaches to understanding human biological adaptation, with ongoing projects likely extending into nutritional strategies for endurance athletes and comparative analyses of primate thermoregulation systems.
Marlen Fröhlich is a Research Fellow at the Department of Palaeoanthropology within the Faculty of Science at Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen. As a primatologist, she leads the Volkswagen Foundation-funded 'Pathways to Language' project (2022-2028) investigating communicative plasticity in joint action coordination. Her research examines the evolution of human language through comparative studies of great ape communication, with fieldwork conducted across multiple sites studying chimpanzees, bonobos, and orangutans. Her primary research explores: Multimodal communication development in primates Plasticity in gestural and vocal signaling Infant-directed communication patterns Cross-species comparisons of communicative behaviors Environmental influences on communication systems Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2022-2025) reveals strong emphasis on: Individual variation in primate communication Multimodal signal integration Captive versus wild behavior comparisons Maternal investment strategies Evolutionary pathways to language Significant scientific awards include: Freigeist Fellowship, Volkswagen Foundation (2022-2028) DFG Research Fellowship (2018-2021) Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard Foundation Stipend (2020-2022) PhD Thesis Award, German Primate Center (2016) Erhard Höpfner Award for Master's thesis (2012) She coordinates the Palaeoanthropology lab's research activities and maintains collaborations with field sites studying wild populations of great apes. Current work focuses on understanding how communicative plasticity facilitates coordination in joint action tasks.
