Dr. Hojjat Soofi is a Lecturer in Bioethics at Sydney Health Ethics within the University of Sydney's School of Public Health (Faculty of Medicine and Health). A pharmacist by training, he holds a PhD and MRes in Bioethics from Macquarie University and an Erasmus Mundus Master of Bioethics from a consortium of European universities. His research deploys philosophical ethics and empirical methods to address ethical challenges in dementia care and aged care settings. Research Focus: Soofi's work centers on ethical frameworks for vulnerable populations, specializing in: Dignity preservation in dementia care Autonomy and consent mechanisms Vulnerability in long-term care settings Non-clinical medication ethics Research ethics for cognitively impaired individuals His scholarship critically engages with concepts from philosophers like Nussbaum, Kitwood, and Beauchamp & Childress. Awards & Grants: Recognized with the 2022 Ramy Razavian Dean’s Award for research excellence and supported by a 2023 FMH Start-up Scheme grant for early career researchers. Teaching: Coordinates core bioethics units including Clinical Ethics (BETH5204) and Medicines Policy, Economics and Ethics (BETH5209). Student feedback highlights his exceptional course organization and ability to stimulate critical reasoning. Professional Engagement: Active member of the Australasian Association of Bioethics and Health Law (AABHL) and the Sydney Bioethics Program team.
John D. Murray is the Gregg L. Engles Associate Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Dartmouth College and an Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine. He holds a PhD in Physics from Yale University (2013) and a BS in Physics and Mathematics from Yale (2006). His research focuses on computational neuroscience and computational psychiatry, with secondary appointments in Physics and Neuroscience at Yale until 2023. His work integrates computational modeling, neuroimaging, and systems neuroscience to study decision-making processes, cortical organization, and psychiatric disorders. Collaborators include prominent researchers like Dr. John Krystal and Dr. Anticevic. Research interests include hierarchical brain organization, neuroimaging analysis techniques, and pharmacological effects on neural circuits. His lab (Murray Lab) develops computational tools like PsychRNN for cognitive task modeling. Notable contributions include linking transcriptomic data to neuroimaging patterns and modeling LSD’s effects on brain topography. He has been featured in YaleNews and Nature Communications for innovations in mapping mental illness variability and neural circuit dynamics. Grants and collaborations span translational neuroscience, addiction, and PTSD research through partnerships with Yale’s Center for Biomedical Data Science and VA National Center for PTSD. His interdisciplinary approach bridges physics, computer science, and clinical psychiatry to advance understanding of brain function and dysfunction.
Professor Anil Seth is a leading cognitive and computational neuroscientist at the University of Sussex, where he holds a professorship in the School of Engineering and Informatics. He is Director of the Sussex Centre for Consciousness Science and Co-Director of the CIFAR Program on Brain, Mind, and Consciousness and the Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarship Programme. His research bridges neuroscience, psychology, philosophy, and AI to investigate the biological basis of consciousness and selfhood. His research interests include: Predictive processing approaches to perception Virtual and augmented reality in self-experience studies Mathematical modeling of perception and emergence Machine learning applications in subjective perception modeling Interoception and selfhood Neural mechanisms of conscious experience The recent publications reflect a strong focus on consciousness, neural dynamics, predictive models, and interdisciplinary approaches. Trends include the use of computational modeling, neurophenomenology, causal analysis, and the ethical implications of emerging neurotechnologies. His work increasingly integrates large language models and data-driven methods for analyzing subjective experience. His scientific awards include: Segerfalk Award Perspectives Award Highly Cited Researcher (Web of Science, 2019–2022) Royal Society Michael Faraday Prize (2023) Seth has secured substantial research funding from the European Research Council (ERC), EPSRC, Wellcome Trust, CIFAR, and the Sackler Foundation. He has supervised numerous research projects and doctoral students through interdisciplinary programs. He leads the Dreamachine project and has been an Engagement Fellow with the Wellcome Trust. He serves on editorial boards including Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B and is Editor-in-Chief of Neuroscience of Consciousness . He leads a multidisciplinary research group at the Sackler Centre, bringing together psychologists, mathematicians, neuroscientists, computer scientists, and philosophers. His team conducts innovative research using virtual reality, neuroimaging, and computational modeling to explore the nature of consciousness and self.
Suradip Das is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, where he serves as a Senior Research Investigator. His work bridges neural engineering and regenerative medicine to address critical challenges in nerve and muscle repair. His academic training includes: B.Tech in Biotechnology from Heritage Institute of Technology (2010) PhD in Biosciences and Bioengineering from Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (2016) Dr. Das specializes in biomaterials development , peripheral nerve injury models , neuromuscular interface engineering , and stem cell-based regeneration . His research pioneers innervated tissue-engineered muscle constructs, demonstrating how motor neurons and endothelial cells synergistically enhance skeletal myocyte maturation. He innovates custom mechanobioreactors that apply tensile forces to guide nanofiber alignment for optimal myofiber formation, significantly advancing volumetric muscle loss treatments. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a dominant focus on neuromuscular regeneration (75% of articles), with emerging exploration of psychedelic compounds in neural repair. His work consistently integrates human iPSC-derived models , multi-cellular co-cultures , and large-animal validation to address translational gaps. Key trends include optogenetic control of motor units (2023), porcine nerve injury models (2020), and the critical role of pre-innervation in creating pro-regenerative microenvironments (2020-2022). As a core member of the Cullen Lab, Dr. Das collaborates on developing biofabricated neural microtissues for delayed nerve fusion and rapid functional recovery. His research directly informs clinical strategies for peripheral nerve repair and muscle regeneration through rigorous mechanistic studies and innovative engineering solutions.
Markus Heilig is a Professor of Psychiatry and Head of the Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV) at Linköping University. He serves as Director of the Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience (CSAN), integrating basic and clinical neuroscience to address addictive and affective disorders. His work bridges neuropharmacology, molecular psychiatry, and clinical trials. Linköping University (Current) Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience (CSAN) (Director) Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine (Collaborator) His research focuses on alcohol dependence mechanisms, stress-neurotransmitter interactions (e.g., CRF, substance P, endocannabinoids), and personalized medicine approaches. Using animal models and human neuroimaging (fMRI), his lab explores epigenetic changes in frontal lobe and amygdala neurons that drive compulsive alcohol use. Recent publications highlight his work on endocannabinoid modulation for PTSD treatment, neural correlates of reward choices, and pharmacological interventions targeting GABA and opioid receptors. His studies often combine brain imaging, behavioral analysis, and pharmacology. Scientific awards include the 2019 Wallenberg Clinical Scholar grant and 2017 CAN/Nordic Drugs prizes. Heilig's research is supported by Vetenskapsrådet (SEK 57 million center funding) and international donations like the Andrew J. Bock Memorial Fund.
Professor Amy Mullens (University of Southern Queensland) is a leading academic in public health, gender studies, and clinical psychology. Her work focuses on sexual and reproductive health, transgender health equity, and healthcare access for marginalized populations, particularly within correctional systems. Key Affiliations : School of Psychology and Wellbeing, Centre for Health Research, Institute for Resilient Regions. Research Themes : Intersectional health disparities, HIV/STI prevention, gender-affirming healthcare, and mental health interventions. Research Trends : Recent publications emphasize digital health tools for STI/HIV risk prediction, transgender health policy, and qualitative analyses of incarceration experiences. She frequently collaborates on systematic reviews and mixed-methods studies addressing health equity. Advising : Supervises 16+ doctoral and master’s students (2021-2025) on topics spanning trauma, health literacy, and sexual health interventions.
Essa Yacoub is a Professor in the Department of Radiology at the University of Minnesota, affiliated with the PhD Program in Medical Physics and the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research. His work focuses on advancing MRI and fMRI technologies, particularly at ultrahigh magnetic fields (e.g., 10.5 T), to achieve unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution in brain imaging. He leads projects in RF coil design, noise reduction algorithms, and developmental neuroimaging. Roles: Professor, Medical Physics Program Faculty Affiliations: Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, Department of Radiology Research emphasizes high-resolution fMRI applications, including layer-specific brain mapping, pediatric neurodevelopment studies (e.g., Baby Connectome Project), and translational tools like BIBSNet for infant brain segmentation. His innovations bridge hardware engineering (RF coils) and software (denoising pipelines) to tackle challenges in mesoscopic-scale imaging. Key contributions include optimizing imaging protocols at 7T/10.5T, developing NORDIC denoising for submillimeter data, and advancing understanding of brain networks in aging and neurological disorders. His work is foundational for large-scale initiatives like the Human Connectome Project and non-human primate neuroimaging collaborations. Grants and collaborations focus on translational imaging technologies, while educational contributions include training through the Medical Physics PhD Program. Ongoing efforts aim to refine ultra-high field MRI applications for clinical and basic neuroscience research.
Alicia Che is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine and serves as Director of Graduate Admissions for the Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program. She joined the Yale Department of Psychiatry in 2021 after completing her postdoctoral fellowship with Dr. Natalia De Marco García at Weill Cornell Medical College and Dr. Gord Fishell at NYU. Her research is conducted through the Che Lab at Yale, where she investigates how early life experiences impact brain circuit assembly and mature function in models of psychiatric illness. Yale School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program Center for Brain & Mind Health Division of Molecular Psychiatry Wu Tsai Institute Yale Center for the Science of Cannabis and Cannabinoids Dr. Che earned her Ph.D. in Physiology and Neurobiology from the University of Connecticut in 2014, where she worked in the laboratory of Dr. Joseph LoTurco. She received her B.S. with triple majors in Biology, Physics, and Physical Chemistry from Pacific Lutheran University in Washington state in 2009. Her research focuses on understanding developmental trajectories following early life experiences to develop diagnostics and early interventions for psychiatric illnesses. Dr. Che's research examines how sensory inputs, social bonding, stress, and substance exposure impact brain development. She employs a multi-dimensional approach to assess transcriptional, circuit, neuronal activity, and behavioral changes across the entire developmental timeline. Her lab currently focuses on four specific areas: the role of oxytocin in social behavior development, circuit dysfunction in PTSD, early-life cannabinoid exposure effects, and the impact of early life stress on development and adulthood. She utilizes advanced techniques including mouse genetics, slice electrophysiology, and longitudinal in vivo 2-photon imaging on behaving animals. Her most recent publications demonstrate significant contributions to understanding neural circuit development, PTSD mechanisms, and the effects of early life experiences on brain function. Her work spans from molecular neuroscience to behavioral outcomes, with publications in top journals including Nature, Neuron, and Nature Communications. Her research has revealed important insights into how translaminar neuronal activity strengthens cortical columns, how oxytocin facilitates social touch development, and how PTSD affects brain transcriptomics. NARSAD Young Investigator Award (2020) K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award from NINDS (2019) Dr. Che's work has significant implications for understanding and treating neurodevelopmental disorders, PTSD, and the consequences of early life experiences on mental health. She collaborates extensively with researchers across Yale and beyond, with frequent co-authorship with colleagues including Lin Lin, Alex Kwan, and Christopher Pittenger. Her research program bridges basic neuroscience with clinical applications, aiming to translate findings into potential interventions for psychiatric conditions.
Anna Abrahams is a Senior Programmer Artist Film and Artistic XR at Eye Filmmuseum in Amsterdam and teaches Moving Image at the Royal Academy of Art, The Hague, within the Photography department. She has been active in experimental film since 1989 as a co-founder of Rongwrong, an independent production foundation. Education: Studied film theory at the University of Amsterdam. Her research and practice focus on experimental film, virtual reality (XR), and moving image art. She bridges traditional film techniques (35mm, 16mm) with digital innovations, emphasizing immersive storytelling and artistic exploration of landscapes, urban spaces, and sociocultural themes. The films she has directed or co-directed, spanning 1995–2022, explore topics like psychogeography, counterculture, and digital experimentation. Her 2022 VR work Angels of Amsterdam highlights her engagement with extended reality technologies. As a co-author, she contributed to publications including Warhol Films , mm2. Experimental Film in the Netherlands , and film³ [kyü-bik film] , documenting avant-garde film practices and theoretical frameworks.
Geert Dom, MD, PhD, is a Full Professor of Addiction Psychiatry at the University of Antwerp and vice-chair of the Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatric Research Institute . He also serves as Medical Director of the PC Multiversum in Boechout, Belgium. His research focuses on the pathogenesis and treatment of addictive disorders, particularly in relation to comorbid psychiatric conditions like ADHD. Current academic affiliation: University of Antwerp Primary research areas: Addiction psychiatry, substance use disorders, comorbidity, non-invasive brain stimulation Recent publications: Opioid maintenance treatment outcomes, psychedelic therapies, and cross-national mental health comparisons
Michael G. Wheaton is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Barnard College, specializing in the psychopathology and treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and related conditions. He joined Barnard's faculty in 2017 after postdoctoral work at the New York State Psychiatric Institute and teaching roles at Yeshiva University. Education: B.A. from Cornell University; M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Professional Affiliations: Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), International OCD Foundation (IOCDF), Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA). His research integrates cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with neurobiological and psychological frameworks, emphasizing treatment outcomes for OCD, hoarding disorder, and anxiety-related conditions. Recent work explores the therapeutic working alliance, distress tolerance, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on OCD symptoms. He has contributed to advancements in exposure and response prevention (ERP) and pharmacotherapy augmentation for OCD. Scientific Awards: Recognized among the top 2% of cited authors globally. Recipient of 2024 Barnard faculty grants and awards. He teaches undergraduate courses in Abnormal Psychology and Introduction to Clinical Psychology . His collaborations with Barnard graduates and institutions highlight his engagement with student research and public mental health discourse, including media contributions to Business Insider and Time .
University of North Carolina at Chapel HillUnited States
Jessica J. Walsh, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine and a member of the UNC Neuroscience Center. She leads the Walsh Lab, which focuses on understanding neural circuit mechanisms underlying motivated social behavior using a multi-level approach to elucidate the molecular and circuit mechanisms that govern social interactions and their alterations in disease states. Dr. Walsh earned her B.A. in Neuroscience & Behavior from Columbia University, where she began her research journey volunteering in Dr. Gerald Fischbach's laboratory. During her graduate work, she explored neural circuit mechanisms underlying social stress susceptibility at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai under Dr. Ming-Hu Han. Prior to joining UNC, she completed her postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University with Dr. Robert Malenka, investigating neural circuit mechanisms in genetic mouse models with social deficits. Her research focuses on neural circuit mechanisms underlying motivated behavior, neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders, and functional/anatomical brain mapping. The Walsh Lab specifically uses genetic mouse models to investigate how genetic mutations and experience lead to circuit adaptations that govern impaired behavior seen in autism spectrum disorders. They combine whole brain optical clearing methods, light sheet microscopy, in vivo imaging, and machine learning based behavioral analysis to elucidate neural adaptations responsible for motivated behavior. Her publication record demonstrates a strong focus on neural circuits related to social behavior, with particular emphasis on autism spectrum disorders, serotonin and dopamine signaling, and the neural basis of prosocial behaviors. She has published extensively in high-impact journals including Nature, Nature Neuroscience, PNAS, and Neuropsychopharmacology, with research spanning from molecular mechanisms to circuit-level analyses of behavior. Dr. Walsh mentors several trainees in her lab, including a postdoctoral fellow, multiple graduate students, and numerous undergraduate researchers. Her lab team includes researchers with diverse interests spanning from molecular biology to machine learning applications in neuroscience. The lab actively recruits postdocs and graduate students interested in joining their research on motivated behavior and psychiatric disorders. The Walsh Lab employs a comprehensive research approach including genetic manipulation, whole brain activity mapping, viral tracing, slice physiology, optogenetics, chemogenetics, fiber photometry, and machine learning based behavioral classification to gain a nuanced understanding of neural circuits involved in motivated social behavior.
Sarah Hill is Associate Professor of Music at the University of Oxford and Fellow of St Peter's College, specializing in the historiography of popular music. Her research examines the intersection of musical cultures with political activism, particularly focusing on Welsh-language music preservation, countercultural movements, and music's role in identity formation. Dr. Hill's monograph 'San Francisco and the Long 60s' (Bloomsbury, 2016) offers a microhistory of the Haight-Ashbury music scene and its contemporary legacy. Current projects include co-editing 'The Oxford Handbook of Progressive Rock' and investigating women rock critics' contributions to second-wave feminism. As Coordinating Editor of Popular Music journal since 2012, she maintains active engagement with international music research communities. Dr. Hill was elected Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales in 2023.
Lea Altnurme (born December 23, 1968) is an Associate Professor of Sociology of Religion at the University of Tartu, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, School of Theology and Religious Studies. She has been affiliated with the University of Tartu since 1995, holding various research and teaching positions including Senior Research Fellow in Sociology of Religion (2016-2020) and Senior Research Fellow in Religion Studies (2011-2016). Dr. Altnurme earned her Doctor's Degree in 2006 from the University of Tartu with a dissertation titled 'Kristlusest oma usuni' (From Christianity to Own Belief), supervised by Tarmo Kulmar and Ülo Valk. Her educational background includes a degree in History from the University of Tartu (1994, cum laude) and a Master of Theology (1997). Her primary research interests focus on the religiosity of Estonians throughout history and in contemporary society, with particular expertise in non-Christian religions, esotericism, religious individualization, and the marginalization of Christianity in Estonia. Her work examines how religious traditions transform in modern society, especially within Estonian context. Dr. Altnurme's publications reveal a strong focus on contemporary religious trends in Estonia, particularly the rise of new spiritualities, esoteric practices, and nature-based religious expressions. Her recent work (2020-2025) explores topics including nature worship, shamanic traditions, ayahuasca communities, religious healing, and the complex relationship between institutional and vernacular religious expressions in post-secular Estonia. 2006: The expert commission of social sciences of Estonian Science Foundation acknowledged her project 'Religious Life in Estonia in the Second Half of the 20th Century' She is an active member of the Estonian academic community, serving as a member of the Estonian Society for the Study of Religions (and board member from 2006-2010) and the Estonian Society of Academic Theology (serving as secretary from 1999-2001 and 2003-2006). Her research contributes significantly to understanding the complex religious landscape of contemporary Estonia and its historical development.
Professor Rosalyn Moran is a Professor of Computational Neuroscience and Deputy Director of King's Institute for Artificial Intelligence at King's College London. She holds roles in the Department of Neuroimaging and School of Neuroscience within the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience. Her research focuses on computational neuroscience, computational psychiatry, and neurology, particularly integrating brain connectivity with algorithmic principles like the free energy principle. She explores neurotransmitter roles in decision-making and disease modeling, with applications in artificial intelligence and neurodegenerative disorders. Moran serves as an editor for Neuroimage and collaborates with leading institutions. Key projects include global neuroimaging initiatives (UNITY) and low-field MRI advancements in low-resource settings. Her work bridges Bayesian inference, AI, and neurobiology, with recent emphasis on pediatric neuroimaging and treatment-resistant psychosis. Education & Research Interests Rosalyn Moran's research spans computational psychiatry, neuroimaging techniques, and AI applications in healthcare. Her lab investigates serotonin and dopamine signaling, brain connectivity patterns, and predictive coding frameworks. Notable contributions include modeling NMDA receptor dysfunction in encephalitis and developing super-resolution MRI methods for global health contexts. Grants & Collaborations Funded projects include MRC Human Functional Genomics (2024-2028), NIHR Maudsley BRC (2022-2027), and Gates Foundation initiatives for low-field MRI enhancement. Collaborators include Karl Friston (UCL), Read Montague (Virginia Tech), and Klaas Enno Stephan (University of Zurich). Recent events include presenting the Free Energy Principle's role in generative AI (May 2023). Labs & Teams Her lab focuses on computational psychiatry and AI-driven neuroimaging solutions, collaborating with the King’s Global Health Institute to advance medical imaging accessibility in low-income regions.
