Dr. Tobias Hauser is a Professor of Computational Psychiatry at the University of Tübingen, Germany, and a Group Leader at the Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research. His research spans clinical neuroscience, developmental psychiatry, and computational modeling, focusing on the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying psychiatric disorders like OCD and ADHD. MSc in Psychology (2010), University of Zurich PhD in Psychology (2014), University of Zurich Hauser's work employs a translational approach, integrating clinical, pharmacological, and basic neuroscience to characterize neural network deficiencies in mental health. His developmental perspective investigates how psychiatric symptoms emerge through deviations from canonical brain development trajectories. Recent publications highlight his focus on dopaminergic midbrain activity, frontostriatal myelination, and computational mechanisms of decision-making. These studies utilize techniques like fMRI, EEG, and computational modeling to explore compulsivity, impulsivity, and developmental neurocognitive processes. Sir Henry Dale Fellowship (Wellcome Trust & Royal Society) Research Fellowship (Jacobs Foundation) Kramer-Pollnow Award for ADHD research Hauser leads the Developmental Computational Psychiatry Group and co-founded the Brain Explorer app, a citizen science project investigating brain development and mental health. He actively seeks PostDocs and PhD students for collaborative research in computational psychiatry and cognitive neuroscience.
Marc V Fuccillo is an Associate Professor of Neuroscience at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, where he leads a research laboratory focused on understanding the neural circuit mechanisms underlying behavioral control. His work bridges molecular, synaptic, and behavioral approaches to investigate how striatal circuits regulate mouse behavior from simple motor patterns to complex goal-directed actions. Fuccillo holds dual appointments in the Neuroscience and Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Groups at Penn and maintains an active laboratory investigating the synaptic and circuit basis of neuropsychiatric disorders. Education: B.A. in Molecular and Cellular Biology and Music Performance (Violin) from Brown University (1998) Ph.D. in Developmental Genetics from New York University School of Medicine (2007) M.D. from New York University School of Medicine (2008) Fuccillo's research centers on the synaptic and circuit mechanisms of behavioral control, with particular emphasis on striatal circuits. His laboratory employs a range of technologies including mouse genetics, in vitro electrophysiology, in vivo imaging, and quantitative behavioral analysis to explore how neural circuits of the striatum regulate behavior and how disruptions in these circuits contribute to neuropsychiatric disorders. His work has particularly focused on autism-associated abnormalities in behavioral control, examining how synaptic adhesion molecules like neuroligins and neurexins shape circuit function and behavior, with significant findings regarding D1 dopamine receptor positive medium spiny neurons in the nucleus accumbens. Analysis of Fuccillo's recent publications reveals a strong focus on striatal circuit function across multiple dimensions. His work spans molecular neuroscience (examining synaptic adhesion molecules), cellular physiology (studying specific neuron types in striatal circuits), systems neuroscience (mapping circuit connectivity), and behavioral neuroscience (quantifying motor learning and decision-making). A unifying theme is how disruptions in specific molecular pathways lead to circuit-level abnormalities that manifest as behavioral phenotypes relevant to neuropsychiatric disorders, with particular attention to autism, OCD, and schizophrenia models. Scientific Recognition: Publications in high-impact journals including Nature Neuroscience, Current Biology, Cell Reports, and Neuron Research supported by multiple NIH grants including NIMH F32, NIMH K01, and HHMI Gilliam Fellowship awards for lab members Fuccillo actively mentors a diverse group of trainees including postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and undergraduates. His laboratory has produced numerous successful alumni who have gone on to faculty positions, medical residencies, and graduate programs at prestigious institutions. His mentoring approach emphasizes technical skill development across multiple neuroscience disciplines while fostering independent scientific thinking. Current research in his lab is supported by NIH funding focused on understanding the molecular architecture of striatal circuits and their role in behavioral control, with three major research directions exploring molecular logic of striatal circuits, circuit mechanisms of behavioral control, and striatal dysfunction in neuropsychiatric disease models. The Fuccillo Laboratory operates within the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania, with access to state-of-the-art facilities for molecular, electrophysiological, imaging, and behavioral neuroscience research. The lab maintains active collaborations with other neuroscience research groups at Penn and beyond, creating a rich intellectual environment for studying the neural basis of behavior. Current research directions include investigating whether there is a molecular logic to striatal circuit composition, how striatal circuits shape behavioral control, and what mouse models of autism, schizophrenia, and OCD can reveal about striatal circuit dysfunction in disease pathophysiology.
Margaret Bublitz is Associate Professor at Brown University with joint appointments in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior , Department of Medicine , and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology . She holds secondary appointments at the School of Public Health as Senior Investigator and Behavioral and Social Sciences faculty member. Dr. Bublitz earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology (2010) from the University of British Columbia, followed by postdoctoral training in Cardiovascular Behavioral Medicine at Brown Medical School. Her research focuses on: Psychological stress pathways to adverse perinatal outcomes Maternal childhood maltreatment effects on neurobiology Mindfulness interventions for hypertension and preterm birth prevention Her 15 most recent publications demonstrate expertise in perinatal mental health , sleep-disordered breathing , HPA axis regulation , and fetal neurodevelopment , with significant collaborations in neuroendocrinology and maternal-infant health disparities . Scientific recognition includes: 2024-2025 Global Fulbright Scholarship 2022 Brown Early Career Research Achievement Award Multiple NIH and foundation grants exceeding $6 million Bublitz leads NIH-funded projects examining mechanisms of mindfulness training (R01HL157288) and serves as mentor in the MORPHE Trial for digital maternal health innovations. She is a licensed psychologist and active member of Brown's Stress, Trauma and Resilience (STAR) Institute and Mindfulness Center .
Daan Christiaens is a tenure track lecturer at KU Leuven's Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Engineering Sciences. He is affiliated with the Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT) and Department of Imaging & Pathology, serving as a member of the Medical Imaging Division and the KU Leuven Brain Institute (LBI). His academic responsibilities include membership in the Faculty Councils of Engineering Sciences and Medicine. His research focuses on: Inverse problems in medical imaging reconstruction Neuroimaging techniques for brain analysis Advanced quantitative MRI methodologies Diffusion-weighted imaging for microstructural assessment Dr. Christiaens' recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate a consistent focus on diffusion MRI innovations, including novel reconstruction algorithms, neonatal brain development mapping, and clinical applications for neurodegenerative disorders. Key technical themes include motion correction, multi-shell modeling, and AI-enhanced image processing, while clinical applications span Alzheimer's disease, cerebral palsy, and autism research. He leads significant research projects including: MRI reconstruction with dynamic field monitoring (2024-2028) Compressed sensing for microstructure imaging (2022-2026) Neonatal diffusion MRI network connectivity analysis (2024-2028) As a core developer of the MRtrix3 software framework for medical image processing, he contributes to essential tools in neuroimaging research.
Matthew Bidwell is a Professor of Management at the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania . His research focuses on evolving employment relationships, career dynamics, and human resource management in modern labor markets. He serves as faculty co-director of the Wharton People Analytics Initiative and faculty director of the Wharton CHRO Program. Ph.D., MIT Sloan School S.M., Political Science, MIT M. Chem, Oxford Bidwell's research examines international career mobility , managerial contracting , and organizational labor market strategies . His work reveals complex relationships between global mobility and compensation, and analyzes how institutions like search firms shape career trajectories. Recent publications show trends in cross-border employment , executive career progression , and status-driven wage dynamics . His studies utilize longitudinal datasets and organizational personnel records to uncover patterns in managerial mobility. Scientific Recognition Wharton Teaching Excellence Award (2020) ASQ Scholarly Contribution Award (2017) John T. Dunlop Outstanding Scholar Award (2014) Sloan Foundation Industry Studies Fellowship (2010-2012) Bidwell has served as Senior Editor at Organization Science and contributes regularly to business media outlets. His teaching emphasizes evidence-based people management through the People Analytics course at Wharton.
Professor Gavan McNally is a distinguished behavioral neuroscientist at the University of New South Wales, where he serves as a Professor in the School of Psychology. He is actively engaged in research on the fundamental behavioral and brain mechanisms for learning and motivation, with applications to clinical conditions such as addictions, anxiety disorders, and mood disorders. McNally holds several prestigious editorial positions, including Editor-in-Chief of Neurobiology of Learning & Memory and Senior Editor of The Journal of Neuroscience. He also serves as President-Elect of the European Behavioral Pharmacology Society and is a Member of the Australian Research Council College of Experts. McNally's research interests span behavioral neuroscience, focusing on how fundamental brain mechanisms apply to clinical conditions. He employs a systems neuroscience approach, combining well-controlled behavioral approaches with optogenetics, chemogenetics, in vivo calcium imaging, and whole brain circuit mapping in both normal and transgenic animals. His work bridges basic science with clinical applications through collaborations with colleagues at University of Sydney, Sydney Local Health District, Monash University, and Turning Point. McNally's research particularly examines the cellular, circuit, and systems level mechanisms underlying learning, motivation, and their dysregulation in disorders like addiction. His laboratory investigates how these mechanisms translate to human conditions, with a strong emphasis on developing new treatments for psychological disorders. His extensive publication record demonstrates a clear trajectory in understanding punishment learning, addiction mechanisms, and the neural circuits underlying motivated behavior. Recent work has increasingly focused on the cognitive pathways to punishment insensitivity, the role of specific neural circuits in addiction, and translational approaches to understanding maladaptive behaviors. McNally's research bridges animal models with human studies, creating a comprehensive understanding of the neural mechanisms that govern learning and motivation, with particular attention to how these processes go awry in addiction and other psychological disorders. 2008 QEII Fellow, Australian Research Council 2009 Association for Psychological Science, International Rising Star 2010 Fellow, Association for Psychological Science 2010 UNSW Faculty of Science Staff Excellence Award for Research and Training 2011 Pavlovian Research Award, The Pavlovian Society 2012 Future Fellow (Level 3), Australian Research Council 2016 D.G. Marquis Behavioral Neuroscience Award, American Psychological Association 2017 Fellow, American Psychological Association 2019 Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia 2021 D.G. Marquis Behavioral Neuroscience Award, American Psychological Association 2022 Ross Day Plenary Lecturer, Australasian Brain and Psychological Sciences 2023 European Behavioural Pharmacology Society Plenary Lecturer 2024 Elspeth McLachlan Plenary Lecturer, Australasian Neuroscience Society 2024 D.G. Marquis Behavioral Neuroscience Award, American Psychological Association Professor McNally actively supervises several students including Bixuan Lin, Si Yin Lui, Hannah Machet, Bart Cooley, Kelly Zhuang, and Alexandra Gregory. His current research is supported by significant funding including an Australian Research Council Discovery Project (2024-2026) on "Risky choices: From cells and circuits to computations and behaviour," another Discovery Project (2025-2028) on "Multimodal mapping of punishment learning," and NHMRC grants including a Synergy Grant on "Linking clinical and basic science discovery to find new treatments for alcohol-use disorder" and an Ideas Grant on "Novel pathways to abstinence from alcohol seeking." These projects reflect his commitment to both fundamental neuroscience and translational applications for treating psychological conditions. His teaching responsibilities include PSYC2081 Learning & Physiological Psychology and PSYC3051 Physiological Psychology. McNally's laboratory employs advanced techniques including optogenetics, chemogenetics, in vivo calcium imaging, and whole brain circuit mapping to investigate the neural mechanisms underlying learning, motivation, and their dysregulation in disorders. His team works at the intersection of basic neuroscience and clinical applications, with strong collaborations across multiple institutions to translate fundamental findings into potential treatments for addiction and other psychological disorders. The lab has made significant contributions to understanding the role of brain regions like the ventral pallidum, paraventricular thalamus, and nucleus accumbens in addiction, fear learning, and punishment sensitivity.
Dr. Matthias Gruber is a Reader (Associate Professor) in Cognitive Neuroscience at Cardiff University's School of Psychology. He leads the Cardiff University Motivation and Memory Lab at CUBRIC, where his research investigates the neuroscience of motivation and its effects on memory using multimodal neuroimaging techniques (structural/functional MRI, M/EEG). His work focuses on how intrinsic motivational states like curiosity enhance learning and memory consolidation. Education includes: PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London (2007-2011) Research Assistant position at University of Regensburg (2003-2006) Research explores: Neural mechanisms of curiosity and motivation Effects of reward anticipation on memory encoding Hippocampal-prefrontal interactions during learning Developmental aspects of curiosity from childhood to adulthood Real-world applications of motivation research His publications consistently demonstrate how motivational states modulate memory systems, with recent work focusing on spatial exploration dynamics and educational applications. Awards and honors: Sir Henry Dale Fellowship (Wellcome/Royal Society, 2019-2024) Laird Cermak Award (2016) Michael S. Gazzaniga Prize for Cognitive Neuroscience (2015) Elected to Memory Disorders Research Society (2017) Research funding includes major grants from Wellcome Trust, Royal Society, and European Commission. He leads the Motivation and Memory Lab at CUBRIC and is currently accepting expressions of interest from potential research trainees.
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.
Dr. Rodolfo J. Flores serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology within the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). His primary research investigates neuromodulator function in the prefrontal cortex, with emphasis on acetylcholine and dynorphin systems during motivational conflict, stress responses, and addiction pathways. He employs advanced optogenetic and biosensor technologies to dissect neural circuitry underlying psychiatric conditions. Dr. Flores earned his Ph.D. in Social Cognitive and Neuroscience from UTEP in 2019, followed by postdoctoral training at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). His work bridges molecular neuroscience with behavioral outcomes, focusing on how stress and substance exposure alter prefrontal cortical function. His research portfolio demonstrates consistent high-impact publication in top neuroscience journals including Nature Neuroscience , Neuron , and Psychoneuroendocrinology . Current work examines opioid neuropeptide dynamics, nicotine-alcohol interactions, and sex-specific hormonal influences on addiction behaviors. Methodologically, he specializes in genetically encoded biosensors and circuit-level manipulations to study threat processing and reward pathways. Dr. Flores teaches graduate and undergraduate courses including PSYC 4341 (Motivation & Emotion), thesis/dissertation supervision (PSYC 5395/6395), and research applications courses. His lab actively trains students through undergraduate research (RSRC 4033) and independent study opportunities (PSYC 4352).
Chen Ran, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at Scripps Research in San Diego. His laboratory focuses on understanding how the brain processes internal sensory signals from visceral organs, such as hunger, satiety, nausea, and visceral pain. Using advanced techniques like in vivo two-photon calcium imaging, optogenetics, and circuit tracing, his team maps the functional architecture of brainstem circuits responsible for interoceptive processing. Key contributions include the discovery of a 'visceral homunculus' in the brainstem and the development of novel calcium indicators for high-resolution neuronal activity tracking. Education : PhD in Biology, Stanford University (2017) Bachelor of Science in Biology, Peking University (2011) Research Interests : Dr. Ran’s work integrates experimental and analytical approaches to decode how visceral stimuli are transduced into conscious sensations. Current projects investigate the coding logic of mechanical, chemical, and thermal signals from internal organs, with implications for developing therapies for obesity, diabetes, visceral pain, and eating disorders. The lab employs cutting-edge tools to visualize and manipulate neural circuits in awake behaving mice, linking circuit-level activity to physiological states. Awards & Honors : NARSAD Young Investigator Award (2022) NIH K01 Career Development Award (2023) Simons Collaboration on the Global Brain Award (2022) Harvard Brain Science Initiative Award (2021) Grants & Funding : Supported by NIH, Simons Foundation, and private philanthropy, his research bridges basic science and translational medicine. Current grants focus on brainstem circuit mapping and developing therapeutic targets for interoceptive disorders. Labs & Affiliations : Dr. Ran leads an interdisciplinary team at Scripps Research’s Neuroscience Department, collaborating with engineers, geneticists, and clinicians to advance interoceptive neuroscience.
Matthew W. Buczynski is an Assistant Professor at the School of Neuroscience , part of the College of Science at Virginia Tech . Holding a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of California San Diego (2008) and postdoctoral training at The Scripps Research Institute (2009-2016), he joined Virginia Tech in August 2016 after completing his postdoctoral fellowship. Education: B.S. in Chemistry, University of Michigan , 2001 Ph.D. in Biochemistry, University of California San Diego , 2008 Postdoctoral Training, The Scripps Research Institute , 2009-2016 Dr. Buczynski’s research program focuses on identifying novel druggable targets for addiction and neurological disorders through mass spectrometry and behavioral pharmacology . His work integrates chemical biology , molecular pharmacology , and in vivo microdialysis to study molecular changes in the brain during chronic drug exposure. Key areas include nicotine dependence , ethanol withdrawal , and cross-talk between pain and addiction mechanisms. His recent publications highlight endocannabinoid system modulation , TRPV1/TRPA1 receptor activation in pain, and diacylglycerol lipase (DAGL) mechanisms in nicotine withdrawal. He employs both self-administration and forced exposure models to validate therapeutic targets. Prospective students can contact him directly through his lab’s website .
Jennifer Pfeifer is a Professor at the University of Oregon and co-Director of the Center for Translational Neuroscience within the College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Psychology. Her research spans developmental cognitive neuroscience, focusing on adolescence, puberty, self-concept, social cognition, emotion, motivation, and mental health. Her work integrates neuroimaging with behavioral and hormonal data to examine normative and atypical brain development, particularly how social processes and early adversity influence neurobiological models of adolescence. She has secured funding from NIMH, NICHD, NIDA, NSF, and other institutions. Recent publications analyze adolescent social reorientation, pubertal timing, self-disclosure mechanisms, and affective reactivity. Awards and student lists are not explicitly mentioned in the provided text. Her lab emphasizes translational neuroscience applications for mental health prevention and well-being promotion across the lifespan.
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.
Professor Christian F. Doeller is a leading cognitive neuroscientist serving as Director of the Department of Psychology at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences (MPI CBS) in Leipzig and Vice President of the Max Planck Society (since 2023). His roles include honorary professorships at the University of Leipzig (2019) and TU Dresden (Cognitive Neuroscience of Learning and Memory). He holds a PhD in Psychology from Saarland University (2005) and has held positions at institutions such as UCL (London), Radboud University (Nijmegen), and NTNU (Trondheim). His research focuses on spatial navigation, memory systems, and cognitive mapping in the human brain, leveraging neuroimaging (fMRI, EEG) and computational modeling. Key areas include hippocampal/entorhinal cortical function, grid cells, and the neural basis of spatial and conceptual representations. Recent work explores non-Euclidean spatial cognition, value-based decision making using grid-like maps, and hormonal influences on navigation. His lab combines experimental psychology, neuroimaging, and theoretical neuroscience to understand how brains build predictive models of environments and concepts. Publications emphasize cognitive maps, neural representations of space/value, and memory formation mechanisms. Over 100 journal articles span high-impact journals like Nature Neuroscience , Neuron , and Current Biology . His work bridges basic research and translational applications in neurodegenerative disorders and spatial cognition deficits.
Jeffrey L. Krichmar is a Professor in the Department of Cognitive Sciences and Department of Computer Science at the University of California, Irvine. His academic journey includes a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Massachusetts Amherst (1983), an M.S. in Computer Science from The George Washington University (1991), and a Ph.D. in Computational Sciences and Informatics from George Mason University (1997). Prior to UCI, he served as Assistant Professor at George Mason University (1997-1999) and Senior Fellow at The Neurosciences Institute (1999-2007). University of California, Irvine (2007-present) George Mason University (1997-1999) The Neurosciences Institute (1999-2007) His research focuses on neurorobotics , exploring how embodied cognition and biologically plausible neural models can enhance robotic systems. Key areas include spiking neural networks , neuromodulation , path planning , and interactive tactile robots for therapeutic applications. His work bridges neuroscience , robotics , and cognitive science , with applications in autonomous vehicles , neuroprosthetics , and AI explainability . Recent publications emphasize spiking neural networks for navigation , neuromodulated attention , and neuromorphic hardware integration. The development of CARLsim, a GPU-accelerated spiking neural network simulator now in version 6.0, represents a major technical contribution. His team's work on socially assistive robots like CARL-SJR targets therapeutic applications for autism and ADHD. Scientific Awards IJCNN 2020 Best Paper Award Finalist for Best Student Paper at IJCNN 2018 Best Paper Award at IEEE IJCNN 2009 Grants include National Science Foundation funding for neural models of decision-making (2009). His lab (Cognitive Anteater Robotics Laboratory) develops systems that use large-scale brain simulations for autonomous behavior , with applications in adaptive robotics , sensorimotor learning , and neuroethology . Current projects explore neuromodulatory influences on attention systems and cognitive flexibility .
