Honglei Chen is the MSU Foundation Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Michigan State University . With a career spanning over two decades, Dr. Chen specializes in neuroepidemiology with a focus on Parkinson's disease, dementia, and healthy aging. His research leverages large prospective cohorts to investigate environmental risk factors and prodromal stages of neurodegenerative diseases. Key methodologies include assessing olfactory dysfunction, REM sleep behavior, and inflammatory mechanisms as early markers of disease progression. Recent publications highlight his work on Environmental triggers in Parkinson's disease Genetic risk scores for neurodegeneration Inflammatory pathway modulation in macrophages Olfactory dysfunction as aging biomarker
Andrew J. Todd is a Professor and Honorary Fellow in the School of Psychology & Neuroscience at the University of Glasgow. His research focuses on neurochemistry and synaptic connections in the mammalian spinal cord, particularly the organization of neuronal circuits underlying pain and itch perception. He employs techniques like immunocytochemistry, confocal microscopy, and electron microscopy. Collaborations include researchers from institutions such as UCL, Saga University, and the University of Pittsburgh. His work is funded by the Wellcome Trust and BBSRC. Roles: Professor, Honorary Fellow Affiliations: School of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of Glasgow Research Interests Dr. Todd investigates spinal dorsal horn circuits, including projection neurons, interneurons, and synaptic plasticity. Key topics include: Neurochemical characterization of spinal neurons Role of neuropeptides like substance P and gastrin-releasing peptide Mechanisms of neuropathic pain and spinal circuit adaptations Functional roles of specific neuron populations in laminae I-III Articles Overview Recent work includes studies on spinal projection neuron markers (e.g., Tacr1, Gpr83), synaptic circuits involving GRP-expressing neurons, and interneuron subtypes' roles in pain/itch. Notable findings include the absence of neuronal loss in neuropathic pain models and the identification of novel spinal circuits. Grants & Funding Funded by the Wellcome Trust and BBSRC . Collaborations span international institutions, emphasizing spinal neurobiology and sensory processing.
Joe Paton is a Professor and Principal Investigator at the Champalimaud Neuroscience Programme, Champalimaud Foundation in Lisbon, Portugal. He leads the Paton Lab which focuses on understanding how animals determine which environmental cues are predictive of behaviorally relevant events, known as the credit assignment problem. His research combines behavioral experiments with neurophysiological recordings in rodents to investigate neural mechanisms of time perception and decision making. Dr. Paton's research interests center on interval timing, temporal processing in the brain, and the neural basis of learning. His work particularly examines how the striatum and dopamine systems contribute to time perception and how animals solve the credit assignment problem through statistical inference in the time domain. His lab employs advanced techniques including optogenetics, neural recordings, and computational modeling to address these questions. Analysis of Dr. Paton's recent publications reveals a strong focus on striatal function in timing processes, with particular attention to how neural populations encode temporal information. His work bridges behavioral neuroscience with computational approaches, demonstrating how timing mechanisms influence decision making and learning processes. The research spans multiple levels from cellular mechanisms to behavioral outputs. Midbrain dopamine neurons control judgment of time (2016) Striatal dynamics explain duration judgments (2015) A Scalable Population Code for Time in the Striatum (2015) The Neural Basis of Timing: Distributed Mechanisms for Diverse Functions (2018) Dr. Paton has mentored numerous PhD students and postdoctoral researchers through the INDP (International Neuroscience Doctoral Program) and supervises a diverse team including research technicians, postdocs, and students. His lab has contributed significantly to understanding the neural basis of time perception and its role in learning and decision making. The Paton Lab also develops experimental tools and frameworks like Bonsai for behavioral neuroscience research.
Dr. Burkhard Maess is a Research Professor and Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, leading the Methods and Development Group Brain Networks. His research focuses on auditory and language processing, signal analysis, and dynamic modeling of neuronal networks. He holds a Diploma in Physics (University of Leipzig, 1987) and a PhD in Physics (University of Leipzig, 1990). His career includes postdoctoral positions at the Academy of Sciences of the GDR and the Free University of Berlin before joining the MPI in 1995. Since 2000, he has led research groups on MEG/EEG signal analysis and cortical network dynamics. His work integrates advanced neuroimaging techniques like MEG and EEG to study sensory processing, neural network dynamics, and the effects of aging on auditory attention. Key contributions include developing high-resolution BEM-FMM methods for source localization and analyzing cross-frequency coupling in neuroscience data. His group also explores spinal cord electrophysiology and the neural underpinnings of perceptual decision-making. Dr. Maess’ research spans cognitive neuroscience, biomedical engineering, and computational modeling, with a focus on bridging empirical findings with theoretical frameworks in neuroscience.
Rick T. Dobrowsky is a Professor in the Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology at the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy. He also serves as Director of the Graduate Program in Neuroscience. His research focuses on diabetic neuropathy and molecular chaperones, exploring how hyperglycemia impacts neurotrophin signaling and mitochondrial function in peripheral nerves. Education: Ph.D. in Pharmacology, North Carolina State University (1990) Postdoctoral Training at Duke University Medical Center (1995) Research Interests: His work examines molecular mechanisms underlying diabetic neuropathy, including neuregulin signaling, mitochondrial proteome changes, and the role of molecular chaperones like Hsp70 and Hsp90. Current projects investigate how hyperglycemia alters IGF-1 signaling and neuregulinism to drive neuropathic damage. Publications: Recent work highlights therapies targeting molecular chaperones to treat diabetic neuropathy and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, including cemdomespib and noviomimetic compounds. Key findings include improved mitochondrial function and reduced demyelination in animal models. Advising & Grants: He has advised students like Sukhmanjit Kaur and Yssa Rodriguez. His lab collaborates on NIH-funded projects exploring mitochondrial dysfunction in diabetes and molecular chaperone-based therapies. Labs: Director of the Dobrowsky Lab, which studies signaling pathways in nerve degeneration and develops novel therapeutic approaches for peripheral neuropathies.
Professor Andrew Jackson of Newcastle University is a leading researcher in neuroscience and neuroengineering, focusing on neural interfaces, optogenetics, and epilepsy. His work spans brain-computer interfaces, spinal cord stimulation, and sleep-dependent memory processes. Key research areas: closed-loop optogenetic systems, motor cortex dynamics, cerebellar-neocortical communication, and seizure pathway analysis. Collaborations with experts like Dr. Boubker Zaaimi, Professor Yujiang Wang, and Dr. Wei Xu. Develops implantable low-power platforms for real-time neural monitoring and stimulation. His recent publications highlight advancements in neuroprosthetics for motor recovery post-stroke/spinal injury, cortical chloride homeostasis in epilepsy, and mechanisms of brain self-regulation during movement and sleep. Technologies pioneered include flexible neural electrodes, temperature self-monitoring optoelectronics, and wearable bioelectrical signal systems. His work integrates computational neuroscience with clinical applications in motor disorders and epilepsy.
Dr. Gary Glover is a Professor of Radiology (Radiological Sciences Lab) at Stanford University , with courtesy appointments in Psychology and Electrical Engineering. His work focuses on the physics and mathematics of MRI, particularly rapid scanning methods using spiral k-space trajectories for functional brain imaging and multimodal neuroimaging (fMRI/EEG/fPET/fNIRS) combined with neuromodulation techniques like TMS and transcranial ultrasound. Academic Appointments: Radiology, Psychology, Electrical Engineering Professional Affiliations: Bio-X, Stanford Cancer Institute, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute Research Interests include: Development of blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) and viscoelastic contrast in MRI Functional MR Elastography for brain activation mapping Optimization of MR-ARFI for transcranial ultrasound guidance Automated spinal cord segmentation (EPISeg) using machine learning Scientific Awards : National Academy of Engineering (2013) Gold Medal, ISMRM (2000) Steinmetz Award, General Electric (1985) Lauterbur Lecture, ISMRM (2018) Recent Publications analyze: Fast fMRI sampling and spurious signal correction Dissociated patterns in default mode network anti-correlations Neural correlates of collaborative behavior in triadic fMRI Salience network contributions to depression pathophysiology
Andréanne Sharp, PhD, is Assistant Professor at Université Laval’s Faculty of Medicine, Department of Rehabilitation, where she leads the Clinical and Cognitive Neuroscience research axis. Her program explores auditory and multisensory processing across the lifespan, with emphasis on music perception, hearing loss, cochlear implants and vibrotactile technologies. Research interests: Auditory-vibrotactile interactions and sensory substitution Music cognition and neural plasticity in musicians Aging, hearing impairment and rehabilitation Temporal processing and EEG correlates of perception Clinical translation toward improved prosthetic and therapeutic devices Recent work (2023-2025) combines psychophysics, electrophysiology and qualitative methods to understand how musical experience protects perceptual skills in older adults with hearing loss, how frequency cues modulate auditory illusions, and how COVID-19 public-health measures affected communication in the hearing-impaired community. Sharp’s output appears in high-impact journals including Brain Research , Cerebral Cortex , Ear & Hearing , JSLHR and Psychological Research , demonstrating a trajectory that bridges basic cognitive neuroscience and clinical audiology. She maintains an active interdisciplinary laboratory, mentoring numerous graduate students and collaborating with engineering and rehabilitation teams to develop vibrotactile gloves and other sensory-augmentation devices. Grant and funding details are not disclosed in the supplied text.
Dana Small, PhD is a Senior Scientist at the RI-MUHC and Professor in the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery at McGill University . Her research is centered in the Metabolic Disorders and Complications Program within the Centre for Translational Biology . Her research focuses on understanding how body and mind work together to optimize behavior, particularly through neuroimaging, metabolic, and behavioral studies of ingestive behavior. She investigates how modern food environments affect brain evolution and eating behavior. The 15 most recent publications show a consistent focus on food reward mechanisms (2025), nutrient-brain interactions (2024), addiction-genetics relationships (2023), and neural processing of taste and reward (2020-2023). These works appear in high-impact journals like Cell Metabolism and Science .
Bertrand Coste is a CNRS Researcher at the Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory (Aix-Marseille University/CNRS), specializing in mechanosensation and ion channel biology. He developed pioneering techniques to study mechanically activated ion channels, notably discovering the PIEZO1 and PIEZO2 channels with Prof. Ardem Patapoutian, which contributed to the 2021 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. His current work focuses on pain perception mechanisms and cardiovascular functions of PIEZO channels. Education: Completed his PhD at the Laboratoire de neurophysiologie cellulaire in Marseille, followed by postdoctoral research at the Scripps Research Institute, CA (2007–2012). Research Interests: Molecular basis of mechanosensation, mechanosensitive ion channels (PIEZO family), pain signaling, and cardiovascular physiology. His studies bridge molecular neurobiology with clinical applications in chronic pain management and genetic disorders linked to mechanosensory defects. Publications highlight advancements in PIEZO channel structure-function relationships, their roles in sensory perception, and contributions to pathologies like hereditary stomatocytosis and arthrogryposis. His work integrates genetics, cell biology, and biophysics to decode mechanical signaling pathways. Received the Brixham Foundation 2022 Award (Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale) for research on pain mechanisms. Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams at the CNRS and Aix-Marseille University, advancing translational neuroscience initiatives.
Ryan Thibodeau is a Professor at St. John Fisher University and a New York State licensed psychologist with Apple Teacher certification. His research examines the history of psychiatry and mental illness stigma, with publications spanning PTSD, schizophrenia, depression, and autism stigma. Recent work explores continuum beliefs, social distance, and intervention efficacy. Community involvement includes the Mount Hope Cemetery unnamed deceased memorial project and sensory-friendly space development. His publication portfolio demonstrates extensive focus on mental health stigma mechanisms across military/civilian contexts, celebrity influences, and parent-associated stigma. Methodologies include laboratory experiments, correlational studies, and implicit/explicit measures spanning psychophysiology and social cognition.
Steve Luck is a Distinguished Professor at the University of California, Davis, holding appointments in the Department of Psychology and the Center for Mind and Brain (CMB). He served as CMB Director from 2009–2019 and is affiliated with the UC Davis MIND Institute and the Center for Neuroscience. His research focuses on attention, working memory, and cognitive dysfunction in psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia), employing ERP recordings, eye tracking, and behavioral methods. He is a leading developer of ERP methodologies, including the ERPLAB Toolbox and global ERP Boot Camp workshops. Education: Ph.D., Neurosciences, UC San Diego, 1993 M.S., Neurosciences, UC San Diego, 1989 B.A., Psychology, Reed College, 1986 Research Interests: Dr. Luck explores mechanisms of cognitive control, with a focus on working memory's role in guiding attention. His lab investigates ERP correlates of attentional deficits in schizophrenia and develops standardized ERP protocols. Recent work emphasizes multivariate decoding of EEG signals and transdiagnostic neurocognitive biomarkers. Awards: Troland Award (2001) APA Distinguished Scientific Award (1998) McGuigan Young Investigator Prize (2004) Elected Fellow, Society of Experimental Psychologists and AAAS Teaching & Leadership: Professor Luck pioneered hybrid course formats in Cognitive Science and teaches advanced topics in perception and cognitive neuroscience. He co-founded the UC Davis Cognitive Science major and advocates for innovative undergraduate education models. Labs & Collaborations: The Luck Lab integrates clinical and basic research, collaborating globally on ERP method development and schizophrenia biomarker studies. Key projects include ERP Core resources and the CNTRACS consortium for neurocognitive reliability studies.
Soner Sonmezoglu is an Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Northeastern University's College of Engineering. His research focuses on implantable and wearable medical devices enabled by advanced microelectronics and microfabrication for neurological, diagnostic, and therapeutic applications. He leads the Sonmezoglu Lab and has secured major grants including a $13M ARPA-H award for developing photoacoustic imaging systems for early lung cancer detection. Education: PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering, UC Davis (2017) BSc and MSc in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Solid-State Physics, Middle East Technical University (2010-2012) Postdoctoral Researcher, UC Berkeley EECS (pre-2022) Research Interests: His work spans integrated circuits, micro/nano electromechanical systems (M/NEMS), neural interfaces, and medical device integration. Key projects include ultrasonic wireless neural interfaces and millimeter-scale oxygen sensors for deep-tissue monitoring. Current initiatives include the PAIL project for lung cancer diagnostics. Awards: UC Davis Graduate Division Fellowship Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey Graduate Fellowship Grants & Collaborations: Principal Investigator of ARPA-H's $13M PAIL initiative. Active in the Institute for NanoSystems Innovation, contributing to chip-level technology advancements. Labs/Teams: Directs the Sonmezoglu Lab at Northeastern, focusing on next-generation biomedical device innovation through interdisciplinary microsystems engineering.
Matthias Kuhl is a Professor at the Institute of Microsystems Technology (IMTEK) at the University of Freiburg since April 2022. He leads research projects focused on neural probes, biomedical implants, and integrated microelectronic systems. His work includes developing low-power neural interfaces, stress sensors, and energy-efficient circuits for medical applications. Research Interests Neural probes with electronic depth control Implantable biomedical devices CMOS integrated sensors and actuators Energy harvesting for autonomous systems Microfabrication and 3D-printed electronics Key Projects Advanced EDC: Intracortical neural probes with electronic depth control ComBiNE: Bidirectional neural exchange components SEAM-WiT: Implantable neural probe transceivers Multi-material 3D-printed electronics His recent publications emphasize low-power neural front-ends, stress sensor integration, and biomedical system design. He advises numerous graduate students on topics ranging from CMOS circuit design to biohybrid systems. Labs & Teams He leads the Professur für Mikroelektronik lab, specializing in microelectronic systems for biomedical and industrial applications. Collaborates with orthodontic, neurobiology, and materials science groups.
Megan Carey is a Researcher at the Champalimaud Foundation , leading the Carey Lab . Her research focuses on understanding how cellular and synaptic mechanisms in the cerebellum influence motor behavior and learning. Key projects include studies on cerebellar neural circuits, locomotor adaptation, and sensory-motor integration. Her recent work highlights cross-species comparisons (mice and flies), zebrafish visual system neurobiology, and pharmacological modulation of motor learning. The lab employs genetic perturbations, optogenetics, and behavioral analysis to dissect neural circuit dynamics. Notable collaborators include senior scientists, postdoctoral researchers, and PhD students. The lab's publications span high-impact journals like J. Neurosci. , eLife , and Neuron , with funding from HHMI and NIH.