Prof. Dr. Sabine Begall is a Researcher at the Department of General Zoology , Faculty of Biology , University of Duisburg-Essen. With over 25 years of experience, she focuses on the sensory ecology of subterranean mammals, particularly Fukomys anselli , exploring magnetoreception , acoustic communication , visual adaptations , and physiological responses to underground environments . Key Research Areas: Subterranean mammal sensory ecology Thyroid hormone regulation in aging Magnetic field orientation mechanisms Comparative auditory and visual systems Domestication syndrome in rodents Evolutionary adaptations in burrowing species Recent Article Trends: 2025 study on retinal ganglion cell diversity in microphthalmic mammals 2024 thyroid hormone and hypoxia research in mole-rats 2023 comparative analyses of burrow acoustics and dental structures Scientific Awards: Honor for outstanding dissertation (2001), University of Essen Fritz Frank Prize (2001), German Society for Mammalogy She serves as a reviewer for journals including Journal of Morphology , Animal Behaviour , and Scientific Reports , and has contributed to major publications on subterranean rodent ecology.
Professor Werner Hemmert leads the Bio-Inspired Information Processing group at the Munich Institute of Biomedical Engineering (TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology). His research spans theoretical, biomedical, and systems neuroscience, focusing on auditory processing, cochlear implants, and computational modeling of neural coding mechanisms. Primary research focus: Theoretical Neuroscience & Technical Applications Secondary research focus: Biomedical Neuroscience Tertiary research focus: Cellular & Systems Neuroscience His work employs computational modeling , psychophysical and objective nerve potential measurements , vibration analysis , and otoacoustic emission measurements to investigate: Coding of sound into nerve-action potentials Neuronal processing in the auditory brainstem Electrical stimulation of neurons Patient measurements in cochlear implant users Biophysics of sensory organs and neurons Recent publications highlight his contributions to auditory neuroscience, including studies on neural coding dynamics, computational modeling of auditory systems, and biophysical mechanisms of hearing. These works intersect with fields like neural networks , computational modeling , and auditory signal processing . Current or graduated GSN students under his supervision include Miguel Obando, Anna Dietze, Dr. Michael Drews, and Dr. Miguel Eduardo Obando Leitón. Contact: werner.hemmert@tum.de | Website
Prof. Anne Quirynen is a Berlin-based artist and professor at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam, specializing in Media Design and Moving Image. She leads the 'Europäische Medienwissenschaft (B.A.)' program and holds roles including Pro-Dekanin for special tasks. Her work bridges art, science, ecology, and queer-feminist practices, often focusing on interdisciplinary collaborations with choreographers like William Forsythe and Enno Poppe. Key projects include Venus Mission (2012), exploring Rio Tinto’s ecological impacts and Mars colonization, and Reflections into a Thousand Pieces (2015), a book-installation hybrid. Her installations like Interzone (2007) and The Way of the Weed (1997) blend film, music, and performance, addressing themes of body politics, postcolonialism, and surrealism. Awards include the 1997 Film+arc.Graz New Visions Award. Quirynen’s research emphasizes raw material extraction’s ecological consequences and queer-feminist critiques. She collaborates on projects like GenderArtNet , an online archive linking feminist/queer artists. Her exhibitions span global venues like MoMA (New York) and the Centre Pompidou (Paris).
Frances Scholz is a Professor of Painting and Filmmaking at Braunschweig University of Fine Arts (HBK), Germany, since 2002. Her interdisciplinary practice spans painting, sculpture, installation, performance, and time-based media, emphasizing collaboration and social engagement. She leads a class that explores open dialogue among students, experimenting across multiple mediums while prioritizing collective projects both within and beyond academia. Key exhibitions include and may three moons light up the sky (2024), interrogating spatial and light-based installations, and the feeling when you walk away (2023), a performance-driven project. Her work often engages with philosophical concepts like Michel Foucault’s ideas on emptiness and Karen Barad’s intra-action theory. Recent projects highlight collaborative frameworks, such as the New York-based Kennen Sie Turner? (2017), and critical group exhibitions addressing institutional critique and activism. Her pedagogical approach fosters student autonomy while nurturing collective creativity, evident in over 20 group exhibitions since 2004. Students in her class have consistently participated in prestigious venues like the Kestnergesellschaft Hannover and CCA Wattis Institute. Her research and teaching emphasize intermediality, questioning traditional boundaries between art forms and societal structures.
Prof. Felix Bießmann holds a professorship in Computer Science and Media at Berlin University of Applied Sciences' Department VI. His research focuses on machine learning applications in diverse fields including healthcare, urban planning, environmental science, and robotics through his Cognitive Algorithms Lab. He teaches courses such as Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and Data Science Workflows, alongside roles at TU Berlin and Korea University. Education: PhD (Dr. rer. nat.) in Natural Sciences Research interests span machine learning theory and practical implementations across domains like computer vision, generative AI, and sensor data analysis. His work addresses challenges in automated systems, healthcare monitoring, and sustainable technologies. Recent student theses explore topics like license plate recognition, adaptive game soundtracks, and bird song detection using TinyML. Collaborations include projects with the Charité Berlin and Robert-Koch Institute. Lab: Cognitive Algorithms Lab (developing machine learning methods/applications) Contact: felix.biessmann@bht-berlin.de | Office D138, Berlin University of Applied Sciences.
Dr. Henrik Brumm is a Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, where he leads the "Animal Communication and Urban Ecology" research group. Previously affiliated with the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology in Seewiesen, his work focuses on bird communication, vocal learning, and the effects of urban environments on avian behavior and physiology. Education: 1993-1999: Study of biology and social psychology at FU Berlin 2000-2003: Doctorate at FU Berlin under Prof. Dietmar Todt 2004-2006: Research scientist (Emmy-Noether-Auslandsstipendiat, DFG) at University of St Andrews with Prof. Peter Slater 2007: Research fellow at University of St Andrews 2018: Guest professorship at University Paris Nanterre Dr. Brumm's research investigates how birds produce songs, exchange information through vocalizations, and adapt signals to environmental changes. His work on urban ecology examines how anthropogenic noise impacts avian physiology and behavior, with implications for understanding eco-evolutionary processes. His group uses bird song as a model system to study communication mechanisms and vocal learning in animals, with particular attention to noise pollution effects. Analysis of Dr. Brumm's recent publications reveals a strong focus on anthropogenic noise effects on bird communication, particularly urban and airport noise. His work spans bioacoustics, behavioral ecology, and urban ecology, with studies on song amplitude, vocal plasticity, and signal adaptation. His research often employs comparative approaches across species and examines both proximate mechanisms and evolutionary implications of acoustic communication in changing environments. Scientific Awards and Editorships: 2008: Christopher Barnard Award for Outstanding Contributions by a New Investigator Editor, Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology Consulting Editor (2009-2013), Animal Behaviour Editor (2007-2012), Behaviour Dr. Brumm has secured significant research funding through programs like the Emmy-Noether-Auslandsstipendiat from the German Research Foundation (DFG). His sustained research program since 2007 indicates successful grant acquisition supporting work on animal communication and urban ecology. His collaborative work spans international boundaries with frequent European collaborations. Dr. Brumm leads the "Animal Communication and Urban Ecology" research group at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence. The team includes technical staff and guest scientists working together to investigate bird communication mechanisms and urban environmental impacts. The group combines field studies with experimental approaches to understand how birds adapt communication systems to changing environments, particularly in response to anthropogenic noise.
Claudia Friedrich is a Professor of Developmental Psychology at the University of Tübingen, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Department of Psychology, where she has held her position since April 2013. Her research focuses on the cognitive processes underlying language development in children, with particular emphasis on speech processing, word recognition, and the acquisition of linguistic structures. Her educational background includes a doctorate in Psychology from the University of Leipzig (2003) and undergraduate studies in Psychology at the Technical University of Berlin (1993-1999). Professor Friedrich's research examines how children process speech sounds, word stress patterns, and develop the ability to understand language in context. Her work investigates cognitive and neural mechanisms involved in language acquisition across different age groups, with special attention to how first and second language learners process linguistic information. Through eye-tracking, ERP, and behavioral experiments, her research explores how children develop the ability to take perspectives during communication, process prosodic features of speech, and build lexical representations. She has made significant contributions to understanding how literacy acquisition shapes speech processing and how cross-modal influences affect language development. Her recent publications reveal a consistent focus on developmental trajectories in language processing, with increasing attention to cross-linguistic comparisons and multimodal aspects of language acquisition. The research demonstrates sophisticated methodological approaches combining behavioral, eye-tracking, and neurophysiological measures to investigate language processing from infancy through childhood. Professor Friedrich leads several major research projects including Project A6 "The Development of Common Ground in First and Second Language Acquisition" (2025-2029), a DFG-funded project on "Stress processing at the word level in children with different language backgrounds" (2024-2027), and previously led Project B1 on modal and amodal cognition (2020-2023). Her research has been consistently supported by prestigious funding bodies including the European Research Council (ERC) and the German Research Foundation (DFG). She heads the Developmental Psychology workspace at the University of Tübingen, where her research group investigates cognitive prerequisites for perspective-taking in language comprehension and the influence of perspective taking during language processing through memory experiments and eye movement studies.
Federico Visi (he/they) serves as Guest Faculty in the Sound Studies and Sonic Arts Master's program at Berlin University of the Arts. Based in Berlin, Germany, Visi is a researcher, composer, and performer whose work bridges technology and artistic expression through innovative musical interfaces and performance systems. Visi completed doctoral research on instrumental music and body movement at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Computer Music Research (ICCMR), University of Plymouth, UK. They have held postdoctoral positions at Luleå University of Technology (Sweden) and Goldsmiths, University of London (UK), establishing a foundation for their interdisciplinary approach to music technology. Visi's research focuses on gesture in music, motion-sensing technologies, interactive machine learning, and embodied interaction. Their work explores how body movement and physiological signals can be harnessed in electronic music creation through both theoretical frameworks and practical implementations. They have developed novel instruments like the Sophtar and biosignal-based performance systems that translate physiological data into sound. Recent scholarly output reveals a trajectory toward increasingly sophisticated integration of machine learning in musical contexts, with significant contributions spanning computer music, psychology, and human-computer interaction domains. Visi's publications demonstrate how algorithmic processes can be embedded in musical instruments to create new forms of musical expression and co-creativity between humans and machines. As an active member of the research community, Visi co-edited a thematic issue of Organised Sound on 'Embedding Algorithms in Music and Sound Art' and organized the Embedding Algorithms Workshop at Berlin University of the Arts. They contribute to the Wilding AI collective that explores creative applications of AI in spatial audio environments. Visi releases music under the moniker AQAXA, combining conventional electronic music production with machine learning exploration of personal sonic memories. Their work has been supported by the European Research Council, Swedish Research Council, Boström Fund, and Helge Ax:son Johnsons foundation.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Delf Egge was a renowned academic in geodesy, hydrography, and software engineering. He served as a Professor at HafenCity University Hamburg (HCU) since 2006, previously at the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW Hamburg) from 1987–2005. His research focused on satellite positioning, multibeam echo sounder data processing, and geospatial software development using Java and MATLAB. He was a key figure in establishing international standards for hydrographic education through his membership on the FIG/IHO/ICA Board. Notable contributions include pioneering work in GNSS precise point positioning and the development of certified hydrography courses. Egge passed away unexpectedly on August 7, 2015, leaving a lasting impact on geomatics education and research. Career Highlights: Professor at HCU (2006–2015) and HAW Hamburg (1987–2005) Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering, University of Washington (1985–1987) Member of the FIG/IHO/ICA International Board (since 2003) Contributed to the International Maritime Academy, Trieste (1991–2004) Research Interests: Egge’s work bridged theoretical geodesy and practical applications. His studies on satellite positioning advanced real-time geoscience applications, while his focus on multibeam echo sounder data processing revolutionized marine survey methodologies. He also led software development initiatives, creating tools like GEOTRANS for coordinate transformation and exploring Java-based solutions for ECDIS systems. Publications & Recognition: Over 15 key publications span hydrographic standards, GNSS techniques, and educational frameworks. His work emphasized interdisciplinary collaboration and practical field applications. Egge’s legacy includes foundational contributions to hydrographic education and geomatics innovation. Affiliations: Deutsche Hydrographische Gesellschaft (DHyG) Deutscher Verein für Vermessungswesen German Hydrographic Consultancy Pool (GHyCoP) Advisory Board
Elena Zucca is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science, Bioengineering, Robotics and Systems Engineering (DIBRIS) at the University of Genoa, Italy. She has a strong research focus on programming languages, particularly in the areas of type systems, formal semantics, and coinduction. Her work bridges theoretical foundations with practical implementations, as evidenced by her publications on topics like Featherweight Java, corecursion, and soundness proofs for programming language features. Her research interests span the theoretical and practical aspects of programming languages. She investigates the formal semantics of programming constructs, particularly focusing on the boundaries between finite and infinite computations. Her work on coinduction and corecursion explores how to safely handle infinite data structures and computations. She has made significant contributions to understanding soundness in programming language features, especially in relation to resource-aware semantics. Her research often combines theoretical foundations with practical implementations, as seen in her work on Featherweight Java extensions and effect systems. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on advanced type systems and semantics. Her work explores the theoretical boundaries of programming language features while maintaining practical relevance. A recurring theme is the relationship between finite and infinite computations, with particular attention to soundness guarantees. Her research has evolved from foundational work on lambda calculus and object-oriented programming toward more specialized topics like graded types, coeffects, and resource-aware semantics. Elena Zucca has been actively involved in the programming languages research community, serving on program committees for major conferences including SPLASH, ECOOP, and POPL. She has mentored students through doctoral courses on Declarative Programming and (Co)Induction. Her research has been supported through participation in various academic programs, including the SEPL research program mentioned in her course materials. She teaches a diverse range of courses at the University of Genoa, from undergraduate to doctoral levels. Her teaching portfolio includes Automata Theory and Computability, Algorithms Analysis and Design, Principles and Paradigms of Programming Languages, and specialized doctoral courses on Declarative Programming and (Co)Induction. Her courses often reflect her research interests, covering theoretical foundations of programming languages, formal methods, and advanced programming paradigms.
Pauline Larrouy-Maestri is a Senior Researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics in Frankfurt/Main, Germany, where she has been working since 2019 after serving as a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Neuroscience Department from 2014-2019. Her interdisciplinary research focuses on how humans categorize acoustic information that unfolds over time to make sense of sounds, working at the intersection of music, speech, and neuroscience. Dr. Larrouy-Maestri holds a PhD in Psychology from the University of Liège (2009-2013) and has an unusually diverse educational background including a Bachelor in Music (Piano) from the Royal Conservatory of Mons, a Master in Speech Therapy from the University of Brussels, additional studies in Psychology, Pedagogy, and Music Therapy, and research stays at McGill University and SUNY Buffalo. This multidisciplinary foundation informs her unique approach to studying sound perception. Her research examines how we process ambiguous auditory material that sits at the boundaries between music and speech categories, such as sprechgesang and West-African talking drums. She investigates auditory sequence processing in music, particularly how continuous streams of sound are parsed into meaningful units, and has made significant contributions to understanding the perception of correctness in singing. Her work on vocal communication explores how pitch, timing, and other acoustic features contribute to our interpretation of emotional content and meaning in both music and speech. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a sophisticated integration of behavioral, electrophysiological, and computational approaches to study music-speech interactions, with growing emphasis on cross-cultural perspectives, individual differences, and neural mechanisms. Her work increasingly examines how subtle acoustic variations influence aesthetic judgments and emotional responses to vocalizations. 2023: €20,000 research scholarship for "Humanity of Speech" project 2017: Selected for "Sign Up! Careerbuilding for outstanding female post docs in the MPG" 2016: Young Investigator Award from SEMPRE and ICMPC14 2015: PBEEE Merit scholarship from Fonds de recherche du Québec 2013: Patrimoine de l'Université de Liège and FNRS fundings 2011: Grant from French Community of Belgium Dr. Larrouy-Maestri currently supervises multiple researchers including Camila Bruder, Madita Hoerster, and Zofia Hobubowska. Her research is supported by competitive grants including the recent Imminent scholarship and previous funding from Belgian and Canadian sources. She maintains extensive international collaborations with researchers including David Poeppel, Melanie Wald-Fuhrmann, Marc Pell, and others across neuroscience, psychology, and musicology disciplines. Her work is conducted within the Neuroscience Department at the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics, where she contributes to the institute's interdisciplinary mission of studying aesthetic experiences through multiple methodological approaches. She participates in research groups focusing on auditory perception, music cognition, and the neural mechanisms underlying language and music processing, helping bridge traditionally separate fields through innovative experimental designs.
Sascha Spors is a Professor at the Chair of Signal Theory and Digital Signal Processing within the Institute of Communications Engineering at the University of Rostock. His work spans spatial audio processing, medical signal processing, and data-driven methodologies. Chair of the AES Technical Committee on Spatial Audio Ombudsperson at the University of Rostock Research focuses on spatial sound capture/synthesis, perception of synthetic sound fields, and biomedical applications like implant monitoring via electrical impedance tomography. He contributes to open science initiatives and research data management frameworks. Key collaborations include memberships in the IEEE Signal Processing Society, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Akustik (DEGA), and Audio Engineering Society (AES).
Wiktor Młynarski is a Professor and Research Group Leader at the Faculty of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, where he directs computational neuroscience research focused on adaptive neural computations in sensory systems. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with experimental validation to uncover fundamental principles of biological information processing. His research centers on computational and theoretical neuroscience, leveraging information theory, statistics, and probabilistic machine learning to model how neural systems efficiently represent dynamic natural environments. Key interests include sensory coding adaptation across timescales, statistical structure of natural stimuli, and the development of normative frameworks applicable from synaptic to behavioral levels. This inherently collaborative approach integrates theoretical predictions with experimental neuroscience to identify universal processing rules. Analysis of Młynarski's publication trajectory (2014-2025) reveals consistent exploration of efficient coding principles across auditory and visual domains, with recent work emphasizing anticipatory processing during locomotion, time-constrained decision-making, and panoramic visual statistics. His research demonstrates how environmental dynamics shape neural representations, moving beyond static models to capture the brain's adaptive capabilities in real-world contexts. Professor Młynarski leads the Computational Neurobiology Research Group (https://compneurobio.org), fostering interdisciplinary collaborations to confront theoretical models with experimental data. The group's work aims to establish general rules for biological information processing by examining how sensory systems dynamically optimize computations in response to environmental regularities and changes.
Leah Findlater is a Professor at the University of Washington , Seattle, WA, USA. Her research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Accessibility , particularly in developing AI and Machine Learning systems for users with disabilities. Key areas: Assistive Technologies , Speech Recognition , Visual Privacy Collaborators: Jon E. Froehlich, Dhruv Jain, Emma J. McDonnell, Abigale Stangl Her recent work includes sound personalization for Deaf users , AI-driven sign language generation , and privacy tools for blind individuals . She explores interactive machine learning and user-centered design to improve accessibility in smartwatches , AR , and generative AI . Articles highlight cross-disciplinary collaborations with disability communities , focusing on inclusive AI , sensory augmentation , and ethical technology design . She advocates for user-driven accessibility solutions in social media and urban environments .
André Siegel is a Lecturer for special tasks at the Electronic Media Technology Group, Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Technical University of Ilmenau. He is actively involved in research and teaching related to audio engineering and acoustics, with a focus on spatial sound reproduction and simulation. His research interests span Audio Engineering , Room Acoustics , Binaural Sound Reproduction , Spatial Audio , Acoustic Simulation , and Audio Signal Processing . His work emphasizes practical implementations in real environments, including crosstalk cancellation, head-related transfer function measurement, and sound field analysis. The publications reflect a consistent research trajectory from 2005 to 2013, with a concentration on spatial audio technologies, room simulation methods, and perceptual aspects of sound reproduction. Key themes include the optimization of stereo and binaural systems, low-frequency acoustic behavior, and advanced measurement techniques using vector sensors and spherical arrays. André Siegel has not been awarded any scientific prizes or fellowships mentioned in the available data. He collaborates with researchers such as Hans-Peter Schade, Stephan Werner, and Julius T. Fricke. His work contributes to both academic knowledge and practical applications in room acoustical consultancy and immersive audio systems. He is based in Helmholtz Building, Room H 3529, and can be contacted at andre.siegel@tu-ilmenau.de.
