Professor Bernd Möbius is a leading academic in Phonetics and Phonology at the Department of Language Science and Technology, Saarland University. His research bridges phonetic theory with speech technology applications, focusing on text-to-speech systems, prosody modeling, and computational simulations of speech processes. Current research projects: DFG SFB 1102, C1: Information density and phonetic structure predictability DFG SFB 1102, C4: Slavic intercomprehension and surprisal theory (INCOMSLAV) Research Themes: Key areas include text-to-speech synthesis, speech prosody analysis, experimental methods in speech production/perception, information density in phonetics, and cross-linguistic studies of Slavic-Germanic languages. Scientific Contributions: Recent work explores Parkinson-induced dysarthria detection, breath noise acoustics, surprisal-driven speech behaviors, multilingual BERT models for idiomaticity, and perceptual consequences of acoustic adjustments.
Takako Fujioka is an Associate Professor of Music at Stanford University, affiliated with the Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA). Her research focuses on the neural mechanisms underlying auditory perception, auditory-motor coupling, and music-supported therapy for neurorehabilitation. She holds a Ph.D. in Physiology from the Graduate University for Advanced Studies, Japan, and M.Sc./B.Eng. degrees in Electrical Engineering from Waseda University. Her work combines neurophysiological techniques such as MEG and EEG to study brain plasticity in development, aging, and stroke recovery. Notable contributions include investigating how music influences motor and cognitive recovery in stroke patients, as well as exploring the neural basis of musical perception through rhythmic synchronization and pitch discrimination studies. Supported by awards from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research during her postdoctoral work at the Rotman Research Institute, her research bridges clinical neuroscience and music cognition. Dr. Fujioka’s expertise spans auditory neuroscience, neurorehabilitation, and technology-assisted music therapy. She has pioneered studies on tactile mapping for cochlear implant users and networked music performance systems, emphasizing cross-modal perception and human-technology interaction. Her findings contribute to both theoretical understanding of auditory processing and practical applications in medical and educational settings. Awards: Canadian Institutes of Health Research Awards (postdoctoral phase) Labs/Teams: CCRMA, Stanford Music Perception Laboratory, Rotman Research Institute collaborations Key Themes: Neuroplasticity, Music-Mediated Rehabilitation, Auditory-Motor Integration, Multisensory Processing Her recent work examines aging-related changes in binaural hearing and the role of beta/gamma oscillations in rhythmic processing. She advocates for translational research that connects neural mechanisms with real-world therapeutic interventions.
Lee Miller is a Professor in the Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior at the University of California, Davis, College of Biological Sciences. His research integrates neural engineering, physiology, and computational methods to develop communication restoration technologies and investigate sensory processing mechanisms. His primary research interests include neural engineering for speech neuroprosthetics, electrophysiological analysis of speech production, auditory neuroscience, and geometric approaches to neuromuscular signal decoding. He employs surface electromyography (EMG), electroencephalography (EEG), and computational modeling to study brain-machine interfaces for speech restoration and multisensory integration. Recent publications reveal a dominant focus on EMG-based speech neuroprostheses, with geometric and topological analysis of neuromuscular signals emerging as a key methodology. His lab has pioneered non-invasive approaches to speech articulation decoding, created standardized EMG databases, and investigated neural mechanisms of attention in speech-in-noise processing. This work bridges engineering innovation with fundamental neuroscience to address communication disorders. Professor Miller leads the Miller Lab at UC Davis, which specializes in neural engineering for communication restoration. The lab develops real-time speech synthesis systems from neural signals and investigates the physiological basis of speech production and perception using multimodal recording techniques.
Kara Leyzac is an Associate Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina . Her work focuses on cochlear implants and hearing loss, with particular emphasis on optimizing implant function and understanding cochlear health's role in auditory outcomes. She holds dual doctoral degrees (AuD/PhD) and is affiliated with the MUSC College of Medicine. Research interests include cochlear implant efficacy, neural health preservation, and patient decision-making regarding implantation. Her work spans clinical trials (e.g., phantom percept treatments) and systematic reviews of long-term outcomes. Over 37 publications highlight contributions to auditory neuroscience, implant design, and rehabilitation strategies. No scientific awards were explicitly mentioned in the provided texts. Advising and grants sections remain unspecified due to lack of detailed information. Active research areas include electrode placement effects, auditory training protocols, and patient-specific outcomes in adult cochlear implant users.
Jeff Searl is a Professor in the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders at Michigan State University (MSU), within the College of Communication Arts and Sciences. Previously, he held faculty roles at the University of Kansas Medical Center’s Hearing and Speech Department and the Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery Department. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Kansas. His research focuses on understanding how chemoradiation and surgery for head and neck cancers affect speech and voice production. The goal is to develop clinical practices that preserve or rehabilitate communication for patients post-treatment. His methods include physiological, acoustic, and auditory-perceptual measurements. Key emphases include optimizing communication while balancing speech intelligibility, physical/cognitive effort, and associated fatigue. Recent work addresses pandemic impacts on laryngectomy patients, clinician practices during crises, and vocal effort measurement across cultures. His lab investigates articulatory pressures, tracheoesophageal speech dynamics, and dysphagia treatment innovations. Though no specific awards are listed, his contributions to voice rehabilitation and clinical methodologies are significant. Dr. Searl advises on telemedicine applications for Parkinson’s voice therapy, group therapy feasibility, and alaryngeal communication modalities. His lab at MSU collaborates on interdisciplinary projects involving speech-language pathologists, engineers, and oncologists to advance communication restoration technologies.
Dr. Kenneth S. Henry is an Associate Professor at the University of Rochester Medical Center (SMD) with joint appointments in the Departments of Otolaryngology, Biomedical Engineering, and Neuroscience. His research focuses on auditory neuroscience, cochlear synaptopathy, and neural mechanisms of hearing, using behavioral, neurophysiological, and histological approaches. Department of Otolaryngology Department of Biomedical Engineering Department of Neuroscience Research Interests: His lab investigates auditory nerve loss, hidden hearing loss, and neural bases of masked amplitude-modulation perception. Using avian and mammalian models, his work explores how cochlear neurodegeneration impacts behavioral and neural sensitivity to complex sounds in noise. Publications Trends: Recent research examines auditory nerve encoding, envelope processing in hearing loss, cochlear fluid dynamics, and neural mechanisms of speech-in-noise perception using avian models. Lab Members: Current researchers include graduate students Leslie Gonzales (Neuroscience) and Yingxuan Wang (Biomedical Engineering). Alumni include John Wilson (PhD student) and Steph Wong (ENT resident). Contact: Email kenneth_henry@urmc.rochester.edu or call (585) 275-4851 for collaboration/postdoc opportunities.
Brian Roberts is a Professor at Aston University's School of Psychology within the College of Health and Life Sciences. His primary research focuses on auditory perception, particularly auditory scene analysis and speech perception. He holds a PhD in Experimental Psychology (Auditory Perception) from the University of Cambridge (1989) and has held academic positions at the University of Birmingham (1993-2001) and Aston University since 2005. His work explores perceptual grouping mechanisms, cochlear implant listening, and the neural bases of auditory phenomena. Affiliations: Cognition & Neuroscience Research Group (CNRG), Centre for Vision and Hearing Research Employment History: Reader at University of Birmingham (2001), Senior Lecturer (1999), Lecturer (1993) Research interests include auditory stream segregation, formant analysis, and the effects of stimulus properties on perceptual organization. He has collaborated internationally, including visiting appointments at Macquarie University (2019) and the University of British Columbia (2011). Notable achievements include being elected a Fellow of the Acoustical Society of America (2009). Recent publications investigate factors influencing stream segregation (2024), asymmetric timbre effects (2023), and lexical bias in consonant identification (2022). Current projects explore sudden changes in auditory stimuli and their impact on perceptual grouping. Grants & Funding: Extensive research grants supporting auditory perception studies (details not explicitly listed) Supervised Work: 4 documented supervisees, though names not provided Labs/Teams: Active in the Auditory Perception Laboratory at Aston University, focusing on psychophysical and computational modeling approaches.
Donguk Lee is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology at the University of North Texas. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (2023) and previously worked as an audiologist in clinical and hearing aid settings. He also served as a medic in the South Korean Navy, providing medical support in naval and land-based environments. His research focuses on preventing noise-induced hearing loss through studies of auditory efferent systems, leveraging techniques like otoacoustic emissions and auditory evoked potentials. Dr. Lee’s work addresses both clinical and environmental aspects of hearing conservation. His recent studies explore variability in medial olivocochlear reflex responses to noise exposure and the interplay between efferent unmasking and cortical processing. Earlier work assessed noise levels in stadiums, subways, and other public spaces, linking environmental noise to hearing health risks and public attitudes. He was awarded the 2022 Student Research Grant in Audiology from ASHA for his innovative contributions to hearing loss prevention. His articles span from 2014 to 2023, reflecting a trajectory from hearing aid technology development to advanced auditory physiology and environmental noise policy implications.
Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyUnited States
Josh McDermott is a Professor in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at MIT and an Associate Investigator at the McGovern Institute. He holds roles as Associate Department Head and Principal Investigator of the Laboratory for Computational Audition. His work bridges psychology, neuroscience, and engineering to study auditory perception, with a focus on sound interpretation, hearing impairment treatments, and machine hearing systems. Education includes a B.A. from Harvard (summa cum laude), an MPhil from University College London, and a PhD from MIT. Postdoctoral training included NYU and the University of Minnesota. Research interests encompass computational principles of sound perception, natural sound statistics, music cognition, and machine hearing. Key areas include sound localization, auditory scene analysis, and the role of generative models in perception. Recent publications highlight advancements in auditory neural networks, cross-cultural music perception, and noise schema processing. Awards include the Troland Research Award, BCS Excellence in Advising, and NSF CAREER Award. Advising includes over 20 graduate students and postdocs, with notable contributions to auditory neuroscience and machine learning. Major grants support projects on auditory models and sensory systems. The lab develops tools like cochleagram generation and headphone screening software. The Laboratory for Computational Audition operates at MIT, focusing on biological and computational approaches to hearing. Collaborations span engineering, psychology, and neuroscience to advance understanding of auditory processing.
University Medical Center Hamburg-EppendorfGermany
Prof. Helen Blank is a Professor leading the Multisensory Perception Group and the Prediction in Communication Lab at the Institute for Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf. Her work focuses on understanding how sensory information is integrated and predicted in contexts like speech perception and face recognition. She holds a Marie Curie Fellowship for her research on prior information's role in human communication. Fluent in German, English, and French, she contributes to experimental medicine and systems neuroscience. Her research spans predictive coding, neuroimaging, and clinical applications in Parkinson’s and developmental disorders. Education: Not explicitly stated in text, inferred as advanced degrees in neuroscience or related fields. Her research interests emphasize multisensory integration, predictive processing in speech and vision, and the neural bases of perception. Recent articles explore topics such as pupil responses to auditory surprise, face expectation hierarchies, and audio-visual speech processing. Awards include the Marie Curie Fellowship supporting her predictive communication work. She leads interdisciplinary teams within the Center for Experimental Medicine, advancing knowledge on perceptual mechanisms and their clinical implications.
Dr. Ian Bruce is a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada. He has been with the department since 2002, conducting interdisciplinary research that bridges electrical engineering with auditory neuroscience. His work has significant implications for hearing technologies and auditory rehabilitation. Education: B.E. (electrical and electronic) from The University of Melbourne (1991) Ph.D. from the Department of Otolaryngology, The University of Melbourne Dr. Bruce's research program focuses on auditory modeling, hearing aids, cochlear implants, tinnitus, neural coding of speech, and digital speech processing. His work centers on understanding the physiological mechanisms of auditory processing and applying this knowledge to develop improved hearing technologies. He has pioneered computational models of the auditory periphery that accurately predict speech intelligibility for hearing-impaired listeners, directly informing hearing aid and cochlear implant design. Analysis of Dr. Bruce's recent publications (2019-2025) reveals a consistent focus on cochlear implants and auditory nerve modeling, with increasing integration of machine learning techniques. His work demonstrates a sophisticated balance between physiological accuracy and computational efficiency, with recent papers exploring WaveNet-based approximations of cochlear models and DNN-based auditory processing. A significant portion of his research examines the relationship between neural responses and perceptual outcomes in hearing-impaired individuals, particularly regarding temporal processing and speech understanding. Scientific Awards and Recognitions: Fellow of the Acoustical Society of America Member of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology Registered Professional Engineer in Ontario Associate Editor of the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America Dr. Bruce has mentored numerous graduate students through various capstone design projects across multiple engineering disciplines including biomedical, electrical, mechanical, and software engineering. His teaching portfolio includes specialized courses in biomedical signals and systems, cellular bioelectricity, models of the neuron, and advanced signal processing. He has consistently supervised M.Eng. projects and independent studies, demonstrating commitment to training the next generation of engineers in auditory technology development. Dr. Bruce's research is conducted within McMaster University's interdisciplinary biomedical engineering framework, collaborating with clinicians and researchers in otolaryngology and audiology. His laboratory work focuses on developing and validating computational models that simulate auditory nerve responses to both natural and prosthetic stimulation, with direct applications to improving cochlear implant performance and hearing aid algorithms for real-world listening environments.
Felicitas Kleber is Professor of Speech Science in the Department of Language Science and Technology at Saarland University (Universität des Saarlandes). Her research profile demonstrates extensive expertise in experimental phonetics and laboratory phonology with a particular focus on German dialects and sound change phenomena. She maintains active research collaborations, most notably with J. Harrington and Ulrich Reubold, resulting in numerous high-impact publications in leading linguistics and phonetics journals. Her research interests span experimental phonetics and laboratory phonology with specific expertise in speech production and perception , sound change processes, German dialectology , phonological acquisition , and prosody and intonation analysis. Her work frequently examines the acoustic, perceptual, and articulatory dimensions of speech, particularly focusing on vowel and consonant quantity phenomena in German varieties. Analysis of her publication record reveals consistent methodological rigor with emphasis on acoustic analysis, perception experiments, and longitudinal studies. Her research often investigates sound changes in progress, particularly examining vowel fronting phenomena in both German and English varieties, and the relationship between speech production and perception mechanisms. Much of her work employs apparent-time analyses to track diachronic changes through synchronic variation across age groups. Professor Kleber serves as an Associate editor for the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, reflecting her standing in the field. She has secured significant research funding including the DFG-funded project "Typology of vowel and consonant quantity in South German varieties: acoustic, auditory, and articulatory analyses of adult and child speakers" (2016-2024) and the DAAD-supported "Form and function of prosodic structure in Hungarian and German" (2015-2016). Her research methodology typically combines acoustic analysis with perception experiments and sometimes articulatory measurements to provide comprehensive insights into phonetic phenomena.
Peter Fino is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Recreation within the College of Health at the University of Utah. He directs the Neuromechanics and Applied Locomotion Lab, which is situated within the Cognitive and Motor Neuroscience research theme. His research focuses on understanding and improving mobility in individuals with neurological dysfunction, particularly those with brain injuries, using core concepts from biomechanics and motor control to develop better diagnostic tools and rehabilitation approaches. Dr. Fino's research explores how humans maintain stability during everyday activities that require complex motor control. His primary areas of investigation include: Foot placement control during walking and turning on uneven surfaces Balance recovery mechanisms following perturbations Effects of neurological conditions like concussion and Parkinson's disease on gait Development and application of inertial sensor technology for clinical assessment Neuroanatomical correlates of motor dysfunction after brain injury Nonlinear dynamics approaches to understanding human movement His lab employs a multidisciplinary approach, collaborating with engineers, clinicians, physical therapists, and neuroscientists to translate research findings into practical applications that improve people's lives. Current projects examine mobility in populations with traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's disease, and other neurological conditions, with particular focus on turning gait, dual-task performance, and objective measurement of balance recovery using wearable sensor technology. Dr. Fino actively mentors a diverse research team comprising PhD students, MS students, research coordinators, and undergraduate researchers. His lab has produced numerous graduates who have gone on to academic positions, clinical research roles, and healthcare professions. He maintains strong collaborative relationships across the University of Utah and with external institutions including Oregon Health & Science University, University of Nebraska Omaha, and US Army-Baylor Physical Therapy. The lab participates in outreach through National Biomechanics Day and partnerships with high school programs to introduce students to biomechanics and neuroscience.
Steven Livingstone is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Ontario Tech University, Faculty of Science. His research focuses on affective data science, applying machine learning and statistical modeling to understand emotion and its disorders. He leads the Affective Data Science Lab (ADSL), specializing in emotion recognition technologies using physiological data like EEG and motion capture. Livingstone holds a PhD from The University of Queensland (2008) and has published over 70 peer-reviewed papers, with over 2,400 citations. His RAVDESS dataset is widely used in speech emotion recognition research. His research interests span data science, affective computing, and music's role in emotion. Recent work emphasizes data provisioning for deep learning applications. Livingstone teaches courses including Scientific Data Analysis and Information Visualization. He actively mentors undergraduate and graduate students in his lab, focusing on research assistantships in emotion technology development. Key contributions include studies on musical tempo’s physiological effects, Parkinson’s disease facial mimicry deficits, and ensemble performance dynamics. His work has been featured in The Atlantic, NBC Today, and on the cover of Informatik Spektrum. The ADSL lab collaborates on projects combining data analytics with human-computer interaction to advance emotion-aware systems.
Fatemeh Mollaei is a Lecturer in Clinical Language Sciences at the University of Reading, affiliated with the School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences. She is a core member of the Centre for Integrative Neuroscience and Neurodynamics (CINN), focusing on neurophysiological mechanisms of speech disorders. Her work integrates behavioral, electrophysiological, and neuroimaging techniques to study Parkinson’s disease (PD) and develops neuro-rehabilitation methods using non-invasive brain stimulation (e.g., TMS, tDCS). Her research explores how sensory and motor systems interact during speech production in PD, employing tools like EEG, fMRI, and MEG. She investigates microstructural white matter changes and auditory processing deficits linked to speech impairments, aiming to translate findings into clinical interventions. Her studies also address broader topics like sensorimotor adaptation and stuttering, emphasizing translational neuroscience. Publications highlight trends in neuroimaging of speech disorders, auditory feedback mechanisms, and neuroplasticity in PD. While no formal awards are listed, her contributions to understanding speech motor control and rehabilitation practices are significant. Advising and grant details are not explicitly provided, but her involvement in interdisciplinary CINN projects suggests active collaborative research. Labs/Teams: Active contributor to the Centre for Integrative Neuroscience and Neurodynamics (CINN) at the University of Reading, collaborating on translational neuroscience projects.
