Randy Newman is a Professor at Acadia University, serving as Head of Department. His research focuses on cognitive neuroscience and gender disparities in STEM fields. He holds a B.Sc. from Mount Allison University and M.Sc./Ph.D. from Dalhousie University. Research interests include brain mechanisms underlying reading/speech processes using ERP and eye tracking, and interventions addressing the gender gap in computer science/engineering. Current work examines spelling's impact on spoken word recognition and the effect of girls-only science activities on career aspirations. Publications span neuroimaging studies of dyslexia, phonological processing in reading, and spoken word recognition mechanisms. Advised five honours students between 2015-2017 focusing on neuroimaging techniques and developmental studies. No scientific awards explicitly mentioned.
Anne Sophie Champod is a Professor at Acadia University with affiliations as Adjunct Professor at Dalhousie University’s Department of Psychiatry and Department of Psychology & Neuroscience. She is a Registered Clinical Psychologist and affiliated scientist at Nova Scotia Health Authority, focusing on cognitive neuroscience, neuropsychology, and health psychology. Education: B.Sc. in Psychology from Université de Montréal, Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from McGill University, and clinical internship in neuropsychology at University of Manitoba. Her research integrates cognitive neuroscience and clinical practice, particularly in stroke rehabilitation and chronic pain management. Key projects include developing game-like prism adaptation procedures for spatial neglect, investigating cognitive predictors of stroke outcomes, and exploring exercise’s effects on chronic pain and brain function. Her publications span topics from prism adaptation techniques to mindfulness interventions and hypoxia effects on memory. Awards received by her students, such as Canada Graduate Scholarships and Heart and Stroke Foundation grants, highlight her mentorship impact. She leads an active lab accepting honours, graduate, and volunteer students, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration between research, teaching, and clinical work.
Geraint Rees is a Professor of Cognitive Neurology at University College London (UCL) and currently serves as UCL's Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation & Global Engagement). He has held significant academic leadership roles, including Dean of the UCL Faculty of Life Sciences (2014–2022), Director of the UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience (2008–2014), and Pro-Vice-Provost for Artificial Intelligence (2019–2021). Previously, he was an Honorary Consultant Neurologist at UCL Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and a Wellcome Advanced Fellow at the California Institute of Technology. His research focuses on cognitive neuroscience, neuroimaging, and applications of machine learning in healthcare. Rees earned his pre-clinical medicine degree from the University of Cambridge (1988) and clinical medicine from the University of Oxford (1991). He completed his PhD at UCL in 1999, studying the neural basis of human consciousness using neuroimaging techniques. His research explores the neural mechanisms underlying human perception and cognition, particularly in visual experience and neurodegenerative disorders such as Huntington’s disease. He pioneered the use of multivariate analysis and machine learning in neuroimaging, leading to clinical applications with Google DeepMind and Google Health. His work has advanced understanding of neural correlates of consciousness, early diagnosis in neurodegenerative diseases, and predictive analytics in healthcare. In terms of honors and awards, Rees has been recognized as a Fellow of the UK Academy of Medical Sciences (2010), Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (2008), and recipient of the Royal Society Francis Crick Lecture and Medal (2007). He also holds a Wiley-Liss/Human Brain Mapping Young Investigator Award (2003) and a Wellcome Senior Clinical Fellowship (2002–2018). Rees has led interdisciplinary projects, including the EU NEST/Pathfinder ‘Mindbridge’ cooperative grant (2006–2011). His collaborations extend to major institutions like Google and UCL’s medical facilities. He has advised on over 398 peer-reviewed articles, contributing significantly to his H-index of 79 (Web of Science) and 103 (Google Scholar). As Vice-Provost, he oversees UCL’s research strategy, innovation, and global engagement initiatives. Rees has nurtured academic teams and institutions, notably transforming the UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience into a global leader in cognitive studies. His work bridges clinical research, technology, and education, ensuring impactful research outcomes with societal benefits.
Sanna-Kaisa Herukka, MD, PhD, is Research Director at the Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland. A neurologist and neuroscientist, she leads the Biomarkers for Neurological Disorders group and several multi-disciplinary research teams focusing on fluid biomarkers in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Education MD, University of Eastern Finland, 2011 PhD (Neurosciences), University of Eastern Finland, 2009 MSc (Applied Biotechnology), University of Eastern Finland, 2008 Research Focus Herukka’s work centers on the discovery, analytical validation, and clinical implementation of cerebrospinal fluid and blood-based biomarkers for early detection and differential diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases. She has particular expertise in Alzheimer’s disease, mild cognitive impairment, frontotemporal lobar degeneration, and idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus. Her team integrates proteomics, metabolomics, neuroimaging, and machine-learning approaches to improve diagnostic accuracy and prognostic stratification. Scientific Output & Trends Across more than 220 peer-reviewed publications, her recent work (2018-2025) demonstrates a clear emphasis on synaptic proteins, phosphorylated tau species (especially p-tau217), neurofilament light chain, and multimodal biomarker panels. Collaborative multinational studies (e.g., Nature Medicine 2025, JAMA Neurology 2022) highlight reproducible biomarker signatures that predict cognitive decline and therapeutic response. Grants & Collaborations She has received continuous competitive funding from the Academy of Finland, EU Joint Programme – Neurodegenerative Disease Research (JPND), and industry partnerships. Current consortium grants support the TWINGEN cohort, FinnGen clinical recall studies, and the UEF Brain Research Unit 2.0 infrastructure. Labs & Teams Herukka directs the UEF Biomarker Laboratory within the Brain Research Unit, which provides ISO-accredited CSF and blood biomarker analyses for academic and clinical trials across Europe. She also co-chairs the Clinical Alzheimer Research group and the NPH & Early AD program, integrating neurosurgery, neurology, and radiology expertise.
Dr. Mintao Zhao is a Lecturer in Psychology at the University of East Anglia's School of Psychology. His research focuses on face perception/recognition and spatial cognition/navigation, employing methods like virtual reality, eye-tracking, and fMRI. He holds a PhD from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and completed postdoctoral work at the University of Hong Kong, Brown University, and the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics. Education: BSc from Henan University, PhD from Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Postdoctoral training included face processing and spatial navigation research. Key research areas include how humans interact with physical/social environments, with projects funded by the British Academy and Royal Society. Teaching modules include Cognitive Neuroscience, Environmental Psychology, and Brain and Cognition courses. He supervises students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and his work explores holistic face processing, spatial memory, and neural mechanisms of person/space perception. Collaborations span global institutions, reflecting his multidisciplinary approach.
Dr. Natalie Butcher is a Lecturer in Psychology at Teesside University's School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Law. She holds a PhD from the University of Manchester and has expertise in face recognition, dynamic facial motion, and developmental prosopagnosia. Her research combines eye-tracking methods with theoretical and applied projects, such as investigating eyewitness identification and facial expression recognition. She has supervised multiple PhD students and contributed to grants like the British Science Association’s Community Buddy Grant. Professional roles include committee membership in the British Psychological Society’s Cognitive Psychology Section and editorial roles in academic publications. Education: PhD in Psychology (University of Manchester, 2009), BSc in Psychology (University of Manchester) Research Interests: Dr. Butcher examines how dynamic facial motion and racial factors influence face recognition. Her work spans typical populations and those with developmental prosopagnosia, often employing eye-tracking. Current projects include collaborations on eyewitness testimony and neural mechanisms of face processing. She has presented at events like TEDx and Pint of Science. Publications: Her work spans 29 peer-reviewed articles, including studies on eye movements in face recognition and cross-cultural time metaphors. Notable contributions include the multi-lab facial feedback hypothesis test and neural signatures of action observation. Advising & Grants: Supervised three doctoral completions (2021–2022). Secured grants such as the 2021 British Science Association £3,649 grant for the 'Science and Art Face Off' project. Collaborates with institutions like the University of Manchester and Brunel University. Labs/Teams: Active in the Cognitive and Cognitive Neuroscience Research Group at Manchester and the Consortium for High Powered Eyewitness Research (CHiPer).
Carissa W. Tomas, PhD is an Assistant Professor of Epidemiology & Social Sciences at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW). She serves as the Deputy Director of the Division of Data Surveillance and Informatics in the Comprehensive Injury Center and as the Statistical Director for the MCW Public Health and Community PhD program. Dr. Tomas earned her PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Her research bridges neuroscience, epidemiology, and data science to understand the complex dynamics of post-trauma outcomes. Dr. Tomas specializes in applying complex statistical approaches and machine learning techniques to large-scale datasets. Her research focuses on: Understanding mental health outcomes after traumatic injury Examining the impact of social and environmental factors on health Investigating racial disparities in trauma recovery Analyzing geospatial patterns of injury and health outcomes Applying advanced data science methods to "big-data" sources across disciplines Analysis of Dr. Tomas's recent publications (2024-2025) reveals a strong focus on trauma-related mental health outcomes , particularly PTSD and depression. Her work frequently examines how social determinants of health , including racial discrimination and area deprivation, impact recovery trajectories. She employs advanced statistical and machine learning approaches across multiple large datasets and collaborates with major research consortia like ENIGMA. A significant portion of her research focuses on health disparities , particularly examining outcomes in Black American populations and comparing rural versus urban injury patterns in Wisconsin. Dr. Tomas actively mentors students through her role as Statistical Director for the MCW Public Health and Community PhD program. Her work involves multiple collaborative grants focused on trauma research, injury prevention, and mental health outcomes assessment. As Deputy Director of the Division of Data Surveillance and Informatics in the Comprehensive Injury Center, Dr. Tomas leads data science initiatives that support trauma research across multiple institutions and datasets.
Philip Parker is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Rutgers University. His research focuses on understanding how neural circuits in the brain contribute to natural visual behaviors by integrating action and sensory processes. He employs ethological paradigms, high-density neural recordings, and optogenetic techniques to study visual processing in freely moving animals, aiming to bridge gaps in models of neurological disorders. His research emphasizes the interplay between sensory input and motor output, particularly in contexts resembling real-world conditions. Key themes include neural basis of spatial navigation, sensorimotor integration, and synaptic development. The lab promotes inclusivity and supports underrepresented groups in scientific careers. Recent work highlights advancements in understanding visual cortex dynamics, thalamostriatal synapse remodeling in Parkinsonian models, and the role of molecular factors like nectin-3 in synaptic formation. Research spans behavioral neuroscience, systems neuroscience, and translational approaches for neurodegenerative therapies.
Professor Thomas Fritz is a Group Leader in the Department of Neurology at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Leipzig, Germany. His research focuses on music-evoked brain plasticity, neurocognition of music, and the application of music in rehabilitation and clinical settings. He holds a Visiting Professorship for Empirical Music Research at Ghent University since 2015. Education includes a diploma thesis on emotion and music at the Max Planck Institute for Neuropsychology, a PhD collaboration at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, and an MFA in interface design and new media. His work bridges neuroscience, musicology, and technology, with a focus on music's impact on emotion, motor control, and cognitive performance. Key research interests include the neural mechanisms underlying music perception, the therapeutic potential of music in rehabilitation (e.g., Jymmin® system), and the cross-cultural and evolutionary origins of music. He has conducted studies on music's effects in diverse populations, including patients with chronic pain, elderly individuals, and those with Parkinson’s disease. Publications emphasize innovative applications of music feedback in exercise and rehabilitation, neuroplasticity induced by musical engagement, and the physiological correlates of musical emotion. His interdisciplinary approach integrates neuroscience, engineering, and clinical practice to advance therapeutic interventions and cognitive enhancement techniques.
Christian Casanova is an Associate Professor at the School of Optometry, Université de Montréal, and an Emeritus Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, Université de Sherbrooke. His research focuses on neuronal mechanisms underlying normal and pathological vision, particularly the role of the pulvinar and cortico-thalamo-cortical pathways. He holds a Ph.D. in Neurophysiology from Université de Montréal and has conducted postdoctoral research at McGill University and the University of California. His work investigates neurotransmitter deprivation effects on visual sensitivity, retinopathy of prematurity, and glaucoma models. He leads the CIRCA (Interdisciplinary Research Center on the Brain and Learning) and is affiliated with the Vision Sciences Society and Society for Neuroscience. Recipient of the 1997-98 Canadian University Teaching Award, Casanova has supervised over 20 graduate students. His grants include studies on pulvinar function, cannabinoid effects, and interdisciplinary neuroscience initiatives. He directs the Laboratory of Visual Neuroscience and contributes to the Réseau de recherche en santé de la vision.
Dana Swarbrick is a Doctoral Research Fellow at RITMO, focusing on the social and emotional outcomes of musicking, particularly in live and virtual concert settings. Her work bridges music cognition and social psychology, examining audience engagement, motion, and technological mediation. She holds an MSc from the University of Toronto, where she studied cardiovascular exercise's impact on piano learning, and a BSc thesis on live music's effect on head movements at rock concerts. Her research encompasses Music Cognition , Social Psychology , and Human-Computer Interaction , with recent studies analyzing virtual concerts during the pandemic. Key articles explore audience motion , musical absorption , and predictive modeling of physical fatigue . She also develops datasets like the MusicLab Copenhagen Dataset for cross-modal analysis. Swarmick's work intersects Neuroscience (e.g., transcranial stimulation effects on motor learning) and Performance Studies (e.g., string quartet visualization). She investigates how live events and streaming technologies foster connection, with implications for Music Technology and Social Resilience in crises. Her studies often blend experimental psychology and biomechanics , reflecting interdisciplinary rigor.
Alexander Cohen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital. He is a physician-scientist specializing in neurodevelopmental disorders, with a focus on brain circuitry and neuromodulation. His affiliations include the Brain, Mind & Behavior Center and the Translational Neuroscience Center, where he directs the Data Organization Collaboration Service (DoCS). Cohen holds an MD and PhD from Washington University in St. Louis, completed residency at the Mayo Clinic, and a fellowship at Boston Children’s Hospital. Education: B.A. in Biology and Biomedical Physics, Washington University M.D. and Ph.D., Washington University School of Medicine (2011) Residency in Pediatrics and Child Neurology, Mayo Clinic (2012–2016) Fellowship in Pediatric Behavioral Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital (2018) Research Interests: Dr. Cohen’s work centers on mapping brain circuits involved in autism spectrum disorders and neurodevelopmental conditions using neuroimaging and lesion network analysis. He develops non-invasive neuromodulation techniques like TMS and fMRI neurofeedback. His research also focuses on advancing neuroimaging standards (e.g., BIDS) and software tools for reproducible data analysis. Publications: His recent work explores brain networks in psychosis, epilepsy, and addiction, leveraging lesion data to identify therapeutic targets. Key themes include connectivity-based diagnostics and translational applications of neuroimaging. Awards/Grants: Child Neurology Foundation Grant National Institute of Mental Health Funding Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative Grant Advising/Grants: Leads multidisciplinary teams in neurodevelopmental research and clinical care. Directs DoCS to improve neuroimaging data organization. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with the Center of Brain Circuit Therapeutics (Brigham and Women’s Hospital) and directs the Translational Neuroscience Center’s Data Organization Collaboration Service.
Anthony N. Burkitt is a Professor at the University of Melbourne, affiliated with the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering within the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology. He has established himself as a leading researcher in computational neuroscience, neural engineering, and brain-computer interfaces, with a career spanning over three decades of continuous research and publication. His research focuses on computational modeling of neural systems, with particular emphasis on spike-timing-dependent plasticity, neural network dynamics, and applications to neural prosthetics and epilepsy research. Dr. Burkitt's work bridges theoretical neuroscience with practical applications in neural engineering, particularly in the development of brain-computer interfaces and retinal prostheses. His laboratory has made significant contributions to understanding neural coding mechanisms and developing computational models that integrate cellular and network levels of neural organization. Dr. Burkitt maintains an exceptionally active research program with numerous high-impact publications in 2023-2024. His recent work demonstrates a strong focus on seizure prediction algorithms, neural mass modeling, and advanced machine learning approaches for neural signal processing. His publications reveal a consistent pattern of addressing fundamental questions in neural computation while maintaining relevance to clinical applications in epilepsy and neural prosthetics. Major Research Themes: Computational modeling of neural networks and plasticity Development of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) Epilepsy research and seizure prediction Retinal prostheses and visual system modeling Neural signal processing and analysis Integration of neural modeling frameworks Dr. Burkitt has mentored numerous PhD students and early-career researchers who have become established scientists in computational neuroscience. His laboratory maintains strong collaborative ties with clinical researchers and engineers working on neural interface technologies, ensuring that theoretical advances translate into practical applications. His consistent publication record spanning from the 1990s to the present demonstrates remarkable scientific productivity and sustained intellectual leadership in his field.
Buse Merve Ürgen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at TED University. She specializes in cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and perception, with a focus on expectation effects, predictive processing, and computational modeling. She has been actively teaching courses such as Cognitive Psychology, Biopsychology, Sensation and Perception, and Programming for Experimental Psychology since at least 2015. Her research explores how prior knowledge and expectations influence visual and perceptual processes, using both behavioral experiments and mechanistic cortical models. Her academic contributions include studies on biological motion perception, sensory delays under unmet expectations, and genetic mutations impacting visual attention networks. She has published extensively in journals and symposium proceedings, with notable work on recursive Bayesian models and neural connectivity in congenital disorders. Her teaching spans undergraduate and graduate levels, including supervision of graduation papers and seminars. Though no specific scientific awards are listed, her active publication record and course contributions highlight her scholarly engagement. She maintains an office in B145 and can be reached at buse.urgen@tedu.edu.tr.
Liina Pylkkänen is a Professor of Linguistics and Psychology at New York University and directs the NYU Neurolinguistics Lab. Her research investigates the neural mechanisms underlying language comprehension, focusing on how syntax and semantics interact in the absence of temporal input sequencing. She employs magnetoencephalography (MEG) to study rapid parallel visual presentation (RPVP) of sentences, revealing neural activity patterns in left fronto-temporal cortex (~130ms post-onset) for grammatical sentences versus word lists. Her work addresses core questions about the brain's inherent processing architecture for language, disentangling modality-specific effects from universal linguistic computations. Courses taught include Neural Bases of Language (undergraduate) and Neurolinguistics (graduate). Key research themes include the syntax-semantics interface, lexical access, and morphological decomposition. Her lab explores spatiotemporal organization of linguistic computations using cutting-edge neuroimaging techniques.
