Prof. Dr. Gudrun Schwarzer is a leading researcher in developmental psychology at the Justus Liebig University Giessen , heading the Department of Developmental Psychology . Her work bridges perceptual, motor, and cognitive development in infancy and childhood through rigorous experimental paradigms. Key research themes include infant mental rotation, emotional granularity across lifespan, and cross-cultural developmental differences She leads projects A7 (visuospatial-motor development) and C3 (emotion categorization across populations) Current team includes Dr. Bianca Jovanovic, Dr. Daniela Bahn, PhD students Nikol Tsenkova and Tharanirakshita Asokan Her research investigates how early motor experiences shape visual processing, with groundbreaking work on: Object permanence in infants Emotion-face-word priming effects Developmental language disorder cognition Idiopathic clubfoot developmental impacts Publications span Child Development Perspectives , Frontiers in Psychology , and Journal of Experimental Child Psychology . Awards : Heinz Heckhausen Young Scientist Prize (DGPs). Collaborative networks extend to Max Planck Society, University of California, and cross-cultural studies in Cameroon.
Holly Taylor is Moses Hunt Professor of Psychology and Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Tufts University. She directs the Spatial Cognition Lab and co-directs the Center for Applied Brain and Cognitive Sciences, focusing on human performance optimization. Her research examines mental representations of spatial information, investigating how navigation strategies are shaped by maps, multimedia sources, and environmental factors. Additional work explores nutritional impacts on cognition and stress effects on spatial decision-making. Recent publications demonstrate innovations in augmented reality navigation systems, spatial visualization for STEM education, and cognitive aspects of wayfinding under time pressure. Articles frequently appear in high-impact journals including Journal of Experimental Psychology and PLOS ONE . Sustained grant funding includes the Applied Brain and Cognitive Science Collaborative Effort with the U.S. Army (2019-2029). She teaches courses on spatial cognition, games psychology, and cognitive psychology.
Hermundur Sigmundsson is a Professor at the Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). His research focuses on developmental psychology, motor competence, educational psychology, and motivational factors in learning and performance. He has collaborated extensively with researchers across Europe, including Italy, Iceland, and Greece. His work explores topics such as growth mindset, grit, passion, and flow state measurement, with a particular emphasis on interventions to enhance academic and athletic performance. Key contributions include the development of scales for assessing growth mindset and flow proneness, and studies on the interplay between motor skills, academic achievement, and cognitive development in children. Recent articles highlight his exploration of motivational interventions for adolescents, cross-cultural comparisons of motor competence, and the neurobiological basis of personality traits. His research frequently integrates cognitive, behavioral, and educational perspectives to understand human development and learning processes. Hermundsson has published widely in journals like Acta Psychologica , New Ideas in Psychology , and Frontiers in Psychology , with a strong focus on empirical studies and methodological rigor. His work bridges basic psychological research with practical applications in education and sports.
Valentina Lucia La Rosa serves as a Research Fellow at the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Catania, under the scientific direction of Elena Commodari. Her research focuses on the intersection of psychological development and sociocultural contexts during critical life stages. Her primary research areas examine symbolic representations of pregnancy and motherhood across gestational and postpartum periods, with emphasis on cross-cultural comparisons of women's experiences in European populations. She investigates sociocultural variables influencing maternal health outcomes, mother-child attachment formation, and psychological impacts of global crises like the COVID-19 pandemic on childbirth experiences. Methodologically, she employs mixed approaches including qualitative analysis, cross-sectional studies, and longitudinal assessments to explore developmental psychology within diverse family systems. Recent publications demonstrate consistent thematic focus on maternal-infant well-being, with escalating attention to pandemic-related psychological challenges since 2020. Her work bridges clinical psychology and public health through analyses of attachment mechanisms, sociocultural determinants of health, and crisis response in vulnerable populations. Cross-cultural methodology remains central to her examination of how societal structures shape individual psychological experiences during reproductive transitions.
Vincent Ardonceau is a Researcher and PhD student at the University of Burgundy , affiliated with the INSERM U1093 Laboratory and the Marey Institute . His research focuses on sensorimotor adaptation, cognitive neuroscience, and multisensory integration. Licence STAPS in Adapted Physical Activity and Health (APAS), INU J-F Champollion, Rodez Master STAPS in Movement Ergonomics and Disability (MEH), Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble His thesis, "Glasses to hear differently: the aftereffects of vertical prism adaptation on visual and auditory attention and representations," investigates how vertical prism adaptation alters visuospatial and auditory perception, contributing to understanding neural plasticity and cognitive processing. His publications in Cortex and Frontiers in Psychology highlight mechanisms of cross-modal sensory interactions. Current research trends include experimental psychology methods to analyze aftereffects on attentional networks and potential applications in cognitive rehabilitation. Vincent collaborates with the Marey Institute and works under the supervision of Carine Michel and Bénédicte Poulin-Charronnat.
Dr. Ndaba Mazibuko is a Clinical Research Fellow and Study Clinician in Clinical Neuroscience at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London (KCL). He serves as the Repurposing Lead at the KCL Centre for Innovative Therapeutics (C-FIT) and provides clinical oversight for the Department of Neuroimaging’s research portfolio. He is also an EDI Theme Representative for the NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre and works clinically as a Staff Grade Clinician at the National Psychosis Unit, South London and Maudsley NHS Trust. His research interests lie at the intersection of clinical neuroscience, neuroimaging, and neuropsychopharmacology. He specializes in clinical trial design and management, with a focus on repurposing existing therapeutics for psychiatric and neurological conditions. His work investigates the neural mechanisms of psychosis, depression, and neurodegenerative disorders using advanced imaging techniques such as PET and fMRI. Dr. Mazibuko’s recent publications reflect a strong trend in exploring pharmacological modulation of cerebral blood flow and neural processing. Key themes include the effects of ketamine on reward circuitry in depression, oxytocin’s neurovascular impact, methylene blue’s metabolic effects, and neuroimaging biomarkers in Parkinson’s psychosis and cerebral small vessel disease. He has contributed to significant research collaborations, including academic-industry clinical trials, and his work has been recognized through citations and media coverage. He has served as a Medical Principal Investigator and contributes to equity and inclusion in research through his EDI role. Dr. Mazibuko trained in Australia and has clinical experience across the NHS, Africa, and Australia. His prior roles include Neurology and Acute Stroke Registrar at King’s College Hospital, demonstrating a broad clinical foundation in neurology and psychiatry.
Professor P D Allen is a Professor of Anaesthesia at the University of Leeds, UK, and holds Emeritus status at Harvard Medical School. His research focuses on muscle physiology, malignant hyperthermia, and calcium regulation in striated muscles. He has held academic and clinical roles across institutions including Harvard, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and UC Davis. Notable awards include the MHAUS Distinguished Contribution Award (2007) and FAER Honorary Lecturer (2006). His work explores ryanodine receptor structure-function relationships and gene therapy applications using CRISPR-Cas9. Education: PhD in Physiology, University of Florida (1973) MD, Boston University (1967) BA in Medicine, Boston University (1967) Research Interests: Over 40 years, Prof. Allen’s work has centered on calcium regulation in muscle cells, particularly the ryanodine receptor’s role in E-C coupling. He pioneered genetically engineered mouse models (e.g., dyspedic mice) to study protein interactions and has explored HSV1/AAV vectors for gene therapy in diseases like Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Recent advancements include CRISPR-Cas9 for creating disease models. Awards: Academy of Anesthesia Mentors Founding Member (2004) Vandam Lecturer (2001) Paul D. Allen Chair in Anesthesia Research (2007) Professional Memberships: American Society of Anesthesiology Biophysical Society Academy of Anesthesia Mentors (FAER) Labs/Teams: Active in the Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James’s, collaborating on E-C coupling protein interactions and gene therapy vectors.
Professor Zani Alberto is a Full Professor of General and Experimental Psychology at the School of Psychology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy. He holds honorary membership in the Board of Directors of the Center for Applied Social Neuroscience (CASN), Japan (since 2015). His research focuses on cognitive neurosciences, particularly brain-mind interactions, visual attention, object perception, and electrophysiological methods (ERP/EEG). He has authored over 258 publications and serves as Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Brain and Cognitive Sciences and on editorial boards of journals like Frontiers in Psychology and Scientific Reports. His academic career includes senior research roles at CNR institutes (CNR-IP, CNR-IBFM), where he led labs like the Cognitive Electrophysiology Lab and the Electro-Functional Brain Imaging unit. He has co-authored influential books such as *The Cognitive Electrophysiology of Mind and Brain* and edited translations of key texts like Gazzaniga’s *Cognitive Neuroscience*. His teaching spans courses on neuroanatomy, cognitive psychology, and decision-making. Research Interests: Visual attention, ERP/EEG markers, hypoxia effects on cognition, music perception, and sociorelational neurocognition. Recent Trends in Publications: Focus on hypoxia’s impact on neural networks, mirror neuron systems, and electrophysiological correlates of visual and attentional processes. Editorial Roles: Editor-in-Chief of International Journal of Brain and Cognitive Sciences (since 2012), editorial board member of Frontiers in Human Neuroscience and Scientific Reports. He has led interdisciplinary research teams and contributed to translational neuroscience through collaborations in Italy and internationally. His work bridges theoretical cognitive neuroscience with practical applications in education and clinical settings.
Dr. Ovidiu Lungu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Addictology at the University of Montreal's Faculty of Medicine. His research focuses on neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Parkinson's, dementia), mental health (schizophrenia), and aging, with a dual emphasis on fundamental neuroplasticity and clinical applications. He holds affiliations with the CRIUGM (Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal) and the RQRV (Réseau québécois de recherche sur le vieillissement) . Education : PhD in Psychology from "Al.I.Cuza" University, Iasi, Romania Postdoctoral Fellowships at University of Minnesota (USA) and University of Montreal Research Interests : Combines neuroimaging (fMRI, EEG) and clinical studies to investigate brain mechanisms underlying aging, mental disorders, and neurodegeneration. Key areas include sleep's role in memory consolidation, social determinants of health, and neuroplasticity in Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia. Grants & Projects : CIHR-funded project (2020-2025): Sleep-related memory consolidation mechanisms (Co-I) PREPARED Trial (2016-2020): Alzheimer's delirium prevention (Co-I) Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA) (2014-2019) (Core member) Awards : Recognized for postdoctoral research excellence and international training grants (e.g., Soros Foundation, McDonnell Foundation). Labs/Teams : Leads sleep-neuroplasticity studies and collaborates with multidisciplinary teams in geriatric research and neuroimaging.
John K. Tsotsos is a Distinguished Research Professor at York University's Lassonde School of Engineering, holding positions in both the Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science and the Centre for Vision Research (CVR). His work bridges computer science, cognitive science, and neuroscience with a focus on visual attention and active vision systems. Dr. Tsotsos's research interests center on visual attention mechanisms, active visual search, and visuospatial reasoning. His work explores how humans and machines process visual information, with applications in autonomous driving, robotics, and human-computer interaction. He investigates the computational principles underlying visual attention, comparing biological systems with artificial implementations. His research has significant implications for developing more human-like computer vision systems that can effectively navigate and interpret complex visual environments. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on active vision systems where observers dynamically control their viewpoints during visual search tasks. His work spans both theoretical foundations of visual attention and practical applications in autonomous vehicles. A significant portion of his recent research addresses driver attention modeling, gaze prediction, and the challenges of real-world visual processing where traditional computer vision approaches often fail. His work consistently bridges cognitive theory with practical engineering applications. Dr. Tsotsos has made substantial contributions to the field of computational vision through his theoretical work on attentional mechanisms and their implementation in artificial systems. His research has influenced both academic understanding of visual processing and practical applications in autonomous systems and human-machine interfaces. As a faculty member at York University, Dr. Tsotsos contributes to the vibrant research ecosystem of the Centre for Vision Research, where interdisciplinary teams work on cutting-edge problems in visual perception, cognitive modeling, and machine vision. His work exemplifies the integration of cognitive science principles with advanced computational techniques to solve complex visual processing challenges.
Marcin Wojtasiński is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Experimental Psychology, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin. His academic career at this institution spans multiple research domains. Assistant Professor (2025) Department of Experimental Psychology affiliation Faculty of Social Sciences membership John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin affiliation Dr. Wojtasiński's research interests intersect Cognitive Psychology , Religiosity Studies , and Art Appreciation . His work explores: Religious symbols' dual dimensions (opportunity vs. challenge) Canonical size phenomenon in memory drawing Flow states in board gaming Religious experience's protective role in migration Neural correlates of empathy and art perception Recent publications show increasing focus on network analysis and statistical modeling of complex psychological phenomena. His 2025 work includes vection research, skill-challenge dynamics, and sound predictability effects on attention. Collaboration patterns reveal frequent work with Małgorzata Tatala , Magdalena Szubielska , and other Polish psychologists. While no specific awards are mentioned, his publication record in Scientific Reports , Religions , and PLoS One demonstrates active scientific contribution.
Ralph Hale serves as Associate Professor of Psychological Science at the University of North Georgia, where he has been a faculty member since 2018. He directs the Hale Vision Lab and teaches a range of courses including Cognitive Psychology, Sensation & Perception, and Research Methods. Dr. Hale is deeply committed to undergraduate education and research mentorship, with numerous teaching awards recognizing his excellence in the classroom. Education Background: Ph.D. in Psychology, University of Georgia (2018) M.S. in Psychology, University of Georgia (2015) B.S. in Psychology, University of Georgia (2011) A.A. in Psychology, Gainesville State College (2009) Interdisciplinary Certificate in University Teaching, University of Georgia Teaching Academy (2018) Dr. Hale's research centers on visual perception, memory, and empirical aesthetics, with particular focus on how global context and ecological validity affect visual phenomena. His work investigates visual illusions (especially the watercolor illusion), boundary extension, and other visual memory errors to understand everyday visual perception. He has published extensively on color vision, figure-ground organization, object recognition, visual search, and attention mechanisms, often employing eye-tracking and virtual reality methodologies to explore these phenomena in more ecologically valid contexts. Analysis of Dr. Hale's recent publications reveals a strong continuity in visual perception research with increasing methodological sophistication. His work has evolved from basic investigations of visual illusions to more complex explorations using virtual reality and eye-tracking technologies. Recent publications show growing interest in AI-generated content, mental imagery variability, and applications to clinical rehabilitation, while maintaining core focus on visual perception mechanisms. The research demonstrates consistent interest in ecological validity and real-world applications of visual perception principles. Scientific Recognition: Charles L. Darby Award for outstanding graduate teaching (2018) Richard L. Marsh Award for research mentoring (2018) Teaching Excellence Award for Tenure-Track Faculty (2020) Ann Matthews Purdy Outstanding Teaching Award (2023) Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award (2023) Dr. Hale is deeply committed to undergraduate research mentorship, with his students regularly presenting at national conferences and publishing in research journals. He has secured multiple competitive grants including Leap-into-Action grants from AAC&U for interdisciplinary research and Faculty Undergraduate Summer Engagement (FUSE) grants. As faculty advisor for Psi Chi and the Psychology Club, he actively supports student professional development through research opportunities and conference participation. Dr. Hale leads the Hale Vision Lab at UNG, where he and his undergraduate research team investigate visual perception phenomena using cutting-edge methodologies. The lab focuses on how contextual factors influence visual processing, with recent work incorporating virtual reality environments to enhance ecological validity. Through consistent funding and student involvement, the lab has established itself as a productive center for undergraduate research in visual cognition within the university system.
Thomas Geyer is a Senior Lecturer in Experimental Psychology and Academic Director at LMU Munich's Department of Psychology , specializing in the interplay between cognitive and neurobiological mechanisms of statistical learning. His research focuses on how humans manage sensory overload through automatic learning processes that enhance object recognition and search efficiency. Primary Research Focus: Behavioral & Cognitive Neuroscience Secondary Focus: Biomedical Neuroscience Tertiary Focus: Theoretical Neuroscience & Technical Applications Geyer employs behavioral methods (reaction times, eye tracking) alongside neuroimaging (EEG, fMRI) to explore attentional capture, scene memory, and cross-modal interactions in visual search. His work bridges theoretical neuroscience with practical applications in human perception and memory systems. Selected Research Trends: Statistical learning in complex environments, neurobiological underpinnings of selective attention, and integration of multi-sensory contextual cues. Notable Contributions: Pioneering studies on cross-trial priming effects, N1pc polarity reversal mechanisms, and cross-modal attentional guidance through contextual memory. Collaborations with renowned researchers like Hermann J. Müller and Joseph Töllner highlight his impact in experimental psychology. Former Students: Dr. Efsun Annac Abhilash Dwarakanath Dr. Bernhard Schlagbauer Contact: geyer@lmu.de | Phone: +49 (0) 89 / 2180 5216
Prof. Dr. Petra Jansen holds the Chair of Sports Science at the University of Regensburg's Faculty of Humanities since 2008. She leads a research group focused on sports psychology, cognitive development, and mindfulness interventions. Her educational background includes a Habilitation in General Psychology (Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 2005) and a PhD in Cognitive Psychology (Gerhard Mercator University Duisburg, 1999). Her research explores the intersection of movement, cognition, and emotion, with emphasis on: Mental rotation abilities and embodied cognition Mindfulness applications in sports and education Sustainable consumption behaviors and character strengths Developmental psychology across lifespan Gender differences in spatial cognition Recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate strong trends in mindfulness interventions, sustainability psychology, and advanced methodologies in mental rotation studies. Work frequently employs virtual reality, implicit attitude measurements, and cross-cultural validations, with emerging focus on developmental applications in children and adolescents. As principal investigator, she oversees multiple projects including studies on embodied cognition, mindfulness curricula, and sport-specific psychological interventions. She mentors doctoral candidates and coordinates the university's doctoral committee (Chair 2012-2021). Additional roles include mindfulness teacher certification and dance therapy qualifications enhancing her interdisciplinary approach.
Dr Stephan Dahm is a researcher at the Department of General Psychology I, Faculty of Psychology and Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Austria. He currently leads two funded projects: an Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW) project on Action representations and automatization after action imagery practice and an Austrian Science Fund (FWF) project on The measurement of action imagery ability . Research interests Mechanisms of motor control underlying imagined and executed movements Motor imagery and assessment of action imagery ability Mental practice and motor learning Intermanual transfer of learning Implicit sequence learning Bimanual coordination Experimental psychology His work explores how cognitive constraints shape motor imagery, how imagery practice can automatize stimulus-response associations, and how sequence knowledge transfers between hands. A central theme is the comparison between imagined and executed actions using behavioural paradigms and chronometric measures. Key publications Across more than 30 peer-reviewed articles (2015-2025), Dahm has advanced understanding of motor imagery timing, effector independence, and the role of internal forward models in detecting errors during imagery. His recent work in Psychological Research and Human Movement Science demonstrates that imagery practice can induce robust learning and transfer effects comparable to physical practice. Funding & projects FWF Project P 36142-B: The measurement of action imagery ability ÖAW Project: Action representations and automatization after action imagery practice Advising & collaboration Dr Dahm welcomes inquiries from master’s students interested in experimental sport psychology or his specific research themes. He maintains active collaboration networks evidenced by international co-authored papers and open-science resources such as OpenSesame implementations. Labs & affiliations He is based in Room 2S14 (2nd floor) at University of Innsbruck, Universitätsstraße 5–7, and can be reached at Stephan.Dahm@uibk.ac.at .
