First Panel: Neurotechnology and Innovation
Neurotechnology is revolutionizing the way we understand and interact with the brain, from brain-computer interfaces to AI-driven diagnostics. This panel brings together pioneers in neuroscience, engineering, and industry to discuss the latest breakthroughs, challenges in translating research to application, and the future of neurotech innovation. Join us to explore how cutting-edge technology is shaping the future of brain science.
Dr. Pouliopoulos specialises in ultrasound-based drug delivery and micro-bubble dynamics. He earned his Ph.D. in Bioengineering from Imperial College London and conducted postdoctoral research at Columbia University. His work focuses on ultrasound therapy monitoring and clinical translation.
Prof. Scott studies the neurobiology of speech perception, vocal communication, and emotional expression in speech. Her research explores auditory processing, hemispheric asymmetries, and speech perception plasticity, with applications in dyslexia, aphasia recovery, and cochlear implants.
Dr. Aristovich is an Associate Professor at UCL, specialising in neural imaging and stimulation. With a background in Mechanical (MSc) and Electrical (PhD) Engineering, he co-leads the Electrical Impedance Tomography and Neurophysiology (EITN) group. His work supports the UN goal of Good Health and Well-Being.
Alastair Monty leads MENDEA, a company developing wearable neuro-modulation using low-intensity focused ultrasound. Previously, he worked as a private equity M&A lawyer, advising health-tech startups and multinational corporations on IP licensing, data privacy, and commercial transactions.
Panel Hosts:
Emilio Paniagua-Gutierrez is a second-year BSc Neuroscience student at King’s College London. He is actively involved in the KCL Neuroscience Society, currently serving as a Social Events Officer.
Frederick Burrows is the Vice President of UCL NeuroSoc and a second-year Neuroscience student at University College London (UCL). He has a big passion for systems neuroscience.
Second Panel: Bridging the Basic and Clinical Research in Neuroscience
This panel brings together experts from both basic and clinical neuroscience to explore how fundamental discoveries translate into real-world applications. Speakers will discuss the latest research on neurological disorders, innovative treatments, and the collaboration between laboratory science and patient care.
Sir Robin Murray is a Professor of Psychiatric Research at King's College London, focusing on psychosis and its neurodevelopmental origins. He has contributed to understanding how environmental factors affect dopamine dysregulation and psychosis risk. With over 800 articles published, he has supervised 72 PhDs and is a Fellow of the Royal Society (2010) and a Knight (2011).
Nicholas Ho, Ph.D., is the head of innovation and co-founder at Sunbird Bio, leading a team developing diagnostic products. He specialises in molecular diagnostics, biostatistics, and machine learning. Nicholas has received the National Science Scholarship and Singapore Young Investigator Award. He holds degrees from Duke University and a Ph.D. in Computational Biology from Washington University.
Dr. Zhou Juan Helen is an Associate Professor at NUS's Centre for Sleep and Cognition and Director of the Centre for Translational MR Research. Her research focuses on brain network vulnerability in aging and neuropsychiatric disorders using neuroimaging and machine learning. She has received numerous awards, including scholarships from the Ministry of Education, Singapore, and serves on the advisory board for several journals.
Dr Ai Peng Tan is a Senior Consultant Neuroradiologist at the Department of Diagnostic Imaging, National University Hospital and National University Cancer Institute Singapore (NCIS). She also holds the appointment of Assistant Professor at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore.
Prof Teo graduated from the University of Hong Kong in 2009 and completed his Neurology and Advanced Internal Medicine specialty training at Queen Mary Hospital. He joined the Department of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong as a Clinical Assistant Professor.
Panel Hosts:
Caroline Wee is a Principal Scientist at the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), A*STAR, and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the National University of Singapore.
Duru Hakkacirmaz is a second-year BSc Neuroscience student at King’s College London. She is actively involved in student organizations, serving as Vice President of the KCL Neuroscience Society.
Third Panel: Ethical Implications of Neuroscience Advances
As neuroscience rapidly progresses, it raises complex ethical questions about privacy, cognitive enhancement, neurotechnology, and patient rights. This panel brings together ethicists, researchers, and clinicians to discuss the societal impact of emerging discoveries and the responsible development of neuroscience innovations. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on the balance between scientific progress and ethical responsibility.
Georg Northoff is a philosopher, neuroscientist, and psychiatrist researching the relationship between the brain and mind. Based in Ottawa, Canada, he explores how the brain constructs subjective experiences like self and consciousness. His work focuses on spatiotemporal neuroscience, linking brain dynamics to mental phenomena.
Dr. Colleen Dockstader is an Associate Professor in the Teaching Stream at the University of Toronto and Director of its Undergraduate Public Health Program. A neuroscientist by training, she specializes in clinical neuroscience education and inclusive pedagogy. She mentors students in neuroimaging research and co-leads the Human Biology Program’s Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility committee.
Assistant Professor for Responsible AI and Digital Health
Philipp Kellmeyer is a Junior Professor for Responsible AI and Digital Health at the University of Mannheim. A board-certified neurologist, he leads the Human-Technology Interaction Lab at the University Medical Center Freiburg. His research focuses on AI-based neurotechnologies, human-robot interaction, and ethical AI for digital health applications.
L. Syd M Johnson, PhD, HEC-C, is a philosopher, bioethicist, and neuroethicist at SUNY Upstate Medical University’s Center for Bioethics and Humanities, where she also serves as an ethics consultant. She is an Associate Editor for Neuroethics, a member of the NIH BRAIN Initiative Neuroethics Working Group, and chairs Upstate’s Hospital Ethics Committee. Her research focuses on research ethics, animal ethics, xenotransplantation, and brain injuries, including brain death and disorders of consciousness. She has authored several books, including The Ethics of Uncertainty and The Routledge Handbook of Neuroethics, and has a broad interest in all things with brains—including animals, zombies, and robots.
Panel Hosts:
Max Benabou is a fourth-year undergraduate at Stanford University studying biomedical computation with a neuroscience emphasis. He serves as the president of the Stanford Undergraduate Neuroscience Society.
Hezekiah is a fourth-year neuroscience, immunology, and physiology student at the University of Toronto. His research explores psychedelics for mood disorders and incretin therapies for neurological conditions. He will soon begin his Master’s at the Institute of Medical Sciences, continuing his research career. He also serves as Vice President of Academic Affairs for the Neuroscience Association for Undergraduate Students.