People

Hannah is a doctoral student in CUNY’s Cognitive and Comparative Psychology PhD program. She is interested in the cognitive and neural processes behind creating and experiencing art.

Zoryana is a Research Scientist in the VisNA Lab, exploring how individual history shapes aesthetic experience through deep neural networks. She has an MSc in Computational Social Systems and will join the Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience PhD program in Fall 2026.

Luis is an Adjunct Lecturer at Laguna College of Art and Design, pursuing an MA in Behavioral Neuroscience from Queens College. He is interested in the neural and psychological foundations of aesthetic cognition, as well as music cognition and the relationship between empirical aesthetics and creativity.

Sophia is a freelance French horn player pursuing an MS in Cognitive Neuroscience. Her interdisciplinary work bridges her passions for performance and cognition, exploring the ways in which music and perception interact.

Ákos is an architect interested in neuroarchitecture and neuroaesthetics. He is visiting the CCNY VisNA Lab for the 2025-26 school year.

Dela is working on a project that began with a research visit to the VisNA Lab at MPIEA.

Dr. Grossberg is Co-Director of the Data Science and Engineering Master’s Program and collaborates with the VisNA Lab.

Coco is a research scientist working at the intersection of cognitive neuroscience and AI. He has a PhD in psychology from Harvard, works with the MIT Center for Brains, Minds and Machines (CBMM), and also consults for an AI startup.

Dominik completed his PhD in the VisNA Lab at MPIEA and TU Berlin.
He has an MSc in Biology and Neuroscience. Currently he is a PostDoc at University of Leeds, using EEG and physiological recordings.

Adam did a yearlong research project at the VisNA Lab at MPIEA. He recently completed his PhD from IMT Lucca.

Aubrey received a BA/MA in Psychology with a concentration in Research, and is also a freelance artist. They are interested in pursuing a PhD in cognitive neuroscience, particularly neuroaesthetics.

Ashley completed a Master’s in Cognitive Neuroscience, and is interested in the relationship between aesthetics and learning.

Andrew completed his second Master’s degree in Cognitive Neuroscience. He previously completed an MS in Computer Science and is interested in neuroscience-inspired approaches to improving artificial intelligence.

Maximos did a yearlong Erasmus fellowship with Dr. Vessel at the MPIEA.

Dr. Isik applies her expertise in data analytics and technology to risk management. Ilkay completed her PhD in the MPIEA VisNA Lab and was also a Postdoc with the group.

Laura recently completed a PhD in the Developmental and Education Psychology Department at Bremen University. Laura completed her Master’s in the VisNA Lab at MPIEA.

Sarah is a freelance writer, science journalist and podcaster. She received her Master’s in Psychology at the University of Hamburg. Previously, she was a student assistant in the MPIEA VisNA Lab.