New Members Anne StevensonHarvard TH Chan School of Public Health Research focus: The primary focus of Anne Stevenson's work has been in examining mental health in people with severe mental illness in Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, and Uganda, with youth in post-conflict settings in East and West Africa, and in HIV-affected children in Rwanda.
Abigail OppongIndependent Researcher/Consultant  Research focus: My research centers on Neuroethics, where I work towards advancing inclusive neurotechnology. I am dedicated to ensuring that neuroscientific advancements are accessible and beneficial to all, with a particular emphasis on bridging gaps for individuals from the Global South. By creating pipelines prioritizing equitable access and ethical considerations, I aim to contribute to a more inclusive and ethically sound landscape in neurotechnology research and application. Collaboration: Yes, I am open for collaborations.
Blake Hereth, PhDUniversity of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine  Research focus: My research concerns the ethics of harm in the development and application of novel neurotechnologies in the military and private industry, especially neurotech designed to mitigate aggressive behaviors. I'm also interested in discovering an optimal means for ethicists to influence Big Tech. Please contact me by email <[email protected]> if you'd like to collaborate or chat.
Diana M. UrianWestern University  About me: I'm currently an undergraduate studying neuroscience, in the final year of my program. Initially, my plan was to attend medical school with the intention of practicing medicine and teaching. However, as I delved deeper into this path, I gradually realized that it wasn't a lifelong pursuit that would bring me joy. I wouldn't be able to use my skills to their full potential in the way I wanted. During the past year, I had the opportunity to engage in cognitive neuroscience research within a music neuroscience lab. Despite observing the enthusiasm of those around me, I discovered that I didn't derive the same level of satisfaction from behavioural studies. Perhaps this was because I couldn't see the immediate practical application of basic research, or perhaps it was because I just wasn't interested in the topic, but either way, I couldn't see myself doing research like that for the rest of my life. Currently, I'm involved in a gait study with Parkinson's patients within the same lab. Although this research is more applied in nature, it isn't as clinical as I would have liked and I still haven't found profound enjoyment in it. Consequently, for my thesis, I have made the decision to transition to a different lab that focuses heavily on clinical aspects. In this new setting, my research will explore whether Alzheimer's disease can be truly understood as a disorder of consciousness. Additionally, I will be investigating the impact of certain factors in the care of cardiac patients, specifically examining whether these factors contribute to cognitive impairment following surgery. While searching for graduate programs, I stumbled upon a talk at UBC featuring Peter Reiner and Jennifer Chandler. It was during this event that I finally discovered a topic that genuinely piqued my interest. I have always been someone who relishes philosophical conversations and debates where there is no clear-cut right answer. Consequently, I could envision myself pursuing a career as a neuroethicist and immersing myself in this field, both as a teacher and a researcher. This path resonates with me far more than any other career options I had previously considered. Research interests: Neurodiversity, Brain-Based Legal Implications, Deep Brain Stimulation and Neural Engineering, Neuroscience and Free Will/National Security, Medical ethics, Brain-computer interface, Education/Global Health Reasons for joining: I joined the INS with the intention of immersing myself in a community that explores neuroethical ideas and connects me with individuals actively working in the field. My goal is to broaden my understanding of the current state of neuroethics, identify areas that are currently overlooked but deserve attention, and expand my knowledge within this captivating domain of study. Hopes for engaging: I aspire to cultivate a robust network of individuals with whom I can engage in meaningful discussions and forge connections. By doing so, I aim to gradually shape and refine my own unique interests within the field. Favour NerriseStanford University  About me: Currently a Ph.D. candidate in Electrical Engineering, previously obtained B.S. and M.S.dual degrees in Computer Engineering and Applied Mathematics. Most recently been conducting research on generating digital biomarkers for neurodegenerative disorders using digital technologies and AI. Research interests: Neurodiversity, Brain-Based Legal Implications, Neurotechnology and Artificial Intelligence, Alzheimer’s Disease, Medical ethics, Brain-computer interface, Education/Global Health, Science communication Reasons for joining: I want to explore and understand how to bridge understanding policy and regulatory pathways as it intersects with various facets of neuroscience research and innovation. Hopes for engaging: I hope to work alongside fellow scientists, academic leaders, and more to impart our experiences of expanding the domains of what is possible with neuroscience to better prepare foundations for ethical neuroscience policies that can be consistently maintained and understood. Lastly, I hope to be challenged in my thinking, opinions, and practice to broaden my perspectives and knowledge of how to build a better society through neuroscience research and technology that embodies the needs of others and protects their welfare. Sandro CrameriUniversity of Fribourg  About me: I'm about to graduate from my Master of Law at the University of Fribourg, I have also a keen interest in psychology, neuroscience and the questions surrounding mental health. In a few days I will start my first job as a jurist for the authority for protection of the people without the capacity to make legal decisions (ex: children, people with mental illnesses, etc.). I was born in Ticino, Switzerland, my mother tongue is Italian but I studied law in French since I'm part of a linguistic minority and there isn't a university of law in Italian in Switzerland. During my Master's I specialized in comparative law and in human rights. Research interests: Cognitive enhancement, Brain-based legal implications and Neuroscience and Free Will/National Security Reasons for joining: I'm very interested in the field of neuroscience and the questions posed by the rights to mental health and I'm even considering pursuing a degree in neuroscience in addiction to my degree in law. I'm also planning on possibly writing a doctoral dissertation that touches the topic of neuroethics. Hopes for engaging: I hope to learn more about this fascinating field. Monica Castilla Invirtus About me: I specialize in corporate image and neurobranding, and I am also a Bioethicist, currently based in Latvia. In terms of education, I am currently pursuing a second career in Psychology, and I have previously worked as a professor at UNAM (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México). I have contributed to the field by publishing articles on personal development for Mexican magazines. I am fluent in both Spanish and English, and you can find me on social media platforms such as @monikastilla, linkedin/moniquecastilla, and ethicaleducation.net. Research Interests: My interests span a wide range of topics, including neuroscience, business ethics, bioethics, neurotechnology, AI, human rights, and neurophilosophy. Reasons for joining: I have joined the International Neuroethics Society because I have a deep interest in ethics, particularly in the fields of bioethics and neuroethics. By becoming a member, I hope to gain valuable knowledge and insights regarding my research interests. I am open to connecting with experts and professionals in the field, as I believe that networking and establishing contacts will be essential for fostering collaborations and exchanging information. Additionally, I am excited about the potential research opportunities that the Society may offer. Collaboration: I am particularly interested in connecting and collaborating with fellow members of the International Neuroethics Society who share similar research interests. Engaging in virtual group discussions, participating in professional development sessions at events, and receiving constructive feedback on my research ideas and projects are aspects that greatly appeal to me. Additionally, I am enthusiastic about establishing mentoring relationships with experienced professionals within the Society. Through these collaborations, I aim to exchange ideas, gain valuable insights, and further develop my expertise in the field. Nathan Zachary FernandezStudent, Christ (Deemed to be) University  About me: I am an outgoing student in the MSc Neuropsychology programme at Christ (Deemed to be) University. I am also pursuing a Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling Psychology simultaneously. I have completed another Post Graduate Diploma in Play and Human Development and a BSc in Psychology with Honors. I spent the pandemic learning, and as a result, I have over 100 certificates from various courses and webinars on diverse topics. Research interests: Chronotypes, Sleep Quality, Inner Speech, Post-COVID cognitive changes and the altering notion of the Self in degenerative conditions. Reason for joining: Being the first batch of graduate Neuropsychology students in the country made me deeply aware of the ethical implications of practice and scientific dissemination. I was also aware of the impact that a professional opinion has on many aspects of an individual's life including aspects such as directed care, changing notions of the sense of self in dementing conditions, respect for individuals with altered levels of consciousness and so on. In order to become more ethically informed and more proactive, I decided that joining this society would further my needs and help me align myself with discourse in the field. Collaboration: I am more than happy to collaborate on research in all domains because the field of Neuroscience is big enough to accommodate everyone's approach and views. Claudia CorradiBioethics and Policy Researcher, Nuffield Council on Bioethics  About me: I am a Researcher at the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, where I currently research the potential ethical and policy implications of emerging developments in brain science and technology. Recent work has focused on ethical and social issues raised by technology for mental health support. Research interests: Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, cognitive enhancement, emerging neurotechnologies, neuroscience and AI research, the use of brain surrogates in research, implications of neuroscience and genetics research for understanding learning in young people. Reason for joining: I joined INS to be part of a larger network of stakeholders who share my interest for responsible, inclusive and ethical innovation in neuroethics. Collaboration: I am interested in engaging with other members and with stakeholders with different expertise and professional backgrounds and in possible opportunities for knowledge sharing/collaborations. |