top of page
Current members
Molly J. Henry
group leader
I'm interested in how synchronization between brain rhythms and environmental rhythms shapes auditory perception. I use a combination of psychophysical and electrophysiological methods to investigate this problem. Before starting the Neural and Environmental Rhythms Lab, I was a postdoc in the Music and Neuroscience Lab at the University of Western Ontario, and before that in the Max Planck Research Group Auditory Cognition at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Leipzig, Germany (now at the University of Lübeck). I received my PhD in Experimental Psychology in 2011 from Bowling Green State University (in the Timing, Attention, and Perception Lab, now at Michigan State University). I love karaoke.
CV:
Yuranny Cabral-Calderin
postdoc
My main research interest is to understand how neural activity gives rise to perception. Within this frame, I am interested on the special role of brain rhythms as key mechanism orchestrating network dynamics. To investigate these topics, I have been using a combination of human psychophysics, functional brain imaging and non-invasive brain stimulation techniques. Before joining the group, I was a postdoc at the MEG Unit, BIC, Frankfurt University (Prof. Michael Wibral) in collaboration with the German resilience center in Mainz (Prof. Oliver Tüscher). I received my PhD in Systems Neuroscience in 2016 from the University of Göttingen (Institute for Cognitive Neurology, Prof. Melanie Wilke). I obtained my master’s degree in Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience in 2011 from the Cuban Center for Scientific Investigations and a Diploma degree in Psychology in 2007 from the University of Havana, Cuba. In addition to science, I love music and photography.
Keyvan Mahjoory
postdoc
I am interested in exploring temporal, spectral, and spatial properties of neural oscillations, their interactions within the human brain, and with the environment. To investigate these topics, I use a combination of neuroimaging, signal processing, and machine learning techniques. Before joining the group, I was a Postdoc in the Institute for Biomagnetism and Biosignal analysis at the university of Muenster, Germany. I received my Ph.D. in Bioengineering and Robotics in 2017 from university of Genova (Advisor: Dr. Stefan Haufe) and obtained my Master's degree in Biomedical engineering from university of Shahid Beheshti, Tehran, Iran.
Olivia Wen
postdoc
My research focuses on perceptual and cognitive principles underlying music listening, music performance, and dancing. I am also interested in neural processes involved in these activities. Before joining the group, I received my Ph.D. in Psychology in 2019 from Cornell University (Advisor: Prof. Carol Krumhansl), and obtained my Bachelor’s degree in both Psychology and Music in 2013 from Grinnell College. In my spare time, I enjoy singing, tango dancing, and traveling. [website]
Yue Ren
visiting postdoc
My main research focuses on auditory perception in senior groups using both psychophysical and electrophysiological approaches. As a visiting postdoc in the Neural and Environmental Rhythms Lab, my current project investigates how neural entrainment to music may differ in older adults than in young participants. I came from a biomedical engineering background (bachelor and master degrees from Tianjin University, China) and received my PhD in experimental psychology (University of Munich, LMU, Germany). My other research interests include interval timing, Bayesian estimation, and Absolute Pitch (AP) perception
Ece Kaya
PhD student
The main focus of my research is the investigation of perception and cognition of rhythm in the domains of music and language. Having a background in psychology, I explored cultural differences in rhythmic grouping, using behavioral and psychophysical methods. Before joining the group, I completed my master’s degree in Cognitive Science at Bogazici University, Turkey. For my thesis, I investigated the effects of native language on perception and grouping of tones and phonemes. I worked in the project "Potential Influences of Music and Language on Rhythm Perception" (supervised by Dr. Esra Mungan), which enabled me to pursue and advance my studies. Additionally, I was involved in other projects addressing various topics from the disciplines of linguistics and philosophy, reflecting my other scientific interests such as phonetics, phonology and predictive information processing. In my free time, you can find me playing old songs at a blues bar or producing electronic music at home.
Matt Moore
PhD student
My main research is broadly centered on the perception of music and time, with a secondary interest in the interrelationship between speech, music, and absolute pitch. I completed my MA in Music at Durham University in 2019; my thesis, supervised by Dr. Kelly Jakubowski, was a corpus analysis of Malian jembe music examining timing asynchronies during the production of polyrhythms, with the aim of understanding how performers are entrained when producing a rhythm that counteracts the prevailing meter of their co-performers. Prior to this, I received my bachelor’s degree in music from City, University of London in 2017, which included a study abroad year at the University of Queensland. During my year abroad, I took up learning the double bass mainly because I enjoy jazz, but later went on to play in several of the orchestras at Durham. I’ve played piano since early childhood, guitar since my teens, and if asked nicely I can sometimes coax a few noises out of a trumpet.
Kristin Weineck
PhD student
My main research interest addresses the role of neural network dynamics involved in sensory perception and behavior. In this context, I am especially interested in the communication between neural populations required for the complete representation of the auditory environment and the alterations of neural activity patterns implicated in aging and diseases. Before joining the group, I completed my master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Neuroscience at the Goethe University Frankfurt am Main (Institute for Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Dr. Julio Hechavarria). During my bachelor, I studied Medical Biotechnology at the University of Rostock and wrote my thesis at the Leibniz Institute for Molecular Pharmacology/NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence in Berlin.
Lea Kërçiku
master student
My main research interest is studying changes in the dynamics of neural oscillations and how they influence perception during auditory stimulation. Currently, I am continuing my Master studies in the program of Interdisciplinary Neuroscience at the Goethe University in Frankfurt and am completing my thesis project in this group where I will mainly be working with EEG. Aside from my studies I am also working as a student assistant in the group, helping with in-person and online experiments. I completed my Bachelor studies in Biology at the University of Bonn and for my thesis I focused on cellular differentiation in the nervous system. I am passionate about art and painting and am actively involved in civil society projects.
Minju Kim
master student
My main research interest is focused on how network plasticity or dynamic connectivity affects cognitive functions such as attention and working memory in the auditory domain. I am currently a Master’s student in Interdisciplinary Neuroscience at Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany. Since March 2021 I have joined this group as a student assistant supporting behavioral/MEG experiments and recently started my thesis. I achieved my Bachelor’s degree in Brain and Cognitive Sciences double majoring in Statistics at Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea. I love to listen to Korean music, and used to play Korean traditional musical instruments in the amateur orchestra and conducted several performances.
Diana Gleiss
research groups assistant
I started my career 17 years ago in the real estate business as team assistant, then office manager, and finally spent 10 years as assistant to the managing board in a real estate investment firm. I realized early on that I didn’t fit into the system of making as much money as possible, as I was always more interested in people than in money. I gladly joined the MPI in 2020 as Research Group Leader assistant. I am more into administration than science, of course, but can still get a good idea what scientists do and feel "at home" with the research groups. I am very much into sports (mountain-biking, yoga) and love cooking (vegan).
Student assistants
Celine Bialek
Lea Kerciku
Minju Kim
Yomna Behery
Alumni
Tahereh Afghah , visiting PhD student – postdoc at HörTech gGmbH
Nicole Huizinga, master student – PhD student at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vera Komeyer, master student – LinkedIn
Liza Mekschrat, intern
bottom of page