Committee Members

Dr. Ali Sadeghi Habibabad is to be a Post Doctoral Researcher at Sapienza University of Rome. He also held a PostDoc Position at the University of Florence. Dr. Ali has expertise in several fields, particularly in the intersection of architecture, environmental psychology, cognitive science, cognitive neuroscience, and Islamic architecture. His research focuses on studying brain waves in response to sound intensity in the context of cultural-religious spaces. The emphasis on environmental psychology and creating a sense of spirituality suggests a particular interest in understanding how architectural design can influence human emotions and experiences within religious and cultural settings.
He has been involved in research and academic pursuits in prominent Italian institutions. Given his skills and expertise, Dr. Ali Sadeghi Habibabad likely explores the historical aspects of Islamic architecture, architectural design principles, and their effects on the cognitive and psychological experiences of individuals in religious and cultural spaces.

David Erritzoe MD, Ph.D., MRCPsych, NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer in General Psychiatry in Neuropsychopharmacology and Psychedelic Research Centers, Department of Psychiatry, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London.
In addition to his clinical work in medicine/psychiatry as a post-CCT psychiatrist, David conducts psychopharmacological research using brain imaging techniques such as PET and MRI. He was trained in PET imaging at Columbia University in New York and later obtained his Ph.D. at the University Hospital Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen. Since 2009 he has been involved in post-doc imaging research into the neurobiology of addiction and major depression at Imperial. David has investigated dopaminergic neurotransmission with measurements of the dopamine D3 receptor in alcohol addiction, studies of opioid neurotransmission in pathological gambling, and functional imaging studies of the role of dopamine D3 and mu-opioid receptors in cocaine, alcohol, and heroin addiction.

He is currently conducting lab-based multi-modal brain imaging studies [often using pharmacological challenges] focusing on serotonin/dopamine/opioid neurotransmission, as well as large-scale prospective, naturalistic studies with online assessments and/or field-based data collection. Specifically, at the Center for Psychedelic Research, where David is clinical director, studies are being conducted with Prof. Nutt and Dr. Carhart-Harris that examine the brain mechanisms and therapeutic potential of MDMA and classic psychedelics.

Dr. Daniela Canu is a faculty member at the University Medical Center Freiburg, specifically associated with the Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics in Children and Adolescents at Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg. She is affiliated with the Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics within the Medical Center. Her research interests lie in the fields of Clinical Psychology and Developmental Psychopathology.
Currently, Dr. Daniela Canu is actively involved in two eye movement research projects. The first project focuses on studying the typical and atypical development of ocular-motor intra-subject variability (ISV). The second project aims to investigate eye movements in individuals with Neurodevelopmental Disorders, with the goal of providing evidence of the existence of a continuum of impairment within this context.

Professor Jiangang Shen is a renowned expert in the field of Chinese Medicine and Integrative Medicine, focusing on Neurology, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Oncology. He is affiliated with the School of Chinese Medicine at The University of Hong Kong. Fluent in Mandarin, English, and Cantonese, he has extensive clinical experience in utilizing Traditional Chinese Medicine for various conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, cerebral vascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, insomnia, mental disorders, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, pancreatic cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, and brain cancer, among others.
Professor Shen has gained international recognition for his research contributions and has played a significant role in organizing 10 international conferences across Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Europe. He is a sought-after speaker and has delivered over 150 lectures as keynote, plenary, or invited speaker at various international conferences.
His research endeavors have been well-funded, as evidenced by successfully securing 21 external highly competitive grants, including the RGC General Research Fund, Innovation and Technology Fund of Hong Kong, HMRF grant, National Natural Science Foundation of China, and others. Additionally, he has been involved as a Co-Principal Investigator in projects awarded by the Areas of Excellence Scheme 2016/17 under the Research Grants Council.

Dr. Capecchi is a molecular geneticist and Distinguished Professor in the Department of Human Genetics at the University of Utah School of Medicine. Along with his colleagues, Dr. Martin Evans and Dr. Oliver Smithies, Dr. Capecchi was awarded the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. He received this very prestigious award for his pioneering work on gene targeting and the development of knockout mice. Dr. Capecchi’s research has equipped scientists with the technique needed to manipulate the DNA of mice. This has broadened the opportunities for scientists to investigate gene function in various developmental stages of mice.

Research Interests
Dr. Mario R Capecchi’s research interests include the molecular genetic analysis of early mouse development, neural development in mammals, production of murine models of human genetic diseases, gene therapy, homologous recombination, and programmed genomic rearrangements in the mouse.

Honors
Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award (2001) For the development of a powerful technology for manipulating the mouse genome with exquisite precision, which allows the creation of animal models of human disease.

Hsien-Yuan Lane is a Distinguished Professor, Director, at the Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Director, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Ph.D., National Defense Medical Center (Taiwan), 2000, M.D, Taipei Medical University (Taiwan), 1987. Dr. Hsien-Yuan Lane’s research interests primarily focus on neuropsychopharmacology. In recent years, his study aims to (1) determine genetic and non-genetic determinants for the treatment response of mental disorders; (2) develop novel NMDA-enhancing agents for treating mental disorders and dementia. These studies are innovative, carefully designed, and likely to revolutionize our understanding and care of patients afflicted with mental disorders or dementia.

J. John Mann is The Paul Janssen Professor of Translational Neuroscience (in Psychiatry and in Radiology) at Columbia University and Director, Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology Division at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. He is a Past President of the Society of Biological Psychiatry, the International Academy of Suicide Research and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. He is a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and a Fellow of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology.

Dr. Mann received his medical degree from the University of Melbourne, and then completed his internship and residency at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. He was trained in Psychiatry and Internal Medicine and has a Doctorate in Neurochemistry. His research employs functional brain imaging, neurochemistry and molecular genetics to probe the causes of depression and suicide. Dr. Mann has published over 900 peer-reviewed papers and edited 11 books on the biology and treatment of mood disorders, suicidal behavior and other psychiatric disorders. In private practice he specializes in the treatment of mood disorders.

Dr. Mann has received numerous research and teaching awards, including the Colvin Prize from the Brain Behavior Research Foundation, American Suicide Prevention Foundation Research Award and the American Suicide Prevention Foundation Lifetime Research Award , the American Association of Suicidology Louis I. Dublin Award, the New York State Office of Mental Health Research Award, the Klerman Senior Investigator Award from the National Depressive and Manic Depressive Association, the Columbia University Department of Psychiatry Medical Student Teaching Award, the Stengel Award from the International Association for Suicide Prevention, the Morselli Medal from the International Academy of Suicide Research, The Juluis Axelrod Mentorship Award from the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology and the Mood Disorders Research Award from the American College of Psychiatrists.

Dr. Mann is an Honorary Professor of the University “Ss. Cyril and Methodius”, Skopje, Macedonia, and a Lifetime Member of the Israeli Psychiatry Association.

Sigrid Breit pursued her medical studies at the Albert-Ludwig University in Freiburg, Germany, where she earned her promotion to Medical Doctor. Her doctoral thesis focused on “Maladaptive Schemas in Adult Patients with ADHD.” Following her medical studies, she furthered her education and expertise by obtaining a Diploma of Advanced Studies in Psychotraumatology at the University Hospital for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy in Zürich.

With a specialization in psychiatry and psychotherapy, Sigrid Breit established herself as a medical specialist. She then joined the University Polyclinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy of Bern as a consultant, where she contributed to outpatient care and consultation and liaison services at the Inselspital.

Sigrid Breit’s professional journey also includes being a member of the Translational Research Center at the University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern. During her fellowship, she worked on various research projects, such as investigating the relationship between white matter integrity and pro-inflammatory cytokines as predictors of antidepressant response using TBSS (Tract-Based Spatial Statistics) analysis. Additionally, she explored the amygdala and cortico-limbic habituation to negative stimuli in bipolar-depressed suicide attempters.

Currently, Sigrid Breit is involved in cutting-edge research activities, focusing on neuroplasticity in depressed patients treated with Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) through MRI studies. She is also engaged in evaluating fMRI, ASL (Arterial Spin Labeling), DTI (Diffusion Tensor Imaging) sequences, and actigraphy to gain insights into various neurological processes.

Furthermore, she is contributing to the field by examining the long-term outcome and maintenance treatment of catatonic patients treated with ECT through a retrospective analysis.

Sigrid Breit’s dedication to research and clinical work in psychiatry and psychotherapy showcases her commitment to advancing the understanding and treatment of mental health disorders.