The puzzle of human consciousness: An Interview with Steven Laureys

This week we speak to Katrin Amunts, Scientific Director of the Human Brain Project and Chair of the Science and Infrastructure Board. She discusses her work on brain mapping, the importance of collaboration in neuroscience, and her advice to young researchers.Amunts is also Professor of the C. and O. Vogt Institute for Brain Research at the University of Düsseldorf, and Director of the Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine in INM-1 in Forschungszentrum Jülich.

In this episode we speak to Steven Laureys, a leading scientist in the Human Brain Project. He talks about his research on consciousness, his early fascination with the human mind, and the importance of mindfulness.Laureys is also Director of the Coma Science Group at the University of Liège, and Research Director at the Belgian National Fund of Scientific Research. He is the author of 'The No-Nonsense Meditation Book: A Scientist’s Guide to the Power of Meditation.’

This week we speak to Mihai Petrovici, a leading scientist in the Human Brain Project. He talks to us about his research on intelligence, his experience of growing up in a family of physicists, and what he does for fun outside of work.Petrovici is also Leader of the Neuro-inspired Theory, Modeling and Applications Group at the University of Bern.

In this episode, we speak to Roshan Cools, a leading scientist in the Human Brain Project. She talks about her research on neuropsychiatric disorders, the role of dopamine in the brain, and the relationship between resilience and mental health.Cools is also Professor of Cognitive Neuropsychiatry at Radboud University Nijmegen. 

In this episode we speak to Steve Furber, a leading scientist in the Human Brain Project. He talks about how he developed his interest in computing at university, his work on the SpiNNaker neuromorphic computer, and his advice to young people to ‘keep as many doors open as possible.’Furber is also the ICL Professor of Computer Engineering in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Manchester. 

In this episode, we speak to Arleen Salles, a leading researcher in the Human Brain Project. She discusses her work on neuroethics, her early interest in morality, and her personal definition of career success.Salles is also a Senior Researcher in philosophy at the Center for Research Ethics and Bioethics at Uppsala University and Director of the Neuroethics Program at Centro de Investigaciones Filosoficas in Buenos Aires, Argentina. 

In this episode we speak to Rainer Goebel, a leading scientist in the Human Brain Project. He talks about his work on the integration of cognitive neuroscience and artificial intelligence, his early studies in psychology and computer science, and how he spends his time outside the laboratory.Goebel is also full professor for Cognitive Neuroscience in the psychology department of Maastricht University.

In this episode, we speak to Gitte Moos Knudsen, Chair of the Human Brain Project Science and Infrastructure Advisory Board. She spoke about her research on how drugs influence the brain, her role in the Human Brain Project, and what advice she would give to her younger self.Knudsen is also Clinical Professor and Chief Physician at the Department of Clinical Medicine, Neurology, Psychiatry and Sensory Sciences, at Copenhagen University Hospital.To learn more about the Human Brain Project, please visit www.humanbrainproject.eu

In this week’s episode we speak to Viktor Jirsa, a leading scientist in the Human Brain Project, and Chief Science Officer of EBRAINS. He discusses his work on brain modelling, his early career in physics, and his advice to the next generation of neuroscientists.Jirsa is also the Director of the Inserm Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes at Aix-Marseille-Université, and Director of Research at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) in Marseille, France.  

Welcome to the Human Brain Project Podcast, where we talk to the scientists and researchers that have dedicated their lives to solving the mysteries of the human brain.We discover the humans behind the science and find out how tomorrow's discoveries will be shaped.