Research Framework

Human communication is one of the brain's most complex and fundamental functions. Every conversation requires the seamless integration of multiple neurobiological systems including sensory, motor, cognitive, affective, predictive, and autonomic systems that enable us to perceive, interpret, produce, and adapt communication in constantly changing environments. At the NeuroComm Lab, we investigate how these interacting systems give rise to successful human communication across the lifespan.

Our research framework is based on the premise that communication emerges from dynamic interactions across multiple neurobiological levels. We investigate how communication is represented and coordinated within the individual brain, how neural activity synchronizes between interacting brains, and how communication is shaped by reciprocal interactions between the brain and the body. Combining multimodal neuroimaging, behavioral experiments, computational modeling, and physiological measurements, we seek to uncover the mechanisms that support communication in health and how they are altered in neurodevelopmental, psychiatric, and neurological disorders.

Our research can be divided into three areas:

1. Understanding Human Communication

Mechanisms of communication within the brain, between brains, and between the brain and the body

We investigate how sensory, motor, cognitive, affective, and autonomic systems interact to enable speech, language, facial expressions, gaze, and other forms of human communication. Our research examines communication within individuals, between interacting brains, and through dynamic interactions between the brain and the body. By combining multimodal neuroscience, computational approaches, and experimental psychology, we aim to uncover the neurobiological mechanisms that enable adaptive human communication.

2. Communication across health and disease

Understanding communication across the lifespan, from healthy development to psychiatric and neurological disorders

Communication changes throughout life and is affected by sensory, neurodevelopmental, psychiatric, and neurological conditions. We investigate how alterations in brain dynamics contribute to communication difficulties across the lifespan, including hearing impairment, language disorders, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, dementia, and other neurological conditions. Our goal is to identify objective neurobiological markers that improve understanding of communication disorders and support earlier diagnosis, individualized assessment, and precision medicine.

3. Translational neurotechnology

Transforming neuroscience into AI-driven diagnostics, biomarkers, and personalized interventions

We translate discoveries from communication neuroscience into innovative technologies for research and clinical practice. Our work combines artificial intelligence, computational speech and language analysis, immersive virtual reality, wearable sensors, hyperscanning, and closed-loop neurofeedback to develop next-generation diagnostic tools, digital biomarkers, and personalized interventions. Through collaborations with clinicians, engineers, and industry partners, we aim to create scalable technologies that improve communication, brain health, and quality of life.

Our research platform includes: 

Neuroimaging

EEG • MRI

Human Interaction

Hyperscanning • Eye Tracking • Facial Expression Analysis • Behavioral Experiments

Brain–Body Physiology

Heart Rate Variability (HRV) • Electrocardiography (ECG) • Respiration

Speech & Language

Speech Acoustics • Speech & Language Analysis • Natural Language Processing

Computational Neuroscience

Machine Learning • Computational Modeling • Network Neuroscience • Neural Speech Tracking

Digital Technologies

Virtual Reality • Wearable Sensors • Mobile Technologies • Closed-loop Neurofeedback

Find more infos about our current research projects, here.