Recognized Neuroscience Leaders 2025

As a Silicon Valley veteran with over 30 years in the tech industry, James Croall understood the importance of peak mental performance. Despite his success, he often felt he was functioning at only a fraction of his potential. He sought tools and discovered the transformative power of neurotherapy and brain optimization. Using advanced techniques like neurofeedback, neuromodulation, and holistic health approaches, he overcame his challenges and reached levels of clarity, focus, and productivity he never thought possible. He loves talking about brain science and even wrote about it in an upcoming book, The Dream of Matter: Neuroscience and Decoding the Mathematics of the Soul. He left his career in technology behind and launched a consulting and coaching business to help others tap into their peak mental performance. As a certified QEEG-T neurotherapy specialist, he brings a unique blend of technical expertise and real-world understanding to the table. His background in computer security, combined with his personal transformation journey, allows him to offer a comprehensive approach to brain optimization grounded in both science and practical experience.

I’m an Academic Neuroscientist, Published Author, and the Founder of Sci-translate with a PhD in Neuroscience & Psychology from King’s College London. I founded Sci-translate to empower people with the knowledge to become happier and healthier. Scientific discoveries have the potential to improve millions of people’s lives, but these discoveries often become lost in translation between academia and the real world. That’s why I help purpose-driven ventures understand how to interpret research and create actionable solutions from data. Whether you’re an established business or a start-up, I work with anyone who is passionate about making a positive difference in people’s health and wellbeing.

Nataliya, Ph.D., is a neuroscientist and serial health entrepreneur. She leads Uma Path Advisory, co-founded Hive Bio, and serves as Chief Science & Innovation Officer at States of Mind, advising on scientific strategy, innovation, and content across mental health, progressive treatments, healthcare, and longevity. States of Mind is a mental wellness hub connecting users to service providers specializing in progressive mental health treatments with a mission to support individuals throughout their life journey.

I'm Dr. Sydney Ceruto, Founder and CEO of MindLAB Neuroscience. I created Real-Time Neuroplasticity™ because I got tired of watching brilliant people sabotage themselves with brains that were working against them. Here's the thing, traditional coaching or therapy talks at the problem. I rewire it. My method targets the neural pathways responsible for decision paralysis, dopamine dysregulation, and that mental fog that hits when stakes are highest. Whether you're leading in tech, building a startup, competing at the elite level, navigating a major life transition, or breaking through performance plateaus, my clients come to me when they've hit a ceiling that ambition alone can't break through. The results? A 40% average jump in decision-making speed. Permanent removal of the patterns that were holding them back. Not temporary fixes. My background is where clinical neuroscience meets real-world application. Dual PhDs in Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience from NYU. Dual Master's degrees from Yale: Clinical Psychology and Business Psychology. I also completed Wharton's Executive Development Program and have been invited back as a guest speaker. The work speaks for itself: 4.9 stars across 316+ verified reviews. Over 25 years of practice since founding in 2000. In 2024, I received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the World Coaching Congress. In 2025, the Five Star Global Award. In 2022, the CREA Global Innovation Award. I'm an inductee in Marquis Who's Who in America. On the media side, I've been an Executive Contributor to Forbes Coaches Council since 2019 and serve as Senior Writer for Brainz Magazine. My work has appeared in Forbes, USA Today, Newsweek, Associated Press, Cosmopolitan, Business Insider, Fox Business, and CBS News. Simon & Schuster reached out to me about writing a book on dopamine. The Dopamine Code: How to Rewire Your Brain for Happiness and Productivity comes out in June 2026, with a workbook alongside it. For media inquiries, contact: media@mindlabneuroscience.com

Jennifer Miller, LCSW-S, is a trauma psychotherapist and clinical educator with expertise in nervous system–informed care. Her work focuses on how trauma, chronic stress, and lack of safety shape regulation, decision-making, and emotional capacity. She specializes in translating neuroscience into clear, accessible language, offering a nervous system–first perspective on mental health that challenges one-size-fits-all coping and calming advice.

Alex Penrod, MS, LPC, LCDC is an EMDR therapist and the founder of Neuro Nuance Therapy and EMDR, PLLC, an EMDR-primary psychotherapy practice in Austin, Texas. He specializes in EMDR therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and trauma related issues. He has 10 years of experience in behavioral health including residential and outpatient programs for substance use and co-occurring mental health conditions. His clinical work integrates neuroscience, evidence-based protocols, and holistic models of nervous system regulation to support stabilization and long-term healing. Alex organizes his approach around a research-supported lifestyle framework he coined as the Six Pillars of Holistic Trauma Recovery, which emphasizes the role of sleep, movement, nutrition, stress regulation, social support, and reducing substance use in trauma healing. He is known for translating complex clinical concepts into practical, accessible guidance for clients and for developing materials that help individuals understand the conditions that support effective trauma therapy. His insights have been featured in national publications, including The Wall Street Journal, as well as multiple mental health and wellness outlets. He contributes expertise on trauma, emotional regulation, recovery-oriented behavioral change, and the interplay between lifestyle patterns and therapeutic outcomes. Alex provides EMDR therapy both in person in Austin and statewide through secure telehealth.

Helping People Live a Better Story...with Science! Fostering innovation and deep engagement has been the core of my work since joining the San Jose State University science faculty in 2007. Today, I’m bringing that expertise out of the academy and into the lives of high performers that want that extra edge to create unique, science based solutions and cultivate stronger teams & leaders. My academic research lies at the intersection of fear science, creativity and communication. You can find some of my recent work in Forbes, Science magazine, Entrepreneur, and TED. My Top 3 Recent Talks: Power to Pivot Neurohacking Creativity & Innovation The Myth of Fearlessness https://www.marypoffenroth.com

Dr. Chandril Chugh is a U.S.-trained, board-certified neurologist with over 17 years of global experience. He specializes in treating complex brain and spine conditions, including stroke, migraine, dementia, epilepsy, and brain trauma. He brings expertise in interventional neurology, using minimally invasive procedures to treat neurological emergencies and chronic disorders. Dr. Chugh also focuses on lifestyle-related issues like stress-induced anxiety, insomnia, and burnout—offering holistic solutions grounded in neuroscience. As co-founder of the Dr Good Deed Foundation, he has helped transform rural healthcare in India through teleclinics, health camps, and community outreach. Through social media and his digital series “Hello Doctor,” Dr. Chugh simplifies brain health and wellness for the public, making expert medical knowledge accessible and relatable to all.

I love solving complex business challenges using technology, AI prompt engineering, data and automation. I am an experienced CTO with over 25 years in full-stack platform strategy, design and implementation, particularly in Financial Services. I am an Agile native, keen Scrum-Master, NLP Practitioner and experienced Product Owner. Recently been knees-deep in ChatGPT integration for automated data analysis; AI-based sentiment analysis on unstructured content; AI content translation and speech output; app design for neurodiversity; cloud architecture and implementation (AWS); ground-up people analytics platform; machine learning and predictive analytics; robo-advice (investments); and combining neuroscience with technology.I've recently published my first non-fiction book "Mental Wellbeing for Busy People". Otherwise you’ll find me savouring a craft beer, or even brewing one, or during the summer concocting new varieties of craft cheese in time for Christmas parties!

Ever since I was a child, I have been fascinated with the human mind. I have always been curious about how emotion and thinking work, and especially, how they are housed in that tiny 3-pound organ in our heads (the brain.) So, I set out to become an expert in those things. I am board-certified in clinical neuropsychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology. I received my doctoral training at the University of Florida (Go Gators!) in Clinical and Health Psychology with a specialization in Clinical Neuropsychology and then completed an internship in Clinical Neuropsychology and Rehabilitation Psychology at the VA Boston Healthcare System, through Harvard Medical School and the Boston University School of Medicine. I completed a two-year post-doctoral fellowship with the Movement Disorders Center of Excellence at the Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Neurology, Division of Neurosciences. I have specialized training in the neuroscience of emotion, anxiety, and mindfulness. I have extensive experience with Movement Disorders (idiopathic Parkinson's disease, atypical parkinsonisms, essential tremor), having trained at two national centers of excellence. I was recently part of a comprehensive stroke care center at the leading stroke care facility in the Northeast Florida and South Georgia region. I have worked extensively with active duty and veteran members of the United States Armed Forces. One of the highlights of my career is my ongoing work with an interdisciplinary team of experts who teach resiliency and leadership skills to active-duty military leaders through the 360 Program. Above all, I have a passion for helping others and connecting to the human spirit. I am also determined to help people care for themselves better in early to middle adulthood, to stave off the negative effects of emotional and physical illness and continue to thrive throughout their lifespan.

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in evidence-based therapy for children, adults, and families, providing care through an award-winning counseling and neurofeedback practice serving Harrisburg since 2014. I hold advanced training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, am EMDR certified, and also use neurofeedback as part of a comprehensive, brain-based approach to mental health treatment. With more than thirty years of experience working with children and a background in education, I integrate CBT, play therapy, and art therapy to meet clients where they are and support meaningful change. My clinical work focuses on helping clients heal, build resilience, and create long-term personal growth through a strength-based, holistic approach. I also specialize in court-ordered coparenting counseling, family therapy, and reconciliation therapy. In these settings, I prioritize patience, clear communication, and emotional safety so every participant feels heard, respected, and supported throughout the process. I am licensed in both Pennsylvania and Florida and offer sessions in person and virtually to accommodate the needs of my clients.

Betsy Hill is President of BrainWare Learning Company, a company that builds learning capacity through the practical application of neuroscience. She is an experienced educator and has studied the connection between neuroscience and education with Dr. Patricia Wolfe (author of Brain Matters) and other experts. She is a former chair of the board of trustees at Chicago State University and teaches strategic thinking in the MBA program at Lake Forest Graduate School of Management where she received a Contribution to Learning Excellence Award. She received a Nepris Trailblazer Award for sharing her knowledge, skills and passion for the neuroscience of learning in classrooms around the country. She holds a Master of Arts in Teaching and an MBA from Northwestern University. Betsy is co-author of the book, Your Child Learns Differently, Now What?

Former Lawyer, Australian Loren Hogue is the Co-CEO of NEUROFIT. She is an official Master Coach with over 3000 hours experience and has worked with thousands of clients globally. Following an acute family tragedy, she spent 12 years identifying the best ways to heal her trauma, stress, burnout, and nervous system dysregulation, investing most of her 20’s to test different approaches. She walked away from her coaching business in 2021 and joined forces with Andrew Hogue (her husband) to start NEUROFIT after honing in on a growing gap in the post-COVID wellness market related to prolonged stress, burnout, and nervous system regulation.

As Co-CEO of NEUROFIT and a three-time tech founder, I combine a background in computer science from Caltech with a decade of experience building wellness technology that's reached millions globally. My journey from experiencing Complex PTSD to creating innovative solutions for stress and burnout has shaped NEUROFIT's data-driven approach to nervous system regulation, now used by 2,000+ health professionals and 60,000+ users across 100+ countries worldwide. Prior to NEUROFIT, my expertise in product development and engineering led me through technical roles at Snapchat and Headspace, and as a product consultant for Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. My venture-backed products have earned international recognition with features in Forbes, Well+Good, Men's Health, MedicalNewsToday, SHAPE, and more. At NEUROFIT, we've pioneered a unique approach to stress management and burnout prevention, that combines cutting-edge technology with body-based interventions, helping active users achieve an average 54% reduction in stress levels within their first week.

I’m a serious yet lighthearted board-certified psychiatrist in private practice for the past 30 years. I’m also a career-long educator/supervisor for psychiatry residents and other mental health professionals. I do public outreach as well. My blog about psychiatry and psychotherapy began in 2008. I launched a YouTube channel on "psychotherapy and psychologically-informed psychiatry" in spring 2024, and continue to post a video every two weeks. My office practice is mainly psychodynamic psychotherapy. I aim to be down to earth and non-mysterious about it — more like a conversation, less like a "blank slate." Naturally, I include other approaches when appropriate, including psychiatric medication. But my main interest is psychotherapy: both in my practice, and in public discussions of how "therapy" has been reduced in the public's mind to "tips, tools, and strategies," not its original higher aim of insight about oneself. In the distant past I published psychotherapy research; you can look me up on PubMed or ResearchGate. I served as medical director of a mental health clinic for 10 years, chaired the Continuing Medical Education (CME) Committee of a major medical center for over a decade, and served on their Ethics Committee. I’ve been a psychiatric consultant to the State Bar of California, and an expert witness once or twice. I present “grand rounds” lectures to hospital departments, and I welcome opportunities to be a public speaker. Aside from clinical interests, I’m a lifelong techie. I've discussed the role, good and bad, of AI in mental health. And I hold a 2nd degree black belt in Aikido, a uniquely pacifist martial art. I'm slowly writing a book, kind of a memoir, on the parallels between depth psychotherapy and Aikido. Thanks for reading.

I have a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Bryn Mawr College and I am a licensed psychologist. I have a clinical psychology private practice where I provide individual therapy, couples counseling, and ADHD testing. I also have a coaching practice where I work with physicians, particularly around issues related to burnout and psychological wellbeing. I am also the director of clinical training and a professor in a doctoral psychology program, where I am committed to advancing clinical education and mentoring future psychologists. I also partner with my physician husband to offer destination continuing medical education (CME) in vacation settings. Most of our CME events revolve around neuroscience-backed ways of mitigating burnout.

I hold a B.S. in Life Science and a Doctorate in Chiropractic, and my passion for mental wellness took a personal turn after a close loved one faced a suicide crisis. This experience fueled my drive to find practical, impactful solutions for mental wellness that can be integrated into everyday life and business environments. As a Mental Wellness Integration Architect, I specialize in helping businesses incorporate mental wellness strategies into their operations to support clients and employees. My work involves designing and implementing tailored mental wellness frameworks that improve stress management, reduce burnout, and foster resilience—while also generating new revenue streams through product recommendations and wellness conversations. My approach empowers businesses to make a difference without needing prior expertise in mental health, creating long-term impact and profitability.