Recognized Neuroscience Leaders 2025

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.

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.

Dr. Sydney Ceruto is the author of THE DOPAMINE CODE: How to Rewire Your Brain for Happiness and Productivity (Simon & Schuster, June 2026), commissioned by editors who recognized her groundbreaking work pioneering neuroscience-based performance optimization for Fortune 500 executives, ultra-high-net-worth individuals, and elite professionals. As founder of MindLAB Neuroscience, Dr. Ceruto specializes in evidence-based coaching that transforms high-achieving clients through neuroplasticity and brain optimization. Her methodology helps clients achieve measurable outcomes: 40% improvement in executive decision-making speed, enhanced emotional intelligence under pressure, breakthrough performance in high-stakes environments, and sustained motivation without burnout. Over two decades with 3,000+ clients across 40+ countries, Dr. Ceruto has guided Fortune 500 CEOs, billionaire entrepreneurs, and professional athletes to break longstanding neural patterns and optimize cognitive performance at the neurological level. Her proprietary frameworks, The NeuroMastery Method and The Brain Blueprint for Elite Performance, have become gold standards in neuroscience-based executive coaching. Recognized as a leading voice in neuroscience and leadership, Dr. Ceruto is an Executive Contributor to Forbes Coaching Council, Senior Writer at Brainz Magazine and Alternatives Watch, and featured in Marquis Who's Who. She regularly collaborates with influential neuroscientists including Dr. Joe Dispenza, Andrew Huberman, and Jordan Peterson, bridging cutting-edge research with practical executive application. Dr. Ceruto holds dual PhDs in Behavioral & Cognitive Neuroscience from New York University, plus a master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Yale University. This unique combination of research training and clinical expertise enables her to translate complex neuroscience into immediately actionable strategies that create permanent transformations. Beyond executive coaching, Dr. Ceruto advocates for mental health accessibility through volunteer work with Covenant House and NAMI. She is available for media interviews, podcast appearances, and expert commentary on neuroscience, peak performance, executive leadership, dopamine optimization, motivation science, brain health, emotional intelligence, and sustainable high achievement. Contact for media inquiries: admin@mindlabneuroscience.com | MindLabNeuroscience.com

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.

Alex Penrod, MS, LPC, LCDC is a trauma-focused psychotherapist and the founder of Neuro Nuance Therapy and EMDR, PLLC, a private practice in Austin, Texas specializing in EMDR therapy, complex trauma, attachment injuries, and PTSD recovery. 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 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.

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.

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.

Erena DiGonis, LCSW-R is a New York State Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Health Coach, and Certified Clinical Anxiety and Trauma Treatment Professional. She is also certified in Brainspotting and trained in EMDR. Erena has twenty-one years of practical and professional experience as an active clinician, teacher, and supervisor. She has worked in a variety of community, psychiatric, in-home, and private practice settings with hundreds of complex cases. Erena is a sought-after writer, speaker, and consultant and has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Psychology Today, Reader’s Digest, Women's Health, and MEL magazine. She has reviewed book proposals for the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and is an Advisory Board Member for the CPTSD Foundation. Erena serves as the Founder and Continuing Education Director of EngagedMinds, a national Continuing Education business providing training for Counselors, Social Workers, and Therapists.

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.

Dr. Jim Mosher is a licensed clinical psychologist and founder of The Therapist’s Therapist, a practice devoted exclusively to helping therapists. Board-certified (ABPP) and licensed across multiple states, he specializes in trauma, PTSD, and the integrative application of psychotherapy research. His clinical work is grounded in memory reconsolidation, existential and humanistic approaches, and short-term psychodynamic therapy. With over 15 years of experience spanning inpatient psychiatry, the VA system, and private practice, Dr. Mosher also supervises and trains emerging clinicians. He has published and presented on trauma-focused psychotherapy, the lived impact of vicarious trauma, and the intersection of theory and applied clinical practice. His current work emphasizes both the science and the lived art of psychotherapy—how therapists themselves navigate the same vulnerabilities they help their clients face.

Dr. James Lyons, M.D., is an internationally trained physician that was born in Germany. He is the son of a teacher and army veteran and was raised in Texas, but traveled extensively during his medical training. From medical rotations in French Hospital Systems, to his training in Miami at Ryder Trauma medical center and psychiatric training at TGK Prison, his depth of knowledge for those in acute crises is vast. In addition to his doctorate in medicine, Dr. Lyons also holds a Masters of Medical Sciences and coordinated research trials for schizophrenia pharmaceutical treatments in Dallas, TX. He completed his residency in Rural Michigan as a Family Medicine Physician, where he made home visits, and was rigorously trained in all aspects of medical care from delivering and caring for newborns, to end of life care. In his final year of training, he was named chief resident of this program. After 3 additional years practicing in rural east texas as a hospitalist in the acute setting, he, his wife, and their 4 children now reside back in Texas where he was raised, where his parents are retired, and where his sister works as a registered nurse in hospital leadership. Dr. Lyons continues to practice medicine in the acute setting as a hospitalist and emergency room physician in the greater Austin area. Aside from direct patient care, Dr. Lyons provides medical expertise and consulting while also being actively involved in performance improvement, infection control, and medical executive committees in the hospitals where he practices.

I'm a dedicated psychotherapist and founder of Uncover Mental Health Counseling. With a deep understanding of cultural dynamics and a commitment to helping diverse communities, I'm passionate about guiding individuals toward healthier, more fulfilling relationships. With a background in Psychology, Mental Health Counseling, and LGBT Health, I specialize in working through generational and racial trauma, anxiety, self-esteem issues, and relationship challenges. I also provide support for relationship conflicts, family dynamics, teen counseling, parenting, grief and loss, and addiction, offering a compassionate space for growth and healing.