Tom is a cognitive scientist with a background in computer science and cybernetics. He works in the areas of artificial life, human-computer interaction, agent-based modeling, and philosophy of mind. His bio can be found here. 

Kaori helps us to run this unit smoothly. She manages our equipment purchases, travel and visits, workshops, and supports us in all of our activities. Please contact her with any requests you may have.

Mark's has a PhD in the philosophy of embodied cognitive science, a MA in philosophy and a BA in philosophy and psychology. His PhD work was focused on how culture is reproduced through embodied social interaction. Mark's postdoctoral efforts will focus on questions of wellbeing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, exploring the intersection between embodied cognitive science, design and digital technologies.

Milan’s research lies at the intersection of artificial intelligence, machine learning, neural engineering, and cognitive neuroscience. He currently investigates how neural noise and complex brain–body–environment interactions shape decision-making and cognition, combining EEG and computational modeling within an embodied cognition framework. Before joining ECSU, he was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Chicago’s Hatsopoulos Lab and earned his PhD in Computer Science from the University of Essex, where he focused on semantic brain–computer interfacing using EEG and fNIRS.

I'm a cognitive neuroscientist with a foot in philosophy, currently based at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology. Previously, I roamed the edges of inter-brain synchrony and geometric formalisms at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences. These days I spend most of my time wondering what our hyperscanning methods really tell us – if anything – about minds in interaction. When not writing about active inference or the epistemology of dyadic data, I collaborate with industry to bring neuro-inspired models into real-world applications, with a particular bent toward mental health.

Following a BSc in chemistry and an MSc in theoretical chemistry, Natalya switched to cognitive science and completed her PhD in our unit in January 2026. Her doctoral work focused on enhancing, extending, and providing applications to Richard Watson’s Self‑Optimization (SO) model (a.k.a. ‘‘self-modeling’’ framework), which is based on a Hopfield Network. Classical Hopfield Networks (HNs) are mostly known for two operational modes: They can recall patterns as an associative memory, forming a Content-Addressable Memory (Hopfield, 1982, 1984), or they can compute a solution to a constraint optimization problem (Hopfield & Tank, 1985). The SO model can be considered the third operational mode of the HN, in which the system leverages the power of associative memory through associative learning, to discover attractor states (i.e., desirable goal states) that resolve a problem encoded in the network. Importantly, throughout the entire process of finding a solution to a problem, the system optimizes its own behavior without relying on external rewards or computing errors. Natalya connected the SO model to the study of creativity, demonstrating its value for investigating how simple Hebbian associative learning in a complex adaptive system can give rise to creative behavior in continuously learning agents.

Shannon has a Bachelor's in Art, Psychology, and Neuroscience. Currently, Shannon is interested in cognition, especially ways to improve cognition, and comparative studies. During rotation Shannon will be participating in the Video Interactions project to study realtime social interactions.

Brian served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force as an Aircraft Electrical and Environmental Systems Specialist before pursuing a BSc in Psychology. With a growing interest in embodied cognition, he joined the unit which aligns his passions and now works as Lead Technician. Brian plays a key role in coordinating unit projects and is a licensed pilot for the unit’s drone.

Born and raised in Okinawa, Tae is involved in a collaborative research project with Kyoto University Hospital, conducting experiments involving patients with anorexia nervosa. She is responsible for coordinating experimental procedures, preparing research ethics applications, and assembling experimental equipment used in the Perceptual Crossing Experiment.

Kazuma has a BSc and MSc in computer science. His interest is “Self-Dynamics” in the human-computer integration experience. He works on this topic through the demonstration and the psychophysical/cognitive experiment. He is not only a Ph.D. student at OIST, but also he is a Research Assistant of SonyCSL and a Visiting Researcher of Keio Media Design. He approaches his theme from various perspectives and aspires to work across disciplines.

Georgii has a combined BSc and MSc in theoretical astrophysics. Currently, his interests in intersection of astrobiology and artificial life.

Kensei obtained Bachelor’s in Engineering (Material Science) in 2020. His previous work was focused on developing autonomous robots and molecular computers using DNA as building blocks. After enrollment of OIST, his interest shifted to evolution of animal sociality and collective behavior. Under co-supervision by Dr.Tom Froese, Kensei is now studying macroscopic trends in social evolution of animals, exploring the relationship between brain development and animal behavior.

Chen Lam Loh graduated in 2025. 

Ivan Shpurov graduated in 2025