Forte Maurizio | Neuroaesthetics | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Forte Maurizio | Neuroaesthetics | Best Researcher Award

Advisor in Cultural Heritage at the State Departmment, Duke University United States

Maurizio Forte, PhD, is the William and Sue Gross Distinguished Professor of Classical Studies, Art, Art History, and Visual Studies at Duke University. He directs the Dig@Lab, focusing on digital archaeology and virtual heritage, and holds the prestigious Bass Chair. Forte leads the “Vulci 3000” Project, exploring Etruscan archaeology, and is a 2024 Italian Academy Fellow, with a focus on art and neuroaesthetics. An AAAS-STPF Fellow (2025), he serves as Special Advisor for Cultural Heritage at the U.S. State Department. Forte is a Society-Centered AI core member and a National Geographic Explorer. A pioneer in virtual archaeology, he has authored numerous publications and contributed significantly to integrating digital technologies into cultural heritage preservation. Fluent in multiple languages and holding dual American and Italian citizenship, he is an influential scholar, educator, and innovator in the intersection of archaeology, art, and technology.

Professional Profile 

🎓Education

PhD (1993): Archaeology (Etruscology), University of Rome “La Sapienza” – Dissertation: “Le fasi arcaiche della città etrusca di Marzabotto”. Specialization Diploma (1988): Archaeology, University of Bologna – Achieved with top honors (70/70). Degree (1985): Ancient History, University of Bologna – Cum laude (110/110). Classical Studies Diploma (1980): “Liceo Classico,” Italy – Scored 60/60.

💼Experience

Duke University (2013–Present): Distinguished Professor, Director of Dig@Lab, Bass Chair. U.S. State Department (2025): Special Advisor for Cultural Heritage. Italian Academy Fellow (2024): Focus on art and neuroaesthetics. UC Merced (2008–2012): Professor of World Heritage, Director of Virtual Heritage Lab. National Research Council, Italy (1998–2007): Senior Scientist, Director of Virtual Heritage Lab. Visiting Scholar: Harvard, Sorbonne, Pisa, La Sapienza, and Stanford.

🏆Award and Honor

National Geographic Explorer (2016): Recognized for innovation in archaeology. AIA Lecturer (2020–2023): Archaeological Institute of America Cinelli and invited lecturer. Bass Chair (2013): Prestigious endowed position at Duke University. NSF and NEH Reviewer: Consistent contributions to academic excellence. International Advisory Roles: UNESCO WHIST Board, ICAHM member, and Neurohumanities Initiative advisor.

🔬 Research Focus

Digital Archaeology: Innovations in virtual heritage, 3D modeling, and immersive technologies. Etruscan Studies: Comprehensive exploration of Vulci’s archaic phases and cultural landscapes. Neuroarchaeology: Investigating the intersection of neuroscience and artifact perception. AI in Heritage: Society-Centered AI applications for archaeology and cultural studies. World Heritage: Strategies for preservation through advanced visualization and GIS integration.

Publications Top Noted

Virtual reality in archaeology
Authors: JA Barceló, M Forte, DH Sanders
Publication: Archaeopress
Year: 2000
Citations: 341

Virtual archaeology: re-creating ancient worlds
Authors: M Forte, A Siliotti, C Renfrew
Publication: Not specified
Year: 1997
Citations: 233

3D archaeology at Çatalhöyük
Authors: M Forte, N Dell’Unto, J Issavi, L Onsurez, N Lercari
Publication: International Journal of Heritage in the Digital Era
Year: 2012
Citations: 189

3D archaeology: new perspectives and challenges—the example of Çatalhöyük
Author: M Forte
Publication: Journal of Eastern Mediterranean Archaeology & Heritage Studies
Year: 2014
Citations: 169

About virtual archaeology: disorders, cognitive interactions and virtuality
Author: M Forte
Publication: BAR International Series
Year: 2000
Citations: 166

I sistemi informativi geografici in archeologia
Author: M Forte
Publication: MondoGIS
Year: 2002
Citations: 154

Cyber-archaeology
Author: M Forte
Publication: BAR Publishing
Year: 2010
Citations: 130

The measurement of radioactivity in Italian drinking waters
Authors: M Forte, R Rusconi, MT Cazzaniga, G Sgorbati
Publication: Microchemical Journal
Year: 2007
Citations: 122

Targeting nitric oxide with natural derived compounds as a therapeutic strategy in vascular diseases
Authors: M Forte, V Conti, A Damato, M Ambrosio, AA Puca, S Sciarretta, G Frati, et al.
Publication: Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity
Year: 2016
Citations: 121

Virtual archaeology: great discoveries brought to life through virtual reality
Authors: M Forte, A Siliotti, C Renfrew
Publication: Not specified
Year: 1997
Citations: 113

 

Nidhi Sinha | Cognitive Psychology | Young Scientist Award

Ms. Nidhi Sinha | Cognitive Psychology | Young Scientist Award

PhD in Psychology, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH), India

Nidhi Sinha is a Cognitive Psychologist pursuing a Ph.D. at IIT Hyderabad, specializing in emotion perception using virtual reality and physiological measures. Her academic journey began with an M.Phil. in Psychology at IIT Hyderabad, where she earned the Institute Silver Medal. Nidhi has worked as a visiting research scholar and research volunteer, contributing to cognitive science projects at IIIT Hyderabad and the University of Hyderabad. She has extensive experience working on emotional perception, cognitive development, and mental health, with a focus on psychosis, emotion recognition, and VR applications. Nidhi’s research aims to explore the intersection of cognitive processes and mental health using innovative tools like VR and EDA. She has also contributed to various publications and conferences on mental health, attention networks, and cognitive biases.

Publication Profile

Google Scholar

🎓 Education

Nidhi Sinha holds a Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology from IIT Hyderabad, where she conducted research on emotion perception using virtual reality and physiological measures. She also earned an M.Phil. in Psychology from IIT Hyderabad, securing an impressive CGPA of 9.75 and receiving the Institute Silver Medal. Nidhi’s journey in higher education began with a Master of Arts in Applied Psychology from Lovely Professional University (LPU), where she achieved a CGPA of 9.96 and was awarded the University Gold Medal. Her academic pursuits have revolved around cognitive sciences, emotion recognition, and mental health. Nidhi has also contributed to various research projects and gained hands-on experience through internships and collaborations with renowned institutions like the University of Hyderabad and IIIT Hyderabad. This strong academic foundation has paved the way for her innovative research and publications in the field of cognitive psychology.

💼 Experience

Nidhi Sinha’s research and teaching experience spans multiple esteemed institutions. As a Ph.D. candidate at IIT Hyderabad, Nidhi has focused on emotion perception and attentional control, collaborating with leading scientists in the field. Her role as a visiting research scholar at IIIT Hyderabad’s Cognitive Science Lab allowed her to delve deeper into understanding the cognitive aspects of emotional processing. Nidhi’s experience also includes internships at the University of Hyderabad’s Center for Neural and Cognitive Sciences, where she honed her skills in experimental techniques like eye tracking. She has worked on projects involving mental health at ASHA Hospital and has contributed to clinical research at NIMHANS, where she provided Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Additionally, Nidhi has volunteered for research projects in user engagement at IIT Hyderabad’s Department of Computer Science and has served as a teaching assistant, assisting in preparing lectures and academic assessments for postgraduate courses.

🏆 Awards & Honors

Nidhi Sinha has earned numerous accolades for her outstanding academic achievements and contributions to research. She was awarded the Institute Silver Medal for her exceptional performance in M.Phil. Psychology at IIT Hyderabad. Nidhi also received the University Gold Medal during her Master’s in Applied Psychology at LPU, where she achieved the highest CGPA of 9.96. In recognition of her groundbreaking work, Nidhi was honored with the “Early Career Research Award” from the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) in 2017. Her significant contributions to mental health research have earned her several opportunities to collaborate internationally. Nidhi’s research has been featured in prestigious journals, and she has presented her work at multiple conferences. Her dedication to advancing knowledge in cognitive psychology and mental health earned her recognition as an expert reviewer for various academic platforms, including APS, Psychosis, and IGI Publishers.

🔬 Research Focus

Nidhi Sinha’s research focuses on emotion perception, cognitive processes, and mental health, particularly within the realms of cognitive psychology and affective computing. Her Ph.D. research at IIT Hyderabad explores how virtual reality (VR) and physiological measures, such as electrodermal activity (EDA) and photoplethysmogram (PPG), can assess emotional responses in individuals. She is particularly interested in how attention networks are disrupted in mood disorders like depression and how these cognitive networks influence emotional regulation. Nidhi’s work has also extended to understanding the experiences of individuals with auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH), a common symptom in psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia. By using tools like VR, EDA, and eye tracking, Nidhi investigates how cognitive biases and attentional control mechanisms contribute to mental health disorders. Her research aims to innovate psychological assessments and improve mental healthcare by integrating modern technologies, such as VR, with traditional diagnostic tools. Nidhi has contributed to various interdisciplinary research projects, focusing on improving cognitive assessments in clinical settings.

📝Conclusion

Nidhi Sinha’s strong academic and research credentials, coupled with her interdisciplinary approach and innovative contributions to cognitive psychology and technology, make her an excellent candidate for the Young Scientist Award. Her research has the potential to significantly impact the fields of mental health and emotion recognition, particularly in integrating virtual reality and physiological measures. With continued growth in interdisciplinary collaborations and global research visibility, she is poised to make even more significant contributions to the scientific community.

Publication Top Notes

  • Title: Stress and worry in the 2020 coronavirus pandemic: Relationships to trust and compliance with preventive measures across 48 countries in the COVIDiSTRESS global survey
    Authors: A Lieberoth, SY Lin, S Stöckli, H Han, M Kowal, R Gelpi, S Chrona, et al.
    Journal: Royal Society Open Science
    Volume & Issue: 8 (2), 200589
    Year: 2021
  • Title: COVIDiSTRESS Global Survey dataset on psychological and behavioural consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak
    Authors: Y Yamada, DB Ćepulić, T Coll-Martín, S Debove, G Gautreau, H Han, et al.
    Journal: Scientific Data
    Volume & Issue: 8 (1), 3
    Year: 2021
  • Title: Introducing gamification for advancing current mental healthcare and treatment practices
    Author: N Sinha
    Book Title: IoT in Healthcare and Ambient Assisted Living, 223-241
    Year: 2021
  • Title: What networks of attention are affected by depression? A meta-analysis of studies that used the attention network test
    Authors: N Sinha, S Arora, P Srivastava, RM Klein
    Journal: Journal of Affective Disorders Reports
    Volume & Issue: 8, 100302
    Year: 2022
  • Title: Affective computing and emotion-sensing technology for emotion recognition in mood disorders
    Author: N Sinha
    Book Title: Enhanced Telemedicine and e-Health: Advanced IoT Enabled Soft Computing
    Year: 2021
  • Title: Understanding the effects of unemployment in Indian graduates: Psychological, financial and social perspectives
    Author: N Sinha
    Journal: Psychological Studies
    Volume: 63, 315-324
    Year: 2018
  • Title: Using virtual reality in college student mental health treatment
    Author: N Sinha
    Book Title: Current and Prospective Applications of Virtual Reality in Higher Education
    Year: 2021
  • Title: Living with voices: A thematic analysis of individuals’ experiences of voice-hearing in India
    Authors: N Sinha, S Ranganathan
    Journal: Psychosis
    Volume & Issue: 12 (2), 115-127
    Year: 2020
  • Title: Global Mental Health Movement: Need for a cultural perspective
    Author: N Sinha
    Journal: Indian Journal of Medical Ethics
    Year: 2023
  • Title: Affective Computing in Mood Disorders: Beyond Conventional Diagnostic Tools to Modern Technologies
    Authors: N Sinha, P Srivastava, MP Ganesh
    Book Title: Affective Computing for Social Good: Enhancing Well-being, Empathy, and …
    Year: 2024
  • Title: Student Notebook: Beginning Your Collaborative Writing Journey
    Author: N Sinha
    Journal: APS Observer
    Volume: 36
    Year: 2023
  • Title: An evaluation on existential crisis of Filipinos during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis
    Authors: Y Yamada, DB Ćepulić, T Coll-Martín, S Debove, G Gautreau, H Han, et al.
    Journal: Frontiers in Psychology
    Year: 2021
  • Title: Political Cognition: The Unconscious Mechanisms Underlying Political Beliefs and Action
    Author: N Sinha
    Book Title: The Psychology of Political Behavior in a Time of Change, 235-246
    Year: 2021
  • Book Review: J. Bargh: Before You Know It: The Unconscious Reasons We Do What We Do
    Author: N Sinha
    Journal: Psychological Studies
    Volume & Issue: 65 (1), 97-99
    Year: 2020
  • Title: Women in the asylum: Understanding the medicalization and kinship in Indian psychiatric care
    Author: N Sinha
    Journal: Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology
    Volume & Issue: 28 (5), 378-381
    Year: 2018
  • Title: Listening To The Voices: A Qualitative Study Of The Experiences Of Hearing Voices In Individuals With Auditory Hallucinations
    Authors: N Sinha, S Ranganathan
    Institution: Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad
    Year: 2018