2026 IMBES Election Candidates

Jay Giedd

Candidate Statement

My career has been built at the intersection of education, mental health, developmental neuroscience, technology, and youth advocacy. Guided by a lifelong exploration of how the brain develops and what optimizes that journey, I served for twenty-three years as Chief of Brain Imaging at the NIMH Child Psychiatry Branch (1991-2014) and continue this work as a co-principal investigator of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study at UC San Diego. This highly collaborative and multidisciplinary work helped advance understanding of the path, mechanisms, and influences on brain development in health and illness. My overarching goal has been to translate scientific discoveries into real-world impact across education, clinical care, and public policy (Google Scholar).

As social media, emerging technologies, and artificial intelligence redefine the cognitive and emotional landscapes of youth, IMBES stands at a critical juncture. We must harness the positive potential of these tools without losing sight of the enduring foundations of effective teaching: relationships, culture, individual differences, developmental neuroscience, and the social and emotional environments in which learning occurs. Technology should be evaluated within - and used to support - these foundations, not substituted for them. During my time as Chief Editor of Mind, Brain, & Education, I was continually inspired by the talent, dedication, diversity, integrity, and passion of our members. As educators navigate these uncharted waters, IMBES is in a unique position to serve as a trusted, independent voice for rigorous science - ensuring that evidence, rather than marketing, drives the future of learning. As President-Elect, I would be honored to partner with you to build upon IMBES’s many accomplishments, protect and strengthen our distinguished reputation for scientific excellence and integrity, deepen our international and interdisciplinary connections, and maximize the value of our Society both to its members and to the broader education community.

Tzipi Horowitz-Kraus

Candidate Statement

I am a developmental cognitive neuroscientist and educator whose work centers on understanding and optimizing the neural circuits supporting reading, language, and executive functions in children, both typically developing children and those with learning difficulties. I earned my PhD from the University of Haifa (2009) and completed post-doctoral training at the University of Haifa (2011) and at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (2012) where I received my first faculty appointment (2012-2021). I currently hold a joint appointment as Associate Professor at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology (2015-Faculty of Education in Science and Technology and Faculty of Biomedical Engineering) and as Associate Professor at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine / Kennedy Krieger Institute (2021).

My research integrates fMRI, anatomical MRI, EEG, DTI, eye-tracking and additional physiological measures (HR, joint attention) to examine how language, reading and executive functions develop, and how environmental factors – including parent-child interaction, storytelling, screen and technology exposure, and intervention – shape the developing brain in several languages, including Semitic (Arabic, Hebrew) and English. I have authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications and have secured research funding from NIH, the German Research Foundation (DFG), the Ministry of Education, the Waterloo Foundation, and many others.

I have a longstanding and deep involvement in the science of Mind, Brain, and Education. I currently serve on the Board of Directors of IMBES and of the Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Society (Flux), and am an active member in brain and education special interest groups (in EARLI as well as in the Israeli branch). I founded several international laboratories focusing on brain development and academic skills: the Educational Neuroimaging Group at the Technion, the Reading Laboratory at Kennedy Krieger in Baltimore (US), and the Reading and Literacy Discovery Center in Cincinnati (US) – all focused on the neuroscience of reading, all including studies in schools. I have founded and currently serve on the board of the Technion Neuroimaging Center, and serve as an advisor to Israel’s Ministry of Education on early childhood development and educational policy, as well as on AI integration in the education system. One of my major accomplishments was opening neuroimaging labs within schools: integrating neuroscientific research into real-life educational settings, across varying languages and cultures, and involving children as part of our research team was a peak in my career. Integrating children into our research as “research assistants” and getting them more connected to the field of neuroscience. These large-scale activities also involve the teachers and educators in schools with the goal of advocating for the important contribution of neuroscience in neuropedagogy. My educational outreach spans daycares, kindergartens, K-12 schools, policy forums, national radio and television, parent associations, and international public lectures across the USA, Europe, and Israel.

I have received national and international recognition for my research and educational outreach, amongst them are the 2024 Khalifa Award for Education – Early Learning Field, the Alon Fellowship for Outstanding Young Researchers, the Fulbright Award for Excellence and the Fulbright Award for an Outstanding Community Contribution, and the Diane Sherman Prize for Medical Innovation. As IMBES President-Elect, I would bring a uniquely international perspective – bridging neuroscience, education, technology, and policy – with a commitment to translating brain science into evidence-based practices that benefit children and educators worldwide. I would leverage our society’s communication outreach to create the much-needed bridge between neuroscience and education, including bringing a group of researchers and educators who will set a model of how to integrate neuroscientific research into schools by opening neuroimaging labs, with a major emphasis on translating neuroscientific findings for educators, parents, children, and policymakers, which will also fuel the field of neuropedagogy.

Lucy Cragg

Candidate Statement

I am applying for the position of board member for IMBES in order to make a positive contribution to the global academic community, as well as support the Society’s mission to facilitate dialogue between education, biology and the cognitive and developmental sciences. I attended my first IMBES conference in 2024 and was struck not only by the high quality of the presentations and posters, but also by the friendly, collegiate and supportive atmosphere. I would like to give something back to this inspiring community by contributing to the success of future conferences and the society’s excellent journal, as well as supporting the next generation of scholars. My research addresses the development of executive functions across the lifespan, from basic science to classroom application. I have a long track record of dialogue with non-academic audiences including families, practitioners, education professionals and EdTech companies and would use this experience to facilitate the society’s objective to promote collaborations between researchers and practitioners.

Dr. Radhika S. Gosavi

Candidate Statement

I am honored to be considered for a position on the IMBES Board because this community has played an important role in shaping both my career and my vision for the future of the field. My work as an educational neuroscientist has focused on strengthening connections between research and educational practice by partnering with researchers, educators, and students to co-create knowledge that is both scientifically rigorous and educationally meaningful. Over time, I have helped develop models that embed research in authentic educational settings while ensuring that the questions we ask and the discoveries we make are grounded in the realities of teaching and learning. Through my research, contributions to science of learning initiatives at the global level, and my efforts to mentor emerging scholars through graduate teaching, I have seen firsthand the value of interdisciplinary, cross-cultural collaboration in advancing the field of Mind, Brain, and Education.

If elected, I would bring a perspective centered on building meaningful connections across research, practice, and policy while expanding opportunities for collaboration within the IMBES community. I am passionate about advancing research–practice partnerships, elevating the voices of educators and learners as contributors to scientific discovery, and supporting the next generation of MBE scholars. I believe IMBES is uniquely positioned to lead the field by fostering inclusive, interdisciplinary dialogue and bridging scientific advances with meaningful educational impact. I would be honored to contribute to that vision by strengthening connections across our community, expanding global engagement, and helping IMBES continue to grow its impact on both research and education.

Dr. Minkang Kim

Candidate Statement

I have been a proud member of IMBES since 2011 and have remained deeply committed to its mission of advancing the scientific understanding of learning and development to improve education worldwide. It would be a privilege to serve on the Board and contribute to the Society's continued growth, international reach, and scientific leadership. I would bring to the Board established expertise in educational neuroscience, the science of learning and development, and teacher education, together with extensive international experience and a strong Asia-Pacific and Australasian perspective. Based in Australia, I am well positioned to help expand IMBES's engagement across the rapidly growing Asia-Pacific region. Over many years, I have developed enduring professional relationships with researchers, educators, and teacher educators throughout Australia, Korea, China, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. I would actively work to broaden the Society's membership, foster new international collaborations, and strengthen opportunities for research exchange and professional development across this diverse and dynamic region. I would also work to deepen IMBES's global partnerships by building on my international professional networks. Through my role as Assistant Editor of the European Association for Research on Learning and Instruction (EARLI) book series and my active involvement with the UNESCO Global Alliance on the Science of Learning for Education (UNGASOL), I would seek to strengthen connections between IMBES and leading international organisations, promoting collaborative research, knowledge exchange, and wider global engagement.

Our field is entering a period of profound transformation. Artificial intelligence is already reshaping education, creating both exciting opportunities and significant challenges for learners and educators. Looking ahead, emerging brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies and other neurotechnologies will raise even more complex educational, ethical, and societal questions. These developments make it increasingly important that educational policy and practice are guided by rigorous neuroscience and the science of learning, rather than misconceptions, commercial claims, or technological hype. I believe IMBES has a unique and essential leadership role in this rapidly changing landscape. By bringing together researchers, educators, and policymakers across disciplines and cultures, the Society is uniquely positioned to promote scientifically grounded understanding of learning and development and to support the responsible translation of research into educational practice. I would be honoured to contribute my experience, energy, and international networks to help ensure that IMBES continues to be the leading global voice during this period of transition and beyond.

Rebecca A. Marks

Candidate Statement

I am a developmental cognitive neuroscientist focused on language and literacy acquisition across diverse learners, particularly in children with dyslexia and co-occurring neurodevelopmental disorders. My research program is closely aligned with the IMBES mission: I aim to integrate biological, cognitive, and educational perspectives to address educational challenges. I hope to serve on the IMBES board to help advance the Society’s commitment to interdisciplinary investigation and research-practice partnership. My applied work includes intervention development and evaluation research with practitioners across clinical and school contexts. I am committed to mutually beneficial collaboration to ensure that research is grounded in real-world contexts. My experience, particularly in translating cognitive neuroscience findings to applied insights, positions me to contribute to the Society's goals of fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and bridging research-practice gaps. I am committed to helping IMBES continue to grow, to serve as a hub for collaborative dialogue, and to advance a more integrated and impactful field.

Astrid Schmied

Candidate Statement

I am a Chilean educational neuroscientist and Fulbright scholar working at the intersection of neuroscience, psychology, and education. As an Education Research Scientist at the Science of Learning in Education Centre, Office of Education Research, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, my work focuses on optimizing teaching and learning across the lifespan.

As a woman in science, I am deeply committed to advancing equity and representation in STEM fields. My research explores the cognitive foundations of learning and the global evolution of educational neuroscience, with a strong emphasis on translating scientific insights into meaningful impact for educators, policymakers, and the broader public through brain literacy.

I have conducted research and implemented initiatives across governmental institutions, schools, universities, and non-profit organizations, working with learners from K 12 through adulthood. My work includes interventions in socially vulnerable communities and with underrepresented groups across different countries.

Driven by a passion for global advocacy, I engage in science diplomacy, public science, and education policy. Through my transdisciplinary approach, I aim to bridge research and practice and contribute to more inclusive, evidence-based educational systems worldwide.

I am deeply motivated to serve on the IMBES Board because I strongly believe in equity, diversity, and inclusion as fundamental pillars of our field. We must value and learn from voices across the globe—particularly from the Global South—whose perspectives are too often underrepresented. Without these essential contributions, our understanding and implementation of the field remain incomplete. I believe IMBES has an important opportunity to foster a truly global community by intentionally strengthening collaborations with researchers and practitioners from the Global South and ensuring their work is meaningfully represented. This also means hosting meetings and conferences in regions beyond North America and Europe, creating more accessible and inclusive spaces for participation.

In addition, I am passionate about connecting stakeholders across disciplines, sectors, and educational levels. IMBES can play a key role in strengthening the translation of research into practice and policy, ensuring that scientific insights lead to tangible impact across diverse educational systems worldwide.

As a board member, I hope to contribute to a more inclusive, globally representative, and impactful future for mind, brain, and education.

Acacia M. Warren

Candidate Statement

Dr. Acacia M. Warren currently serves as the Associate Dean of Student Life and Belonging at the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance. She is honored to express her candidacy for a Board position with the International Mind, Brain, and Education Society (IMBES). With 24 years of experience in academic institutions, including 17 years in administrative roles, she brings a breadth of expertise in student success, organizational development, and institutional advancement. Dr. Warren’s senior leadership experience across three leading R1 research universities – the University of Southern California, UCLA, and UC Irvine – has prepared her to contribute strategically to the Board's mission of advancing interdisciplinary collaboration and strengthening the global impact of the mind, brain, and education sciences.

Dr. Warren’s connection to IMBES began during her doctoral studies at USC, where she became a member and remained engaged with its work. The opportunity to serve on the Board is especially meaningful because her academic foundation in UC Berkeley’s Developmental Teacher Education program emphasized translating cognitive science research into equitable and impactful educational practice, an approach that has shaped and defined her career. IMBES’ mission to foster collaboration across biology, neuroscience, psychology, cognitive science, development, and education closely aligns with the interdisciplinary values of USC’s Kaufman School of Dance, whose mission is to empower dance thought leaders through artistry and scholarship. While IMBES bridges science and education, Kaufman integrates dance, embodied research, and cultural inquiry; both organizations share a belief that innovation and purposeful learning emerge through cross-disciplinary collaboration. For these reasons, serving on the IMBES Board represents a timely opportunity for Dr. Warren to give back to a community that has shaped her professional journey. She looks forward to advancing the mission for future generations of scholars and practitioners. Thank you for your time and consideration of her candidacy for a Board position.