Camilo Jose Cela-Conde | Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Camilo Jose Cela-Conde | Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Camilo Jose Cela-Conde | Neuroscience |Profesor Emerito | Universidad de las Islas Baleares | Spain

Camilo José Cela-Conde is a distinguished Spanish researcher and academic known for his interdisciplinary contributions to neuroscience, human evolution, and the philosophy of mind. Holding a doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Barcelona, he has served in various esteemed institutions, including the Universidad de las Islas Baleares as Professor Emeritus and the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, where he is an active member of the Cognitive Neuroscience Research Group. His research spans over 230 works, covering topics such as aesthetic cognition, neural networks, and the evolutionary origins of human behavior. Cela-Conde’s international influence is marked by his appointment as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and his affiliation with the Center for Academic Research and Teaching in Anthropogeny at the University of California, San Diego. With a career that bridges science and the humanities, he continues to shape the discourse on how brain function intersects with art, consciousness, and the human condition.

Professional Profile 

Education

Camilo José Cela-Conde pursued his higher education at the University of Barcelona, where he earned both his Licenciado (Bachelor’s) in Philosophy and Letters and later a Doctorate in Philosophy. His academic training laid a strong foundation for his interdisciplinary approach, integrating philosophical inquiry with scientific research. This dual background in the humanities and formal philosophical reasoning has played a critical role in shaping his later work in cognitive neuroscience, neuroaesthetics, and the evolutionary study of the human mind.

Professional Experience

Camilo José Cela-Conde has had a distinguished professional career spanning several decades and institutions across Spain and the United States. He currently serves as a member of the Cognitive Neuroscience Research Group at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid and holds the title of Professor Emeritus at the Universidad de las Islas Baleares. Previously, he was an associate researcher at the Laboratory of Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, and at the Dr. Pérez Modrego Magnetoencephalography Center. Internationally, he served as a researcher in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of California, Irvine. His professional experience reflects a deep engagement with interdisciplinary research in neuroscience, philosophy, and human evolution.

Research Interest

Camilo José Cela-Conde’s research interests lie at the intersection of human evolution, cognitive neuroscience, and the psychology of art. He is particularly focused on understanding how the human brain processes aesthetic experience, exploring the neural correlates of beauty and creativity through studies in neuroaesthetics. Additionally, his work delves into the evolutionary mechanisms that shaped human cognition, including the development of symbolic thinking and cultural expression. He is also interested in how brain networks support consciousness and higher-order mental functions, often integrating perspectives from philosophy, biology, and neuroscience. His interdisciplinary approach aims to bridge the gap between the sciences and the humanities, providing deeper insights into what makes us uniquely human.

Award and Honor

Camilo José Cela-Conde has received notable recognition throughout his career for his contributions to science, philosophy, and interdisciplinary research. Among his most distinguished honors is his election as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, acknowledging his significant achievements in the field of biology and human evolution. In addition, he holds the hereditary title of Marquess of Iria Flavia, passed down from his father, Nobel Prize-winning author Camilo José Cela. Cela-Conde is also a long-standing member of the Center for Academic Research and Teaching in Anthropogeny (CARTA) at the University of California, San Diego, reflecting his ongoing international engagement in evolutionary and cognitive science. These accolades highlight his influential role in bridging the humanities and sciences through groundbreaking research and thought leadership.

Publications Top Noted

  • Teaching‑induced changes in neural networks: Toward a model of the creative universe — Neuroscience Reports, 2025 

  • El camino de nuestra especie — book chapter in Caminos del pensamiento actual: Naturaleza, historia y utopía, 2024. 

  • Noninvasive Brain Stimulation of the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex During Aesthetic Appreciation — book chapter in Brain, Beauty, and Art: Essays Bringing Neuroaesthetics into Focus, 2022. 

  • The Role of Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortices in Aesthetic Valuation — also a book chapter in the same volume (Brain, Beauty, and Art, 2022). 

  • Art and Brain Co-evolution — journal article (co-authored with Francisco J. Ayala), 2018.

Conclusion

Camilo José Cela Conde is a highly distinguished and interdisciplinary researcher with a profound academic legacy in neuroscience, philosophy, and human evolution. His profile fits exceptionally well with the criteria for a lifetime achievement or best researcher award, particularly one that values cross-disciplinary insight and foundational contributions to understanding the human mind.

ELENI KONSTANTINOPOULOU | Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

ELENI KONSTANTINOPOULOU | Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Dr ELENI KONSTANTINOPOULOU, ARISTOTLE UNIVERSITY OF THESSALONIKI, Greece

Dr. Eleni Konstantinopoulou is a distinguished Psychologist 🧑‍⚕️ with expertise in Neuropsychology 🧬. She earned her M.Sc. in Cognitive Psychology in 2010 and completed her Ph.D. in Neuropsychology in 2019 at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki 🇬🇷. Her prolific research focuses on cognitive and psychological processes affected by neurological conditions, especially Frontotemporal Dementia 🧠. With over a decade of contributions at the 2nd Department of Neurology, she has led and supported numerous research projects in neuropsychology, cognitive psychology, and distance education 📚. Dr. Konstantinopoulou has been both an academic scholar and clinical researcher, blending education and practice seamlessly. She actively contributes to the scientific community through publications, lectures, and collaborations 🔬. Her work exemplifies excellence, innovation, and dedication to advancing brain health and cognitive rehabilitation 💡.

Publication Profile

Google Scholar

Education

Dr. Eleni Konstantinopoulou graduated with a degree in Psychology from the School of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki 🎓. She pursued her postgraduate studies in Cognitive Psychology, obtaining a Master of Science degree in 2010 📘. Her intellectual passion led her to doctoral studies, culminating in a Ph.D. in Neuropsychology in 2019 🧪. During her academic journey, she honed her specialization in the neuropsychological impacts of degenerative brain disorders, with a specific focus on Frontotemporal Dementia 🧠. Her education has been marked by academic excellence, cross-disciplinary training, and a commitment to bridging the gap between cognitive theory and clinical application 📖🔍. Through continuous professional development and scholarly work, she has contributed to shaping future professionals and enhancing evidence-based practices in neuropsychology.

Experience

With over 14 years of combined clinical and academic experience, Dr. Konstantinopoulou has been a clinical and research fellow at the 2nd Department of Neurology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (2010–2024) 🏥🔬. She contributed as a research assistant and coordinator in various clinical trials and cognitive rehabilitation programs. Her teaching career includes roles as academic scholar at the University of Western Macedonia and Aristotle University, training future psychologists and clinicians 👩‍🏫📘. She has led neuropsychological assessments, contributed to diagnostic tools, and collaborated on multidisciplinary research involving MS and dementia. As a member of the Hellenic Neuropsychological Society 🧠🇬🇷, she continues to advocate for clinical excellence and scientific advancement. Her postdoctoral research (2019–2024) explored neuroanatomical correlations in Frontotemporal Dementia, further establishing her as a leader in the field. Her professional portfolio reflects depth, dedication, and impact across healthcare and academia 🧑‍⚕️📚.

Awards & Honors

Dr. Eleni Konstantinopoulou’s work has received growing recognition in the domains of neuropsychology and cognitive rehabilitation 🧠🏅. While formal national or international awards are not listed, her impactful publications in high-ranking journals and her long-standing research collaboration in prominent neurology departments position her as an ideal candidate for the Best Researcher Award 🥇📈. Her involvement in the adaptation of Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination-Revised for Greek populations is highly cited and influential 🇬🇷📊. Her role in the IGNITE study and other MS-related cognitive research further reflects her ability to bridge clinical practice with scientific inquiry 🌐. She is respected in the Hellenic Neuropsychological Society and frequently collaborates on studies published in journals such as European Journal of Neurology, International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, and Journal of Neurological Sciences 📑🌟. Her track record of excellence and collaborative spirit make her a standout candidate.

Research Focus

Dr. Konstantinopoulou’s research centers on the interplay between neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive function 🧠📉. Her primary interest lies in understanding how conditions like Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) affect memory, executive function, behavior, and psychological well-being 🧪🧍‍♀️. She has explored neuropsychological profiles of different FTD variants, helping clinicians refine diagnoses and tailor interventions. Her postdoctoral work involved neuroanatomical mapping to link behavioral symptoms with structural brain changes using neuroimaging 🧬🧠. She also engages in cognitive rehabilitation, testing computerized tools to improve MS patients’ cognitive abilities 💻🧑‍⚕️. Her contributions to the adaptation of diagnostic tools like ACE-R for the Greek population enhance cross-cultural assessment and clinical accuracy 🇬🇷📝. Overall, her research supports early detection, better classification, and targeted cognitive therapies in neurology, impacting both clinical outcomes and scientific knowledge 🌍📊.

Publication Top Notes

Adaptation of Addenbrooke’s cognitive examination‐revised for the Greek population

The rationale for monitoring cognitive function in multiple sclerosis: practical issues for clinicians

Computerized cognitive rehabilitation for treatment of cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis: an explorative study.

Behavioral disturbances differentiate frontotemporal lobar degeneration subtypes and Alzheimer’s disease: evidence from the Frontal Behavioral Inventory

The frontotemporal dementias in a tertiary referral center: classification and demographic characteristics in a series of 232 cases

Long-term effects of prolonged-release fampridine in cognitive function, fatigue, mood and quality of life of MS patients: The IGNITE study

Early onset degenerative dementias: demographic characteristics and etiologic classification in a tertiary referral center

Changes in children’s beliefs about everyday reasoning: Evidence from Greek primary students.