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.

Margaret Boone Rappaport | Neuroscience | Hypothesis Achievement Award

Margaret Boone Rappaport | Neuroscience | Hypothesis Achievement Award

Dr Margaret Boone Rappaport, The Human Sentience Project, LLC, United States

Dr. Margaret Rappaport is a seasoned program evaluator and policy analyst, specializing in health and social services. She has extensive experience with Federal, State, and local programs, notably with the US Census Bureau. Her expertise spans quantitative and qualitative methodologies, including multivariate statistical techniques and field research. Margaret’s career highlights include work on substance abuse program evaluation, cognitive interviewing, and managing large datasets. She has authored studies and provided consultancy for numerous agencies and organizations, focusing on program effectiveness and data quality. Margaret continues to contribute actively to research and evaluation in her field. 📊

Publication profile

scopus

Education

In 1968, I earned my B.A. in Biology from George Washington University, embarking on a journey of academic pursuits. This was followed by an M.Ed. in Social Foundations of Education from the University of Florida in 1970, laying a solid groundwork for my educational career. Subsequently, I pursued Anthropology, obtaining an M.A. in 1975 and a Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology in 1977 from Ohio State University, delving deep into cultural studies. Later, in 1979 and 1985, I enriched my expertise with coursework in Statistics and Advanced SAS at George Washington University. Finally, in 1990 and 1992, I engaged in Environmental Biology coursework at George Mason University, broadening my knowledge 📚.

Experience

From 1988 to 2007, as President of POLICY RESEARCH METHODS, INCORPORATED (PRMI), I led diverse projects focused on evaluation and research for prominent clients such as the U.S. Census Bureau, HUD, and various nonprofit organizations. My responsibilities ranged from conducting cognitive interviews on census questions to evaluating programs like transitional housing and substance abuse rehabilitation. I also facilitated grants review and developed methodologies for assessing program effectiveness. Transitioning to independent consulting from 2008 to 2010 with AMATEA LLC, I specialized in business development and proposal writing, leveraging extensive experience in research and evaluation across multiple sectors. 📊

Honors
Dr Margaret Boone Rappaport ‘s scholarly achievements have been recognized through prestigious memberships in honor societies like Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi. Her exemplary work earned her accolades such as the Praxis Award from the Washington Association of Professional Anthropologists. These honors underscore her academic prowess and dedication to advancing anthropological research and practice.

Presentations

A frequent presenter at leading conferences such as the American Anthropological Association and the Society for Applied Anthropology, Dr Margaret Boone Rappaport has consistently contributed groundbreaking insights. Her presentations on topics ranging from cultural ecology to health policy underscore her interdisciplinary approach and commitment to knowledge dissemination.

Publication Legacy 📚

Dr Margaret Boone Rappaport has authored several seminal books and numerous articles that delve into critical societal issues. Her publications, including “Capital Cubans” and “Capital Crime: Black Infant Mortality in America,” reflect her deep-seated commitment to addressing social inequalities through rigorous anthropological inquiry. Her research has notably influenced policy and practice, making her a pivotal figure in the field of applied anthropology.

Research focus

Dr. M.B. Rappaport’s research focuses on the intersection of theology, ethics, and space exploration, with a particular emphasis on the ethical implications of human expansion beyond Earth. Their work delves into ecotheology, exploring how religious principles can inform humanity’s approach to settling different celestial bodies—from the inner planets to the outer reaches of our solar system. They also investigate moral questions surrounding extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI) and the ethical frameworks necessary for future space colonization. Through their publications, Rappaport contributes to discussions on sustainability, morality, and the theological dimensions of space exploration. 🌌🛰️

Publication top notes

RESCUE AND RECOVERY AS A THEOLOGICAL PRINCIPLE, AND A KEY TO MORALITY IN EXTRATERRESTRIAL SPECIES

An Ecotheology for Human Settlement of the Outer Planets: Roles for Religion Beyond the Warmth of the Sun

An Ecotheology for Human Settlement of the Inner Planets: Dominion, Despoilment, and a Chance for Re-Dedication

Religion’s Role in a Martian War of Independence

Expanding Ecotheology to Embrace the Earth-Moon System

A Theory of the Merging Noospheres: Teilhard and Big History

Interstellar Ethics and the Goldilocks Evolutionary Sequence: Can We Expect ETI to Be Moral?

Genetics, Ethics, and Mars Colonization: A Special Case of Gene Editing and Population Forces in Space Settlement

Neuroplasticity as a foundation for human enhancements in space

Visions of a Martian future