Nineteen Doctoral Candidates form the heart of VoCS. Each is embedded in a host institution with a supervisory team and planned secondments across the network.
Here are the 19 PhD projects:
DC1: Dorottya Szilvia Rácz
Host institution: University of Oslo, Oslo
Project title: Neural processing of affective voice signals in mammals
Brief description of the project: Using a comparative approach, my PhD project investigates the neural processing of different emotional states across species and examines how this processing is shaped by genetic relatedness, experience with a species’ vocalisations, or by sensory prosthetics.
Personal bio: I graduated from Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary with a Master’s in Biology, specialising in Neuroscience. I have been working in the field of comparative neuroimaging since my undergraduate studies and have gained experience conducting fMRI and EEG experiments with dogs, humans and wild boars.
Supervisor: Sascha Frühholz, sascha.fruhholz@psykologi.uio.no, Forskningsveien 3A Harald Schjelderups hus 0373 Oslo
Planned secondments: Dr. Attila Andics (Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary) – September 2025 – May 2026 ; Dr. Dorothea Wendt (Eriksholm Research Center, Denmark) – Spring 2027 (2 months); Dr. Kasia Pisanski (Jean Monnet University, France) – Autumn 2027 (1 month)
DC2: Gard Beinnes
Background: I come from Norway where I have studied psychology and cognitive neuroscience. During my masters in Oslo (UiO), I investigated the neural decoding of alarm and avoidance information in affective human screams using functional MRI.
Host supervisor and contact: Dr. Thierry Chaminade, amU, thierry.chaminade@univ-amu.fr Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone, CNRS & AMU, Faculté de Médecine de la Timone – Bâtiment Neurosciences, 27 Bd Jean Moulin 13385 Marseille Cedex 05 France
Secondments: Odia, Toulouse and FSUJ, Jena – both likely in 2026
DC3: Rong Li
Host institution: University of Twente, Enschede, NL
Short personal bio: Rong Li obtained her Master’s degree in Computational Linguistics with a minor in Neuroinformatics from the University of Zurich. Her research spans speech rhythm analysis, sign language synthesis, and multimodal bias detection using neural and language models. She is broadly interested in how affect and social meaning are encoded and perceived across spoken and visual modalities of communication.
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Dirk Heylen, Professor, Human Media Interaction Group, University of Twente, Enschede, NL, Email: d.k.j.heylen@utwente.nl ; Dr. Khiet Truong, Associate Professor, Centre for Language Studies / Centre for Language and Speech Technology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, NL & Human Media Interaction Group, University of Twente, Enschede, NL, Email: k.p.truong@utwente.nl
Planned secondments: AudEERING GmbH (Germany): Oct 2026 – Mar 2027 (to be confirmed); Maastricht University (Netherlands): Sept 2027 – Jan 2028 (to be confirmed)
DC4: Cornelia Veronika Pachner
Bio: Master of Science in Psychology from the University of Graz with the thesis topic of Interbrain Synchrony in Real and Virtual Environments. Formerly Part of the “Bilmath” (Bilingual Mathematic Learning) project for 2.5 years.
Supervisor: Dr. Attila Andics, Department of Ethology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, HUNGARY, attila.andics@ttk.elte.hu
Secondments: Queen Mary University of London (months 17-20, hosted by Dr. Nadine Lavan); Cochlear France S.A.S., Toulouse (months 21-24, hosted by Dr. Chris James)
DC5: Sophie Möller
Host institution: Institute of Phonetics, Faculty of Arts, Charles University, Prague
Project title: Role of language familiarity in perceptual voice recognition
Brief description of project: DC5 examines if the Language Familiarity Effect (better voice recognition in known languages) changes for dialects. Perceptual and ASR analyses are used to study how experience shapes voice perception.
Short personal bio: Sophie Möller holds a BA in Language and Communication and an MA in Speech Science and Phonetics from the University of Marburg. During her studies, she focused on forensic phonetics and dialect variation, gaining experience in experimental voice research and casework-related analysis.
Supervisors: Prof. Radek Skarnitzl, Charles University, Institute of Phonetics, Faculty of Arts, nam. Jana Palacha 2, 116 38 Praha 1 (Czech Republic), Radek.Skarnitzl@ff.cuni.cz; Prof. Volker Dellwo, University of Zurich, Phonetics & Speech Sciences, Department of Computational Linguistics, Andreasstrasse 15, 8050 Zürich (Switzerland), volker.dellwo@uzh.ch; PD Dr. Elisa Pellegrino, University of Zurich, Phonetics & Speech Sciences, Department of Computational Linguistics, Andreasstrasse 15, 8050 Zürich (Switzerland), elisa.pellegrino@uzh.ch; Dr. Finnian Kelly, Oxford Wave Research Ltd, Bagley Croft, Hinksey Hill, Oxford OX1 5BS (United Kingdom), finnian@oxfordwaveresearch.com;
Planned secondments: 1st secondment: University of Zurich (UZH), Switzerland – Spring 2026 (to be confirmed); 2nd secondment: Oxford Wave Research (OWR), United Kingdom – date to be coordinated with OWR.
DC6: Sojeong Kwon
Host Institution: Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone (INT), Marseille
Project Title: Giving Personality to AI Voices
Brief Description: This PhD project combines brain research and AI to understand how people perceive personality in voices. The goal is to use this knowledge to create synthetic voices that can express adjustable, realistic personality traits.
Personal Bio: I studied Cognitive & Neuroscience and Korean Language for my bachelor’s in Korea, then moved to Germany for my master’s in Neuroscience. My master’s thesis focused on speech prosody, especially how temporal patterns in language influence comprehension. Now I am staying in France for my PhD in Neuroscience especially about personality traits in the voice.
Supervisors: Dr. Pascal Belin pascal.belin@univ-amu.fr; Dr. Junichi Yamagishi jyamagis@nii.ac.jp; Dr. Anil Alexander anil@oxfordwaveresearch.com.
Secondments: National Institute of Informatics (Tokyo, Japan) : date undefined yet; Oxford Wave Research (Oxford, UK) : date undefined yet.
DC7: Ibrahim Vefa Arslan
Short personal bio: My name is Ibrahim Vefa Arslan (DC7, FSU Jena). I have completed my bachelor’s in Poland (SWPS University) and my master’s in Belgium (KU Leuven). Up until now, I have worked using EEG/ERP, behavioral measures and computer mouse tracking methodology.
Supervisors: Prof. Stefan Schweinberger, Dr. Christine Nussbaum, FSU Jena/Germany
Contact: stefan.schweinberger@uni-jena.de, christine.nussbaum@uni-jena.de
Secondments: University of Oslo, Oslo (Sascha Fruhholz), Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona (Emma Rodero), Chochlear Ltd.
DC8: Diego Belfiore
Short bio: I’m 26 years old, from Rome, Italy. My academic journey started with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and Psychology, while during my Master’s I studied Cognitive Science — specifically focusing on Cognitive Psychology and Machine Learning. I worked on an Italian national radio for more than seven years, hosting a show on contemporary music.
Supervisor: Emma Rodero emma.rodero@upf.edu
Planned secondments: ODIA (Toulouse, France) 2026 March – May | Aix–Marseille Université (Marseille, France) 2027 April – June.
DC9: Lelia Erscoi
Research Institution: Computational Speech Group, School of Computing, University of Eastern Finland (UEF)
Project title: Human-in-the-loop Detection of Audio Deepfakes
Supervisor: Prof. Tomi Kinnunen, Computational Speech Group, School of Computing, UEF, Joensuu Tiedepuisto B335, email: tomi.kinnunen@uef.fi
Personal Bio: I am a researcher at the crossroads of artificial intelligence, human perception, and ethics. I have a BSc in Artificial Intelligence done at Radboud University, a MSc from Université Paris Cité in Digital Sciences, now focusing on researching human interactions and evaluations of AI-generated content such as synthetic speech, with the aim of using this insight to develop improved detection systems. My expertise encompasses AI development, auditory neuroscience, and immersive technologies, where I have developed experimental and VR platforms for both multimodal and clinical research. I aim to understand the societal contexts and impacts of new technologies to help in the creation of beneficial and inclusive AI systems.
Secondment Hosts: [Year 1]: Dr. Lauri Tavi – National Bureau of Investigation, Finland; [Year 2]: Prof. Junichi Yamagishi – National Institute of Informatics (NII), Japan, Dr. Xin Wang – National Institute of Informatics (NII), Japan; [Year 3]: Prof. Sascha Frühholz – University of Oslo.
DC10: Grace Carrier
Host institution: Eriksholm Research Centre, Copenhagen
Project title: Vocal cues predicting turn taking in interactive conversation
My project aims to understand why individuals with hearing impairment struggle in conversation, focusing on turn taking behaviour as a marker of communicative success.
Short personal bio: I have an academic background in psycholinguistics. After completing my undergraduate at the University of Manchester, I studied an MPhil in Theoretical and Applied Linguistics at the University of Cambridge, where I researched the effect of noise on predictive language processing.
Supervisors: Niels Henrik Pontoppidan npon@eriksholm.com Rørtangvej 20, 3070 Snekkersten, Denmark; Josefine Munch Sørensen jsnn@eriksholm.com Rørtangvej 20, 3070 Snekkersten, Denmark; Khiet Truong k.p.truong@utwente.nl University of Twente, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science, Faculty Office, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede; Dirk Heylen d.k.j.heylen@utwente.nl University of Twente, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science, Faculty Office, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede.
Planned secondments: University of Twente: Winter 2026; Pompeu Fabra University: Spring 2028.
DC 11: Xuehua Fu
Personal bio: Xuehua Fu holds an MSc in Computer Science from KTH Royal Institute of Technology, with a focus on designing interactive systems centered on sensory experiences. She has research experience in music technology, sound studies, and human–computer interaction (HCI). Her work aims to bridge computing, cognitive science, and design to explore how technology can support human well-being.
Supervisors: 1. Dr. Katarzyna Pisanski, kasiapisanski@gmail.com; 2. Prof. David Reby, david.reby@gmail.com; Address (for both): Equipe de Neuro-Ethologie Sensorielle (ENES), Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon (CNRS UMR 5292, INSERM UMR_S 1028), Université de Lyon / Saint-Etienne, Campus Métare, Bâtiment K, 21, rue du Dr. Paul Michelon, 42100 Saint-Etienne, FRANCE.
Secondments: University College London, Vocal Communication Laboratory (VocoLab), Prof. Carolyn McGettigan – London, UK – (dates to be confirmed); Cochlear Inc. – Vallauris, France – (dates to be confirmed).
DC 12: Mujtaba Hussain Razvi Syed
Host institution: audEERING GmbH, Munich, Germany
Project Title: Respiratory Diseases: Detection and Classification of Multiple Classes based on Vocal Cues
Description: My project focuses on analysing speech, cough, and breathing sounds to uncover subtle vocal biomarkers linked to respiratory function. By leveraging advanced machine learning and signal-processing techniques, I aim to develop scalable, robust, early, and non-invasive methods for detecting a range of respiratory diseases.
Short Personal Bio: I am a researcher with a background in speech technology, and machine learning, now focusing on vocal biomarkers for respiratory health. My previous work in ASR, speech signal processing, and low-resource speech modeling has equipped me to explore how speech, cough, and breathing sounds encode clinically relevant patterns. Through this project, I aim to develop robust, reliable, scalable, and non-invasive methods for detecting and classifying respiratory diseases using everyday voice signals.
Name of Supervisors: Uwe Reichel (audEERING GmbH) ureichel@audeering.com, Friedrichshafener Str. 1, 82205 Gilching, Germany; Prof. Dr. Björn Schuller (Chair of Health Informatics, Technical University of Munich), schuller@tum.de, Neherstraße 1, 81675 München, Germany; Prof. Sonja Kotz (Maastricht University), sonja.kotz@maastrichtuniversity.nl, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Planned secondments: 3-month secondment at Maastricht University under the supervision of Prof. Sonja Kotz; 9-month secondment at the Technical University of Munich under the supervision of Prof. Björn Schuller.
DC 13: Xiaowen Luo
Host institution: University of Maastricht, Maastricht
Project title: Perception and production of distorted voice and speech in Parkinson’s disease
Project description: The project focuses on developing speech-based digital biomarkers for Parkinson’s disease. It seeks to model speech alterations to monitor disease progression, assess treatment response, and improve cross-disease differentiation.
Short personal bio: With an Erasmus Mundus Master’s in Clinical Linguistics, I combine expertise in both neuroscience and language disorders. My experience includes both research and clinical engagement with patients. I had previously worked on projects involving schizophrenia and neurodegenerative diseases.
Supervisor: Sonja Kotz, Email address: sonja.kotz@maastrichtuniversity.nl, University address: Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER Maastricht, Netherlands
Planned secondments: University of Twente (4 months), Erkisholm Research Center (3 months), and University of Jena (3 months).
DC 14: Beatrice Fumagalli
Host Institution: Cochlear Vallauris
Project title: Vocal Sound Enhancement for CI Users
Project description: Research on improving how cochlear implant users perceive non linguistic vocal sounds (such as cries or screams) by developing enhanced signal-processing methods.
Short Personal Bio: With an academic background in Speech and Language Therapy and Clinical Linguistics, and experience in neuroimaging, neuromodulation, and biosignal processing, with hands-on work spanning fMRI, tDCS, and sEMG-based speech research. I combine a strong clinical insight with a translational research focus for the development of next-generation technologies for communication disorders.
Supervisors: Adrien Daniel addaniel@cochlear.com; Yue Zhang yuezhang@cochlear.com; Deniz Başkent d.baskent@rug.nl; Gloria Araiza Illan g.a.araiza.illan@rug.nl
Planned Secondments: St Etienne likely March 2025; UMCG likely September to December 2026.
DC 15: Kateryna Skupovska
Short personal bio
My background lies at the intersection of theoretical and clinical linguistics. I hold a Master`s degree in Clinical Linguistics (EMCL++), and I completed an internship at the Basque Centre on Cognition, Brain and Language (BCBL). My Master`s project investigated the simultaneous perception of spoken and signed languages in bimodal bilinguals.
Supervisors: Prof. dr. ir. Deniz Başkent d.baskent@rug.nl, Hanzeplein 1 | 9700 RB Groningen NL |, Zusterflat Entrance 28, Room 8.16; Dr. Laura Rachman l.rachman@rug.nl, Hanzeplein 1 | 9700 RB Groningen NL, Zusterflat Entrance 28, Room 8.05.
Planned secondments: University of Jena; Eriksholm Research Centre.
DC 16: Tianze Xu
Short personal bio: Timothy Tianze Xu holds an MPhil in Linguistics from the University of Cambridge and a BA in Language Science from Shanghai International Studies University. His research explores how voice perception can be understood through psychological, neuroscientific, and computational perspectives.
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Volker Dellwo, Department of Computational Linguistics, University of Zurich, volker.dellwo@uzh.ch; PD Dr. Elisa Pellegrino, Department of Computational Linguistics, University of Zurich, elisa.pellegrino@uzh.ch; Prof. Pascal Belin, Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone, Aix-Marseille Université, pascal.belin@univ-amu.fr; Dr. Yue Zhang, Cochlear, yuezhang@cochlear.com.
Planned secondments: University of Aix-Marseille (Pascal Belin) — Second year: neuroimaging experiments; Cochlear (Yue Zhang) — Third year: perceptual experiments with cochlear implant users.
DC 17: Marin Schröer
Personal bio: I studied linguistics at University of Bielefeld for both my Bachelors and Masters focusing primarily on phonetics. I was also part of the phonetics work group led by Prof. Dr. Petra Wagner as both a teaching and student research assistant.
Supervisor: Prof. Carolyn McGettigan c.mcgettigan@ucl.ac.uk
Secondments: audEERING GmbH, Gilching, Germany; Technische Universität München, Germany.
DC 18: Zhuoqing Li
Short personal bio: I completed an MSc in Language Sciences at University College London, where I examined voice-identity processing across different language familiarities. I later worked at the Brain and Mind Institute, Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the VoicES Lab, University of Lisbon.
Supervisors: Dr Nadine Lavan n.lavan@qmul.ac.uk, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road
London E1 4NS, United Kingdom; Dr Anil Alexander, Oxford, UK anil@oxfordwaveresearch.com, Oxford Wave Research Ltd, Bagley Croft, Hinksey Hill, Oxford OX1 5BS, United Kingdom; Dr Radek Skarnitzl radek.skarnitzl@ff.cuni.cz Charles University, Ovocný trh 560/5, 116 36 Praha 1, Czech Republic
Planned secondments: Oxford Wave Research Ltd, Oxford, United Kingdom, Date: March-July 2027; Charles University Prague, Prague, Czech Republic, Date: January-May 2028.
DC 19: Erdem Baha Topbas
Short bio: Erdem Baha Topbas double majored in Mathematics and Physics at Columbia University and completed Part III of the Mathematical Tripos at the University of Cambridge. He worked as a research assistant at the Cambridge Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit’s Deep Hearing Lab, working on cochlear implants and hearing assessment tools.
Supervisors: Volker DELLWO – Universität Zürich – volker.dellwo@uzh.ch; Elisa PELLEGRINO – Universität Zürich – elisa.pellegrino@uzh.ch; Srikanth MADIKERI – Universität Zürich –srikanth.madikeriraghunathan@uzh.ch.
Secondments: Kuopio, Finland – Tomi KINNUNEN, Prof. – 2027 Q1/Q2; Tokyo, Japan – YAMAGISHI Junichi – 2028 Q1/Q2.