Christoph D. Dahl, Dr rer nat

Principle Investigator (Associate Professor)

Christoph is deeply engaged in animal behavior and cognition, and computational cognition. He is particularly focused on investigating both the ultimate and proximate causations that determine cognition. This involves exploring the evolutionary reasons behind cognitive processes (ultimate causation) as well as understanding the mechanisms that constitute these processes (proximate causation). His work seeks to bridge these perspectives, offering a comprehensive understanding of how and why cognitive functions develop and operate the way they do. Alongside his scientific pursuits, Christoph has a profound affection for animals and an appreciation for every living creature. He admires the perfection wrought by evolution in the natural world, a sentiment that deeply informs his research and perspectives. Christoph's scientific interests are complemented by a passion for human and animal culture, travel, and photography. Traveling offers new experiences and perspectives, enriching understanding of the world. Through photography, Christoph captures the profound and often complex interactions of humans with their environments, focusing on the impact they have on this planet. He aims at documenting the stark and powerful realities of human conflicts. His photography is not just about the aesthetics; it's a deep exploration and documentation of human behaviour, societal structures, and the consequences of human actions on both society and the environment. This combination of science, culture, exploration, and art shapes Christoph's professional and personal life, reflecting a broad spectrum of interests and a commitment to understanding the world.

Jennifer Dawn Mugleston

PhD Student

Jennifer has a Master of Arts in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness. While attaining her Master’s degree, she researched many therapy modalities; two that stood out to her were nature and animal-assisted therapy. One of the concepts of these therapies is that humans have evolved with and in nature, but many have lost the connection to it; restoring that connection is thought to reduce physical and mental stress and improve overall well-being. Since humans have co-evolved with animals, we have become dependent on them for companionship, assistance, and, for some, sustenance. Jennifer plans to investigate the animal side of this dependence, specifically animal cognition and how they perceive each other and other species. She hopes that shedding light on animal cognition will help us better understand animals and ourselves. 

Chakriya Sakunputtipaiboon

Master's Student

Chakriya is a Master's student at the Graduate Institute of Mind, Brain and Consciousness (GIMBC), Taipei Medical University. She is passionate about investigating the contents of innate morality and consciousness in infancy, along with the cognitive functionality integration development of humans.

Saija Adia Lewis

Master's Student

Saija Adia Lewis is a dynamic and passionate 25-year-old from Saint Lucia. Having completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with honours, Saija developed a keen interest in the developmental, behavioural, and cognitive aspects of psychology. Alongside her academic pursuits, her commitment to understanding the human mind is complemented by a lifelong love for dogs. Saija has been a devoted dog owner since the age of five, currently caring for three furry companions. This love for animals runs parallel to her deep-rooted passion for music, which has been a consistent part of her life's journey. Saija's ultimate goal is to expand her research into understanding how music influences the brain in different states, showcasing a unique blend of academic rigour and a genuine connection to both psychology, music, and her four-legged friends.

Hsuan-Kai (Kai) Wang

Undergraduate Trainee

HsuanKai (Kai) Weng, is an undergraduate student in the Department of Pharmacy at Taipei Medical University. Kai is interested in neuroscience, computational neuroscience, and molecular biology. He is currently delving into the computational approaches to investigate the mechanism of facial recognition.

Tingzhu (Hazel) Chen

Research Assistant

Hazel holds a Master’s in Mind, Brain, and Consciousness from Taipei Medical University and is passionate about learning how infants navigate their social world. Specifically, she wants to investigate how infants decide whom to connect with. Outside of the lab, she loves penguins, weight training, and bubble tea.