Jürgen A. Riedelsheimer, M.S.
I'm currently a Ph.D. student at Idaho State University (ISU), working at the intersection of music cognition and cognitive neuroscience. My research utilizes music as a rigorous testbed to understand how the brain forms predictions, detects mismatches, and adapts to the complex structure of auditory stimuli over time.
A central focus of my work is how listeners perceive and learn nonstandard musical systems, especially microtonal tuning systems that deviate from 12-tone equal temperament. These systems systematically challenge auditory expectations and allow precise tests of predictive processing, perceptual learning, and attentional control. I use a combination of behavioral experiments and neurophysiological measures, such as electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), to investigate how control systems, particularly the medial prefrontal circuitry including the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), facilitate real-time monitoring and adaptive updating during music-based tasks. I also employ non-invasive brain stimulation (tACS) to probe how modulating neural rhythms influences predictive coding, synchronization, and adaptation.
A newer line of work leverages dichotic ("split-ear") listening paradigms to study how two forms of lateralization interact: ear-driven laterality effects and feature-based hemispheric specialization (time/rhythm versus pitch/tonal structure). By engineering controlled competition between auditory streams (e.g., polyrhythm and polytonality), this approach isolates when relatively automatic auditory processing resolves musical interference versus when top-down executive control mechanisms are required.
As I continue on this exciting journey, I invite you to explore my research, join the conversation, and push the boundaries of our understanding of music, cognition, and the remarkable human brain with me.
Honors & Awards
Order of Merit, School of Social Sciences, UC Irvine (2022)
A prestigious distinction recognizing outstanding academic achievement, innovative research, leadership excellence, and significant contributions to the university and broader community.
INBRE
Issued by Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) · May 2024; Associated with Idaho State University. The INBRE Award is issued by the IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) program. INBRE is a part of the Institutional Development Award (IDeA) program, which is funded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States. The INBRE program aims to enhance biomedical research infrastructure, provide research opportunities for faculty and students, and increase the capacity for health-related research within eligible states, which often include regions traditionally underfunded in biomedical research. The award supports various activities, including research grants, student training, and research infrastructure development.
Victor C. Joe Scholarship in Experimental Psychology (2024-2025) & (2025-2026)
Awarded in recognition of academic excellence and potential in experimental psychology. This scholarship honors the legacy of Dr. Victor C. Joe, a distinguished professor and former department chair at Idaho State University, who made significant contributions to the field over his 30+ year career. The award supports advanced research and studies in experimental psychology, emphasizing the development of innovative approaches to understanding human behavior and cognition.
