Jürgen A. Riedelsheimer

 

Welcome to my website! I'm currently a Ph.D. student in Experimental Psychology at ISU, delving deep into the fascinating intersection of Neuroscience and Music Cognition.

 

In my current Ph.D. program at ISU, I'm exploring the crossroads of music and brain activity. I am deploying an interdisciplinary approach of music theory, cognitive science, neuroscience, and computer science to examine the cognitive and neural processes underlying musical pattern recognition, auditory perception, and rhythmic synchronization. My current research focuses on how listeners perceive and adapt to complex musical structures, with particular attention to microtonal tuning systems that deviate from the commonly known 12-tone equal temperament. Microtonal systems challenge conventional auditory expectations and recruit predictive and adaptive cognitive processes in novel ways. I use electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to examine brain activity during music-based tasks and to clarify the role of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in prediction (anticipation of upcoming auditory events), mismatch detection (identifying deviations from expected patterns), and perceptual learning (refinement of auditory representations). Furthermore, I investigate how metacognitive monitoring, attentional control, and predictive coding unfold in real time by combining behavioral measures with physiological signals.

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.