Hildelith F. Leyser

Experience

1. 2026–Present

   Head of Research

   Netholabs Ltd, London

   Lead human neuroscience research across multimodal capture, protocol design and device integration. Built workflows combining EEG, fNIRS, eye tracking, motion capture, IMUs, EMG and LSL/XDF synchronisation.

2. 2026–Present

   Neuroscience & EEG Consultant

   NeuroZen (Remote)

   EEG study design, neural targeting and sham-controlled validation planning for a non-invasive neurostimulation device.

3. 2026

   Neuroscience Communication Consultant

   Voltage TV, London

   Scientific framing and accuracy for public communication on adolescent brain development.

4. 2024–2025

   International Program Associate

   RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Tokyo

   Designed and ran a 3D social foraging task in macaques. Built behavioural analysis pipelines and applied DeepLabCut, SLEAP and YOLO for pose estimation.

5. 2023–2025

   PhD Researcher

   McGill Social and Sensory Brain Mechanisms Lab

   Social cognition, sensory processing, awake fMRI paradigms, movement kinematics and computational social reward valuation.

Education

1. 2023–2025

   PhD in Neuroscience (incomplete)

   McGill University, Integrated Program in Neuroscience

   Research across McGill and RIKEN on social decision-making, embodied cognition, neurotechnology and computational models of behaviour.

2. 2022–2023

   MSc Applied Neuroscience, Distinction

   Royal Holloway, University of London

   Dissertation using VR and eye tracking for real-time behavioural analysis.

3. 2018–2021

   BA in History

   University of Oxford, Hertford College

   Research training in historical analysis and the history of medicine and mental healing.

Technical skills

Neurotechnology & biosignals

EEG · fNIRS · EMG · eye tracking · HRV · LSL / XDF sync · closed-loop neurofeedback · BCI design

Machine learning

PyTorch · scikit-learn · TensorFlow · inverse RL · Bayesian hierarchical models · time-series modelling · explainability

Computer vision & pose

DeepLabCut · SLEAP · YOLO · OpenCV · 2D/3D pose estimation · multi-camera calibration · triangulation

Hardware & robotics

SO-ARM101 · Unitree G1 · sensor integration · wearable prototyping · 3D printing · EMG-controlled systems

Engineering

Python · MATLAB · R · JavaScript / React · Git · scientific computing · pipeline and dashboard development

Simulation & study design

Unity 3D · Unreal Engine · Blender · MuJoCo · VR task design · sham-controlled protocols · awake fMRI paradigms

Publications and writing

• Leyser, H. et al. Social context reshapes exploration and reward valuation in a 3D macaque foraging task (in preparation).
• Leyser, H. et al. Invisible Orchestras: sensory and metabolic negotiation as the basis of social alignment (in preparation).
• Leyser, H.F. & Cooper, K. How do we differentiate between humans and robots? A multisensory perspective (in revision).
• Why Mirror Neurons are the most important finding in psychology. Postgraduate essay competition winner, 2023.

Conference talks

• 2026 — British Neuroscience Association AI Symposium: neurotechnology and social cognition.
• 2025 — Co-Creation International Conference, Tokyo: InterAction, neural mechanisms of social behaviour.
• 2024 — Japanese Neuroscience Society, Fukuoka: embodied decision-making and 3D foraging.
• 2024 — COSYNE, Lisbon: unveiling movement patterns as cognitive nodes.
• 2024 — ICPBR Summer School, Shanghai: sociability, hierarchy and reward.
• 2024 — QBIN Scientific Day, Montreal: integrating movement and decision-making.
• 2024 — British Neuroscience Association, online: embodied foraging, explore versus exploit.
• 2024 — Canadian Biomedical Engineering Conference: Parkinsync design.

Invited talks and teaching

• 2025–Present — Python tutor for neuroscience, machine learning, data analysis and creative BCI projects.
• 2024 — Zatorre Lab Journal Club, Montreal: rhythm and syncopation, movement as social communication.
• 2024 — Integrate and Fire Seminar Series, McGill: Untangling Sex and Gender in Neuroscience (host and chair).
• 2024 — Non-Human Primates Journal Club, McGill: behavioural acquisition and deep learning of explore/exploit paradigms.

Training and fellowships

1. 2026

   Cambridge NeuroWorks What If Fellowship

   ARIA-funded programme, Cambridge

2. 2025

   Neurohackademy

   University of Washington eScience Institute, Seattle

3. 2025

   Women in Science Japan ML Summer School

   Tokyo

4. 2024–2025

   RIKEN Brain Science Training Program

   Tokyo

5. 2024

   ICPBR Primate Brain Research Summer School

   Shanghai

6. 2023

   RIKEN Learning and Imagination Summer Program

   Tokyo

7. 2022

   RISD Video Game Design & Interactive Systems

   Rhode Island School of Design (Remote)

8. 2022

   Methods and Statistics in Social Sciences, Grade A

   University of Amsterdam (Remote)

Awards

• 2026 — Cambridge NeuroWorks What If Fellowship (ARIA)
• 2026 — Project Motherboard Hackathon Winner (Auracle)
• 2025 — Hugging Face LeRobot Worldwide Hackathon Winner (Circuit Robot)
• 2025 — UCSF-CBS Young Investigator Exchange Travel Award
• 2025 — Japanese Neural Network Society Travel Grant
• 2024–2025 — RIKEN International Program Fellowship
• 2024–2025 — Graduate Mobility Award, McGill University
• 2024 — Neurosphere natHACKS Award
• 2024 — Silicio Labs Industry Partner Prize (VR)
• 2024 — Quebec Bioimaging Travel Award
• 2024 — International Center for Primate Brain Research Award
• 2024 — COSYNE New Attendee Travel Grant
• 2023–2024 — McGill University IPN Recruitment Award
• 2023–2027 — McGill University International Fee Waiver
• 2023 — Women in Memory Research Award, Ruhr University
• 2023 — Postgraduate Student Essay Competition Winner

Leadership and service

• 2026–Present — Head of Research, Netholabs: coordination across research, engineering, AI and data teams
• 2024–Present — COSYNE Diversity and Inclusion Committee (selected internationally)
• 2024–Present — Team leader and technical contributor across neurotech, robotics and AI hackathons
• 2023–2024 — Senior Project Advisor, McGill Biomechanics Society
• 2023–2024 — Vice President, McGill Care Through Tech

International collaboration

United Kingdom

Netholabs research leadership, Cambridge NeuroWorks fellowship, Royal Holloway MSc, Oxford BA, public neuroscience consulting.

Japan

RIKEN Center for Brain Science research: primate social cognition, neuroimaging, machine learning training.

Canada

McGill research, neurotechnology hackathons, biomechanics and BCI projects.

China

International Center for Primate Brain Research training in primate neuroscience and histological methods.

United States

Neurohackademy training, UCSF-CBS Young Investigator Exchange.

Languages

English (native) · French (professional) · Spanish (professional) · German (conversational) · Japanese (basic)