Indre Viskontas

Indre Viskontas. She is a Lithuanian-Canadian cognitive neuroscientist, science communicator, and opera singer known for her interdisciplinary work exploring the intersection of art and science. Viskontas has held faculty positions at several prominent institutions, including the University of San Francisco and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and is a sought-after speaker and podcast host. Her career bridges rigorous academic research in neuroscience with broad public engagement through media, lectures, and performance.

Early life and education

Born in Vilnius during the era of the Soviet Union, her family immigrated to Toronto when she was young. She pursued her undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto, earning a degree in psychology and French literature. Driven by an interest in the biological basis of the mind, Viskontas then completed a Ph.D. in cognitive neuroscience at the University of California, Los Angeles, conducting research on memory and brain imaging under the mentorship of leading figures in the field. Her doctoral work investigated the neural correlates of memory and decision-making, laying the groundwork for her later interdisciplinary focus.

Scientific career

Following her Ph.D., Viskontas conducted postdoctoral research at the University of California, San Francisco and the University of British Columbia, further specializing in the neuroscience of memory and aging. She subsequently joined the faculty of the University of San Francisco as an associate professor, teaching courses in psychology and neuroscience. A significant pivot in her research trajectory came with her appointment as Director of Creative Programming at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she began to formally study the effects of music on the brain. This role allowed her to design innovative curricula and research projects examining creativity, learning, and performance from a neuroscientific perspective.

Media and public engagement

Viskontas is a prominent figure in science communication, having hosted and contributed to numerous popular podcasts and television programs. She was a co-host of the iTunes-chart-topping podcast The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe and hosted the podcast Inquiring Minds. She has also been a featured science expert on programs on the CBC Television network and Discovery Channel. As a speaker, she has delivered TEDx talks and lectures at venues like the Chautauqua Institution and the American Museum of Natural History, often focusing on the neuroscience of music, art, and creativity. She is a contributing editor to the science magazine Scientific American.

Personal life

Viskontas maintains a dual career as a practicing soprano, performing regularly in opera and concert settings in the San Francisco Bay Area. This active engagement with performance art directly informs her scientific inquiries into the cognitive and emotional impacts of music. She is known for integrating live musical performance into her academic lectures and public talks, creating unique, experiential demonstrations of her research concepts. Her personal interests deeply reflect her professional mission to illuminate the connections between artistic expression and scientific understanding.

Awards and recognition

Her work in science communication has earned her several accolades, including being named a Soros Foundation Fellow and a MIT Knight Science Journalism Fellow. She has received grants from institutions like the National Science Foundation and the John Templeton Foundation to support her interdisciplinary research and public outreach projects. Viskontas's ability to translate complex neuroscientific principles for general audiences has established her as a respected voice in both the academic and public science communities.

Category:Lithuanian neuroscientists Category:Canadian science communicators Category:University of San Francisco faculty Category:University of Toronto alumni Category:University of California, Los Angeles alumni