I have a long-term research interest in the evolution of vocal learning and how this gave rise to music and language in our species. Under this umbrella, I have studied biophysics, did my PhD in physics (which included Magnetic Resonance Imaging of fossils, which may be of interest to archaeologists here), and then went on to investigate music perception, while my current research is focused on brain morphometry — comparing folding patterns between patients and controls, or apes and monkeys.

Besides, I have some undergrad background in maths, medicine and Central Asian as well as East Asian studies, did part of my research in France, South Korea and Japan, worked in a hospital in Yemen, sing Central Asian folk in a band (see sample tracks on the left), participated in archaeological excavations in Japan and Jordan and visited some sites in Uzbekistan.

Finally, I have been involved in building communities of young researchers at the national, European and global level, I am a frequent contributor to wikis, and I frequently blog about matters related to Science 2.0.

I welcome interactions on any of these or on related topics.