Dr. Karel Mauricio López Vilaret
Contact
Dr. Karel Mauricio López Vilaret
Project:
My work lies at the intersection of neuroimaging, software development, and research infrastructure, with the overarching goal of promoting open, standardized, and reproducible neuroscience. The project centers on the development of tools to support rigorous analysis of MEG, EEG, and MRI data - beginning with data acquisition and extending through the early stages of preprocessing. This includes the implementation of community-driven standards such as BIDS, the creation of robust quality control pipelines, and the harmonization of workflows across laboratories.
A particularly exciting part of my role involves improving computational performance. I explore methods to speed up complex data processing through parallel computing and optimized algorithm design. The aim is simple yet powerful: making high-quality neuroimaging analysis faster, more scalable, and accessible to researchers everywhere. Ultimately, this project contributes to a sustainable and interconnected scientific infrastructure aligned with broader European initiatives. Feel free to visit the TORS website for more details!
Publications
Lopez-Vilaret, K. M., Fernandez-Alvarez, M., Bierbrauer, A., Axmacher, N., Cantero, J. L., & Atienza, M. (2024). APOE ε4 and Insulin Resistance Influence Path-Integration-Based Navigation through Distinct Large-Scale Network Mechanisms. Aging and disease, 10.14336/AD.2024.0975. https://doi.org/10.14336/AD.2024.0975
Lopez-Vilaret, K. M., Fernandez-Alvarez, M., Shokri-Kojori, E., Tomasi, D., Cantero, J. L., & Atienza, M. (2022). Pre-diabetes is associated with altered functional connectivity density in cortical regions of the default-mode network. Frontiers in aging neuroscience, 14, 1034355. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2022.1034355
Lopez-Vilaret, K. M., Cantero, J. L., Fernandez-Alvarez, M., Calero, M., Calero, O., Lindín, M., Zurrón, M., Díaz, F., & Atienza, M. (2021). Impaired glucose metabolism reduces the neuroprotective action of adipocytokines in cognitively normal older adults with insulin resistance. Aging, 13(21), 23936–23952. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.203668
CV
Professional Experience:
Data Scientist, Applied NeuroCognitive Psychology Lab, 02.2025–now
University of Oldenburg, Germany
PhD Student, Laboratory of Functional Neuroscience, 2019–2025
Pablo de Olavide University, Seville, Spain
Project: Detection of early Alzheimer's Disease biomarkers
Related work: fMRI analysis (resting-state and task-related), semi-automatic brain segmentation, statistical modeling, VR and cognitive task development, high-performance computing
Supervisors: Dr. Mercedes Atienza, Dr. Jose Luis Cantero
Research Visitor, Center for Vital Longevity, University of Texas at Dallas, USA, 04.2023–07.2023
Project: fMRI task-related neural selectivity using multivariate methods
Supervisor: Dr. Michael Rugg
Research Visitor, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Vanderbilt University, USA, 04.2019–07.2019
Project: Resting-state fMRI preprocessing and functional connectivity analysis
Supervisor: Dr. Catie Chang
Research Assistant, Laboratory of Functional Neuroscience, 2018–2019
Pablo de Olavide University, Seville, Spain
Related work: Tasks programming for cognitive fMRI experiments
Supervisor: Dr. Mercedes Atienza
Education:
Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Pablo de Olavide University, Seville, Spain, 2019–2025
Thesis title: Impact of Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Status on Brain and Cognitive Aging
M.Sc. in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Granada, Spain, 2016–2017
Thesis title: Neglect syndrome intervention program: a multisensorial and body self-consciousness approach through prismatic adaptation
B.Sc. in Clinical Psychology, International University SEK, Quito, Ecuador, 2011–2016
Thesis title: The relationship between maltreatment and emotional intelligence in 7 to 16-year-old children