Jürgen A. Riedelsheimer, M.S.

I am a Ph.D. candidate at Idaho State University (ISU), focused on the intersection of music cognition and cognitive neuroscience. My research examines how the brain forms expectations, detects discrepancies, and adapts to complex, unfamiliar, or conflicting sensory information. A key aspect of my work is music perception and learning, with a particular emphasis on how listeners process unfamiliar musical structures. I am especially interested in microtonal tuning systems that deviate from the conventional 12-tone equal temperament. These systems offer a valuable framework for exploring predictive processing, auditory expectations, and perceptual adaptation. My research also examines how listeners interpret musical resolution and manage attention when multiple auditory streams compete for focus.

Additionally, I combine behavioral experiments with neurophysiological methods, including electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). I have also used transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) to explore how neural oscillations relate to auditory cognition. More broadly, I am interested in how neural systems support attention, prediction, conflict monitoring, and adaptive behavior.

Currently, my research extends these questions into cognitive control. Using visual and auditory versions of the Multi-Source Interference Task (MSIT), I investigate how people process conflicting information and regulate their responses. By combining behavioral measures with fNIRS, I examine the neural and behavioral correlates of cognitive interference. This research also lays the groundwork for exploring how conflict expectations and changes in environmental regularities shape cognitive control. Although my work spans music perception and broader cognitive processes, these interests share a common question: How does the brain use experience and expectations to interpret incoming information and adapt its behavior?

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 strengthen biomedical research infrastructure, provide research opportunities for faculty and students, and increase capacity for health-related research in eligible states, often those that have traditionally been underfunded in biomedical research. The award supports research grants, student training, and research infrastructure development.

Victor C. Joe Scholarship in Experimental Psychology (2024-2025; 2025-2026; 2026-2027)

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 study in experimental psychology, emphasizing innovative approaches to understanding human behavior and cognition.