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NEUROARTS DALLAS.
The people behind the work.
A cross-disciplinary team of artists, engineers, and neuroscientists building installations that make the invisible visible — and bring them to underserved communities.
Rowayda (Weeda)
Hamdan
Visual Artist & NeuroArts Researcher — UTD School of Interdisciplinary Studies
Weeda is the originating artist and principal investigator of NeuroArts Dallas. Her practice begins in the backyard — tracking shadows, painting on thrifted fabric, studying how light and wind leave traces on translucent surfaces — and has grown into a research inquiry at the intersection of neuroscience, phenomenology, and installation art.
She began drawing in a bunker in Lebanon at age 12. That instinct — to find beauty inside confinement, to make the invisible visible — shapes everything that follows. At UTD, she is developing an interdisciplinary framework for NeuroArts: using art and technology to expand awareness of stress, and bringing installations to underserved communities who rarely have access to either art or health data.
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR · FOUNDER
01
Dr. Mariya
Vodyanyk
PhD Researcher, Psychology — Northeastern University · SoundMind Collaboratory
Dr. Mariya Vodyanyk is a graduate researcher working with Dr. Susanne Jaeggi at Northeastern's SoundMind Collaboratory. Her work spans cognitive neuropsychology, observational drawing-based training, and the perceptual changes that emerge from developing visual expertise — making her a natural intellectual partner for NeuroArts Dallas.
She received her BS in Neurobiology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and her MA in Education from UC Irvine, and brings rigorous scientific grounding to the research framework across projects.
PHYSICAL BUILD · AUDIO SYSTEMS
02
Research areas · Cognitive neuropsychology, activity engagement, visual art and perception
Lab · Brain Game Center for Mental Fitness and Well-Being, Northeastern University
Institution · University of Texas at Dallas, School of Interdisciplinary Studies
Focus · NeuroArts, phenomenology, biofeedback installation, community access
Recognition · 🏆 Brain Health Prize Top 20 Finalist, inaugural 2026 · Brain Healthy Campus Collaborative
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR · TECHNOLOGY
03
Paul Johnson
Firmware & Real-Time Systems Engineer
Paul leads firmware, electronics, and real-time systems across NeuroArts Dallas projects. He holds a BA in Mathematics and Computer Science from Wartburg College (Waverly, Iowa), and serves as co-PI on the technical architecture of the work.
TECHNICAL CONTRIBUTIONS
— Firmware on Raspberry Pi Pico 2W reading presence and movement from a 24 GHz radar sensor
— Real-time HRV signal processing — turning raw heartbeat intervals into stable physiological readings over Bluetooth
— Color and animation system driving a 1,536-LED canvas from live biometric data
— State machine governing the piece's response to viewer approach and withdrawal
— Wireless data link transmitting biometric signal to the audio engine in real time
PHYSICAL BUILD · AUDIO SYSTEMS
04
Eric Masso
Building Engineer, Hexa · Founder & CEO, IT Core Security
Eric handles physical construction and sound across NeuroArts Dallas installations. His background spans hands-on building engineering and information-security leadership — bringing fabrication capability and systems rigor to every build.
PHYSICAL CONTRIBUTIONS
— Physical structure and power infrastructure for LED-based installations
— Audio system translating live heart data into sound — heartbeat through subwoofer, responsive drone shifting with autonomic state
— End-to-end fabrication: structure, wiring, mounting, and integration with electronic components
— Systems-level thinking connecting physical build with the real-time feedback loop
05
Zeina
Zeina Shalak is a programme development and research specialist with over 20 years of experience in designing, implementing, and evaluating socio-economic, education, and sustainable development programmes. As Programs Director at Tatweer Baladna, she leads research-informed programme development, translating needs assessments, stakeholder research, and evidence into practical interventions and donor-funded projects.
Her expertise includes applied research, programme design, MEAL, results-based management, and the development of evidence-based methodologies and capacity-building programmes. She has worked across national and EU-funded initiatives, collaborating with civil society organizations, academia, public institutions, and international partners to ensure that research findings are effectively translated into programme design, implementation, and learning.
06
Haitham
Haitham is an entrepreneur, ecosystem builder, and corporate executive with over 20 years of experience across corporate and non-profit sectors. Holding a Bachelor in Business Administration, he has founded and co-founded multiple impact-driven ventures spanning software development, entrepreneurship, coworking, tech education, and socio-economic development.
He has developed over 2,000 m² of innovation and coworking spaces in Lebanon, built and led high-performing teams, established strong partnerships with local and international stakeholders, and raised millions in funding to support high-impact projects and startups.
Haitham currently manages a portfolio of entities and serves on the boards of several high-tech international scale-ups. He is also an advisory board member at the LAU Adnan Kassar School of Business (AKSOB) and a member of its entrepreneurship steering committee.
With a strong focus on efficiency, ROI, and scalable growth, he designs and leads initiatives that drive innovation, strengthen communities, and enable sustainable development, bridging purpose with measurable impact.
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