Trending...
- Colorado: Governor Polis: With New Tariffs, Trump Raises Costs for Americans, Hurts Allies
- Robin Launches Legal Intelligence Platform to solve intelligence gap in Fortune 500 legal teams
- Colorado Springs: Summer Sunrise Openings on Pikes Peak – America's Mountain
Dr. Fredrik Ullén's pioneering work connects culture, cognition, and health
HURST, Texas - ColoradoDesk -- Fredrik Ullén, Ph.D., MPA, a cognitive neuroscientist and world-class concert pianist, has been awarded the fifth Mensa Foundation Prize for his pioneering work demonstrating how developing expertise physically reshapes the brain and correlates with intelligence.
The biennial Mensa Foundation Prize honors the best discoveries in intelligence and creativity and is endowed by the estate of Kenneth Douglas Thomson (1934-2013), a longtime Mensa member. The award, which includes a $10,000 prize, will be presented July 2 at American Mensa's Annual Gathering in Chicago.
Dr. Ullén's career bridges both science and the arts. At Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics in Germany, he leads research that connects culture, cognition, and health. His best-known work uses music practice as a model to explore how skill acquisition alters brain structure. Through studies using diffusion MRI, his team has shown that expert musicians develop enhanced white matter pathways in areas tied to motor control, hearing, and higher-order cognition — changes that scale with experience and are linked to intelligence.
More on Colorado Desk
"I personally think we can be rather happy with the fact that both genes and environments matter for individual differences," Dr. Ullén said. "The trick to realize your potential is, of course, to find what you really like to do and have an aptitude for, and then focus on developing that further through deliberate, goal-directed practice."
The Mensa Foundation's Prize Committee praised Dr. Ullén's innovative approach to understanding intelligence through the lens of neuroplasticity and genetic-environment interaction. "Dr. Ullén has made a science of unleashing intelligence, integrating the worlds of music, brain pathways, and human cognition," said Committee Chair Dr. Harry Ringermacher, a physicist and Mensa member.
Mensa Foundation President Nguyen Pham echoed that sentiment. "As a former young pianist (and forever nerd) myself, I feel personally connected to and uplifted by Dr. Ullén's revolutionary work at the intersection of art and science," Pham said. "By honoring and investing in this groundbreaking research, the Foundation is proud to further the understanding of human intelligence."
Dr. Ullén's research has also clarified why practice impacts individuals differently. His team's large-scale population and twin studies demonstrate that intelligence, personality, genetics, and environment all shape how effectively practice leads to expertise. His Multifactorial Gene-Environment Interaction Model has helped move the field beyond simplistic "practice-only" theories.
More on Colorado Desk
In addition to his scientific career, Dr. Ullén is internationally known as a concert pianist and recording artist. He is the first pianist to record the complete 100 Transcendental Studies of composer Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji, an eight-hour landmark in modern piano literature.
The first Mensa Foundation Prize was awarded in 2017 to Dr. David Silver for AI research. Subsequent recipients have included neuroscientist Dr. Aron K. Barbey (2019), statistical geneticist Dr. Danielle Posthuma (2021), and NIH neuroscientist Dr. R. Douglas Fields (2023).
# # #
The Mensa Foundation is committed to creating a community of individuals who share a passion for lifelong learning, curiosity, and making a positive impact in the world. Governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees, the Foundation is funded by philanthropic support from people from all walks of life. To learn more about the Mensa Foundation, please visit MensaFoundation.org.
The biennial Mensa Foundation Prize honors the best discoveries in intelligence and creativity and is endowed by the estate of Kenneth Douglas Thomson (1934-2013), a longtime Mensa member. The award, which includes a $10,000 prize, will be presented July 2 at American Mensa's Annual Gathering in Chicago.
Dr. Ullén's career bridges both science and the arts. At Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics in Germany, he leads research that connects culture, cognition, and health. His best-known work uses music practice as a model to explore how skill acquisition alters brain structure. Through studies using diffusion MRI, his team has shown that expert musicians develop enhanced white matter pathways in areas tied to motor control, hearing, and higher-order cognition — changes that scale with experience and are linked to intelligence.
More on Colorado Desk
- Colorado Springs: Ramona Avenue at South Nevada Avenue to close on Monday
- Colorado Springs: Northbound Tejon Street to reopen on block downtown
- City of Colorado Springs, El Paso County invite public to open houses for Housing Needs Assessment
- Colorado Springs: Did you know? — Evergreen Cemetery's Roses
- The Blue Luna Encourages Local Schools to Take Steps to Enhance Safety for Students and Staff
"I personally think we can be rather happy with the fact that both genes and environments matter for individual differences," Dr. Ullén said. "The trick to realize your potential is, of course, to find what you really like to do and have an aptitude for, and then focus on developing that further through deliberate, goal-directed practice."
The Mensa Foundation's Prize Committee praised Dr. Ullén's innovative approach to understanding intelligence through the lens of neuroplasticity and genetic-environment interaction. "Dr. Ullén has made a science of unleashing intelligence, integrating the worlds of music, brain pathways, and human cognition," said Committee Chair Dr. Harry Ringermacher, a physicist and Mensa member.
Mensa Foundation President Nguyen Pham echoed that sentiment. "As a former young pianist (and forever nerd) myself, I feel personally connected to and uplifted by Dr. Ullén's revolutionary work at the intersection of art and science," Pham said. "By honoring and investing in this groundbreaking research, the Foundation is proud to further the understanding of human intelligence."
Dr. Ullén's research has also clarified why practice impacts individuals differently. His team's large-scale population and twin studies demonstrate that intelligence, personality, genetics, and environment all shape how effectively practice leads to expertise. His Multifactorial Gene-Environment Interaction Model has helped move the field beyond simplistic "practice-only" theories.
More on Colorado Desk
- The Sessions Studios Secures $300 Million Commitment to Launch World-Class Studio and 15-Film Global Slate
- Smart Resnse Unveils Smart Resnse(SRMS) Token-Powered AI Orchestration Platform to Revolutionize Multi-Billion Dollar Market
- Josh and Heidi Follow Up the Much Anticipated and Successful Launch of the "Spreading the Good BUZZ" Podcast with a Personal Request
- Revolutionary Blockchain Platform Okh Finance Announces Okh Finance(OKKH) Token Launch to Transform Global Asset Leasing Market
- Cover Girl Finalist Teisha Mechetti Questions Legitimacy of Inked Originals Competition, Demands Transparency
In addition to his scientific career, Dr. Ullén is internationally known as a concert pianist and recording artist. He is the first pianist to record the complete 100 Transcendental Studies of composer Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji, an eight-hour landmark in modern piano literature.
The first Mensa Foundation Prize was awarded in 2017 to Dr. David Silver for AI research. Subsequent recipients have included neuroscientist Dr. Aron K. Barbey (2019), statistical geneticist Dr. Danielle Posthuma (2021), and NIH neuroscientist Dr. R. Douglas Fields (2023).
# # #
The Mensa Foundation is committed to creating a community of individuals who share a passion for lifelong learning, curiosity, and making a positive impact in the world. Governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees, the Foundation is funded by philanthropic support from people from all walks of life. To learn more about the Mensa Foundation, please visit MensaFoundation.org.
Source: Mensa Foundation
Filed Under: Health
0 Comments
Latest on Colorado Desk
- Golden Intelligent Coin Trading Center Inc Expands Multi-Asset Trading Access
- Centennial Flyers to Become Colorado's First Launch Customer for All-Electric B23 Energic Aircraft
- Pyro Marketing Opens New Digital Marketing Company to Power Growth for Fitness and Ecommerce Brands
- Dr. John Salerno of Salerno Wellness Introduces Their New Full Body Capsule for Advanced LED Light Therapy Patient Treatments
- Ally Solutions Gains Momentum as the Most Affordable AI Front Desk for Small Businesses
- Governor Polis Highlights Colorado's Expansion of Opportunities in STEM Education and Health Care
- Governor Polis, Colorado Education Leaders: Trump's Cuts to Education Funding Hurts Colorado Students, Teachers, and Future Workforce
- $14M Expansion Deal with Famed David Lloyd Highlights Rebrand of Sports, Entertainment and Gaming Innovation by AI Driven, Online Fan Engagement Co
- Heartfelt Dreams Foundation Launches Campaign to Build CHD Hospital
- Radarsign Tackles Intersection Safety with Launch of Grid-Free Solar LED Stop Sign
- Don't Let Roaches Take Over: Why Cockroaches Are Thriving in Denver Homes
- Miami Real Estate Agent Drastically Increases Interest In Homes
- Adostics & Genmega Announce the Introduction of A-POD
- LIB and Nidec Rejoin Forces for Giant TH-0098 Temperature Humidity Test Chamber
- City Council invites community engagement: Volunteer for Colorado Springs Boards, Commissions, and Committees
- Colorado Springs: Summer Sunrise Openings on Pikes Peak – America's Mountain
- Colorado Springs: Phil Long Dealerships donates $10,000 to City's Keep It Clean COS initiative
- Transformance Advisors Proudly Announces 128 Newly Certified Lean Practitioners
- Heritage at South Brunswick Offers Immediate Townhome Appointments and Special Mortgage Incentive Fast-Moving Sales
- Colorado Springs: A Renewed Promise: Mayor Yemi's Fourth of July letter to the community