Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Eric Leonardis.
Hi Dr. Leonardis, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am a neuroscientist, science communicator, and DJ who mixes science and multimedia art to create immersive educational experiences. I am currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies studying human behavior in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and using machine learning to study motor control and biomechanics in rodents. I received my Ph.D. in Cognitive Science from UC San Diego in 2022, studying the intersection between robotics and neuroscience.
I try to blend my scientific knowledge with my ability to make things easy to understand by speaking at public events with Nerd Nite SD, SD Comic Con, SD Natural History Museum, and music festivals throughout SoCal. I am a long-time collaborator with Film Geeks SD, curating experiences that blend cinema with science by introducing the science behind films at Comic-Con Museum in Balboa Park and Digital Gym Cinema in downtown SD. I am a recurring guest on KPBS’s Cinema Junkie with Beth Accomando. I was also recently interviewed by WIRED magazine in an article, “What Creepy Video Game Sounds Do to Your Brain,” where I explained how areas of our brain, like the insular cortex, respond to immersive horror experiences. My next public talk, “Neuroscience of The New Flesh: Body Horror In Your Brain,” will be at Nerd Nite SD on March 21st at the Kensington Club at 7 pm.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It was not always easy balancing the life of a professional scientist and musical artist. During my last year of grad school, I needed to take a step back from DJing and music production to finish my dissertation. This was a difficult time because dancing with my friends is an important release from the stress of scientific research. Many of my dance buddies thought I had moved away, but really, I was just hard at work in school. So now that I am finished with the grad school hurdle, I am very excited to be back in the house music scene and get back to making art again.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
In addition to being a neuroscientist, I am also a music producer who creates his own songs using modular synthesizers. My music explores the line between deep, jazzy vibes and mind-bending 303 acid tracks. This year, I released vibesy acid house single ‘Dissociates Degree’ with Cool Contest Records (Long Beach, CA) and the double deep house delight of ‘Acid Brunch’ and ‘Overthinking’ with Calls and Puts Records (San Antonio, TX) available now. I can be found DJing parties in SD, like House Music Fridays at Air-Conditioned Lounge, and other parties throughout DTLA and Long Beach.
I am most proud and excited about my new project which is a creative fusion of horror film and dance—the ‘New Flesh Party’: a screening of David Cronenberg’s Videodrome followed by a dance party with SD legend DJ Mark E. Quark. The Videodrome screening and New Flesh Party will take place on May 4th, 5 pm-10 pm at the Digital Gym Cinema in downtown SD. Our multidimensional approach to immersive experiences promises to make this event a convergence of weird special FX, groovy beats, and the enigmatic charm of Cronenberg’s body horror.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
I am always looking to DJ at new venues and with new groups of people in San Diego. I am always down to collaborate on making new house and techno music with other music producers. I am also very open to collaborating on science communication and public speaking engagements with diverse audiences. The best way to support is to follow on social media, show up to my speaking events, and dance at my shows! Feel free to shoot me an email or DM me on social media if you are interested in collaborating on an event or project.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ericleonardis.github.io/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericleonardis/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Eleonar4
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-leonardis-a6225042/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/EricLeonardis
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/eric-leonardis
- Other: https://ra.co/dj/ericleonardis
Image Credits
Sean “Panda” Sirisap
Joanna Bautista
Emily Yamate
