Victor Minces

Ph.D., Computational Neurobiology, University of California, San Diego.

Studies in Physical Science, University of Buenos Aires.

Associate Research Scientist, Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute, University of California, San Diego.

Associate Research Scientist, Department of Cognitive Science, University of California, San Diego.

Assistant Research Scientist, Department of Cognitive Science, University of California, San Diego.

Project Scientist, Department of Cognitive Science, laboratory of Dr. Andrea Chiba, University of California, San Diego.

Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Cognitive Science, laboratory of Dr. Andrea Chiba, University of California, San Diego.

Teaching Assistant, Department of Linguistics, University of California, San Diego.

Intern, Laboratoire Leibniz, Dr. Mirta Gordon, Institut d’Informatique et Mathématiques Appliquées de Grenoble (IMAG), Grenoble, France.

Listening to Waves — www.listeningtowaves.com. Approximately 8,000 visits per month.

Sound Exploration web applications — www.listeningtowaves.com/sound-exploration. Approximately 60,000 uses per month.

City of Escondido Arts, Culture, and Creativity Grant. $7,000.

NSF Birthday STEM Day in Imperial Valley, California. Supplemental funds for ITEST award 2048930. $99,000.

Principal Investigator, NSF Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST), award 2241714. Collaborative Research: Using Flow-Based Music Programming to Engage Children in Computer Science. UC San Diego award amount: $904,725.

Principal Investigator, NSF ITEST, award 2048930. Increasing Students’ Interest in STEM through the Science of Music. Award amount: $1,499,644.

Principal Investigator, NSF ITEST, award 1657366. Connecting STEM to Music and the Physics of Sound Waves. Additional funds for development of a music programming language: $150,000.

Principal Investigator, NSF ITEST, award 1657366. Connecting STEM to Music and the Physics of Sound Waves. Award amount: $1,078,987.

H. Gerardo and V. H. Minces (2025). “Bridging Theory and Practice: Transforming STEM Keynote Presentations Through Experiential and Musical Engagement.” 2025 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE), Nashville, Tennessee, pp. 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1109/FIE63693.2025.11328155

Z. Liu, F. Zhang, A. Barron, W. Xing, M. Israel, and V. Minces (2025). “WIP: Empowering Teachers and Engaging Students Through Flow-Based Music Programming in K-12 CS Education.” 2025 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE), Nashville, Tennessee, pp. 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1109/FIE63693.2025.11328473

Z. Liu, W. Xing, M. Israel, and V. Minces (2025). “Enhancing Pre-service Teacher Confidence and Engagement through Flow-Based Music Programming.” EDULEARN25 Proceedings, pp. 4127–4133.

Z. Liu, W. Xing, C. Li, F. Zhang, H. Li, and V. Minces (2025). “Exploring Automated Assessment of Primary Students’ Creativity in a Flow-Based Music Programming Environment.” Journal of Learning Analytics, 12(2), 83–104. https://doi.org/10.18608/jla.2025.8835

V. Minces, H. Gerardo, and N. Akshay (2025). “Ludic Sonata: A Polyphonic Participatory Experience.” Refereed workshop extended abstract, Proceedings of Constructionism 2025, Zurich, Switzerland.

S. A. An, D. A. Tillman, V. Minces, and S. J. Kim (2025). “Preservice Teachers Use of Digital and Non-Digital Music Composition Systems as Resources for Teaching Elementary Mathematics.” Journal of STEM Teacher Education, 59(1), article 6.

Z. Liu, S. Zhang, M. Israel, R. Smith, W. Xing, and V. Minces (2025). “Engaging K-12 Students with Flow-Based Music Programming: An Experience Report on Its Impact on Teaching and Learning.” Proceedings of the 56th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, vol. 1, pp. 708–714.

Z. Liu, S. Zhang, M. Israel, R. Smith, W. Xing, and V. Minces (2025). “Integrating Music and Flow-Based Programming Builds Teachers’ Confidence in Computer Science: An ITEST Program.” American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference.

V. H. Minces, E. Chow, L. Li, A. Barron, and S. Yonezawa (2025). “Improving Teachers’ Attitudes toward Physics by Integrating Music in Online and In-Person Professional Development: An ITEST Study.” American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition.

E. Chow, L. Li, N. Akshay, A. Barron, S. Yonezawa, and V. H. Minces (2024). “Improving Teachers’ Attitudes Toward Sound and Waves Through the Connections with Music.” American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition, Portland, Oregon. https://peer.asee.org/46887

Y. Song, W. Xing, A. Barron, H. Oh, C. Li, and V. Minces (2023). “M-flow: A Flow-based Music Creation Platform Improves Underrepresented Children’s Attitudes toward Computer Programming.” Interaction Design and Children (ACM IDC ’23), Chicago, Illinois. Best Short Paper Award.

V. H. Minces, W. Xing, and C. Li (2023). “Work in Progress: Mflow, a Flow-based Music Programming Platform for Young Children.” 2023 IEEE World Engineering Education Conference (EDUNINE), Bogotá, Colombia, pp. 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1109/EDUNINE57531.2023.10102852

N. Akshay and V. Minces (2023). “Introducing Data Literacy in the Classroom Using Sound Exploration Tools.” 2023 IEEE World Engineering Education Conference (EDUNINE), Bogotá, Colombia, pp. 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1109/EDUNINE57531.2023.10102886

O. Hazon, V. H. Minces, D. P. Tomàs, S. Ganguli, M. J. Schnitzer, and P. E. Jercog (2022). “Noise Correlations in Neural Ensemble Activity Limit the Accuracy of Hippocampal Spatial Representations.” Nature Communications, 13(1), 1–13.

A. N. Booker and V. Minces (2022). “Harmonized Mutual Development through Exploring and Creating Sound.” In Proceedings of the 16th International Conference of the Learning Sciences (ICLS 2022), pp. 871–878.

V. Minces, A. Booker, and A. Khalil (2021). “Listening to Waves: Engaging Underrepresented Students through the Science of Sound and Music.” Connected Science Learning, 3(4).

V. H. Minces (2021). “Developing and Popularizing STEM Online Tools: The Case of ‘Listening to Waves’ Tools for the Science of Music.” ASEE Virtual Annual Conference. https://doi.org/10.18260/1-2--36938

N. Akshay, V. Minces, A. Vazhayil, V. Gopalasamy, and R. R. Bhavani (2020). “There’s Data All Around You: Improving Data Literacy in High Schools through STEAM-based Activities.” Proceedings of FabLearn Asia.

G. M. D’Andrea-Penna, J. R. Iversen, A. A. Chiba, A. K. Khalil, and V. H. Minces (2020). “One Tap at a Time: Correlating Sensorimotor Synchronization with Brain Signatures of Temporal Processing.” Cerebral Cortex Communications, 1(1).

V. Minces, L. Pinto, Y. Dan, and A. A. Chiba (2017). “Cholinergic Shaping of Neural Correlations.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 114(22), 5725–5730.

V. Minces, A. Khalil, I. Oved, C. Challen, and A. Chiba (2016). “Listening to Waves: Using Computer Tools to Learn Science through Making Music.” EDULEARN16 Proceedings, pp. 3844–3852.

A. K. Khalil*, V. Minces*, G. McLoughlin, and A. Chiba (2013). “Group Rhythmic Synchrony and Attention in Children.” Frontiers in Psychology, 4. *These authors contributed equally.

V. Minces, A. S. Alexander, M. Datlow, S. I. Alfonso, and A. A. Chiba (2013). “The Role of Visual Cortex Acetylcholine in Learning to Discriminate Temporally Modulated Visual Stimuli.” Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 7, 16.

B. Medeiros, V. Minces, G. B. Mindlin, M. Copelli, and J. R. Leite (2011). “An Excitable Electronic Circuit as a Sensory Neuron Model.” International Journal of Bifurcation and Chaos, 22(10), 1250244.

J. Aliaga, N. Busca, V. Minces, G. B. Mindlin, B. Pando, A. Salles, and L. Szsupak (2003). “Electronic Neuron within a Ganglion of a Leech (Hirudo medicinalis).” Physical Review E, 67, 061915.

V. H. Minces and N. Akshay (2022). “STEAM for All: A Vision for STEM and Arts Integration.” In R. J. Tierney, F. Rizvi, and K. Erkican (eds.), International Encyclopedia of Education, vol. 11. Elsevier.

T. Mullen, A. Khalil, T. Ward, J. Iversen, G. Leslie, R. Warp, M. Withman, V. Minces, A. McCoy, A. Ojeda, N. Bigdely-Shamlo, M. Chi, and D. Rosenboom (2015). “Mind and Music: Playful and Social Installations at the Interface between Music and the Brain.” In A. Nijholt (ed.), More Playful User Interfaces. Springer.

A. K. Khalil, V. Minces, J. Iversen, G. Musacchia, C. Zhao, and A. Chiba (2019). “Music, Cognition, and Education.” In The Science of Learning, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and National Science Foundation.

Ripple Effects: Presentation on the Science of Music, Escondido Arts Partnership.

Refereed Science of Sound and Music workshop for approximately 50 teachers, California Association of Science Educators, Sacramento, California.

Refereed Science of Sound and Music workshop for approximately 50 teachers, STEAM Educators Conference, San Diego, California.

Refereed Science of Sound and Music workshop for approximately 50 teachers, California STEAM Symposium, Long Beach, California.

Invited keynote speaker, California Association of Science Educators, Sacramento, California.

Presenter and panelist with Renée Fleming, Music and Mind, Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, La Jolla, California.

The Science of Music Deep Dive, Deeper Learning Conference, San Diego, California.

The Science of Music Workshop, California STEAM Conference, Long Beach, California.

Refereed Science of Sound and Music workshop for approximately 50 teachers, California Association of Science Educators, Palm Springs, California.

Refereed Mflow curriculum workshop for approximately 20 teachers, California Association of Science Educators, Palm Springs, California.

Invited panelist, Music as Medicine Workshop, sponsored by NIH and NEA and organized with the Renée Fleming Foundation and Kennedy Center, Bethesda, Maryland.

Tools for the Science of Music, Interaction Design and Children workshop, ‘For the Long Run: Promoting Sustainable Use of Learning Technologies in Schools.’

Opening project talk, NSF ITEST Principal Investigators Meeting.

Science of Music Workshop, California Science Teachers Association.

Diving Deep into Music, Deeper Learning Conference, High Tech High, San Diego, California.

Symbiosis between Research and Education, NSF Network for Science of Learning Awardees Meeting, Arlington, Virginia.

Interactive Gamelan, Mozart and the Mind, San Diego, California.

Musical Synchrony and Attention in School Children, International Symposium on Science for Education, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Plenary presentation.

Group Brain Dynamics in Learning, presentation for congressional staff members.

In Sync: Music, Synchrony and Attention, Mozart and the Mind, San Diego, California.

Building Interactions between Educators and Scientists, a Symbiotic Relationship, International Mind Brain Education Society Conference, Quito, Ecuador. Workshop leader.

The Gamelan Project: Music, Synchrony, and Attention, presentation for the National Science Board, San Diego, California.

The Gamelan Project, National Endowment for the Arts webinar.

Gamelan Project Demonstration: Online Analysis of Synchrony, American Educational Research Association meeting.

Reviewer on seven NSF grant panels across several programs.

Reviewer for National Endowment for the Arts grant programs.

Reviewer for the Journal of Neuroscience; Cerebral Cortex; Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences; Scientific Reports; Chaos, Solitons & Fractals; International Conference of the Learning Sciences; American Society for Engineering Education Conference; Connected Science Learning; Applied Sciences; Arts and Communication; Journal of Learning Analytics; and Journal of STEM Teacher Education.

Advisory Committee, NSF ITEST Principal Investigators Meeting.

Fellow, AccelNet: Harnessing Global Science Networks to Accelerate Cultures of Learning.

Invited participant, Global Science of Learning Network discussion group on AI, educational technology, and workforce development, Washington, D.C.

Founding member, UC San Diego Neuroscience Outreach Group, which has served more than 20,000 low-income and underrepresented students.

Invited participant, Neuromorphic Engineering Workshop, Capocaccia, Italy.

Invited participant, Neuromorphic Engineering Workshop, Telluride, Colorado.

“That’s Called Sonification,” profile by Bill Manson, San Diego Reader. https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2021/mar/31/golden-dreams-called-sonification/

“The Art and Science of Music with Victor Minces,” Creative Conversations, UCTV. https://www.uctv.tv/shows/Creative-Conversations-Victor-MInces-37090

“Science of Sound with Victor Minces,” Fizzics Education podcast. https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/podcast/fizzicsed/podcast-science-of-sound-with-victor-minces/

Lab Out Loud podcast guest. https://laboutloud.com/?s=minces

“Students Learn Physics through Musical Sound,” CBS 8 report. http://www.cbs8.com/Clip/12581982/students-learn-physics-through-musical-sound

“Power of Art,” BBC report. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21661689

Acting role in the science series Horizontes en Ciencias Naturales: “Las Mutaciones,” Buenos Aires, Argentina. https://www.educ.ar/recursos/106456/las-mutaciones

“El artista y los otros,” El País, profile by Elvira Lindo. http://elpais.com/diario/2011/05/08/domingo/1304825434_850215.html

Interview with Roger Bingham, The Science Network. http://thesciencenetwork.org/programs/international-mind-brain-and-education-society-2011/interview-with-victor-minces

J. van Kempen, S. Panzeri, and A. Thiele (2017). “Cholinergic Control of Information Coding.” Trends in Neurosciences, 40(9), 522–524.

Sound Shower, long-term interactive installation, City of Escondido Arts, Culture, and Creativity Month.

Collective Resonance, performance on the science of sound, Hillcrest Walk in Art, San Diego, California.

Sound Tree, permanent public sonic sculpture, WorldBeat Cultural Center, Balboa Park.

Gigantic Human Musical Instrument, plenary presentation and collective performance, mEducation Alliance Symposium, Washington, D.C.

Science of Music, Art of Sound, exhibition at Escondido Art Partnership Municipal Gallery.

Premiere of Experiencing Minces: The Art of Music and the Science of Sound, documentary by Tiffany Street, with participatory music performance, San Diego, California.

The Science of Music and the Art of Sound, public presentation at the Church of Music, San Diego, California.

Giant Distributed Musical Instrument, sound installation at YouTopia Arts and Music Festival.

The Science of Sound: A Family Concert, concert-lecture series with the San Diego Symphony and conductor Sameer Patel; 6,000 attendees over five performances.