Fredrik Ullén Receives 2025 Mensa Foundation Prize
MPIEA Director Fredrik Ullén with the Foundation Prize award. (Photo: Sandy Marak)
Fredrik Ullén, Director of the Department of Cognitive Neuropsychology at the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics (MPIEA) in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, has been awarded the 2025 Mensa Foundation Prize. The award ceremony took place on July 2, 2025, during the American Mensa’s Annual Gathering in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Ullén was honored for his pioneering work exploring the neural basis of expertise through the lens of music practice. His research demonstrates how long-term, deliberate training—especially in music—can lead to structural changes in the brain, particularly in white matter pathways associated with motor skills, auditory processing, and higher cognitive functions.
As a neuroscientist and internationally recognized concert pianist, Ullén bridges the fields of cognitive neuroscience and musical performance. His studies employ advanced imaging techniques, such as diffusion MRI, to investigate how the brain adapts during skill acquisition and how these changes relate to individual differences in intelligence.
In addition to examining the neuroplastic effects of practice, Ullén’s research highlights the complex interplay of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors in the development of expertise. Through large-scale population studies, his team has shown that traits such as intelligence, personality, and genetic predisposition influence how effectively individuals benefit from practice. This work has contributed significantly to advancing a multifactorial understanding of human learning and performance, moving beyond simplistic notions that practice alone leads to mastery.
We are delighted that Fredrik Ullén’s contributions to the science of skill learning, creativity, and neuroscience of music have received such prestigious recognition. His research exemplifies the Institute’s mission to explore the cognitive and neural foundations of aesthetic and artistic experiences.
About the Mensa Foundation Prize
Established in 1971, the Mensa Foundation supports the understanding and development of human intelligence. Awarded biennially, the Mensa Foundation Prize honors exceptional scientific research in the fields of intelligence and creativity.
