Editorial introduction: A collection of papers presented at the Symposium on ‘‘The roots of auditory neuroscience in Spain: A tribute to Prof. Miguel A. Merchán’’

Abstract

[EN]This special issue is dedicated to Professor emeritus Miguel A. Merchán, a pioneering figure in auditory neuroscience in Spain, whose remarkable career has had a profound impact on our understanding of hearing and auditory processing. A direct intellectual descendant of Santiago Ramón y Cajal and the influential neuroscience tradition that Cajal established, Professor Merchán has played a central role in advancing auditory research, building on discoveries from the 20th century and bringing them into the 21th. His work has illuminated the basic neurobiological mechanisms of auditory processing and paved the way for translational and clinical applications. Beyond his many scientific contributions, Professor Merchán has been a key figure in cultivating the auditory neuroscience community, both nationally and internationally. He has inspired generations of neuroscientists in Spain and around the world, not only through his research and mentorship but also by fostering collaborative spaces. Over the years, he has helped organize numerous scientific meetings in Salamanca, including the seminal 2001 conference on the inferior colliculus (“Inferior colliculus: From past to future”), which led to the first special issue published in Hearing Research. In June 2023, a scientific meeting was held in Professor Merchán’s honor at the Institute of Neuroscience of Castilla y León, University of Salamanca. The event brought together >50 colleagues, students, and collaborators from institutions across the globe (Fig. 1). Among them was Professor Emeritus Kirsten Osen, now 97 and still partially active, who attended to greet Miguel personally. This gathering served both as a celebration of Professor Merchán’s extraordinary scientific legacy and a testament to the deep admiration and respect he commands from the auditory neuroscience community. The meeting featured a series of presentations showcasing recent advances in auditory neuroscience; many of which were directly influenced by, or built upon, Professor Merchán’s foundational work.