Centre Members

Professor Veena Kumari Professor Veena Kumari obtained a PhD in Psychology from Banaras Hindu University, India in 1993 prior to joining the Institute of Psychiatry, London for post-doctoral research. She became a Beit Memorial Research Fellow in 1999, a Wellcome Senior Fellow in Basic Biomedical Science in 2002, and a Full Professor in 2006 at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (formerly known as the Institute of Psychiatry), King’s College London, UK. She left King’s College London in 2016 to join the Sovereign Health Group (USA) as the Chief Scientific Officer and returned to the UK in 2018 to join Brunel University London as Professor of Psychology and the Director of the Centre for Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience (CCN). Her research interests include the neurobiological effects of pharmacological and psychological treatments in psychosis, neurobiology of violence in mental illness, psychobiology of addiction, and personality and brain functioning. Prof Kumari has over 300 publications in reputed psychology, psychiatry and neuroscience journals and received various national and international awards for her research including the Young Investigator Award from the National Alliance of Research on Schizophrenia and Depression, USA (1999), research fellowship from BEIT Memorial Foundation (1999-2002), the BAP (British Association of Psychopharmacology) Clinical Psychopharmacology Prize (2002), Wellcome Senior Fellowship in Basic Biomedical Science (2002-2009), the prestigious Humboldt Research Award (2014), and most recently a Bonn International Fellowship (2020/21). Professor Kumari has supervised a large number of post-graduate and doctoral students and served in editor or editorial board member roles for a number of psychology and psychiatry journals. Cognitive and affective deficits in schizophrenia and personality disorders Neurobiological effects and predictors of outcome following drug and psychological treatments Neurobiology of violence and addiction Sleep deprivation and mental health Neuroscience of mindfulness Cognitive psychopharmacology, particularly the effects of psychostimulants, antipsychotics, nicotine and anxiolytics Neurobiology of sex and sexual-orientation related differences Personality neuroscience MSc Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience (starting Oct 2018) Module Lead for PY5618 - Cognitive Psychopharmacology and Addiction Module Lead for PY5616 - Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience - Core Topics

Dr Andre Szameitat Reader in Cognitive Neuroscience. Brief CV: After my general study of Psychology I conducted my PhD at the Max-Planck-Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, Leipzig, Germany. In 2003 I joined the University of Surrey as a post-doc. After this post-doc position I went back to Germany to work in Munich as lecturer in the international Master’s program Neurocognitive Psychology. I joined Brunel University London as a Reader in September 2013. Qualifications: 2011 Habilitation, venia legendi in Psychology, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich/Germany 2002 PhD in Psychology, Max Planck Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Leipzig/Germany 1999 Diploma (Dipl.-Psych.; MSc equiv.) in Psychology, Technical University Braunschweig/Germany Research area(s) Effect of Meditation on mood and cognition Effect of Nature vs Urban experiences on mood and cognition Executive Control and Prefrontal Cortex Multitasking, Working Memory Brain Imaging (fMRI) & Behavioural Methods My work mainly falls into the fields of Cognitive Neuroscience, Cognitive Psychology, and Neuropsychology. My main interest lies in how humans deal with multitasking, i.e. the capability to do two things at the same time. To investigate this question I use the paradigm of the psychological refractory period (PRP) and behavioural (response time measures) and neuroimaging (fMRI) techniques. This research focusses as well on functions of the lateral prefrontal cortex of our brain and the executive control functions of working memory. In a second line of research I investigate the effects of engaging in different activities on subsequent cognitive performance and well-being. For example, does it make a difference whether one watches a 10 min video depicting nature scenes versus a 10 min video of urban scenes. Deputy Director of the Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience (CCN). Effect of leisure activities on cognitive performance and well-being Executive control, working memory, and the prefrontal cortex Multitasking Teaching PY2701 Cognitive Psychology (Level 2) Administration Deputy Director of the Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience (CCN)

Dr Elena Antonova I obtained the BSc in Psychology from the University College London, UK, in 2000 and the PhD in Cognitive Psychology from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's Collge London, UK, in 2004. I then held a number of post-doctorate research positions at the IoPPN between 2004 and 2011, including developing virtual reality fMRI-compatible analogues of well-established animal spatial memory paradigms (Morris Water Maze and Olton Octagonal Maze) as a biomarker of hippocampal function for drug development in Alzheimer's Disease, as well as investigating the neural predictors of responsiveness to CBT for psychosis, amongst others. Following a Templeton Positive Neuroscience Award as a personal fellowship for the project investigating the effect of mindfulness on sensory information gating in expert mindfulness practitioners held between 2011-2013, I transitioned to a lecturership post at the Department of Psychology, IoPPN. In mid-June 2019, I moved to Brunel University London to take on the position of Senior Lecturer at the Division of Psychology, Department of Life Scienes, College of Health and Life Sciences, where I aim to consolidate my existing research and education expertise, as well as develop new inter-disciplinary research directions and collaborations. I will also continue my research collaborations at the IoPPN as a Visiting Researcher. My main area of research interest and expertise is the neuroscience of mindfulness with the focus on investigating the effects of long-term mindfulness meditation practice using psychophysiology and neuroimaging methods with the application to the prevention and management of mental illness as well as promotion of mental health and wellbeing. I have been actively involved with the Mind and Life Institute since 2011 and Mind and Life Europe since 2013, organisations catalyzing inter-disciplinary scientific research into the effects of contemplative practices. In 2017 I was elected a Mind & Life Research Fellow for my contribution to contemplative science - the highest honorific recognition in my research field. The most recent research direction is a circulation between contemplative neuroscience and AI humanoid robotics towards mitigating AI risks in collaboration with Prof. Chrystopher Nehaniv and Adaptive Systems Research Group and Royal Society Wolfson Biocomputation Research Laboratory, Centre for Computer Science and Information Research, University of Hertfordshire, where I am a Visiting Senior Research Fellow. Long-term effects of mindfulness practice on information processing, cognition, and emotion regulation; Development of objective measures of mindfulness expertise using psychophysiology and neuroimaging; Development of new methodological approaches for analysing fMRI and EEG data to better understand neural dynamics associated with subjective (i.e. meditative) experiences; Application of mindfulness interventions for the prevention and management of psychopathologies such as psychosis and schizophrenia, as well as promotion of healthy aging. Mental Health and Wellbeing; Neuroscience of Mindfulness; Mindfulness-Based Interventions; EEG microstates sequencing

Dr Bianca De Haan Cognitive neuroscientist, who studies selective attention in various populations. I completed a combined BSc/MSc in Psychology at the State University of Groningen in The Netherlands. In 2002, I relocated to the UK to do a PhD at the University of Nottingham. This was followed by a 12-year stint at the University of Tuebingen in Germany, first as a postdoc and ultimately as a research group leader. In August 2017, I moved back to the UK to join the Division of Psychology at Brunel University I am interested in selective attention, with a particular emphasis on the mechanisms and anatomy of selective attention in dynamic multi-target environments (such as traffic environments) that are characterised by high levels of stimulus competition across both visual fields. Using a combination of fMRI, TMS, EEG, lesion-symptom mapping and psychophysical methods in neurologically healthy subjects and neuropsychological patients, we focus on the following questions: What cognitive processes and neural anatomy underlie failures of multi-target attention in extinction patients?Extinction is a common consequence of unilateral brain damage where patients are able to detect both ipsi- and contralesional information presented in isolation, but are unable to attend and respond to contralesional information in situations where ipsilesional information is concurrently present. That is, these patients show a selective inability to attend and respond in multi-target environments, whereas their ability to attend and respond in single-target environments is intact. Therefore, studying these patients could provide unique insights concerning the cognitive processes and neural anatomy critical for the ability to attend and respond in multi-target environments. Currently, however, the precise cognitive processes and neural anatomy that underlie extinction remain poorly understood. What are the determinants of effective multi-target attention in the real world? In everyday life, we are typically confronted with dynamic multi-target scenes that require us to attend simultaneously to multiple non-contiguous spatial locations. Traffic scenes are a quintessential example of such dynamic multi-target environments. In the UK alone, around 2000 people die each year in traffic-related accidents (WHO, 2019). To reduce accidents in these dynamic multi-target environments, understanding how healthy subjects navigate these environments, and which factors modulate this ability, is essential. How do spatial and non-spatial attention interact? Selective attention reflects both spatial (i.e. the deployment of selective attention in space) and non-spatial (i.e. the amount of processing resources available for attentional selection) attentional aspects. Previous research suggests that these aspects of attention rely on overlapping brain areas. Moreover, modulations of non-spatial attention have been shown to affect the deployment of spatial attention in both neurotypical and neurological populations. What we currently do not know is how precisely these spatial and non-spatial aspects of selective attention interact. How can we improve lesion-behaviour mapping approaches? Lesion-behaviour mapping is a popular tool to investigate the functional architecture of the brain. Beyond guiding scientists in the use of this method, we are actively involved in the methodological development and evaluation of lesion-behaviour mapping. Undergraduate Programmes Module leader: (Advanced) Biological Psychology (PY2704/PY3704) Portfolio in (Advanced) Cognitive Neuroscience (P2801/PY3801) Module contributor: BSc Psychology: Dissertation (PY3600) Postgraduate Programmes Module contributor: Neuroscience Methods: Theory and Practice (PY5706) Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience: Core Topics (PY5616) MSc Psychological Sciences: Dissertation (PY5607) MSc Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience: Dissertation (PY5617)

Dr Ben Jennings My research is based in the field of human visual perception and predominately employs psychophysical and electrophysiological methods. A running theme in my research is the interaction of colour and luminance signals in the early visual system (for example, their influence on interocular suppression), through to high-level processing (for example, object recognition and visual working memory). In addition to basic research I am investigating the usefulness of traditional behavioral methods for monitoring the effectiveness of treatments in clinical populations with, for example, traumatic brain injuries and schizophrenia. I am also currently conducting a series of experiments that investigate emotion perception based on face stimuli, by employing both psychophysical and eye movement techniques. I am also the Programme Lead for the Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience MSc. Colour vision and object recognition Colour vision and natural scenes Binocular and dichoptic colour detection mechanisms Emotion perception in normal and clinical populations Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and visual cognition Spatial vision I am: The Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience MSc Dissertation Convener. The Psychological Sciences (conversion) MSc Cognitive Psychology Module Lead, and A Quantitative Methods Seminar Series Lecturer (BSc Psychology).

Dr Elmar Kal I have a BSc (2011) and MSc (2012; cum laude) in Movement Science, both from the Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in The Netherlands. For my PhD project I was employed at a specialist rehabilitation centre (Heliomare) in the Netherlands, studying the impact of implicit learning interventions on the rehabilitation of balance and gait in people after stroke. I successfully defended my thesis in November 2018. I joined Brunel in 2019. My research is focused on better understanding the cognitive and psychological processes that underpin motor control and learning, and to use this knowledge to improve motor functioning in aging and neurological populations (stroke, Parkinson’s). Two main themes in my research are: (1) The use of motor learning principles in (re-)learning of balance and gait tasks in different clinical populations. This includes the use of weight-shifting strategies to reduce freezing of gait in people with PD, as well as the use of implicit motor learning techniques as part of Physical Education of children. (2) The role of anxiety and associated changes in attention in unexplained dizziness in older adults.This includes the use of virtual reality to study the effects of standing at a (virtual) height on fear of falling, associated discrepancies in perceived (self-reported) and actual (sway on force platform) balance, and potential neural and muscular control changes that could help explain such discrepancies - and provide options for interventions. In terms of approach, I combine basic science (assessments of brain activity (using fNIRS, EEG), kine(ma)tics of movement (using force plates, 3D movement analysis), and muscular control (EMG)) with clinically applied research (e.g., using clinical outcomes and assessment methods). I have experience with a host of the methodological approaches (systematic reviews, observational studies, experimental studies, RCTs, validation studies) which gives me flexibility in studying these topics. Two key areas of interest are: 1) The use of motor learning principles in (re-)learning of balance and gait tasks in different clinical populations 2) The role of anxiety and associated changes in attention in unexplained dizziness in older adults. In terms of approach, I strive to combine basic science (assessments of brain activity (using fNIRS, EEG), kine(ma)tics of movement (using force plates, 3D movement analysis), and muscular control (EMG)) with clinically applied research (e.g., using clinical outcomes and assessment methods). I have experience with a host of the methodological approaches (systematic reviews, observational studies, experimental studies, RCTs, validation studies) which gives me flexibility in studying these issues. Pre-registration MSc/BSc Physiotherapy HH5819 - Dissertation Module (module lead) HH1604 / HH5602 - Rehabilitation 2 (tutorials on motor learning & gait analysis) PH5640 - Research Methods for Health Sciences (tutorials on applied statistics using JAMOVI) Advanced Clinical Practice PH5603 - Quantitative Methods and Design for Health Science Research (tutorials on applied statistics using JAMOVI) PH5630 - Neurophysiological Basis for Rehabilitation of Movement (tutorial on influence of attention and fear on movement control and learning)

Professor Costas Karageorghis Costas Karageorghis is a professor in sport and exercise psychology with an interest in experimental research and public engagement. From 2018–22, he served as Divisional Lead for Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences, holding overall responsbility for the research and teaching activities of the Division. From 2009–14, he served as Deputy Head (Research) of the former School of Sport and Education and led preparations for two REF2014 subject submissions (Sports-Related and Education). The Sports-Related submission was the top-ranked at Brunel and placed 5th nationally (on research power) while the Education submission was the most improved at Brunel. Costas has established an international reputation for his research into the psychological, psychophysiological and neurophysiological effects of music. He has captured 26 research grants during his academic career including, most recently, an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) project grant to study the use of music in the regulation of emotions (2018–21). Costas is the author of two textbooks (both with Human Kinetics), 14 book chapters, 110 peer-reviewed journal articles and over 100 professional papers in sport and exercise psychology. He has made 125 conference presentations and given numerous invited presentations at national and international conferences, including 14 keynote lectures. Costas has also delivered eight public lectures, including a recent public lecture at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. Costas's music research has been featured in newspapers around the world: the Times, Telegraph, Independent, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post and Sydney Morning Herald. In both 2011 and 2016 he was the recipient of the Sportesse Award for Sport and Exercise Sciences at the annual conference of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES). The awards were for new theoretical and mechanistic work in the area of music and physical activity. He is presently working on multi-modal stimulation during physical activity that entails the use of music, video images, virtual/augmented reality and visual primes. Such work is oriented towards enhancing people's sensory experiences during physical activity, with a view to increasing exercise adherence and promoting public health. Costas is a chartered member of the British Psychological Society and a double-accredited member of BASES (psychology research and scientific support). In 2010 he was elected a Fellow of BASES for his services to sport and exercise sciences in the UK. In 2013 he was awarded Chartered Scientist status by the Science Council. Costas acts as consultant psychologist to a number of international and professional athletes and has worked with a wide variety of UK governing bodies of sport (e.g. British Athletics, British Canoe Union, British Water Ski Federation and England Hockey). He has also worked and has ongoing collaborations with various multinational companies in the sports world and music industry. Most recently, he served as lead consultant to the AIR:RUN project that fused music, tech and running in a mass-participation event. As part of the project launch, he contributed to a bespoke track for running titled Run With Me. From 2007–11 Costas was head coach of the Great Britain Students athletics team. He has also managed and coached the Brunel University London Athletics Team since the early 90s. During this time, the team have won seven British Universities championships. Most recently, the team finished runners-up to Loughborough University at both the 2017 and 2018 British Universities indoor championships. In 2004 Costas was made Honorary Life President of Brunel University London Athletics Club and, in 2008, Vice-President of Blackheath and Bromley Harriers Athletics Club. During his spare time, Costas plays the piano, often performing in jazz and latin duos/trios, as well as with the BASES Band at national and international conferences. See some of Costas’s recent publications on the Brunel University Research Archive (BURA). Costas’s main research interest is the psychological, psychophysiological and neurophysiological effects of music in the domain of exercise and sport. This is a topic that he has examined systematically for over 25 years using a broad range of scientific approaches and methods. His programme of research has entailed the development of conceptual frameworks and grounded theory, the production and validation of measurement tools, laboratory-based experimentation (e.g. psychometric, EEG, EMG, fMRI, fNIRS, respiratory), and in vivo studies. Costas has completed a number of industrial projects that include work with Nike Inc. on the Portable Sport Audio MP3 player, Sony UK on the W series of sport MP3 headphones, Bio-Medical Research Ltd. (Ireland) on the Mentor behavioural screening programme, and David Lloyd Leisure Ltd. on the development of a music policy for their chain of health clubs. He was principal author of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences’ (BASES) national expert statement on the use of music in exercise. In 2020, he was principal author of the BASES expert statement on the use of music for movement among people with Parkinson's. The project brought together an international interdisciplinary team. In 2023 Costas was the lead author of a paper that was awarded the prize for the best article in the journal Ergonomics. From 2007–10 Costas led a large-scale consultancy project with the International Management Group (IMG) that entailed coordinating live music with mass participation running events – Run to the Beat. He made scientific contributions and served as a media spokesperson for several events in the UK and across mainland Europe. This body of work led to an impact case study for REF2014. Prior to the London 2012 Olympic Games he worked with Redbull UK Ltd. on the Performance Track Project that entailed the creation of a bespoke pre-competition track for Olympic 400-metre hurdler Dai Greene. The project involved a collaboration with the well-known producer Redlight. In 2015–16 Costas led a research project for England Rugby on the creation and testing of bespoke music programmes for 02 Touch, a mixed-gender form of touch rugby. Costas has worked extensively with the music industry to release a number of sport and exercise-related compilations including the bestselling Run to the Beat CD and Ministry of Sound: Run to the Beat 2010. In 2014, he collaborated with leading soprano Laura Wright and Decca Records on the production of The Sound of Strength album, which was the first classical music album to be written and arranged specifically for physical exercise. In 2011, Costas published a textbook titled Inside Sport Psychology (Human Kinetics; ISBN 978-0-7360-3329-9) that is co-authored by Professor Peter Terry (University of Southern Queensland). The book was subsequently translated into Polish (2014) and Turkish (2015). In 2017, Costas released a sole-authored textbook titled Applying Music in Exercise and Sport (Human Kinetics; ISBN 978-1-4925-1381-0). The book appraises contemporary research, provides a new theoretical framework, and presents specific recommendations to enable exercise and sport professionals to use music more effectively. There is also an associated study guide for students, pedagogues and exercise professionals that accompanies the text (Human Kinetics; ISBN 978-1-4925-4640-5). Costas contributed three chapters to the text Sporting Sounds: Relationships Between Sport and Music (Routledge 2009) as well as chapters in New Sport and Exercise Psychology Companion (Fitness Information Technology 2011), Sport, Music, Identities (Taylor & Francis 2014), Sport and Exercise Psychology 2nd ed. (Taylor & Francis 2016) and Art in Motion III (Peter Lang 2016). He has recently completed music-related chapters for The Routledge Companion to Embodied Music Interaction (Routledge 2017), Progress in Brain Research: Volume 3 (Science Direct 2018) and the Handbook of Sport Psychology 4th ed. (John Wiley & Sons 2020). Costas’s PhD graduates include: Drs David-Lee Priest (2004; Author and Lecturer at the University of East Anglia), Kelly J. Ashford (2005; Research Project Manager at the University of British Columbia–Okanagan, Canada), Ruth M. Hewston (2005; Professor and Head of the Centre for Lifelong Learning at the University of Warwick), Daniel T. Bishop (2007; Senior Lecturer at Brunel), Georgios Loizou (2008; Diplomat for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Cyprus), Massimo M. Vencato (2010; Freelance Consultant), Harry B. T. Lim (2012; Senior Sport Psychologist at the Singapore Sports Institute), Alessandra Mecozzi Saha (2013; Student Academic Support Coordinator at New South Wales University, Australia), Leighton Jones (2014; Senior Lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University), Marcelo Bigliassi (2018; Associate Professor at Florida State University, FL, USA) and Jonathan M. Bird (2019; Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Exeter). Costas's current PhD students are: Dr Amir-Hosseyn Yassari MD and Christian Felix Benning MMus.

Dr Riccardo Manca I obtained by BSc in Psychology from the Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Italy, in 2013 and later specialised in neuropsychology with an MSc in Cognitive neuroscience and clinical neuropsychology at the Università degli Studi di Padova, Italy, in 2015. Since my postgraduate studies I developed a main research interest in cognitive decline. During my PhD in Neuroscience at the University of Sheffield, UK, (Translational Neuropsychology Group: 2015-2019) I worked with people with multiple sclerosis and used MRI to investigate the neural correlates of processing speed performance and the effects of a network-based cognitive rehabilitation programme. Subsequently, I started to work as a Postdoc at the Department of Neuroscience - University of Sheffield on a variety of projects, mainly focussing on the biological correlates of neuropsychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer's disease. In March 2021 I joined Brunel University London as a Research Fellow. At the moment I am conducting research in different areas: 1) neurocognitive decline in sexual minorities; 2) genetic and neural signatures underlying psychotic symptoms in Alzheimer's disease; 3) coordination of the SOLITUDE study - a longitudinal multi-centre observational study on the impact of social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic on cognitive performance and mental health of people with dementia and their carers. - neural correlates of cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer's disease - cognitive decline and ageing in sexual and gender minorities - non-pharmacological interventions for cognitive decline - the impact of the interaction of biological and social factors on cognitive decline and ageing cognitive decline, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, ageing, diverse clinical populations, cognitive rehabilitation, MRI, neuroimaging, polygenic risk scores, neuropsychiatric symptoms, social isolation, multiple sclerosis

Dr Amir Mohagheghi Dr Mohagheghi holds academic degrees in Physiotherapy and Motor Control and currently works as a Clinical Biomechanist. As a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy of England, his research focuses on translating laboratory findings into clinical practice. His work primarily addresses movement disabilities of neural origin, including the study of biomechanical properties of muscles and tendons in both healthy and clinical populations. His research also explores the use of alternative motor pathways, manipulation of movement contexts for motor rehabilitation, and balance impairments in individuals with Parkinson's Disease. Qualifications PhD – Motor Control & Learning – Otago University, New Zealand (1999) MSc – Physiotherapy – Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran (1994) BSc – Physiotherapy – Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran (1987) Employment Brunel University London (2009 – present) University College London (2007 – 2009) Manchester Metropolitan University (2004 – 2007) StartReact for the rehabilitation of arm movement in stroke survivors: Our team has found evidence supporting the use of StartReact—a phenomenon referring to the early initiation of prepared or pre-programmed movements (possibly) through neural pathways other than the corticospinal tract—in the rehabilitation of arm movements in stroke survivors. We have demonstrated that the inflexible coordination patterns between arm segments can be disrupted, leading to increased variability of movement coordination and improved movement accuracy when reaching for an object in this population. In vivo examination of muscle and tendon architecture and mechanical properties: Muscle and tendon architectural and biomechanical properties can affect function. These characteristics are changed in clinical populations with neurological disorders (e.g. stroke, cerebral palsy). Dr Mohagheghi’s interest is focused on the effect of neurological disorders and efficacy of different therapeutic interventions on muscle and tendon properties and functional abilities. He has been a contributing author to the development of the UK national guideline for “Splinting for the prevention and correction of contractures in adults with neurological dysfunction” published 2015. Movement disorders and musculoskeletal injuries: many neurological and musculoskeletal disorders affect walking, balance, arm movement and coordination between limbs. In stroke survivors, we examine the effect of experimentation in a StartReact context on the recovery of arm movements. In patients with Parkinson's Disease, our focus is on improving balance instability using vestibular stimualtion. SP5604 - Assessment of Human Performance SP2555 – Work Placement

Dr Ray Norbury I joined the Department of Psychology at Brunel University London as a Senior Lecturer in January 2020. Prior to this I worked at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), Centre for Neuroimaging Sciences, King's College, London, the Department of Psychology, University of Roehampton, The Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford and the Oxford Centre for Magnetic Resonance (OCMR). There is increasing evidence to suggest that late chronotype individuals (i.e. those that prefer to go to bed late and wake later in the morning) are at increased risk for developing depression. At present, however, the mechanisms underlying this risk remain to be determined. My own research that late chronotype individuals display negative biases in emotional processing (i.e. increased recognition of negative facial expressions), impaired emotion regulation and patterns of neural activity at rest and during simple emotional processing task that is similar to those seen in currently depressed patients. Future work will extend these findings with the ultimate aim of developing interventions to prevent the onset of depression in these vulnerable individuals. I am an advocate of open science practices and copies of my most recent papers are available through the Open Science Framework (OSF): Group level statistical parametric maps (SPMs) from my recent imaging projects are also available via NeuroVault – a public repository for imaging data: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Chronotype/Chronbiology Sleep Psychiatric disorder Emotional processing MSc Psychological Sciences (Conversion) - Programme Director PY5607: MSc Psychological Sciences Dissertation - Course Lead PY5630: Statistics - Course Lead PY1701: Statistics - Course Lead

Dr Justin O'Brien Developmental visual neuroscience, studying the autism spectrum, face perception and psychophysics. I studied psychology at the University of Exeter, graduating in 1993. I then completed my PhD on the topic of depth perception as part of a BBSRC and BAe Case award at University College London in 1997. Subsequently I worked on functional neuroimaging projects as a postdoc at the MRC’s Visual Development Unit at UCL, studying visual perception in developmental disorders before moving to Brunel in 2002 as a lecturer in psychology. Contact me at Brunel or on social media: @justinobrien@mastodon.social I investigate normal and abnormal visual development, including motion perception and the susceptibility to visual illusions. I've worked on visual deficits in autism, dyslexia and dyspraxia, from low level visual form and motion integration to higher level face and emotion recognition. As a member of Brunel’s CCN, I use neuroimaging and psychophysical techniques to answer questions about how we recognise people. Face and Expression Recognition: Examining how facial expressions are processed across the lifespan and how high-level concepts influence emotion recognition. Neuroimaging and Facial Motion: Understanding the neural correlates of facial motion perception, particularly in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Developmental Studies: Investigating early perceptual abilities in infants and how these abilities relate to social cognition. Replication Studies: Re-examining the reliability of previous findings in the context of moral judgment and gustatory experiences. Visual Processing in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Comparing visual processing challenges between individuals with ASD, dyslexia, and Asperger syndrome. Fractal Rotation and Motion Perception: Exploring the neural mechanisms involved in processing complex motion patterns. Face and Expression Recognition Changes in Functional Connectivity and Facial Expression Processing Murray, O'Brien & Kumari (2022) investigated how aging influences the brain's functional connectivity during facial expression processing across the adult lifespan. The study, involving participants aged 20 to 65, utilized functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to measure changes in connectivity between regions like the amygdala, medial prefrontal cortex, and right posterior superior temporal sulcus. The results indicated a decline in connectivity, particularly when processing negative emotions such as anger and fear, suggesting an age-related decline in emotional recognition. Role of Stimulus-Based Cues and Conceptual Information Murray, O'Brien, Sagiv & Garrido (2021) explored the interplay between physical facial cues and conceptual emotion information in emotion perception. Through two studies, the research highlighted that while shape cues influence perceptual tasks, conceptual information plays a dominant role in both behavioral categorization and neural representation of facial expressions. The findings underscore the importance of high-level emotion concepts in understanding facial expressions beyond physical cues. Neuroimaging and Dynamic Facial Expressions Neural Correlates of Facial Motion Perception Girges, O'Brien, & Spencer (2015b) examined how the brain processes natural facial movements using fMRI. The study found significant activation in regions such as the posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS), fusiform gyrus, and cerebellum when participants viewed upright facial motion. These results emphasize the importance of using ecologically valid stimuli in studying facial motion perception. Categorizing Identity from Facial Motion Girges, Spencer, & O'Brien (2015a) investigated how individuals recognize identities based solely on facial motion cues. The study demonstrated that participants could accurately categorize identities without relying on static facial features, highlighting the significant role of dynamic facial cues in identity recognition. Developmental Studies Sensory Processing as a Diagnostic Indicator of Autism O'Brien et al (2009) investigated the ability to differentiate children with autism from those with learning difficulties and typically developing children by analyzing their responses to sensory stimuli using an adapted version of the Short Sensory Profile (SSP). The research found that children with autism exhibited significantly higher levels of sensory impairments, particularly in auditory hyper-sensitivity and visual stimulus-seeking behaviors, compared to the other groups. These results highlight the importance of sensory processing in the diagnosis of autism, suggesting that sensory profiles can serve as valuable tools in distinguishing autism from other developmental conditions. This research underscores the evolving understanding of autism, particularly in relation to sensory processing abnormalities. Such findings are significant as they contribute to the refinement of diagnostic criteria for autism, potentially influencing updates to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The study’s results emphasize the need for incorporating sensory processing abnormalities into the diagnostic criteria for autism, as these factors provide critical insights into the distinct sensory challenges faced by individuals with autism. Perception of Facial Motion in Infants Spencer, O'Brien, Johnston & Hill (2006) explored infants' ability to discriminate faces using biological motion cues. The study found that infants aged 4 to 8 months could distinguish between different facial motion sequences and recognize individual actors based on unique motion patterns. This early ability suggests that facial motion plays a crucial role in social cognition from a young age. Visual Motion Form-Processing Deficits in Autism Spencer & O'Brien (2000) focused on the visual processing challenges in children with high-functioning autism (HFA). The research found significant deficits in global visual processing, particularly in integrating visual form and motion. This study contributes to understanding the distinct visual processing profiles in autism compared to Asperger syndrome. Spencer & O'Brien (2006) Explored the visual processing deficits in children with high-functioning autism (HFA) and Asperger syndrome. Through experiments measuring form and motion coherence thresholds, the study found that children with HFA exhibited significant deficits in both form and motion coherence, while children with Asperger syndrome did not show such deficits. These findings suggest that while both conditions share core social impairments, there are distinct differences in low-level visual processing, which could indicate different underlying neurobiologies between autism and Asperger syndrome. Research like this contributes to our evolving understanding of autism and related disorders, leading to refinements in diagnostic criteria, such as those found in the DSM. Studies highlighting specific cognitive and sensory processing deficits play a crucial role in differentiating between various conditions within the autism spectrum, prompting revisions to diagnostic manuals to more accurately reflect these distinctions. O'Brien et al (2002) Explored the differences in global spatial and motion processing abilities in children with dyspraxia compared to typically developing peers. The findings revealed that children with dyspraxia have significant deficits in global form processing, evidenced by higher thresholds in form coherence tasks. However, they did not show the same level of impairment in motion coherence tasks, indicating that their difficulties may be specifically related to the ventral stream, which is involved in processing visual form information. These results highlight the unique perceptual challenges faced by children with dyspraxia, distinguishing them from other developmental disorders such as autism, Williams syndrome, and dyslexia, where deficits are more commonly observed in motion processing rather than form processing. This research enhances our understanding of the distinct neural mechanisms underlying dyspraxia and underscores the importance of tailored diagnostic approaches that consider these specific sensory processing differences. Replication Studies Reexamining Gustatory Disgust and Moral Judgment Ghelfi, ... de Haan, ... O'Brien ..., et al. (2019) conducted a large-scale replication study to verify the findings of a previous experiment on gustatory disgust and moral judgment. The replication revealed weaker effects than originally reported, with limited evidence supporting the hypothesis that tasting something bitter intensifies moral judgments. The findings highlight the need for further research into the sensory experiences and moral decision-making relationship. Visual Processing in Neurodevelopmental Disorders Volumetric Changes in Dyslexia and Autism Tsermentseli, O'Brien & Spencer (2012) compared structural brain differences between adults with dyslexia and autism using voxel-based morphometry. The study found higher global gray matter volume in individuals with autism but no significant differences in regional brain volumes. These results suggest that the neuroanatomical abnormalities may require more sensitive techniques to detect. Form and Motion Coherence in ASD and Dyslexia Tsermentseli, O'Brien & Spencer (2008) explored visual processing in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and dyslexia. The study revealed that those with high-functioning autism exhibited significant impairments in both form and motion coherence tasks, whereas individuals with Asperger syndrome and dyslexia did not. This research highlights the distinct visual processing challenges associated with each condition. Fractal Rotation and Motion Perception Isolating Mechanisms for Form-Dependent Motion Benton, O'Brien & Curran (2007) investigated the neural processes underlying motion perception using a fractal rotation stimulus. The study found that after exposure to this complex motion, participants experienced reduced after-effects, suggesting distinct neural mechanisms at play. This research offers insights into how the brain interprets complex visual forms. Undergraduate Teaching PY2700 Quantitative Research Methods Postgraduate Teaching PY5631 Individual Differences Teaching Videos This series of videos explains how to analyse data from an FMRI study of object recognition. It was designed for students on the MSc Functional Neuroimaging programme at Brunel University. These videos are all up on YouTube and are applicable for the analysis of most block/epoch studies using SPM12. Use the button below for the whole playlist in order on YouTube or select individual videos from the thumbnails. Download the NIFTI images that accompany this playlist: face_places_objects.zip [500MB] (consult the README.txt file in the zip archive for details of the condition onset times which are different to those shown in the video) SPM VIDEOS [PLAYLIST] SPM Tutorial 01 - Study Summary and Getting Started SPM Tutorial 02 - Arranging Files SPM Tutorial 03 - Realignment SPM Tutorial 04 - Normalisation SPM Tutorial 05 - Smoothing SPM Tutorial 06 - Statistics Specification SPM Tutorial 07 - Review Stats Spec SPM Tutorial 08 - Estimate Statistical Model SPM Tutorial 09 - Contrast Manager Introduction SPM Tutorial 10 - Results Summary SPM Tutorial 11 - Montage and Labelling SPM Tutorial 12 - Image Segmentation SPM Tutorial 13 - Extract Surface SPM Tutorial 14 - Warp Structural Images SPM Tutorial 15 - Average Anatomical Images SPM Tutorial 16 - Adding Contrasts SPM Tutorial 17 - Effects of Interest F Contrast SPM Tutorial 18 - Contrasts for Each Participant SPM Tutorial 19 - Render on 3D surface SPM Tutorial 20 - View Multiple SPMs

Dr Andrew Parton Having worked for 4-years as a programmer in a clinical chemistry research unit I returned to higher education. I gained a distinction in my ESRC-funded masters in Cognitive Science. My PhD at Surrey University examined the interaction of motion and binocular disparity information in the perception of depth. This was followed by post-doctoral work in projects at Imperial College, UCL, Southampton, Birkbeck College and Aston University. These posts developed my research interests to examine the cognitive effects of neurological conditions and basic neural mechanisms for encoding cognition. I joined Brunel in 2006 where I have further developed my research. Qualifications: PhD Psychology (Surrey) MSc Cognitive Science (Birmingham) BSc Computing and business Studies (Liverpool) To survive we have to rapidly identify and select relevant the information from the world to guide behaviour. This requires the encoding of relevant sensory information into memory and its use to control the body. My research attempts to understand the cognitive and neurological bases of these processes using behavioural experiments, neuroimaging and examination of the effects of neurological disease (esp. Parkinsons Disease and Stroke). Current projects include examinations of motor sequence learning, the role of neural oscillations in coding cognition, and early cognitive deficits in Parkinsons. Cognitive neuropsychology and impaired cognition Visual cognition Visuo-motor control Implicit/explicit memory Undergraduate Programmes Module contributor Advanced Research Methods Postgraduate Programmes Module convenor Visual Neuroscience Module contributor Cognitive Neuroscience Neuro-rehabilitation Undergraduate Teaching Module contributor Advanced Research Methods Postgraduate Teaching Module convenor Visual Neuroscience Module contributor Cognitive Neuroscience Neuro-rehabilitation Administration Director of Learning and Teaching (Department of Life Sciences) University Senate Member Psychology UG Dissertations Convenor BPS Co-ordinator Member University Staff Development Steering Group Co-organiser Brunel Brain Awareness week

Dr Mellissa Prunty Mellissa is the Divisional Lead for Occupational Therapy at Brunel University London. She is a children's Occupational Therapist by background. She qualified from the MSc (pre-reg) programme at Glasgow Caledonian University in 2010. She previously completed a BSc (Hons) in Kinesiology at Memorial University of Newfoundland in Canada, while on athletic scholarship for women’s basketball. She completed her PhD on handwriting difficulties in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), which she undertook at Oxford Brookes University under the supervision of Prof. Anna Barnett, Dr. Mandy Plumb and Dr. Kate Wilmut. Mellissa has worked in a variety of childrens' services and specialises in working with children with coordination difficulties. She founded the children's occupational therapy research clinic at the university which investigates key skills and participation in childhood including handwriting, activities of daily living and cycling. The clinic currently offers placements to occupational therapy students at the university. Separate to this Mellissa co-led the development of wheelchair basketball and disability sport on campus. She has organised a series of inter-professional training days for health care students and has incorporated wheelchair basketball into the occupational therapy curriculum. The wheelchair basketball project has now expanded into the local community and a new club for children and adults is now underway (Brunel Bulls). Mellissa joined Brunel University London as a Lecturer in October 2013.

Dr Ignazio Puzzo I graduated in Experimental Psychology at the University of Padua (Italy) in 2004. Then obtained a MSc in research methods (2007) and a PhD (2010) in Psychology at the University of Essex (UK). Prior to joining Brunel University of London as a Lecturer, I held a lecturer post at City University of London. Before then I worked as a senior clinical scientist post at Broadmoor Hospital, West London Mental Health NHS Trust from 2015 to 2018. My current research focuses on understanding the interplay between affective, neurocognitive and social factors contributing to the development of aggressive and antisocial behaviour in children and adolescents as well as in adults mentally disordered offenders.

Dr Noam Sagiv Since my undergraduate studies, my interests have gradually shifted from physics and chemistry to neurobiology, cognitive neuroscience and psychology. After completing my PhD studies in Cognitive Psychology at the University of Califronia, I spent two years at University College London as a post-doctoral research fellow. I joined Brunel in 2005. Qualifications: PhD Psychology (Univ of California, Berkeley) MSc Neurobiology (Jerusalem) BSc Physics and Chemistry (Jerusalem) My research interests concern the cogntive and neural bases of human perception and consciousness. Specific research interests include cross-modal interactions and synaesthesia (a condition in which stimulation in one sensory modality is accompanied by experiences in additional, unstimulated senses). I am also interested in face perception and its disorders. Particularly, (1) Prosopagnosia – a condition in which individuals cannot recognise faces and may occasionally fail to recognise even close friends and realtives; (2) Prosopometamorphopsia – a condition in which faces appear distorted while other objects are not. The interest in such extraordinary perceptual symptoms and syndromes is also related to my interest in the neural correlates of consciousness (particularly, perceptual awareness). Synaesthesia and cross-modal interactions Neural correlates of consciousness Face perception, prosopagnosia, and prosopometamorphopsia. Undergraduate Programmes Module convenor Cognitive Neuroscience of Consciousness (Year 3) Psychological Perspectives on Contemporary Issues (Year 1) Module contributor Psychology of Aesthetics (Year 3) Quantitative Research Methods (Year 2) Postgraduate Programmes Module contributor Cognitive Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience Undergraduate Teaching Module convenor Cognitive Neuroscience of Consciousness (Year 3) Psychological Perspectives on Contemporary Issues (Year 1) Module contributor Psychology of Aesthetics (Year 3) Quantitative Research Methods (Year 2) Postgraduate Teaching Module contributor Cognitive Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience Administration Senate Member (2014-2016) Member of the University's Quality Assurance Committee (2014-present) Web Liaison Officer (2013-present) Director of School Research Programmes (2011-2013) Psychology PhD Programme Convenor (2009-2011) Psychology Departmental Seminar Convenor (2005-2009)

Dr Adrian Williams Cognitive neuroscientist with broad interests in human vision and perception. My background is varied - I was originally trained in the areas of statistics and computing before developing an interest in machine learning and artificial neural networks. From there, I moved to biological networks, and completed my PhD in Neuroscience at the Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London. My research interests are broadly in the area of sensory perception, with a primary focus on vision and the organization of the visual brain. I'm interested in understanding the underlying anatomy and functional organization of the visual brain that facilitate our sense of vision, primarily through the use of haemodynamic imaging techniques including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), but also using behavioural and psychophysical approaches. Member, Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience (CCN) Visual (and more broadly, sensory) perception Visual coding and representation in the brain Cortical organisation Neuroimaging functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) Psychophysics Undergraduate Practical Investigations of Mind and Brain (L6) Postgraduate Neuroscience Methods: Theory and Practice

Professor Taeko Wydell Having completed my ESRC funded PhD in 1991 as a mature student, I worked on my research as a MRC Post-Doc Research Fellow at UCL until 1994. In 1994 I was the first psychologist to be awarded a four-year (1994-1998) Wellcome Trust Research Career Development Fellowship at UCL. While I was at UCL, I taught Intercalated Medical Students who completed their BSc in Psychology within a year. I was then offered a lectureship at Brunel in 1995, and was promoted to professor of cognitive neuroscience in 2004. I was the Head of Psychology twice, in total 10 years – 2004-2008 as the Head of the Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, and 2012-2018 (2012-2014: Head of the Department of Psychology (SSS) & 2014-2018: Divisional Lead in Psychology, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences (now College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences). I was a Local GroupRepresentative (LGR) of the British Neuroscience Association (BNA) from 2014-2023. I am a member of the editorial board of Dyslexia. I was an EU Invited Scientist to Helsinki University of Technology (2000-2003) conducting MEG research. I have several international collaborations (e.g. Australia, China, Finland, France, Japan, etc). Undergraduate Programmes Module convenor Biological Psychology Module contributor Sole lecturer of above Postgraduate Programmes Module contributor Cognitive Neuroscience Speech Perception/Production Reading & Writing Neuroscientific Methodology (MEG) Undergraduate TeachingModule convenor Biological Psychology Module contributor Sole lecturer of above Postgraduate TeachingModule contributor Cognitive Neuroscience Speech Perception/Production Reading & Writing Neuroscientific Methodology (MEG) Administration Head of Department, Psychology Departmental REF Representative

Dr Adam Cocks Adam is a Lecturer in Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences (Psychology). Following the completion of his BSc (Hons) and MSc degrees at the University of Central Lancashire, Adam joined Brunel University London as a PhD student on the Isambard Scholarship Scheme in October 2012. His PhD research focussed on applying theories relating to anxiety and performance to novel dynamic domains. This included investigating how anxiety influences anticipation judgements during sport as well as fall-risk-related behaviours in older adults. After being awarded his PhD, and completing a short term Research Assistant post in the Department of Clinical Sciences at Brunel, he began his current role in November 2017. Control of attention Anxiety and performance Fear of falling in older adults Fall-risk and fall prevention in older adults Psychological influences on visual processes and the control of posture and gait Neurological disorders and motor performance SP1706 - Introduction to Research Methods and Data Analysis SP2603 - Physical Activity, Health and Wellbeing in the Lifecourse SP3606 - Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology SP3607 - The Psychology of Physical Activity for Health

Professor Alex Blakemore Alex completed her first degree and PhD at the University of Sheffield. After a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship from ARC (now Arthritis Research UK), she took up her first academic post as a Senior Lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University in 1994. In 2001 she moved to Imperial College London where she was Professor in Human Molecular Genetics, in the Faculty of Medicine and she retains a visiting chair position there. Alex joined Brunel University London as Head of the Department of Life Sciences in January 2016 and undertook that role for 5 years before handing it on and returning to a more research-focussed role in January 2022. Qualifications University of Sheffield 1990 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Medium-chain acyl Co-A dehydrogenase deficiency 1986 Bachelor of Science (BscHons), Genetics, First Class Honours Alex Blakemore’s main scientific interests centre on understanding the role of genetic variation in obesity and diabetes, as well as on autism-related traits and emotion processing. Mutation and variation our genes is a normal part of being human. However, we are still discovering how changes in the exact sequence of a gene, and the how variations in the structure of the human genome, affect our health and these are both areas which Alex continues to explore. From some of her previous research it has become clear that there are differences in the number of copies of genes we have and that, as part of our make-up, we all have extra or missing pieces of genome as well as differences in the DNA sequence itself. It remains a challenge to determine which changes within the genome are harmless, ‘normal’, human variations and which might cause disease. A further puzzle is how genetic variations interact with our lifestyle, diet and environmental exposures to affect health.Alex’s PhD research was on MCAD deficiency, a genetic disorder that can cause sudden unexpected death. Alex was the first in the UK to provide DNA-based diagnosis for this condition and to estimate how common it is in the general population. It turns out to be the most common “inborn error of metabolism” in northern European populations. Since 2009 all babies in the UK have been screened for this disorder soon after birth, preventing many needless deaths.More recently, she has investigated the genetics of obesity. By looking at unusual cases of obesity, such as Prader-Willi syndrome (a genetic condition in which appetite regulation is dysfunctional leading to severe early-onset obesity and other problems) she was able to narrow down the gene region which, when the copy inherited from the father is lost or damaged, is responsible for the clinical features of the disorder.In carrying out this type of research, Alex and her co-workers have also discovered that deletions and duplications of part of chromosome 16p11.2 cause ‘mirror effects’; that is the loss of one copy of the region that causes obesity, large head circumference, language problems and high risk of autism. Having an extra copy (that is three copies instead of the normal two) of the very same region causes underweight, small head size and increased risk of schizophrenia.Alex is now investigating how many cases of Mendelian (genetic) obesity are hidden among severely obese people being referred to hospital for weight-loss operations – and what other factors influence how well they respond to the surgery. She currently leads a clinical study calledPersonalised Medicine in Morbid Obesity, which includes around 2,000 participants. Her research team investigates this population group in a range of ways, including psychology (emotion-handling and autism, as well as engagement with treatment), physical activity (including theQuantified Self in Obesity sub-study, which includes using smartphone apps to track walking habits), gene expression (using RNA sequencing to investigate the molecular mechanisms of improvement in diabetes after gastric bypass surgery) and genetics (including looking for both severe genetic forms of obesity caused by recessive or dominant mutations in genes important for appetite regulation, and more subtle genetic effects from common variants of DNA sequence).In 2015, she discovered the first case of a new form of monogenic obesity and diabetes in humans: CPE deficiency. The initial patient and her brother suffered from obesity, diabetes, learning disability, and lack of proper reproductive development. The mutation found in this family results the complete loss of a specific peptide processing enzyme (carboxypeptidase E), which is needed for the proper production of a number of neuropeptides and hormones, including several involved in appetite control and glucose metabolism. Alex teaches in the general area of human molecular genetics, and she also has six wonderful PhD students: Sanne Alsters, Andrianos Yiorkas, Nikman Adli, Hanis Ramzi, OliviaSzepietowski and Sumaya Al Mansoori.

Professor Annalena Venneri Professor Venneri has obtained a PhD from the University of Aberdeen, UK and an MD from the University of Sheffield, UK She has held academic positions at the University of Aberdeen (Lecturer/Senior Lecturer), University of Hull (Full Professor) and University of Sheffield (Full Professor) prior to moving to Brunel University London in 2021 She has held honorary consultant positions at Grampian NHS Trust, Humber Mental Health NHS Trust, Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust; Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Trust. She currently holds a part-time Consultant position (secondment) at Central and North West London NHS Trust Her research interests are in early and differential diagnosis of dementia, pharmacoimaging, biological and cognitive mechanisms underlying psychotic symptoms in AD Early and differential diagnosis of ageing and neurodegenerative dementia Biological correlates of neuropsychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer's disease Semantic decline in prodromal AD Modifiable lifestyle factors and dementia Linguistic markers of cognitive decline Alzheimer's disease; Dementia Cognitive markers Neuroimaging Neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia

Dr Annie Chan Throughout my research career, I have worked with many exceptional scientists. At Bangor, as a PhD student of Dr. Paul Downing (funded by the 1+3 ESRC studentship), I have employed fMRI to investigate the underlying organizational principles of high-level visual cortex, specifically, testing the response properties in the cortex with an expansive range of categories. I then obtained post-doctoral training in the Laboratory of Brain and Cognition, National Institute of Mental Health (Bethesda, USA), working in the unit on Learning and Plasticity with Dr. Chris Baker, where I have used multi-variate fMRI analysis to examine the impact of experience on human cortex. Prior to joining Brunel University in spring 2018, I was an Assistant Professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. My research focuses on investigating multi-modal neural representations of body parts and faces in the visual, motor, and somatosensory domains, the interaction between these domains along the dorsal and ventral pathways, and how the representations are modified by learning (e.g. identity, location, viewpoint, size) and experience (plasticity following loss of input e.g. amputation, surgery, injury). Neuro-Imaging Methods; Functional MRI; Psychophysical Methods; Big Data Analysis Organizational Principles of the Visual and Sensorimotor Systems; Action Observation; Visual and Tactile Integration; Learning and Plasticity; Phantom Limb Pain; Body Size Discrimination

Dr Byron Creese I am a translational neuroscience researcher whose research focuses on neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia and late-life onset neuropsychiatric symptoms as markers of neurodegenerative disease. My research employs a variety of approaches from psychology to genomics and epidemiology to investigate the disease mechanisms and clinical consequences of these symptoms. One of my main areas of interest is chracterising psychosis in dementia and as an early clinical marker of neurodegenerative disease. To achieve this, I study human tissue and population-based samples to examine the underlying mechanisms of these symptoms. I have published numerous research articles in peer-reviewed journals and presented research at national and international conferences. In addition to my research, I am actively involved in mentoring students and am committed to fostering the next generation of dementia researchers. I received my PhD from King's College London and completed a postdoctoral research there and at University of Exeter. I am currently funded by NIHR and Innovate UK on projects related to: Neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia and prodromal dementia. Psychotropic drug safety in neurodegenerative diseases. Other recently completed projects have been funded by NIH and MRC.

Dr Caroline Di Bernardi Luft I joined Brunel University London in November 2022 as a Senior Lecturer in Psychology in the Division of Psychology within the College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences. Prior to joining, I was a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Queen Mary University of London (2015-2022). I am a cognitive neuroscientist focused on understanding the neural basis of creativity and learning, in individuals and in groups. My methodological approach combines neuroimaging (e.g. EEG) and transcranial direct and alternating current brain stimulation (tDCS and tACS) with advanced mathematical and signal processing techniques. Topics: Creativity (individual and in groups) Learning (individual and in groups) Social interactions Methods: Neuroimaging (EEG, fMRI) Hyperscanning (EEG) Noninvasive brain stimulation (tDCS, tACS) Biofeedback/Neurofeedback - brain computer interfaces

Dr Daniel Bishop I am a Researcher and Senior Lecturer in Sport & Exercise Psychology here at Brunel, a British Psychological Society (BPS) Chartered Psychologist registered to practise with the HCPC, an Associate Fellow of the BPS, and a Fellow of Advance HE (formerly the HEA). I am also the Programme Lead for the Psychology (Sport, Health and Exercise) BSc in the Department of Life Sciences. I have worked in both public and private sectors, including local authorities, the NHS, investment banks, the health & fitness industry and Further Education. These experiences have given me a sophisticated understanding of the challenges faced in this diverse range of industries, which is why I continue to add value to the performance of various individuals and organisations - using established psychological principles to do so. On this note: I am proud to be the Director of Research for The Bikeability Trust. My remit is to procure and generate evidence to demonstrate the efficacy of the excellent Bikeability cycle training programme - including a role for immersive cycle training to consolidate the considerable learning at every Level of Bikeability training. In my role as Departmental Lead for Staff Experience & Wellbeing, my vision was for Brunel to deservedly attain national recognition (e.g., the RSPH Health & Wellbeing Awards) for its long-term prioritisation of staff wellbeing and health. When I’m not working, I love to spend as much time as possible with my family and friends, although I have spent a disproportionate amount of time writing my book, Motivation: The Manual (available on Amazon) over the past few years. I have also been rebuilding my left knee from the inside out, with a careful self-determined rehabilitation programme. For those who are interested: I realised (very late) that tight quadriceps and patellar tendons were compounding my cartilage problems, so took to regular self-massage using commercially available percussive and vibrating massagers - a game-changer. I have also found that running in crocs (with heel straps!) instead of (over-engineered) running shoes increases my knee stability, as does using barefoot shoes occasionally - although at a cost to the lumbar spine and fatty pads in the soles of my feet! But to cut a long and slightly sad story short: on 23rd September 2023, I ran a parkrun in 21 minutes, at the age of 48 - and the knees felt great! I am interested in optimising people’s ability to function effectively in a variety of contexts including education, work, cycling, driving and sport. The same rigorous scientific principles can be applied across all these domains and more. My research is centred on Bikeology, the application of scientific research to improve people’s ability to cycle competently, confidently and safely, in which I have drawn on my considerable research and real-world expertise: As an experienced commuter cyclist, an applied psychologist, and a devoted dad, I decided to combine my passions - and Bikeology was born. I am drawing on more than two decades of cycle commuting experience, my extensive knowledge of attentional, perceptual and cognitive markers of expertise, and the knowledge that one day my children will cycle on busy roads without me. Much of my research has been conducted within the LEAP Lab, which I set up in 2016. My multinational colleagues and I have systematically explored factors that contribute to learning and performance of motor skills, the development of expertise, and multisensory perception in dynamic environments - such as cycling. I hold a City and Guilds 7407 Certificate (Stage 1) in Further Education. I was the first member of academic staff to complete the Professional Development in Academic Practice here at Brunel; I am also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. I have conducted research to examine the quality of visually impaired students’ experience at the University, attracting HEFCE-allocated funding (£19.3K) in doing so. Accordingly, I completed a project funded by the Brunel Educational Excellence Centre, which illustrates the benefit of visual guidance for learning from short vodcasts; this complements my ongoing research (see Research) and is the epitome of research-led teaching that we continually strive to deliver at Brunel. I lead SP5521 Individual Differences in Sport and Exercise, a compulsory module for students on our flagship Sport and Exercise Psychology MSc programme, and a popular option for those on our Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences MSc. I have also made significant contributions to delivery of these masters modules in recent years: SP5530: Dissertation SP5535: Social Processes in Sport and Exercise SP5601: Physical Activity and Health PY5619: Cognitive Rehabilitation and Neuroplasticity I lead the undergraduate module SP2606 The Psychology of Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity: Theory and Application and have delivered on many undergraduate modules in the same period: SP1600: Introduction to the Psychology of Sport and Exercise SP2555: Placement Module SP3602: Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology SP3603: Advanced Research Methods and Data Analysis: Final Year Project

Dr Elena Makovac I am a Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology.

Dr Elizabeth Prabhakar

Dr Julio Rodriguez Larios I joined the Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience at Brunel University London in November 2023. I investigate the neural basis of attention and memory. For that purpose, I use Electroencephalography (EEG) and non-invasive neuromodulation techniques such as tACS. I am also interested in the development of analytical techniques for EEG. - Electroencephalography (EEG) - Neural correlates of attention and memory - Mindfulness - Application of neuromodulation techniques to promote mental health

Dr Liam O'Reilly Dr Liam O'Reilly joined Brunel University London in 2021 as a lecturer in Biomechanics. He completed his PhD at the University of Portsmouth with a programme of research which investigated interference between cognitive tasks and vision during walking. Liam's research interests include active travel and barriers to the uptake of walking. In particular, Liam is interested in the effect of urban environments on pedestrian performance, safety, and wellbeing. In addition to leading and teaching on a range of biomechanics modules, he has previously taught on a range of modules relating to health and exercise prescription, and delivered and assessed industry qualifications in fitness and personal training. Research interests include all aspects of locomotion with a particular focus on multitasking. This research investigates the interfering effects of vision, cognition, and other aspects of locomotor control. These topics hold relevance for: populations with physical or cognitive impairments, performance and safety in demanding occupations, and safe design of public spaces. Visual control of locomotion Cognitive-motor interference Cognitive and physical impairments Ageing and falls Active travel and the effects of urban environments on pedestrians

Dr Matteo De Marco I work as lecturer within the Division of Psychology, contributing to teaching and research activities. I am part of the Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience (CCN) and my area of research is the study of cognitive functioning (semantic memory in particular) in ageing and early-stage neurodegeneration. I am interested in the study of the cognitive and neural mechanisms that sustain performance in typical semantic memory tests, in normal ageing and in abnormal ageing affected by Alzheimer's disease. Item-level scoring of tests of semantic memory Network neuropsychology Neurocognitive changes in ageing and early-stage neurodegeneration Brain network representations of cognitive functioning PY3618 - Drugs, Hormones and the Brain - Module Lead PY2705 - Advanced Data Analysis - Seminar Convenor

Dr Panagiota Smyrni Teaching Responsibilities: Knowledge and skills (BSc OT) Research methods (BSc OT) Research proposal (BSc OT) Professional Practice (BSc OT) Children, young people and families (MSc OT) Functional assessment of challenging behaviours across the lifespan (MSc OT) Research supervisor for the BSc OT, MSc OT post-registration programmes PhD supervisor (College of Health and Life Sciences; College of Business, Arts and Social Science) 2 Completed Phd studies (2nd supervisor): o Quaid Rafa: Patients' and Nurses' Perspectives on Patients' Experience for Coronary Care Unit Stressors Using Mixed Method Approach (2012). o Al-Qurashi Heba: The Impact of performance measurements on quality improvements in healthcare (June 2013 – 2nd Supervisor in collaboration with 1st Supervisor Dr Abraham Althonayan – Brunel Business School). Current PhD study (1st supervisor in collaboration with Prof Costas Karageorghis - Sport,Health ＆ Excercise Sciences - 2nd supervisor) o Lais Vidotto: Dusfunctional breathing: A diagnostic tool

Dr Pauldy Otermans I am a Reader (Education) in Psychology in the Division of Psychology. I am the Employability Lead for the Collegef of Health, Medicine and Life Science, and also the Director of the Education Hub. My research focuses on using AI in Education, Authentic Assessments, and Employability & Transferable skills. I teach in the Psychology UG Programme a variety of blocks focusing on academic and employability skills, and research methods. My research focuses on different aspects of teaching and learning in Higher Education (HE). My specific focus is on AI in Education, Authentic Assessments, and Employability & Transerable Skills. My projects use both quantitative and qualitative methods. AI in Education Authentic Assessments Currently, I teach in the Psychology UG Programme the following blocks: Employability in Psychology (Year 1 module) Advanced Academic Skills for Psychology (Year 2 module) Qualitative Research Methods (Year 2 module)

Dr Rachel Bennetts I am a lecturer in Psychology. My research interests focus mainly on face processing and disorders of face processing. My research focuses on face processing. I am particularly interested in why some people are very good at remembering faces (super-recognisers) while others struggle (prosopagnosia) Face processing, Individual diferences, Developmental disorders

Dr Sofia Barbosa Boucas Dr Sofia Barbosa Bouças is a Reader (Education) in Psychology at Brunel University London, known for her extensive contributions to Psychology and Education. She joined Brunel in January 2018, bringing with her a wealth of experience from notable academic institutions. Dr Barbosa Bouças has held research and teaching positions at the University of Reading and the University of Southampton, where she contributed significantly to the fields of Psychology and Health Sciences. In 2013, she transitioned to a Lecturer in Health Psychology at Oxford Brookes University, followed by a role as a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Buckinghamshire New University in 2015. Her research encompasses a wide range of topics, including Learning & Teaching Innovation in Higher Education, Academic and Transferable Skills, Student Experience and Satisfaction, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), Widening Participation, Student Success, AI in Higher Education, Assessment and Feedback, and Student Engagement. Dr Barbosa Bouças has a strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals and has delivered invited lectures nationally and internationally, actively promoting inclusive and innovative teaching practices. In addition to her research, Dr Barbosa Bouças has held numerous leadership roles, including Programme Lead for BSc Psychology, BSc PSychology & Anthropology, and BSc Psychology & Sociology, Chair of Panels and Boards of Examiners, and member of various strategic committees at Brunel. She is dedicated to fostering an inclusive academic environment and advancing the field of Psychology through her teaching and mentorship. Dr Barbosa Bouças continues to be a driving force in Education, combining her research expertise with a commitment to student success and academic excellence. Psychology Dissertation Workshops Coordinator (September 2018 - Present): Develop and deliver a comprehensive two-term workshop series for the Psychology Undergraduate Dissertation module, covering critical aspects of dissertation projects from conceptualisation to report writing. Create workshop content that includes methodologies, literature review strategies, data analysis techniques, and effective academic writing skills. Provide students with the necessary tools and guidance to successfully complete their dissertation projects, ensuring they have a clear understanding of the requirements and best practices. Encourage active student participation through interactive workshops, fostering a collaborative learning environment. Continuously evaluate the effectiveness of the workshops through student feedback and make necessary adjustments to improve the learning experience. Dissertation Supervision and Support (September 2018 - Present): Supervise undergraduate and postgraduate dissertations in Psychology, offering expert guidance throughout the research process. Provide one-on-one and group support sessions to assist students in conceptualising, designing, and executing their research projects. Offer detailed advice on research methodologies, data collection, and analysis techniques to ensure rigorous and high-quality research. Provide constructive feedback on students’ work, helping them refine their research questions, literature reviews, and academic writing. Guide students through the ethics approval process, ensuring compliance with University and professional standards. Teaching - Present: Undergraduate Teaching (BSc Psychology; BSc Psychology (Sport, Health & Exercise); BSc Life Sciences) - PY1700 Research Methods (FHEQ L4) - Co-Block Leader; PY1702 Academic Skills for Psychology (FHEQ L4) - Ad-hoc-Teacher; PY1800 Portfolio for Research Methods and Statistics (FHEQ L4) - C0-Block Leader; PY2706 Advanced Academic Skills for Psychology (FHEQ L5) - Ad-hoc-Teacher; PY3600 Undergraduate Dissertation (FHEQ L6) - Dissertation Workshops Coordinator and Dissertation SupervisorPostgraduate Teaching (MSc in Psychological Sciences); PY5607 Dissertation (FHEQ L7) - Dissertation Supervisor Teaching-Related Activities - Present: Undergraduate Teaching (BSc Psychology; BSc Psychology (Sport, Health & Exercise); BSc Life Sciences) - Personal Tutor - FHEQ L4 students; PY1800 Portfolio for Research Methods and Statistics (FHEQ L4) - Block Moderator; PY1801 Portfolio for Academic and Employability Skills in Psychology (FHEQ L4) - Assessment Marker; PY2555 Work Placement (Psychology - Thick) (FHEQ L5) - Work Placement Tutor; PY2803 Portfolio for Advanced Research Methods, Statistics and Academic Skills (FHEQ L5) - Assessment Marker; PY3600 Undergraduate Dissertation (FHEQ L6) - Dissertation Second Marker; PY5607 Dissertation (FHEQ L7) - Dissertation Second Marker Teaching - Previous: Undergraduate Teaching (BSc Psychology; BSc Psychology (Sport, Health & Exercise); BSc Life Sciences; BSc Psychology & Anthropology; BSc Psychology & Sociology) - PY1601 Research Methods (FHEQ L4) - Co-Teacher; PY1605 Psychological Perspectives on Contemporary Issues (FHEQ L4) - Block Leader; PY1702 Academic Skills for Psychology (FHEQ L4) - Block Leader; PY1801 Portfolio for Academic and Employability Skills in Psychology (FHEQ L4) - Co-Block Leader; PY2009 Developmental Psychology (FHEQ L5) - Co-Teacher; PY2606 Qualitative Research Methods (FHEQ L5) - Block Leader; PY2706 Advanced Academic Skills for Psychology (FHEQ L5) - Block Leader (2019-20, 2020-21), Co-Teacher (2021-22); PY2803 Portfolio for Advanced Research Methods, Statistics and Academic Skills (FHEQ L5) - Co-Block Leader; PY3100/PS3200/PS3300 Undergraduate Dissertation (FHEQ L6) - Dissertation Workshops Coordinator and Dissertation Supervisor Postgraduate Teaching (MSc in Psychological Sciences) - PY5603 Developmental Psychology (FHEQ L7) - Co-Teacher; PY5607 Dissertation (FHEQ L7) - Dissertation Supervisor; PY5609 Qualitative Research Methods (FHEQ L7) - Block Leader Teaching-Related Activities - Previous: Undergraduate Teaching (BSc Psychology; BSc Psychology (Sport, Health & Exercise); BSc Psychology & Anthropology; BSc Psychology & Sociology) - Personal Tutor - FHEQ L4, L5 and L6 students; PY2556 Thin Placement 1 (FHEQ L5) - Work Placement Tutor; PY2557 Thin Placement 2 (FHEQ L5) - Work Placement Tutor; PY3003 Autism Spectrum Disorder (FHEQ L6) - Block Moderator

Dr Stephanie Baines I joined the Division of Psychology as a lecturer (education) in 2021. After completing my D.Phil at the University of Oxford I undertook postdoctoral research at the Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders followed by a teaching fellowship at the Department of Experimental Psychology, both at University College London. I was a lecturer in cognitive neuroscience at the University of Manchester (2015-2018) and lecturer in psychology at Bangor University (2018-2021). I have a background in cognitive neuroscience. My particular interests lie in the neuroscience of eating behaviour, reward processing, emotion and consciousness. My current research focuses on students' experiences in Higher Education.My research is primarily focused on how we can use an informed approach to optimise teaching and learning. I am particularly interested in authentic assessment, AI in education, and what drives student motivation and engagement. I have a background in cognitive neuroscience. In particular, my research focused on the way the brain uses incoming stimulus information and prior expectations to influence information processing at multiple stages, from early perception, through to action and updating our memory. I am interested in the way we use this information to guide our cognition and behaviour, especially in relation to nutrition. Baines, S., Barbosa Boucas, S. & Otermans, P. O. (Accepted). Using a survey and discussion forums on students’ satisfaction and experience to inform the development of a new VLE: A data-driven approach to technology use in learning and teaching. International Journal of Technology in Education. Baines, S., Hensels, I. S., & Talmi, D. (2022). An EEG study on the effect of being overweight on anticipatory and consummatory reward in response to pleasant taste stimuli. Physiology & Behavior. Available online: Baines, S., Hensels, I. S., & Talmi, D. (2020). The use of ‘artificial saliva’ as a gustatory stimulus. Physiology & Behavior. Available online: Baines, S. (2017). Controlling food seeking in the presence of food cues. Commentary on van Steenbergen, Watson, Wiers, Hommel & de Wit, "Dissociable corticostriatal circuits underlie goal-directed versus cue-elicited habitual food seeking after satiation: Evidence from a multimodal study".European Journal of Neuroscience. Available online: * Invited commentary Marks, J., & Baines, S. (2017). Optimistic belief updating despite inclusion of positive events. Learning and Motivation, 58, 88-101. Available online: Marks, J., & Baines, S. (2017). Optimistic Belief Updating for Positive Life Events. Available at SSRN: Hensels, I. S., & Baines, S. (2016). Changing ‘gut feelings’ about food: An evaluative conditioning effect on implicit food associations, but not on explicit food choice. Learning and Motivation, 55: 31-44. Available online: Baines, S., Ruz, M., Rao, A., & Nobre, A. C. (2011). Modulation of neural activity with trial-by-trial fluctuations in reward expectation and spatial attention. Neuropsychologia, 49(9), 2489-2497. Available online:

Dr Survjit Cheeta I joined the Department of Psychology at Brunel University London as a Senior Lecturer after completing a three year Research Lectureship in the Department of Mental Health at St. George’s Medical School, University of London. My PhD was awarded by the University of Wales, Swansea in 1995 with my research focusing on the role of stressors in the etiology of depression and the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of antidepressant drugs. Following on from this I undertook six years of post-doctoral work. During this time, one notable position was held at King’s College London with Professor Sandra E. File, examining the role of the nicotinic and the serotonergic system in models of anxiety. Two career breaks for maternity leave: September 2007 - August 2008 & September 2009 - September 2010. Qualifications: BSc Psychology (London Metropolitan University) PhD (University of Wales, Swansea) My research interests are within the field of Psychopharmacology, with a particular focus on the disease states of depression and anxiety. My research has aimed to understand these conditions from a multi-disciplinary perspective (molecular to clinical and social policy). Within the pre-clinical sciences i have used models of these disease states to understand their neurobiological underpinnings. Currently I am using epidemiological data and psychological paradigms of emotion and cognition to identify markers for normal and abnormal brain function. I have also been involved in policy development for the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction at a local and national level. Most recently, I was involved in the National Alcohol Needs Assessment project. This project was funded by the Department of Health, with the aim of supporting the National Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England, which was published by the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit, 2004. Psychopharmacology Neural systems underpinning depression Emotional processing, learning and memory Cognitive behavioural therapies Undergraduate Programmes Module convenor Advanced Research Methods Drugs Hormones and the Brain Undergraduate Teaching Module convenor Advanced Research Methods Drugs Hormones and the Brain Administration Senate Member (2014-2016) PG Research Convener, Psychology (2011-present) Academic Representative for the School of Social Sciences School Board

Dr Terry Dovey I am a behaviourist and specialist in feeding disorders (now called avoidant/restrictive eating disorders). This is an eating disorder that typically manifests before the age of 5 year old. I am also interested in the concept of developmental differences and responsiveness to social priming, or in real world speak – how food advertisements work. You may also find me writing on the topics of appetite regulation and overlap between gastroenterology and psychology. I would very much like to hear from anyone that shares my interests in either research or Life Sciences. Specifically, I would like to hear from any Companies, Further Education and Secondary Schools with an interest in Biology, Environmental, Psychology, Sport, Health & Exercise Sciences. Should you wish to book an appointment my diary is managed by Tina Barker at tina.barker@brunel.ac.uk. My research interests include anything and everything to do with eating behaviour. I have published over 100 peer-reviewed abstracts, papers and books on the topic, covering everything from the psychopharmacological treatments for obesity to deciding to try novel food items. My main research interests are in treatment of avoidant/restrictive eating disorders in children. These include finding effective treatments to overcoming tube-dependency and feeding disorders. In addition to these main research goals, I am also very interested in the impact of advertising on children’s eating behaviour. Along with my co-authors Prof Jason Halford and Dr Emma Boyland (Liverpool) we have published numerous papers on the subject. These papers were the primary evidence used by the government to ban television direct advertising to children for unhealthy food items high in fat and/or sugar. ARFID, Selective Eating, Tube Weaning, Picky/Fussy Eating and Food Refusal in Children Social Priming, Food Advertisments, and Deciding to Try Novel Foods Appetite Regulation, Psychopharmacology of Eating, Gastroentrology, and Obesity Undergraduate Teaching Module convenor PY1604 Clinical Psychology

Mr Damian Kuczynski