Irina graduated from a Medical University in 2005 as a Medical Doctor. After the internship, she worked as a Psychiatrist and Forensic Psychiatrist in different psychiatric hospitals and forensic centres in Moscow, Russia. During her clinical and forensic work, she was interested in treatment and competency (and other medical-legal and ethical issues) in dementia and other neurocognitive disorders. Irina often testified as an expert witness in civil and criminal forensic matters. This passion led her to do PhD in 2012 where she investigated cognitive underpinnings of functional (and in particular financial) capacity in older adults and people with cognitive impairments. Irina joined Strathclyde University in 2020 as a Teaching Associate. Irina is also a chartered psychologist specialising in psychotherapy working primarily with psychological trauma and women who identify as neurodivergent.

Irina has interest in cognitive and electrophysiological (EEG, ERP) underpinnings of functional decline in abnormal ageing and neurocognitive disorders. Development of functional and cognitive tests to aid detection of cognitive decline. I have designed and developed a functional test (The Acreemagnosia measurement (TAM)) that would assess financial abilities in older age and neurocognitive diseases (available to download here). 

Her research interests are in the areas of mental health, wellbeing, trauma, post-traumatic growth and resilience in applied health, social and pedagogical contexts. Irina has a growing interests in Resilience and Academic Buoyancy in University Students with Neurodiversity (Autism and ADHD). She is looking at exploring factors facilitating Resilience in Neurodivergent Students. She welcomes opportunities to discuss collaboration around areas that align with her research interests. 

Irina has a range of teaching and citizenship roles at both UG and PG level. Irina has the following citizenship roles associated with teaching:

 - Deputy Course Director on MSc in Clinical Health Psychology course 

  - Class leader for Professional Practice (MSc in Clinical Health Psychology

Irina teaches BA Psychology, BSc Psychology and Counselling, and MSc Psychology:

B9200 - Introduction to Mental Health Difficulties

B9302 - Person-Centred Theory

C8303 - Individual Differences

C8953 - Clinical Psychology Related to Medical Conditions 

C8954 - Health Psychology Related to Medical Conditions 

C8955 - Neuropsychology Related to Medical Conditions 

C8989 - Professional Practice

C8990 - Research Methods in Clinical Health Psychology

C8992 - Introduction to Psychological Therapies 

She also supervises UG and PG dissertation projects.