I run the Neuroanalytics Laboratory within the Department of Psychological Sciences and Health, and lead the Dementia Research Network at the University of Strathclyde.  Key research themes include:

Ageing and Dementia

My research is focused on the early detection, diagnosis, management and treatment of different types of dementia (e.g. Alzheimer’s disease, Vascular dementia, Fronto-temporal dementia). For this I adopt methods that include the use and analysis of cognitive, neuroimaging , neurophysiological, and blood-based biomarker data.  I am also interested in the breakdown of cognition (episodic and semantic memory, language and attention) that occurs during the course of neurodegenerative disease, and in understanding the neural correlates of neuropsychiatric/behavioural symptoms.  Within my research projects, I tend to use cortical thickness and voxel-based morphometry,  functional connectivity assessment, event-related potential analysis, spectral analysis, network analysis methods, and machine learning techniques.

I am actively investigating sensory stimulation as a treatment/management technique for Alzheimer’s disease, and have applied pharmacoimaging in the past to assess the efficacy of drug treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.  I am interested in predicting response to treatment and in tailoring various treatments to the individual (personalised medication).

Further interests include the effects of normal ageing (e.g., on cognitive function and on the brain).

Hypnosis and suggestibility
In recent years, as Principal Investigator, I have led two funded research projects to investigate hypnosis and suggestibility (funding from The Leverhulme Trust and the BIAL Foundation).  I am interested in the effects of hypnosis on the brain, and in the cognitive, neural and genetic associations that may underpin suggestibility.

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA)

Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCHE) (University of Hull)

PhD (University of Hull)

Master in Research Methods (MRes) Diploma (University of Aberdeen)

BSc (Hons) Psychology (University of Aberdeen)

I joined the Department of Psychological Sciences and Health in August 2013.  I was previously employed as a Lecturer for 5 years within the Department of Psychology (University of Hull) and prior to that I held research positions for 3 years within The Clinical Neuroscience Centre (University of Hull).  In 2016 I was promoted to Senior Lecturer, and in 2020 to Reader.

My research interests are mostly centred on the cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms that are found in Alzheimer’s disease and the other dementias.  A secondary research interest relates to suggestibility and hypnosis. 

I am an Associate Fellow within the BPS, a member of the Division of Neuropsychology, and a Chartered Psychologist.  I am also a Senior Associate of the Royal Society of Medicine and I am President Elect of the Section of Hypnosis and Psychosomatic Medicine.

Memory

Neuropsychiatric symptoms

Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias

Normal ageing

Hypnosis and suggestibility

Neuroimaging and neuropsychological research methods

I previously co-developed the MSc in Clinical Health Psychology course and was Director of this programme for 3 years.  I now contribute as class leader and lecturer on the “Neuropsychology relating medical conditions” class.

In the past I have taught Neuropsychology, Neuroimaging, Neuropsychology of Ageing and Dementia, and Health Psychology, in addition to various sessions on statistics, research methods and cognitive psychology.

I am an HEA fellow.