List of available PhD projects

Group research interests - The NeuroInformatics group is a computational group with a strong interest in studying lifespan brain health. A multitude of factors can affect our brain health from as early as pre-conception. These factors can pose great threats to the brain, leading to immense missed developmental potential, global disease burden and disability. We aim to tackle the diversity of challenges to studying brain health across the lifespan my using big data (both in terms of number of individuals, as well as in terms of numbers of features) and by developing novel approaches to integrating data across modalities and scales. In line with this goal our research program has three broad pillars: 1. Normative models of lifespan brain health: in this pillar we generate normative references for different brain features that can be measured with non-invasive brain imaging techniques such as MRI or CT. We also use these normative reference models to study deviations in clinical cohorts ranging from developmental and rare genetics disorders to conditions of accelerated ageing such as Alzheimer's and related dementias. See for an example: Bethlehem, Seidlitz, White et al. 2022, Nature. 2. Multi-scale integration: in this pillar we aim to integrate other data modalities with neuroimaging to gain a more complete understand of what it is that we are actually measuring with in-vivo neuroimaging techniques. This often included integration with genomics and transcriptomics. See for examples of this: Warrier et al. 2023, Nat. Gen. & Romero-Garcia, Warrier et al. 2019, Mol. Psychiatry. 3. Predictive applications: in this pillar we aim to develop novel machine learning approaches for risk prediction of ill brain health. See for an example: Azevedo et al. 2022 Medical Image Analysis

In addition to PhD proposals on topics that the candidate has devised themselves, I am currently welcoming PhD proposals related to the following topic(s): 

1. Imaging-genetics - integrating different data types at different scales is vital for a comprehensive understanding of brain health. We currently collaborate closely with Prof. Varun Warrier to integrate our large-scale imaging with genetics databases to both create a resource for the wider community but also to better understand the integrated relationships across brain phenotype and the biology underlying potential deviations in brain related phenotypes.

2. Normative models for atypical development (i.e., autism and adhd) - as we continue to improve our normative reference models there is an increasing need and interest to test the clinical or translational potential of these. While the group mainly focuses on testing the efficacy of these models in neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism and adhd, we also closely collaborate with a much wider network of researchers and clinicians to understand the translational potential in other clinical conditions.

3. Developing open tools for brain network analyses - with a strong interest in standardising approaches to quantify biological data we are building open workflow and tools for studying biological networks with a specific emphasis on network data derived from human in-vivo brain imaging.

4. Image segmentation and analysis - as we are dealing with more and bigger data we have several project underway to try and optimise processing pipelines for human in-vivo imaging. In addition, we are increasingly interested in integrating clinically acquired (as opposed to research grade) data and this requires processing adaptation and optimisation.

In addition to PhD proposals on topics that the candidate has devised themselves, I am currently welcoming PhD proposals related to the following topic(s):

Corvid cognition. This is my top priority given that my corvid palace was saved from closure https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jun/19/queen-of-corvids-the-scientist-fighting-to-save-the-worlds-brainiest-birds https://www.newscientist.com/article/2329991-cambridge-lab-for-clever-birds-saved-from-closure-by-public-donations/

I’m particularly interested in exploring aspects of mental time travel, self control and social cognition, and the use of magic effects to investigate constraints on cognition, i.e. blind spots in seeing and roadblocks in thinking. This work is conducted at the Sub-department of Animal Behaviour at Madingley, but there is also the opportunity to incorporate field work both in Madingley woods and further afield. Cephalopod cognition. I’m fascinated by cephalopods in general. Topics include idynamic camouflage and its relationship to both cognition and magic, as well as other aspects of cognition such as curiosity. This work is generally conducted at the MBL in Plymouth as we do not (yet) have a cephalopod facility in Cambridge. Comparative cognition. Questions about what are the critical comparisons in comparative cognition, from studies investigating similarities and differences in performance on tasks that tap into cognition in children and crows, to questions about convergent evolution in corvids, apes and cephalopods. The lab is genuinely interdisciplinary with additional studies on adult humans, as well as monkeys, elephants, parrots, dogs and dolphins, and transdisciplinary approaches and applications to cognition from philosophy to modelling and AI. Cultural cognition in humans. A relatively recent focus has been to compare the development in young children, and existence in adults, of cultural differences in cognition, from self control and future planning to Theory of Mind especially Level 2 perspective taking. So far these comparisons have focused on Individualistic and collectivist cultures, focusing on differences between UK and Chinese populations.

In addition to PhD proposals on topics that the candidate has devised themselves, I am currently welcoming PhD proposals related to the following topic(s):

Cognitive computational neuroimaging studies of learning and brain plasticity: Our studies combine ultra-high field brain imaging (7T fMRI, MR Spectroscopy), electrophysiology (EEG), interventional (TMS, tDCS) and neurocomputational (machine learning, reinforcement learning) approaches to understand the network dynamics that support learning and brain plasticity. AI and Neuroinformatics: We develop and translate AI-guided tools for a) understanding brain processes underlying cognition (e.g. learning and brain plasticity), b) early detection of brain and mental health disorders to inform clinical practice (healthcare, clinical trials). Our research involves working on research cohort and clinical data, developing machine learning models to synthesise biological (brain imaging, genetic) cognitive and epidemiological data, validating AI-guided tools in clinical data, translating these tools for adoption in healthcare and industry settings.

In addition to PhD proposals on topics that the candidate has devised themselves, I am currently welcoming PhD proposals related to the following topic(s):

1. Harnessing knowledge from developmental neuroimaging to develop science-based interventions: Whether in the UK or at a global level, socially, culturally or financially disadvantaged groups – those most at risk for experiencing socio-economic and health challenges - are far less likely to participate in, and therefore benefit from, research. Empowering science-based parental education on brain development and non-judgemental support translate into increased knowledge about positive child caregiving practices, improved perinatal mental health and the consequent ability to give children the best possible start in life. Work alongside Industry partner BabyBrains to develop a science-led tool (App-based) for the perinatal period of life.

2. Optimisation of a brain and behavioural toolkit for home and field settings : While there is increasing recognition that research remains largely inaccessible to financially and socially restricted participants, surprisingly little has been done to move neuroimaging research into a more community- or home-friendly setting to improve uptake. Advances in wearable NIRS/EEG technology enable imaging brain function in any environment, making it accessible to a wide range of populations incl. global health and preterm infant human brain function studies. The main focus of this project would be to optimse a brain and behavioural toolkit for home settings.

3. Understanding enriched family contexts in Sub-Saharan Africa: The BRIGHT Study use longitudinal study designs to explore how early infant behavioural, cognitive and brain development is shaped by the contextual factors that surround us. Hundreds of videos of parent – infant interactions, family interviews, audio data from home recordings and a range of demographic and family caregiving data has been collected in rural Gambia over the past decade. There is an opportunity to explore alongside researchers in The Gambia how enriched contextual factors such as multigenerational, multi-caregiver families may boost early development. Learning from contexts that are largely under-represented in developmental science will allow us to better understand how our world shapes who we are.

In addition to PhD proposals on topics that the candidate has devised themselves, I am currently welcoming PhD proposals related to the following topic(s):

The ability to remember personally experienced events in vivid, multisensory detail makes an immensely important contribution to everyday life. Such recollection is considered to involve reactivating sensory and perceptual details of an event, and the thoughts and feelings we had at the time, and integrating them into a conscious representation during retrieval. It makes possible a number of critical decision making abilities, such as distinguishing real experiences from those we might have imagined or been told about. However, the cognitive and neural mechanisms that underlie the subjective experience of remembering remain unresolved. The aim of PhD projects in the lab will be to help develop a detailed neurocognitive characterization of subjective memory, to better understand the way it may be impaired in health and disease, and to develop rehabilitation strategies to help those who may have reduced ability to re-experience the past.