Perinatal stress and early brain development
Supervised by: Dr Michael Craig, Dr Suresh Victor, Prof Serena Counsell
My PhD project is focused on investigating the relationship between maternal stress (anxiety and depression) and fetal/neonatal brain development. This study is part of the developing Human Connectome Project (dHCP), which aims to map the growth of the baby's brain during pregnancy and how it continues to develop after birth.
Find out more about the dHCP at http://www.developingconnectome.org/
Fetal scan
Neonatal scan
EDiTS Study
Early Development in Tuberous Sclerosis study - Research Assistant (2018-2019)
Supervised by: Dr Charlotte Tye
The aim of the Early Development in Tuberous Sclerosis (EDiTS) Study is to better understand how the development of babies with TSC differs to typically developing babies, and how sudden changes in seizure severity and treatment affect development.
Find out more about EDiTS at: https://www.edits-study.org/
IDEAS Study
Individual Differences in EEG in young adults - Research Assistant (2016-2017)
Supervised by: Dr Grainne McLoughlin, Dr Alex Lau-Zhu
The aim of the IDEAS study is to investigate the development of young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or ADHD in twin sample from TEDS (Twins Early Development Study) using mobile EEG.
Find out more about IDEAS at: https://www.ideas-kcl.co.uk/
DiDS Study
Dementia in Down syndrome study - MPhil Student (2014-2015)
Supervised by: Prof Tony Holland, Dr Shahid Zaman
The DiDS Study aims to investigate the development of Alzheimer's disease in people with Down syndrome. My MPhil was focused on mitochondrial dysfunction as an early indicator of dementia in this population.
Find out more about DiDS at: http://www.psychiatry.cam.ac.uk/ciddrg/research/dementia-in-downs-syndrome-dids/
Experience outside of research
Dementia Support Worker - Alzheimer's Society (Oct 2015 - May 2016)
Drug Support Worker - Devon Drug Service (Nov 2013 - May 2014)
Special Needs Counsellor - Camp Horizons USA (June 2013 - Sept 2013)
Research experience and training
Imaging: MRI, (mobile) EEG, eye tracking
Data analysis:
Programming languages: R (intermediate), Python (basic), Matlab (basic), Bash (basic)
Other software: FSL, MRTrix3, Paraview, DTITK, ITKSnap, SPSS
Expertise: Autism, Down syndrome, Dementia, ADHD, Depression, Anxiety, early development
Assessments:
Toddlers and Children
ADOS-2: Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule
Mullen Scales of Early Learning
Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales
Structured free play
Adults
ADOS-2: Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule
DIVA: Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults
MINI: Mini International Psychiatric Interview
SOFAS: Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale
Older adults with Down Syndrome
CAMDEX-DS: Cambridge Examination for Mental Disorders of Older People with Down Syndrome
CAMCOG-DS: Cambridge Cognition Examination in people with Down Syndrome
SIB: Severe Impairment Battery
ACTB: Arizona Cognitive Test Battery
CANTAB: Cambridge Automated Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery
Table top tests: Tower of London, Weigl sorting task, Spatial reversal, Scrambled boxes, Cats and dogs, Oliver memory test for sentences, Oliver object memory, Verbal fluency for animals