Healthy cognitive ageing; cognitive decline in older adults; cognitive neuropsychology of stroke and dementia; sex and cognition in later life

BSc (Hons): First Class: Applied Psychology; Leeds Beckett University (2005).

MSc: Distinction: Cognitive Neuroscience; University of York (2006).

PhD: Psychology; University of Birmingham (2011) - investigating visual attention to social cues following parietal lobe damage caused by stroke,  supervised by Prof Jane Riddoch and the late Prof Glyn Humphreys.

Two years postdoc experience working in hospitals and community care settings, recruiting stroke patients into clinical research trials. Two years at University on Warwick working on a project investigating the association between sleep and cognitive function in a large population cohort of older adults.

Recent work has focussed on healthy cognitive ageing, sexual activity and cognitive function in older adults, and peer-supported self-management of long term conditions including cancer and stroke.

Area of Expertise:

Cognitive function, sex and cognition in older adults, stroke, neuropsychology, self-management

My research background is in cognitive neuropsychology and neuroscience, particularly with respect to the ageing brain. During my PhD I investigated attention to social cues after parietal lobe damage caused by stroke.

I am interested in cognitive ageing and decline in the general population, and the effect of peer-supported self-management on mental wellbeing. Previous work has focussed on modifiable lifestyle factors that can be self-managed, to help protect cognitive function and wellbeing in older age. I have led a succession of projects exploring biopsychosocial links between sexual activity and cognitive ageing, and developed research-enriched teaching materials on the stigma surrounding sexuality in ageing populations. I am currently leading a project to co-develop a peer-supported self-management programme for people living with acquired brain injury.

In addition, I am interested in the ongoing research into earlier detection of dementia, and more subtle forms of cognitive impairment (e.g. MCI, mild stroke, brain fog), through development of more sensitive neuropsychological screening tools.