Members

My research focuses on understanding the brain mechanisms that underpin human sensorimotor function. My research utilises a range of approaches, including state-of-the-art MR imaging and spectroscopy, magnetoencephalography, and non-invasive brain stimulation to investigate the pathophysiology of common mental/brain health conditions. A key focus is developing the next generation of novel therapeutic approaches for mental/brain health conditions based on wearable technology and non-invasive brain stimulation. To this end I am a founding Non-Executive Director, and Chief Scientific Officer, of Neurotherapeutics Ltd.

I investigate the functionality of brain and spinal cord sensory circuits in healthy/chronic pain rodents and humans. My labs translational experiments focus on addressing the problem of failure when it comes to the discovery of novel analgesics. To address invalid targets, our pre-clinical work focuses on defining circuitry in health/pinpointing dysfunction in disease. To address limitations of currently used methods to assess pain, our clinical work focuses on translational paradigms and appropriate stratification of patients into cohorts.

My research focuses on the neurobiology of decision-making and learning. I use multimodal neuroimaging and neurostimulation methods to uncover the roles of multiple areas in the brain, predominantly the prefrontal cortex. Recently, I have shown that transcranial ultrasound neuromodulation can safely change neural activity in precise parts of the brain, both in non-human primates and humans. I am now working towards bringing this technology forward and apply it to mental health challenges.