{"id":23,"date":"2020-10-23T12:39:16","date_gmt":"2020-10-23T12:39:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wp.lancs.ac.uk\/nosalab\/?page_id=23"},"modified":"2025-06-03T20:50:57","modified_gmt":"2025-06-03T20:50:57","slug":"researchers","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/wp.lancs.ac.uk\/nosalab\/researchers\/","title":{"rendered":"Researchers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Meet our Research Team!<\/strong><\/span>
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\"\"Dr Helen Nuttall – NoSA Principal Investigator<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I am a lecturer in Cognitive Neuroscience in the Department of Psychology at Lancaster University, and I started the Neuroscience of Speech and Action Laboratory in 2016 when I started my lectureship. <\/span>The lab investigates research questions regarding how speech, action, and cognitive function <\/strong>are represented in the brain. We study how these processes work in health and disease, and also how they are affected by the ageing process. To answer our research questions, we use a variety of methods including Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), electroencephalography (EEG), Magnetic Resonance Imagine (MRI), electromyography (EMG), and behavioural techniques. <\/span>Prior to joining Lancaster University, I worked as a Leverhulme Trust-funded Postdoctoral Research Associate with Dr Patti Adank and Professor Joe Devlin at University College London. In my PhD, I investigated how speech is represented in the<\/span> subcortical auditory<\/strong> system using EEG, and how the subcortical representation of speech is <\/span>modulated by <\/span>peripheral and cortical influences<\/strong>.
\nHelen Nuttall | LinkedIn<\/a>
\nHelen Nuttall | Twitter<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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\"\"Jessica Pepper – PhD Student<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Hi! I’m Jess, a final-year PhD student in the NoSA Lab and am currently on a 1+3 PhD Studentship awarded by the Economic and Social Research Council<\/span><\/span>. My research focuses on the age-related changes in audiovisual integration<\/strong> and how this is reflected in neural activity. Using\u00a0EEG, TMS and other methods I measure how the cognitive and perceptual mechanisms involved in multisensory integration change with healthy ageing, and the impact that such changes have on everyday tasks like balance maintenance and speech perception<\/strong>.
\n<\/span>Jessica Pepper | LinkedIn<\/a>
\n<\/span><\/span><\/span>Jessica Pepper | Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n

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Katie Hoad – Research Associate\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Hey! I am Katie, a research associate in the NoSA Lab and Translational Physiology Research Group at the Lancaster Medical School. My background is in sport & exercise sciences and clinical exercise physiology, but I have particular interest in brain health<\/strong> in clinical populations and how lifestyle behaviours<\/strong> can have an impact. My research project is on improving brain health<\/strong> after chemotherapy<\/strong> through exercise and nutrition prehabiliation in patients with colorectal cancer.\u00a0 This project will dive into a range of measure on blood-based markers of neuroplasticity<\/strong>, brain function<\/strong> (via electroencephalography and cognitive outcomes) and cognitive-related<\/strong> quality of life following chemotherapy.
\n<\/span>Katie Hoad | LinkedIn<\/a>
\nKatie Hoad | Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n

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\"\"Brandon O’Hanlon – PhD Student<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Hello! I’m Brandon and am currently on a 1+3 PhD Studentship awarded by the Economic and Social Research Council here at the NoSA Laboratory. My project interests are centred around Speech Perception and Multisensory Integration<\/strong>. In particular, how our other senses come to aid our speech and auditory systems in difficult listening conditions, such as sight and movement.
\nBrandon O’Hanlon | LinkedIn<\/span><\/a>
\n<\/span><\/span>Brandon O’Hanlon | Twitter<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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\"\"Haydn Farrelly – PhD Student<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Hello! I\u2019m Haydn, I\u2019m an ESRC Funded PhD Student split between NoSA and the Aberrant Experience, Awareness & Emotion laboratory. My research focuses on how multisensory integration underpins aberrant perceptual experiences such as hallucinations<\/strong>, I use behavioural methods and multichannel transcranial direct current stimulation (MtDCS) to test this. I\u2019m particularly interested in whether individual differences in cortical hyperexcitability can predict susceptibility to multisensory hallucinations<\/strong>. Through my research I have become an advocate for brain stimulation in neuroscientific research and treatment.
\nHaydn Farrelly | LinkedIn<\/a>
\nHaydn Farrelly | Twitter<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Jessica Andrew – PhD Student<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Hello! <\/span>I\u2019m<\/span> Jessica, a 1st year PhD student at Lancaster University, currently enrolled on an ESRC CASE 1+3 studentship, with Brainbox Ltd as the industrial CASE partner and is <\/span><\/span>funded by the Economic and Social Research Council.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>I completed both my undergraduate degree in Psychology, followed by a <\/span>Masters<\/span> degree in Psychological Research Methods at Lancaster University. Now, as part of the NoSA Lab, my research focuses on understanding the effects of <\/strong><\/span>sports-related <\/span><\/strong>sub-concussive head impacts on brain function in contact sport athletes,<\/strong><\/span><\/span>\u00a0with the goal of improving athlete health and safety!
\nJessica Andrew | LinkedIn<\/a>
\nJessica Andrew | Twitter<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Nez Sharp – PhD Student<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Hello! I’m Nez, a PhD student at Lancaster University funded by the EPSRC on a 3.5-year studentship. I completed my undergraduate degree in psychology at Lancaster University, and now, as a PhD student, my research aims to explore if cardiovascular disease has an impact on the brain’s ability to change physiologically<\/strong>. Specifically in the context of hearing aid adjustment<\/strong>. I also conduct research investigating whether certain health characteristics and socioeconomic factors are associated with hearing loss.
\nNez Sharp | LinkedIn<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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John Oyewole – PhD\u00a0Student<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Hello, I\u2019m John Oyewole, a PhD student on a 1+3 PhD studentship awarded by the Economic and Social Research Council, split between the Perception and Action Lab and the NOSA Lab at Lancaster University. My research will use Virtual Reality<\/strong> to investigate affordance perception<\/strong> (action capabilities) in sporting environments. Specifically, I will explore factors influencing how athletes perceive their ability for interception across various sports. Ultimately, my research aims to uncover insights that enhance on-field performance<\/strong>, helping athletes gain that edge over their opponents!
\nJohn Oyewole | LinkedIn<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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\"\"Ewan Dean – Research Assistant\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Hi! I\u2019m Ewan, a Research Assistant in the NoSA lab, working with Dr Helen Nuttall on a project investigating how platinum-based chemotherapy<\/strong> affects hearing loss<\/strong> in cancer patients. I will be undertaking an EPSRC-funded PhD in the NoSA lab, looking at how repeated head injuries sustained during contact athletes’ playing careers can affect hearing<\/strong> and brain function<\/strong> in later life. I completed my undergraduate studies at Lancaster Medical School, studying Sports and Exercise Science, and recently completed a Masters by Research in Medical Sciences funded by Team Nutrition. Alongside my Masters, I worked as a Research Associate investigating attitudes and perceptions towards concussion in rugby and improving rehabilitation for stroke survivors. I hope that through research we can gain a greater understanding of the long-term effects of repeated head injuries<\/strong> and enhance both safety and awareness<\/strong> for athletes and spectators alike.
\nEwan Dean | LinkedIn<\/span><\/a>
\nEwan Dean | Twitter<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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\"\"Maisie Dransfield – Research Assistant<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Hi! I\u2019m Maisie, I am an undergraduate Psychology student at Lancaster University working in the NoSA Lab as a Research Assistant to assist with data collection in EEG and TMS research projects. I really enjoy neuroscience<\/strong>, I am especially interested in p<\/strong>sychopharmacology<\/strong>,<\/span> the influence drugs and external substances can have on the neurochemistry of the brain, especially within a clinical<\/strong> setting. I also am fascinated by neurolaw <\/strong>and possible correlations between criminal activity and the presence of psychiatric disorders<\/strong> and how this can be explained from a neurological perspective.
\nMaisie Dransfield | LinkedIn<\/a>
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Olivia Williams-Morris – PEP Student<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Hi! I\u2019m Olivia, currently undergraduate psychology student at Lancaster University. I\u2019ve been a psychology ambassador throughout my studies here at Lancaster and now volunteer at the incredible NoSA Lab as a research assistant. I am particularly interested in neuroscience<\/strong>, specifically psychopharmacology<\/strong> and clinical neuroscience<\/strong>. I am also interested in developmental cognitive neuroscience!<\/span><\/p>\n

Olivia Williams-Morris | LinkedIn<\/a><\/p>\n

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Sam Thompson – PEP Student\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Hi, I\u2019m Sam and I\u2019m a third year undergraduate Psychology student. I\u2019ve recently joined the NoSA lab as a PEP research assistant. I find the whole field of neuroscience<\/strong> super fascinating, but in particular I\u2019m interested in sensory perception<\/strong>, how our brains turn our environments into electrical signals and how these signals are processed. I\u2019m also very curious about neuroplasticity<\/strong> and how our brains adapt and change to our environment.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Madison Hartley – PEP Student\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Hi! I’m Madison and I’m a second year psychology student at Lancaster University. As well as being a psychology ambassador, I am a research assistant in the NoSA lab. I find neuroscience very interesting and my main research interests are in brain aging<\/strong> (specifically dementia), the neuroscience of music<\/strong>, neuroplasticity<\/strong> and psychopharamcology<\/strong>! In the future, I hope to build a career in neuroscience to help advance our knowledge and understanding of brain function<\/strong> and improve the health & lives of many.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Aashna Gounder – PEP Student\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Hi, I am Aashna a third year undergraduate psychology student at Lancaster University! I have been a psychology ambassador<\/strong> since my 2nd year and am now volunteering at NoSA lab as a research assistant. I am excited to build on my neuroscience<\/strong> knowledge and help out with in person experiments.<\/span><\/p>\n

Aashna Gounder | LinkedIn<\/a><\/p>\n

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\"\"Simya Aravamuthan –<\/strong> PEP Student<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Hello! I\u2019m Simya and I\u2019m a third-year psychology student. I\u2019m currently working as a research assistant to help with running TMS and EEG studies. I\u2019m highly interested in the multidisciplinary element of neurodevelopment<\/strong> and hope to integrate my previous experience at the University Babylab<\/strong> with my current work at the NoSA lab to enhance my understanding.
\n<\/span>Simya Aravamuthan | LinkedIn<\/a><\/p>\n

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\"\"Jess West – PEP Student<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Hi! I\u2019m Jess, a Psychology undergraduate at Lancaster University. I\u2019m interested in the neuroscience of music and how it influences cognitive processes such as memory, attention and emotion. I\u2019ve been involved with the Defying Dementia society, and I\u2019m especially keen to explore how music-based interventions<\/strong> could support individuals with neurodegenerative<\/strong> conditions. I\u2019m also intrigued by the phenomenon of synesthesia<\/strong> and how atypical sensory integration might deepen our understanding of perception and brain function. I\u2019m really excited to be joining the NoSA Lab to deepen my understanding of neuroscience while gaining practical research experience.
\n<\/span>Jessica West | LinkedIn<\/a><\/p>\n

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NoSA Collaborators:<\/h3>\n

Dr Kate Slade | Lancaster University<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Theodoros Bampouras | Liverpool John Moores University<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Dr Dalia Tsimpida | University of Southampton<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Dr Ingrid Johnsrude | Western Univeristy<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Baycrest Centre | Baycrest\u00a0<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Lars Riecke | Maastricht University<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Dr Lars Hausfeld | Maastricht University<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Dr Christopher Gaffney | Lancaster University<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Christopher Plack | Lancaster University<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Dr Jason J Braithwaite | Lancaster University<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Dr Bo Yao | Lancaster University<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Dr Hannah Stewart | Lancaster University<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Dr Meher Lad | Newcastle University<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n

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NoSA Alumni:<\/h3>\n

Elise Oosterhuis | Former PhD student<\/p>\n

Shalmali Joshi | Former PhD student<\/p>\n

Rachael Taylor | Former PhD Student<\/p>\n

Hannah Young | PEP Student<\/p>\n

Toby Hudson | PEP Student<\/p>\n

Emily Walsh | PEP Student<\/p>\n

Lucy Martin | Research Assistant<\/p>\n

Michelle Kan | PEP Student<\/p>\n

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Meet our Research Team! Dr Helen Nuttall – NoSA Principal Investigator I am a lecturer in Cognitive Neuroscience in the Department of Psychology at Lancaster University, and I started the Neuroscience of Speech and Action Laboratory in 2016 when I started my lectureship. The lab investigates research questions regarding how […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1349,"featured_media":446,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-23","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/wp.lancs.ac.uk\/nosalab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/23","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/wp.lancs.ac.uk\/nosalab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/wp.lancs.ac.uk\/nosalab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wp.lancs.ac.uk\/nosalab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1349"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wp.lancs.ac.uk\/nosalab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23"}],"version-history":[{"count":125,"href":"http:\/\/wp.lancs.ac.uk\/nosalab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/23\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":952,"href":"http:\/\/wp.lancs.ac.uk\/nosalab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/23\/revisions\/952"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wp.lancs.ac.uk\/nosalab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/446"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/wp.lancs.ac.uk\/nosalab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}