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Last updated 27th March 2023

I graduated with a BSc. (Hons) in Pharmacology with Industrial Experience at the University of Manchester 

During the course of my undergraduate studies, I developed a strong interest in the study of how chemical messengers in the brain (neurotransmitters) influence thoughts and behaviours and how these processes may be modulated by pharmacological agents. This led me to undertake a PhD at the University of Manchester investigating the effects of a novel antipsychotic drug in humans using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). During this time, my research interests focused upon the actions of dopamine, not only for its role in psychosis but also substance dependence. 

Upon completion of my PhD I undertook post-doctoral work investigating the cognitive mechanisms of craving and cognition in opioid dependence using fMRI, the effects of novel drug treatments on neural systems considered to be important for the risk and maintenance of alcohol and drug dependence, such as the reward system of the brain. 

After this project, I returned once more to psychosis research investigating neurochemical biomarkers of treatment response in early episode psychosis using magnetic resonance spectroscopy and positron emission tomography.

I joined the University of Huddersfield as a Senior Lecturer in July 2017. Here, I continued my research in alcohol dependence but with a shift to using electroencephalography (EEG) due to its greater potential for clinical application.  The aim of our most recent project was to demonstrate an EEG reward testing platform to be sensitive in detecting reward dysfuction in alcohol dependence, using both traditional and novel EEG analysis approaches.