Our tea​m

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Richard A.I. Bethlehem
Principal investigator

I am an Assistant Professor of NeuroInformatics with the Department of Psychology at the University of Cambridge and Director of Neuroimaging at the Autism Research Centre. My research aims at gaining a better understanding of typical and atypical neurodevelopment by integrating cutting-edge neuroimaging, genomic and transcriptomic techniques: from micro (genetics), through meso (brain) to macroscale (behaviour & environment).

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Marcella Montagnese
Post-doctoral researcher

I am a Junior Research Fellow in Biological and Medical Sciences at Christ’s College and my research bridges machine learning, neuroimaging, and network neuroscience. Currently, I am focused on validating normative models in clinical neurodegenerative cohorts to develop personalised tools for patient stratification and prognosis. I completed my PhD in Neuroimaging at King’s College London, where I investigated the neural and cognitive correlates of Parkinson’s Disease Psychosis.
Outside the lab, I am a passionate photographer and cinephile—you’ll often find me practising yoga or wherever there’s a dog to be found!

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Clara Pecci Terroba
BBSRC PhD Student

I am a first year PhD student under the BBSRC DTP, having recently graduated with a MEng in Information Engineering and Bioengineering from Cambridge.  My main interests are machine learning and neuroscience, and combining the two to better understand how the brain works. Previously, I worked in the implementation of more biologically plausible deep learning models of vision. I am joining the lab to study neurodevelopmental disorders through modelling and data analysis. Outside of research, I like playing touch rugby and cooking!

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Sofia Orrelana
PhD Student (co with Ed Bullmore and Petra Vertes)

I am a PhD student in the Department of Psychiatry. My research examines how childhood factors influencing physical health determine brain health across the lifespan.

Ed
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Ed Hutchings
PhD Student (co with Ed Bullmore & Angela Roberts)

Though originally a medical student, I eventually succumbed to the charms of a PhD in Psychiatry. I’m interested in the developmental aspects of mental disorders, which I will be investigating by comparing brain development in humans and common marmosets using structural MRI.

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Alicja Monaghan
PhD Student (co with Duncan Astle)

I am a PhD student at the Department of Psychiatry and the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, having completed my BA in Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford, and my MSc in Neuroscience at King's College London. Using large-scale datasets, I examine how brain structure and function gives rise to psychopathology and cognition across childhood and adolescence, and how these organisational principles emerge. 

YuankaiHe
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Yuankai (Edward) He
PhD Student (co with Varun Warrier)

 I work at the interface between neuroimaging and genetics, with particular focus on the network properties of the brain, and establishing a genetic link between imaging-derived phenotypes and neuropsychiatric conditions. Out of research I also engage in popular science and scientific translation.

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Yuanjun (Genie) Gu
PhD Student (co with Varun Warrier)
I'm a PhD student specialising in understanding brain imaging genetics and how do they correlate with various neurodevelopmental conditions like autism. I started my academic journey from trying to understand molecular biology as an undergrad at the University of Liverpool. I then moved to Cambridge for an MPhil in genomic medicine. During which, I discovered my interest in Autism and has since joined Dr Varun Warrier's group as a PhD studying autism genetics, co-supervised by Dr Richard Bethlehem. Beyond academic studies, I enjoy digital drawing and board games. You may even spot me sometimes playing in the box cafe!
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Kamen A. Tsvetanov
Visiting Senior Research Associate

As an Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Research Fellow in brain resilience, my research examines the complex relationships between brain dynamics, cognition, and factors like genetics, vascular health, and comorbidities. I employ a multimodal approach, investigating neural dynamics at the neurophysiological, hemodynamic, and neurotransmitter levels through data-driven and generative modelling of magnetic resonance imaging and electrophysiological recordings. Outside the lab, I strive to stay active through activities like tennis, skiing and hiking. Being an avid coffee enthusiast, I also enjoy relaxing and camping in a hammock whenever I can. 

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Jetro Tuulari
Virtual (and sometimes in person) Visitor

I am a neuroscientist and an expert on multimodal MRI and interdisciplinary research of (developmental) cognitive neuroscience. Me and my research group study how early life exposures, genes and environment shape the brain structure and function and how these intergenerational factors relate to health and wellbeing. Outside of the academia I swim, trek and enjoy multiple ways of physical exercise. I also enjoy playing football, the king of sports, whenever possible in good company.

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Lena Dorfschmidt
Virtual (and sometimes in person) Visitor

I am a postdoctoral researcher with Aaron Alexander-Bloch and Taki Shinohara at the University of Pennsylvania and as part of my work on lifespan brain development work closely with the Cambridge Neuroinformatics group. My research focusses on mapping lifespan brain development with a particular interest in the subcortex, as well as improving our methods for harmonising large-scale aggregated neuroimaging datasets. Outside the lab you can find me rock climbing, hiking, surfing, enjoying music gigs and veggie food.

Alumni

EvaStauffer
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Eva-Maria Stauffer
PhD Student

Eva worked on imaging genetics and its links to psychiatric disorders. More specifically, she investigated the genetic relationship between brain structural MRI phenotypes and schizophrenia. After her PhD she joined Insmed as a statistical geneticist

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Saashi Bedford
Post-doctoral researcher

Saashi did her PhD and Post-Doc on brain development in autism and ADHD using population modelling techniques and large, multi-site neuroimaging datasets. She is now an all-round lifesciences consultant with Blue Matter consultancy.

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Edoardo Chidichimo
MPhil Student

Edoardo did his MPhil on integrating information-theoretic metrics for hyperscanning analyses and exploring its theoretical corollaries for the social neurosciences. He is now doing a PhD at Oxford University working at the intersection of Neuroinformatics and Anthropology.

 

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Zijiao (Jade) Zhao
MPhil Student
I am a postgraduate student at St Edmund's College, University of Cambridge. My research focuses on longitudinal brain imaging and exposome data and I am particularly interested in exploring the external factors that impact healthy and atypical brain development.  Out of research, I enjoy cooking, snowboarding, and playing video games.
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Francois Porcher
Virtual (and sometimes in person) Visitor

I am a Research Scientist specializing in Artificial Intelligence at Cambridge University and Meta AI. I am interested in enhancing the capabilities of NeuroImaging through the application of unsupervised and semi-supervised deep learning techniques. I am also passionate about music and play the electric guitar, I like to debate and write articles, and learn new languages!

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Clara Riegis
MPhil Student
I am a MPhil student at Clare Hall, University of Cambridge. I investigate the genetics of brain changes across the lifespan using longitudinal brain imaging data. I have experience working on fMRI network analysis in ASD patients. Out of research, I enjoy dancing salsa, bouldering and pilates.