Curriculum Vitae#

Current Positions

Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience and Head of School of Psychology, Univ. of Surrey (2021-present)

Director and Chief Scientific Officer, Cognite Neurotechnology Ltd (2021-present)



Previous Positions (partial list)

Visiting Professor, Univ. of Oxford (2021–2024)

Full Professor, Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford (2015-2021)



Scientific Focus & Approach

Internationally recognised cognitive neuroscientist integrating neuroscience, psychology, education, and neurotechnology.

Research advances understanding of learning, attention, and neurodevelopmental conditions across the lifespan.

Combines behavioural, neurochemical, and computational methods to link brain mechanisms with real-world applications.



Key Scientific Contributions

The way numbers are represented in the brain (Neuron, 2007; JEP:LMC, 2007; Behav Brain Sci 2009 (Target Article))

Revealed how excitation/inhibition balance, brain connectivity, and neurochemistry drive plasticity, learning and cognitive development (PNAS 2021; eLife 2023; PLoS Biol 2021).

Demonstrated that transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) enhances mathematical learning and attention with sustained benefits (Curr Biol, 2013; Psychol Sci, 2019; PLoS Biol, 2023, 2025).

Pioneered AI-based personalised brain stimulation (PLoS Computational Biology 2021; npj Digital Medicine 2025).



Neuroethics & Policy Impact

Authored multiple papers including a Current Biology (2012) paper shaping UK/EU policy on cognitive enhancement (Medical Device Regulation 2017/745).

Advised MHRA, OECD, UNESCO, and the US National Academy of Sciences on neuroscience, ethics, and education policy.

Bridged foundational science, ethical frameworks, and European innovation policy.



Research Outputs & Funding

204 research outputs: 175 peer-reviewed journal articles, 21 book chapters, 4 edited volumes, 2 patents.

Publications in leading psychological and biological journals (e.g., JEP journals, Psychol Sci, Neuron, PLoS Biology, eLife, Trends in Cognitive Sciences, PNAS)

h-index: 67.

Funded by ERC, Wellcome Trust, MRC, IARPA, DASA, and James S. McDonnell Foundation.



Awards & Honours

65 awards for scientific excellence and leadership, including:

Spearman Medal, British Psychological Society

Paul Bertelson Award, European Society for Cognitive Psychology

Early Career Award, International Mind, Brain and Education Society

Scholar Award, James S. McDonnell Foundation

Blackham Lecture Medal, Humanists UK



European & International Leadership

Chair, ERC Advanced Grants Panel “The Human Mind and its Complexity” (2023, 2025).

Member, ERC panels (2019, 2021).

Chair, Psychology Panel, R&D Unit Evaluation, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT), Portugal (2024).

Panel Member, Science of Learning Expert Panel, Ministry of Education, Singapore (2021–present).

Review College Member, Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, 2021–2023).