Stephanie J Forkel
Neuropsychology | Neurovariability | Precision Neuroscience
Research Statement
Having lived in many different countries from Egypt to the US, I came to value our differences and similarities. This appreciation is reflected in my research on Neurovariability and its impact on cognition across brain states (in health and disease). Understanding what we all share and what makes us unique will change how we approach neurological disorders diagnostics and improve precision neuroscience.
Techniques and methods used:
-
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
-
Microneurosurgery Klingler dissections
-
Diffusion-weighted imaging and tractography (DTI, HARDI)
-
Navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (nTMS)
-
Structural connectivity
-
Disconnectome
-
Lesion-symptom mapping
-
Applied Clinical Neuropsychology
-
3D printing for neuroscience teaching and engagement
Research areas:
-
Brain anatomy in health and disease
-
Phenotypes of white matter anatomy
-
Interindividual variability in brain structure and behaviour
-
Cognitive functions, with a focus on language disorders
-
Predictors of clinical recovery in patients
-
Comparative neuroimaging
-
Emergentism
Professional Experience
Since 2022
PI & Language Theme Leader
I am a Donders Principle Investigator and Assistant Professor at Radboud University studying the impact of neurovariability on cognition in health and disease.
Since 2022
TUM Global Visiting Professor at the School of Medicine
TUM Global Visiting Professors are expected to enrich the vibrant research culture at TUM by virtue of innovative approaches and to explore new, cutting-edge research fields. Within the framework of TUM’s strategy to diversify and internationalize the curricula, your en- gagement in research-oriented teaching is greatly appreciated.
2019 - 2022
Researcher in Neuroscience, CNRS, France
I work as Researcher in Neuroscience for the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS).
I have joined the Brain Connectivity and Behaviour (BCB) lab, partially based at Sorbonne University in Paris and the Groupe d'imagerie neurofonctionnelle (GIN-IMN), at the Excellence Cluster Bordeaux Neurocampus at the University Bordeaux. In this capacity, I work on the Disconnectome (ERC grant agreement No. 818521) and PERSONALISED (MSCA IF grant agreement 101028551).
My welcome interview is available here.
Since 2021
Senior Lecturer, King's College London, UK
I am currently a visiting senior lecturer (associate professor) at the Neuroimaging Department at King's College London and continue contributing to the research and teaching of the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN).
2017 - 2021
Lecturer, King's College London, UK
In those two years, I was working on a Wellcome Trust-funded project 'Lateralisation of human brain networks: implications for stroke recovery'. This large multicentre stroke study we used advanced neuroimaging techniques to map patterns of neural network lateralisation in the brain and relate these patterns to cognitive function. Beyond my research activities, I started the #LondonPostdoc network and was chairing the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience postdoc community. As Honorary Lecturer, I significantly contributed to the online and in-person teaching of the department. I was part of several committees of the department and the institute, including the Early Careers Research Award and Research and Innovation Committee.
2017 - 2017
Visiting Researcher, UC Davis, USA
I received a Global Research Fund to study the neuropsychological assessments and Voxel-based Lesion-symptom mapping (VLSM) methods to indentify anatomical predicotrs of stroke recovery.
2016 - 2017
Senior Neuroimaging Research Scientist, King's College London, UK
During this project, I employed advanced neuroimaging methods to determine the link between lateralisation of brain networks and cognition in the healthy brain and in patients with brain damage due to stroke or brain tumour surgery. The study focussed on left-hemispheric language functions and right-lateralised visuospatial attention.
2015 - 2016
Lecturer, University of Greenwich, UK
I have joined the department temporarily to lead the BSc Psychology Module Applied Clinical Neuropsychology for a term.
2013 - 2015
Postdoctoral Research Associate, University College London, UK
This ERC-funded project 'BODILY SELF - Embodied Minds and Mentalised Bodies' was an ambitious exploration of the relationship between the body and the mind which spans philosophy, psychology and clinical neuroscience. For this study, we recruited right hemisphere stroke patients with anosognosia to map the underlying anatomical network. More details available here.
2006 - 2006
Trainee Psychologist & Research Assistant, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Klinikum Grosshadern, Germany
During this placement, I carried out psychometric testing and neuropsychological diagnosis for patients presenting to the University Department of Neurology. In the RA capacity, I studied executive functions in healthy controls and patients with brain lesions due to surgical interventions (epilepsy) and neurodegenerative patients. This work was presented at the Cognitive Neuroscience Symposium in Turkey in 2007. A letter of reference is available here.
Qualifications
Professional Accreditations & Academic Degrees
Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches
(HDR)
2021
Habilitation title: How the two hemispheres interact - insights from neuroimaging. Favourable opinion granted in June 2021.
L'autorisation à diriger une thèse (ADT)
2021
Authorization to supervise a thesis (ADT) is granted by the Academic Council (CAC), on the advice of the Council of the doctoral school of the University of Bordeaux.
Chartered Psychologist (CPsychol)
2019
The title of Chartered Psychologist is legally recognised and reflects the highest standard of psychological knowledge and expertise. More information available from the British Psychological Society.
Senior Fellow Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)
2018
Senior Fellowship is awarded to professionals who demonstrate they meet the criteria of Descriptor 3 (D3) of the UK Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF) for teaching and supporting learning in higher education. A Senior Fellow of HEA presents a thorough understanding of effective approaches to teaching and learning support as a key contribution to high-quality learning. More information available from AdvanceHE.
PhD Neuroimaging
King's College London, UK
I obtained my doctorate in applied clinical neuroimaging after successfully completing a multicentre stroke study. In my PhD, I demonstrated that neurovariability is a critical predictive factor for recovery after stroke. The results are available in Brain, 2014.
Associate Fellow Higher Education Academy (AFHEA)
2011
Fellowship demonstrates a personal and institutional commitment to professionalism in learning and teaching in higher education. Across four categories, from Associate to Principal, Fellowship provides individuals with recognition of their practice, impact and leadership of teaching and learning. More information available from AdvanceHE.
Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice (GCAP)
2010 - 2011
The Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice in Higher Education is the first qualification in academic practice for academic staff. It is increasingly recognised that individuals responsible for the student learning experience in universities in the UK should have access to a teaching qualification and/or Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (HEA). The GCAP provides a route to both a qualification in higher education academic practice and recognition as a Fellow of AdvanceHE.
MSc Neuroscience
King's College London, UK
2008 - 2009
The MSc Neuroscience covers key areas of psychiatry, psychology, neuroscience and neurology. More information o the MSc website.
Psychology (Honours)
National University of Ireland, Galway
2007 - 2008
Graduates will be eligible for membership to relevant professional societies (the Psychological Society of Ireland and the British Psychological Society), as well as entry to specialist postgraduate professional programmes. More information available from the NUIG website.
Psychologie (Diplom)
Paris Lodron Universität Salzburg, Austria
2005 - 2008
Psychology at the University of Salzburg has a strong STEM orientation covering essential classes on biological psychology, statistics, and neuropsychology. More information available from the University website.
2009 – 2013
Let’s Connect
