Interested in joining our lab as a voluntary research assistant, PhD student or postdoctoral researcher? Please read this before contacting us.
The Cognitive Ability & Plasticity Lab in August 2023!
From left to right: Tanvi Ravi, Christ Billy Aryanto, Ellen Spencer, George Morley, Eleanor Hyde, Fred Garvey, Claudia von Bastian, Hakan Atis, Kübra Ulusoy, João Craveiro, Shuangke Jiang, Jiawei Xie, Xuanyue Fang.
Principal Investigator
Claudia von Bastian, PhD, is a Professor of Cognitive Psychology at the University of Sheffield, researching cognitive individual differences and how cognitive abilities can change through experience. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Zurich in 2012, working with Klaus Oberauer, and conducted research at the University of Bristol as a visiting researcher before holding positions at the University of Zurich, the University of Colorado Boulder, and Bournemouth University. Joining Sheffield in 2017, she progressed to Full Professor in 2025.
Claudia is a Governing Board Member of the Psychonomic Society and chairs the Publications Committee. Together with André Locher, Claudia also develops Tatool Web, an open-source and freely available software for creating and running experiments. Together with Dr Vanessa Loaiza, Claudia is hosting ESCOP 2025, the 24th conference of the European Society for Cognitive Psychology, which will take place in Sheffield, 1-6 September 2025. Within the School of Psychology, Claudia leads the Postgraduate Taught (Masters) Programmes, and the Cognitive and Neural Processes Across the Lifespan Research Cluster.
Claudia's teaching includes programming skills for psychologists (e.g., Coding for Psychologists), Neurocognitve Modelling, and Research Methods in Cognitive Neuroscience. She also teaches internal and external workshops on Organizing, Preprocessing, and Aggregating Data in R and Conducting Computer-Based Studies Online and Offline with Tatool Web.
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Postgraduate Research Students
Abdulilah Bakhsh is a PhD student at the University of Sheffield. In his PhD project, Abdulilah focuses on the intersection between cognitive performance and emotional regulation in esports athletes and how this may extend to other professions such as nursing. His co-superviser is Dr Nemanja Vaci.
Before starting his PhD, Abdulilah worked as a Clinical Psychologist at King Fahad Specialist Hospital in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, and as a Lecturer in the Nursing College at the Umm Al-Qura University. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Nova Southeastern University and an MSc in Clinical Psychology from the California Lutheran University. In his thesis, Abdulilah examined how social cognition and emotional dysregulation contribute to disordered eating patterns.
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Fred Garvey is a PhD student at the University of Sheffield. In his PhD project, Fred investigates binding in working memory and reasoning. His co-superviser is Dr Alicia Forsberg.
Before becoming a PhD student in our lab, Fred completed the Cognitive Neuroscience and Human Neuroimaging MSc programme at the University of Sheffield. In his thesis, he investigated the relationship between removal efficiency and accuracy of substitution in working memory updating. His thesis was co-supervised by Dr Gidon Frischkorn (University of Zurich).
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Eleanor Hyde is a PhD student at the University of Sheffield. In her PhD project, Eleanor investigates how expertise in video gaming relates to cognitive abilities. Her co-supervisers are Dr Dan Carroll and Professor Robert Schmidt (Ruhr-Universität Bochum). Currently, Eleanor is also a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the School of Psychology, teaching coding and research methods. Eleanor was also a Research Assistant coordinating our ESRC Open Research Area VI project on "Cognitive Training Effects Across the Adult Lifespan: A Diffusion Modelling Approach".
Before joining our lab as a PhD student, Eleanor completed the Cognitive Neuroscience and Human Neuroimaging MSc programme at the University of Sheffield. In her thesis, she investigated the benefits of playing Counterstrike: Global Offensive on processing speed and task switching.
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Personal website: eleanorhyde.com
Master Students
Shawn Advani is an MSc student in the MSc Psychological Research Methods with Data Science programme. In his thesis (lead-supervised by Eleanor Hyde and co-supervised by Dr Alon Zivony), Shawn investigates attention and decision making in video games. Shawn is also a Voluntary Research Assistant supporting our current research projects on cognitive individual differences and performance in esports athletes.
Before joining our lab, Shawn completed a BA in Psychology at the Jacobs University Bremen, a certification in Data Science at Southern Methodist University, and a Pre-Masters at the University of Sheffield International College.
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Cathy Croome is an MSc student in the MSc in Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience programme. In her thesis (lead-supervised by Fred Garvey), Cathy investigates working memory binding using drift diffusion modelling.
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Tobias Mainwaring-Parr is an MSc student in the Psychological Research Methods programme. In his thesis, he examines working memory skills in videogame players.
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Research Assistants
Aquiles Amaya is a Voluntary Research Assistant supporting our current research projects on cognitive individual differences and performance in esports athletes. Aquiles is studying towards an MSc in Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience at the School of Psychology at the University of Sheffield. Before joining our lab, Aquiles obtained a BSc in Biomedical Engineering from the Tecnologico de Monterrey (Mexico).
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Priscilla Chik is a Voluntary Research Assistant supporting various current research projects in our lab. Before joining our lab, Priscilla obtained a BSc in Psychology degree at the School of Psychology at the University of Sheffield. In October 2025, Priscilla will start studying toward an MSc in Neuroscience at the King's College London.
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Josh Garth is a Voluntary Research Assistant primarily supporting our current research projects on cognitive individual differences and performance in esports athletes among other research projects. Before joining our lab, Josh obtained a MSc in Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience at the School of Psychology at the University of Sheffield. In his thesis, Josh examined reinforcement learning in excessive alcohol use (supervised by Dr Hazem Toutounji, Dr Amber Copeland, and Professor Matt Field).
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Michal Holowacz is a Voluntary Research Assistant supporting our current research projects on individual differences in cognitive abilities. Michal is studying towards an MSc in Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience at the School of Psychology at the University of Sheffield. Before joining our lab, Michal obtained a BSc in Biomedical Science from Manchester Metropolitan University.
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Associated Researchers
João Craveiro is a Voluntary Research Analyst supporting our lab with analysing complex data sets from a range of projects. He is currently completing a PhD at the School of Psychology, researching how AI may reduced workplace stress. João's PhD supervisor is Professor Ian Kellar.
Before doing a PhD, João was a Senior Research Technician in our School. João was also a Research Assistant in our ESRC Open Research Area VI project on "Cognitive Training Effects Across the Adult Lifespan: A Diffusion Modelling Approach". Prior to these roles, João completed the Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience MSc programme at the University of Sheffield. In his thesis (supervised by Professor Robert Schmidt), he investigated time scales in the basal ganglia system.
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Jonathan Ludwig is a master student studying toward an MA in Applied Sports Psychology at the Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg in Germany. Jonathan is completing his dissertation in our lab, investigating the cognitive correlates of playing the tactical action videogame Counter-Strike 2.
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Alice Reinhartz is a PhD student at the Medical School Hamburg and Helmut-Schmidt University in Hamburg, Germany. Alice is doing her PhD in the context of our ESRC Open Research Area VI project on "Cognitive Training Effects Across the Adult Lifespan: A Diffusion Modelling Approach", where she was also the local Research Coordinator for the Hamburg site. Alice's PhD focuses on cognitive training and cognitive performance in everyday life and is supervised by Professor Tilo Strobach and Professor Thomas Jacobsen.
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Co-Supervised Postgraduate Research Students
Nada Alsheheri (University of Sheffield) investigates how working memory capacity affects online learning. Her primary supervisor is Dr Alicia Forsberg.
Poppy James (University of Sheffield) investigates refugees' emotional distress and health. Her primary supervisor is Professor Tom Webb.
Elisabeth Knight (University of Sheffield) investigates the interaction between working memory and sensorimotor modalities. Her primary supervisor is Dr Alicia Forsberg.
Vidya N (Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Kochi, India) investigates neuropsychological functioning, emotional processing and quality of life in patients with benign brain tumors treated with CyberKnife. Her primary supervisor is Dr Gitanjali Natarajan.
Abi Wyllie (University of Sheffield) investigates individual differences in the speed of attention. Her primary supervisor is Dr Alon Zivony.
Lab Alumni (since 2017)
Dr Christ Billy Aryanto obtained his PhD in Psychology at the University of Sheffield in 2024. In his PhD project, Billy investigated how active music-making relates to executive functions. Billy's PhD was funded by the Indonesian Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP). His co-supervisers were Dr Emma Blakey and Professor Renee Timmers. Billy was also a Research Assistant in our ESRC Open Research Area VI project entitled "Cognitive Training Effects Across the Adult Lifespan: A Diffusion Modelling Approach". After leaving the CAPLab, Billy returned to the Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia as a Faculty Member.
Dr Hakin Atis obtained his PhD in Psychology at the University of Sheffieldin 2024. In his PhD project, Hakan investigated the relationship between working memory and executive and sustained attention. Hakan's PhD was funded by the YLSY Scholarship (Study Abroad Programme) from the Turkish Ministry of National Education, Republic of Turkey. His co-superviser was Dr Dan Carroll. Hakan was also a Research Assistant in our ESRC Open Research Area VI project entitled "Cognitive Training Effects Across the Adult Lifespan: A Diffusion Modelling Approach". After leaving the CAPLab, Hakan returned to Turkey for his academic career.
Dr Amy Atkinson was a Visiting Researcher in our lab as part of her ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Leeds to work on large-scale data from the Born in Bradford longitudinal birth cohort study. Amy is now a Lecturer in Developmental Psychology at Lancaster University.
Nilosmita Banerjee supported our lab as a Voluntary Research Assistant in a project applying diffusion modelling techniques to training effects on switching between tasks. Before joining our lab, Akira completed the Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience MSc programme at the University of Sheffield. After completing her degree, Nilosmita became a PhD student researching gambling at the Universitè Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium.
Robin Cafferata completed the Cognitive Neuroscience and Human Neuroimaging MSc programme at the University of Sheffield. In his thesis, he conducted a pre-registered systematic review and meta-analysis on the effectiveness of cognitive stimulation for dementia. After completing his degree, Robin took on a position as Assistant Psychologist.
Dr Carla De Simoni received her PhD in Psychology from the University of Zurich in 2017. In her PhD project, Carla investigated the effects of working memory training in young adults with a particular focus on candidate mechanisms proposed to drive training and transfer effects. After completing her PhD, Carla took on a position as Customer and Business Analyst at Möbel Pfister AG, a large furniture retailer in Switzerland.
Xuanyue (Charlotte) Fang supported our lab as a Voluntary Research Assistant. She contributed to an international, multi-site #EEGManyLabs replication study. Charlotte also supported our lab with assisting data collection in our ESRC Open Research Area VI project on "Cognitive Training Effects Across the Adult Lifespan: A Diffusion Modelling Approach". Xuanyue studied BSc in Psychology at the University of Sheffield. After completing her degree, Charlotte went on to do an MRes in Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuropsychology.
Dr Sabrina Guye obtained her PhD in Psychology at the University Research Priority Program Dynamics of Healthy Aging at the University of Zurich and as a Fellow of the International Max Planck Research School on the Life Course (LIFE) PhD programme in 2018. In her PhD project, Sabrina conducted a study on the effectiveness of working memory training in healthy older adults, with a particular focus on context factors such as personality, motivation, and everyday life activities. After completing her PhD, Sabrina took on a position as a Real World Data Scientist completing the StarTrack: Data Science to Personalised Healthcare Programme at Roche, Switzerland.
Raphael Hornjak completed his MSc at the RWTH Aachen, Germany. He investigated the reliability of congruency-sequence effects in tasks involving cognitive conflict. His primary supervisor was Professor Iring Koch.
Dr Bashirat Ibrahim obtained her PhD from the University of Sheffield in 2023. In her PhD project, Bashirat investigated how virtual intergroup contact interventions can be optimised to improve intergroup relations. Her primary supervisor was Dr Chantelle Wood.
Rehneesa Inez completed the Cognitive Neuroscience and Human Neuroimaging MSc program at the University of Sheffield. In her thesis, she investigated metacognitive processing in working memory training. After completing her degree, Rehneesa became a Creative Practitioner and a Growth and Development Officer and Race Equity Board Member at The Scouts.
Dr Shuangke Jiang obtained her PhD in Psychology at the University of Sheffield in 2023. In her PhD project, Shuangke investigated the whether visual working memory can be enhanced through transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) or computer-based training, using behavioural and computational modelling approaches. Her co-superviser was Dr Myles Jones. Shuangke was also a Research Coordinator in our ESRC Open Research Area VI project on "Cognitive Training Effects Across the Adult Lifespan: A Diffusion Modelling Approach".
After leaving the CAPLab, Shuangke took on a postdoctoral position at the Cognitive Psychology Unit at the University of Zurich, Switzerland.
Peter Karakostas supported our lab as a Voluntary Research Assistant working on a project investigating training effects on quantity and quality of representations in working memory. He also supported us in a meta-analysis on the effects of bilingualism on meta-linguistic awareness. Peter studied for a BSc in Psychology degree at the University of Sheffield. After completing his degree, Peter took on a position as Improvement Technician at South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue.
Daniel Landinez supported our lab as a Visiting PhD Student usually based at the Universidad San Buenaventura Medellín, Colombia. In his PhD, Daniel studied the effects of working memory training on instrumental activities of daily living in people with ischemic stroke.
Andrew Langford supported our lab as a Voluntary Research Assistant with assisting data analysis and visualisation in our projects on cognitive performance in esports athletes. Andrew is studying towards a BSc in Psychology degree at the School of Psychology at the University of Sheffield.
Tyler Mari completed the Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience MSc programme at the University of Sheffield. In his thesis, he investigated the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on working memory. His thesis was co-supervised by Dr Myles Jones. After completing his degree, Tyler took on a position as Demonstrator and PhD student at the University of Liverpool.
Alex Montgomery completed the Psychological Research Methods with Data Science MSc programme at the University of Sheffield. In his thesis, he investigated the relationship between expertise in playing Overwatch and performance in executive functions tasks. After his degree, Alex secured a position as a Data Scientist at Arcadis.
Jacob Moorcroft completed the Psychological Research Methods with Data Science programme. In his thesis, he worked with data from our ESRC Open Research Area VI project on "Cognitive Training Effects Across the Adult Lifespan: A Diffusion Modelling Approach" to investigate the role of cognitive beliefs in training and transfer effects.
George Morley was a Research Assistant supporting our lab with assisting data collection in our ESRC Open Research Area VI project on "Cognitive Training Effects Across the Adult Lifespan: A Diffusion Modelling Approach". George also supported our research on eye-tracking in Counter-Strike players with Endpoint Esports. George also completed the Psychological Research Methods MSc programme at the University of Sheffield. In his thesis (supervised by Dr Megan Freeth), he investigated how camouflaging of autistic traits affects the relationship between autistic traits and social attention. After completing his degree, George took on a position as Junior User Researcher at the HM Land Registry.
Muchen Niu completed the Cognitive Neuroscience and Human Neuroimaging MSc programme at the University of Sheffield. In his thesis, he investigated how playing action video games is related to cognitive performance.
Rosie Parody supported our lab as a Voluntary Research Assistant in our ESRC Open Research Area VI project entitled "Cognitive Training Effects Across the Adult Lifespan: A Diffusion Modelling Approach" as well as some of the other current projects in our lab. Rosie completed a BSc in Psychology degree at the University of Sheffield.
Alex Patterson completed the Psychological Research Methods with Advanced Statistics MSc programme at the University of Sheffield. In his thesis, he investigated individual differences in the focus of attention in working memory and how they relate to fluid intelligence. After completing his degree, Alex became a Data Scientist at The Access Group.
Osborne Pereira completed the Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience programme. In his thesis (supervised by Dr Eda Mizrak, and in collaboration with Shuangke Jiang, Emma Starczewski, and Dr Myles Jones), he used EEG to investigate the neural correlates of working memory, contributing to an international, multi-site #EEGManyLabs replication study. Osborne also supported our lab as a Research Assistant working on an EPS-funded project on binding in working memory.
Aparajita Rai was a Research Assistant supporting our lab with assisting data collection in our ESRC Open Research Area VI project on "Cognitive Training Effects Across the Adult Lifespan: A Diffusion Modelling Approach". She also completed the Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience MSc programme at the University of Sheffield, working with Dr Alekhya Mandali. After completing her degree, Aparajita took on a position as Senior Manager at the power generation utilityNTPC Ltd. in India.
Tanvi Ravi was a Research Assistant supporting our lab with assisting data collection in our ESRC Open Research Area VI project on "Cognitive Training Effects Across the Adult Lifespan: A Diffusion Modelling Approach". She also completed the Cognitive Neuroscience and Human Neuroimaging MSc programme at the University of Sheffield, working with Dr Tim Riley.
Ditian (Tracy) Ren completed the Psychological Research Methods with Data Science programme. In her thesis (supervised by Christ Billy Aryanto), she investigated how active music making is related to cognitive performance.
Lisa Rudram completed the Cognitive Neuroscience and Human Neuroimaging MSc programme at the University of Sheffield. In her thesis, she investigated potential cognitive benefits of being bilingual using ex-Gaussian distribution analysis.Dr Tim Riley.
Ellen Spencer completed the Cognitive Neuroscience and Human Neuroimaging MSc programme at the University of Sheffield. In her thesis (supervised by Eleanor Hyde), she investigated how playing action video games is related to cognitive performance. Ellen was also a Research Assistant in our ESRC Open Research Area VI project entitled "Cognitive Training Effects Across the Adult Lifespan: A Diffusion Modelling Approach". After completing her degree, Ellen took on a PhD position at the University of Leicester in the Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership Doctoral Training Programme, studying effects of cognitive ageing on reading using EEG and eye movement measures.
Emma Starczewski completed the Cognitive Neuroscience and Human Neuroimaging programme. In her thesis (supervised by Dr Eda Mizrak, and in collaboration with Shuangke Jiang, Osborne Pereira, and Dr Myles Jones), she used EEG to investigate the neural correlates of working memory, contributing to an international, multi-site #EEGManyLabs replication study. After completing her degree, Emma took on a position as Research and Data Officer at Inpart.
Dilara Steenken was a visiting MSc student from the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich supported by a Network of European Neuroscience Schools (NENS) Exchange Grant governed by the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS). During her research stay, Dilara will investigate how current mood is related to information processing speed under consideration of trait anxiety and depression. Her research stay project is part of the our ESRC Open Research Area VI project on "Cognitive Training Effects Across the Adult Lifespan: A Diffusion Modelling Approach". Prior to her MSc in Neuro-Cognitive Psychology at the LMU Munich and her most recent research stay with us, Dilara had already supported us as a Voluntary Research Assistant for 6 months in 2021. After leaving the CAPLab, Dilara took on a PhD position at the LMU Munich in the Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences, studying resting state networks based on FDG-PET data.
Fiona Stewart completed the Psychological Research Methods MSc programme at the University of Sheffield. In her thesis, she investigated the relationship between cross-cultural skills and shifting between mental sets. Fiona also supported us as a Research Assistant in a White Rose Collaboration project examining functional ability in older adults. After completing her degree, Fiona took on a position as Senior Administrator in Digital Learning at the University of Sheffield.
Dr Kubra Ulusoy has successfully passed her PhD viva in Psychology at the University of Sheffield. In her PhD project, Kubra investigated how adolescents respond to threat. Kubra's PhD was funded by the YLSY Scholarship (Study Abroad Programme) from the Turkish Ministry of National Education, Republic of Turkey.Her co-superviser was Dr Liat Levita. After leaving the CAPLab, Kubra returned to Turkey for his academic career.
Jake Wilson completed the Cognitive Neuroscience and Human Neuroimaging MSc programme at the University of Sheffield. In his thesis (co-supervised by Shuangke Jiang and Rob Udale), he investigated how depressive symptoms relate to cognitive ability and cognition in daily life. He conducted his MSc dissertation in context of our ESRC Open Research Area VI project entitled "Cognitive Training Effects Across the Adult Lifespan: A Diffusion Modelling Approach".
Natalia Wnuk supported our lab as a Voluntary Research Assistant across multiple projects including our ESRC Open Research Area VI project entitled "Cognitive Training Effects Across the Adult Lifespan: A Diffusion Modelling Approach". After completing her degree in MA in Cognitive Studies, Natalia moved on to a position as Senior Administrator at the University of Sheffield's Careers Service.
Kristina Xhaferaj completed the Psychological Research Methods with Advanced Statistics MSc programme at the University of Sheffield. In her thesis, she investigated processing speed practice effects using diffusion modelling. Kristina also supported us as a Voluntary Research Assistant in a project on the relationship between cross-cultural skills and shifting between mental sets, and as a Research Assistant in a White Rose Collaboration project examining functional ability in older adults. After completing her degree, Kristina took on a position as Trainee Developer at Cloud2 Ltd.
Dr Sisi Yang obtained her PhD in Psychology from the University of Sheffield in 2021. In her PhD project, Sisi investigated the relationship between procrastination and emotions. Her primary supervisor was Dr Fuschia Sirois.
Agnieszka (Agnes) Zajac supported our lab as a Voluntary Research Assistant in a project on the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on working memory. Agnes studied Bioengineering at the University of Sheffield. Agnes is now a PhD student in the School of Electrial and Electronic Engineering, studying electrically conductive hydrogels for biointegrated electrode arrays.
Hao Zheng completed the Psychological Research Methods programme. In her thesis, she investigated practice effects on prioritisation of representations in working memory.
Qiaodan Zhu supported our lab as a Voluntary Research Assistant in our ESRC Open Research Area VI project entitled "Cognitive Training Effects Across the Adult Lifespan: A Diffusion Modelling Approach". Qiaodan studied BSc in Psychology at the University of Sheffield.
Yayan Zou supported our lab as a Voluntary Research Assistant, working closely together with Christ Billy Aryanto on memory in musicians. Yayan completed an MA in Education (Early Childhood) at the University of Sheffield.