Seham Kafafi

Cognition, Brain, and Behavior

B.A. Psychology, American University in Cairo MS. Mindfulness: Neuroscience and its Clinical Applications, King's College London

Dr. Brutoco Fellow

As we grow older, the human brain undergoes structural and functional changes. In what ways does stress-driven arousal interact with these changes? How does stress-driven arousal affect our memory and general cognition? And how does the brain prioritize goal-relevant information within our environment? My research explores the cognitive and neural mechanisms of memory driven by the neuromodulatory system, responsible for stress regulation, in younger and older adults utilizing electroencephalography (EEG) and eye-tracking techniques. The motivation for my research is driven by my interest in the socio-economic implications of human longevity and age-related diseases (i.e. Alzheimer's, Parkinson's). The aging population (adults over the age of 60 years) will continue to exceed the number of young people at a global level (WHO). My previous research in the Functional Neuroimaging of Memory Lab, under the supervision of Dr. Michael Rugg, focused on the relationship between cortical structures and memory performance across the adult lifespan and in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. I conducted my master’s thesis on the neural correlates of meditation on startle habituation. As an undergraduate, my research explored the stressors and coping strategies of Egyptians following the 2011 Arab Spring. I have also worked with Sudanese refugees assimilated in Egypt to identify the political and cultural implications of community-based research. The combination of research experiences has instilled a sense of social responsibility in my work.

Advisor: Dr. Jessica Payne