Dr. Saloni Krishnan, Lab Director
I am a lecturer at Royal Holloway, University of London. I lead the N-CoDe Lab. My research focuses on how language is represented in the brain, and how organisation this might differ in those with developmental speech and language disorders, like DLD or stuttering.
I initially qualified as a speech and language therapist in India, and practised as a clinician in both India and Dubai. I completed my PhD at the Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Birkbeck, University of London. After my PhD, I held postdoctoral positions at UCL and Oxford. While at the University of Oxford, I was a Junior Research Fellow at Corpus Christi College and a stipendiary lecturer at Lady Margaret Hall.
I have won awards for my work, including the BPS Developmental Section Neil O’Connor Award, a commendation in the individual researcher category from the British Neuroscience Association (Credibility in Neuroscience Prize). Recently, I was named an APS Rising Star.
Outside of work, I’m currently watching language development in the wild, seeing my young daughter master speaking and reading. I also love cocktails, travelling, and cake. My guilty pleasure is reading – I can’t put a book down once I start it, even if it’s terrible!
Postdoctoral Researchers
Desislava Arabadzhiyska
I am a postdoc researcher in the N-CoDe lab examining intrinsic reward and motivation in children with reading disorders. My funding comes from an Academy of Medical Sciences Springboard award. During my PhD I studied the neurocomputational principles of social decision making using simultaneous EEG-fMRI and tDCS in Prof. Marios Philiastides’ lab and during my undergraduate and master studies I investigated the cognitive processes involved in irony detection under the supervision of Dr. Christoph Scheepers.
Outside of work, I like to hike, read a good book, watch a good movie or play some chess (badly). I also occasionally play the guitar and I have recently picked up drawing (both of which I am still terrible at!).
PhD Students
Amrita Bains
I am a PhD student in the N-CoDe lab investigating and enhancing motivation for reading, working in collaboration with the Reading Agency. I am funded via an ESRC studentship. I am currently examining the cognitive and neural bases of reward and motivation when reading. Outside of work I enjoy a good book, a good film, a wonder around a city finishing with a cup of tea or a cocktail.
Twitter | Departmental Website | Personal website
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Emily Todd
I am starting my third year studying Psychology at Royal Holloway University and I am absolutely loving it. I am very interested in neuroscience, particularly understanding the relationships between brain and behaviour. I also love working with children and find developmental research fascinating.
Outside of studying I love all things active, from a good long walk to training lacrosse with my team. I also love travelling and trying all sorts of new foods… although nothing will beat sushi.
Bethany Horne
I am a third year psychology student at Royal Holloway. I am very interested in the neuroscience of behaviour and how the brain develops throughout childhood. This motivates me to help and work with children who have neurodevelopmental disorders after I graduate. In my spare time I love to swim and hang out with my friends!