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Staff Profile

Dr Laura Wright

Lecturer

  • Email: laura.wright@ncl.ac.uk
  • Telephone: 0191 208 3790
  • Address: School of Psychology
    Dame Margaret Barbour Building
    Wallace Street
    Newcastle upon Tyne
    NE2 4DR
Background

Background/Current Role

I am a psychologist with a background in cognitive neuroscience, neuropsychology and neuroimaging. I currently work as a lecturer in the School of Psychology, acting as module lead for PSY1005 Sensation and Perception.


Areas of Expertise

  • Neuroimaging
  • Alzheimer's disease
  • Lewy body disease
  • Neurodegeneration
  • Neuropsychology
  • Neuropsychiatric Symptoms
  • Memory and Cognition
  • Dementia


Qualifications

  • PhD, Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, 2021
  • MSc (Res), Cognitive Neuroscience and Human Neuroimaging, University of Sheffield, 2017
  • BSc, Psychology, University of Sheffield, 2016

Memberships

  • British Neuropsychological Society (BNS)
  • British Neuroscience Association (BNA)
  • Alzheimer's Research UK (ARUK) North Network
  • Dementias and Neurodegenerative Diseases (DemaNDs) Research Group
Research

My research interests mainly focus on the identification and quantification of cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms of neurodegenerative disease and dementia. In particular I am interested in investigating novel approaches to measure cognition and neuropsychiatric decline as well as using neuroimaging approaches to determine their underlying neuropathological correlates.


In previous roles I have acted as lead researcher on projects focussing on neuropsychiatric symptoms in Lewy body disease, their relationship with underlying neuropathology and declines in cognitive function over time. I have also worked on projects applying novel methods to identify cognitive decline in early-stage Alzheimer's, as well as the adaptation and development of tools for the early identification of cognitive decline related to Alzheimer's disease in Sub-Saharan Africa.


I am passionate about research that may contribute to a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of neuropsychological and neuropsychiatric changes in neurodegenerative disease. It is my hope that my research will contribute to the development of earlier, more accurate diagnostic tools for neurodegenerative dementias, the identification of appropriate treatment targets for some of the more distressing symptoms of these conditions, and ultimately improve the quality of life for both carers and people living with dementia.

Teaching

Module lead for PSY1005 - Sensation and Perception

Project supervisor for undergraduate and postgraduate research projects

Publications