Lisa Woodley
PhD Student

Profile

Biography

I studied for a Certificate of Higher Education in Psychology at York St John University between 2016 and 2017, during which time I became especially interested in the neuroscience of mental health. Following this, I continued my undergraduate studies in BSc (Hons) Psychology with Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Essex, before completing my master’s degree in Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of York between 2023 and 2024.   

Career

• PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, University of York (2024 - present)
• MSc Cognitive Neuroscience, University of York (2023 - 2024)
• BSc (Hons) Psychology with Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Essex (2021 - 2023)
• Certificate of Higher Education in Psychology, York St John University (2016 - 2017)

Departmental roles

• Graduate Teaching Assistant (2024 - present)

Research

Overview

Using Computational Modelling and Neuroimaging to Investigate the Link between Anorexia Nervosa and Autism 

Projects

Evidence suggests that as many as 1/3 of individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) meet the diagnostic criteria for autism (Westwood & Tchanturia, 2017). Some autistic individuals with AN have described how a preference for sameness and consistency led to the development of food-related habits, therefore contributing to eating disorder symptoms (Brede et al., 2020). Considering this, my PhD uses computational modelling and neuroimaging approaches to explore the factors which underlie co-occurring autism/AN, with a focus on the formation of habits. I’m hoping this work will help to inform treatment approaches that can better support autistic individuals seeking support for AN.

Research group(s)

• York EMERALD Lab
• Cognition & Mental Health Lab

Grants

• Departmental Studentship

Collaborators

• Dr Hannah Hobson
• Dr Alex Pike

Teaching

Publications