About Our Research
From childhood to adulthood, in healthy and clinical populations, we study cognition and its underlying neural processing
Our studies
Our studies focus on the underlying neurocognitive mechanisms of attention, memory, executive functions, and learning in healthy and clinical populations. Scroll to find more!
Participate
Would you like to participate with your child in one of our studies? Click to find more!
Join the lab
There are many ways you can join the lab. Scroll to find more!
Our history
MADLab was established in 2018 when Andria Shimi joined the Department of Psychology at the University of Cyprus as a faculty member. The focus of the research work carried out in the lab is on understanding how the brain develops across childhood and in turn supports the cognitive processes of attention and memory. We study the basic mechanisms supporting typical development in order to gain a better insight on what goes awry in atypically-developing populations.
Our projects
01
Mechanisms of attention
This research program (INFORM), funded by the Cyprus Research & Innovation Foundation, focuses on distinct neural mechanisms underlying the development of attention.
02
Mechanisms of forgetting
With funding from the University of Cyprus, this research program examines why visual information decays faster in children than in adults.
03
Distraction in the classroom
Τhis research project aims to examine distractibility in children in naturalistic environments.
04
Cognition in Sports
This research program (MENTIS), funded by the Cyprus Research & Innovation Foundation, examines the attentional processes and executing functions implicated in sports.
05
Genes, attention, and working memory
This research program (GENEVA), funded by European Commission under a H2020-MSCA-IF, examined the effects of genetic variation on attentional control and working memory capacity in healthy young adults.
06
Child memory failures
In collaboration with Prof. Gaia Scerif at the University of Oxford, this research program, funded by a BA/Levelhume Small research Grant from British Academy, focused on the neural circuits underlying attentional control and visual working memory from early childhood to adulthood.
Young Scientists!
Η έρευνά μας βασίζεται στην πολύτιμη εθελοντική συμμετοχή των παιδιών και των γονέων τους!
Έχετε παιδιά ηλικίας 6-12 ετών (Α – Στ’ τάξεις δημοτικού σχολείου) και θα θέλατε να συμμετάσχουν σε κάποια από τις έρευνές μας; Εάν ναι, θα χαρούμε να σας γνωρίσουμε από κοντα!
Όλα τα έργα μας είναι απλά και διασκεδαστικά και οι μεθοδολογίες μας απόλυτα ασφαλείς και κατάλληλες για την ηλικία των παιδιών που συμμετέχουν.
Μπορείτε να συμπληρώσετε τα στοιχεία επικοινωνίας σας εδώ. Εμείς θα επικοινωνήσουμε μαζί σας για να σας δώσουμε όλες τις πληροφορίες που αφορά πιθανή συμμετοχή σας στην έρευνά μας και εάν είστε ευχαριστημένοι, θα διευθετήσουμε μαζί το ραντεβού της συμμετοχής σας σε ημέρα και ώρα που βολεύει εσάς και το παιδί σας.
Συμπληρώνοντας τα στοιχεία επικοινωνίας σας τώρα δεν δεσμεύεστε να συμμετάσχετε εάν αλλάξετε γνώμη στο μέλλον. Τα στοιχεία επικοινωνίας σας διατηρούνται άκρως εμπιστευτικά, με βάση τη νομοθεσία περι προσωπικών δεδομένων, και χρησιμοποιούνται μόνο για σκοπούς επικοινωνίας με ενδιαφερόμενους γονείς.
Join MADLab
Postdoctoral Research
MADLab is always eager to collaborate with talented and motivated postdoctoral researchers interested in advancing the study of attention, memory, and neurocognitive development using various methodologies. Postdocs in MADLab have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge research, contribute to publications, and develop innovative methods such as EEG, VR, and eye tracking to address key questions in developmental/cognitive neuroscience.
Postdoctoral positions are typically funded through external grants or fellowship programs. Prospective postdocs are encouraged to explore funding sources such as the Cyprus Research & Innovation Foundation, Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions, or other international funding bodies. Dr. Shimi is available to discuss research proposals and provide guidance on preparing funding applications.
PhD Research
The Department of Psychology at the University of Cyprus offers two PhD programs, a PhD In Psychology and a PhD in Clinical Psychology (leading to licensure in in Clinical Psychology). Applications for both programs open annually during the spring (March-April). For detailed entrance requirements and application procedures, please visit the Department of Psychology website.
Potential PhD applicants sharing similar research interests to the work carried out in the lab are welcome to contact Dr. Shimi prior to application to discuss possible collaboration. Please note that MADLab accepts only full-time PhD students.
Master thesis
The Department of Psychology at the University of Cyprus offers an MA in School Psychology (leading to licensure in School Psychology), among other programs. MA students interested in exploring attention, memory, and executive functions in children and/or adults are welcome to contact Dr. Shimi to discuss the possibility of conducting their thesis within MADLab. MA students can contribute to the lab’s outreach and knowledge dissemination activities.
Bachelor thesis
MADLab welcomes motivated undergraduate students pursuing a BA in Psychology to engage in research activities. Students interested in conducting their BA thesis within MADLab, exploring topics such as attention, perception, memory, and other cognitive processes, are encouraged to express their interest during the third year of their studies. Requirements (for UCY undergraduates): Cognitive Psychology II course grade: >8, Experimental Psychology course grade: >8
Would you like to learn more about our research?
Whether you are a scientist or someone from the community, feel free to contact us for more information about our research!