Heidi Baseler

Dr. Heidi Baseler is a Senior Lecturer in Imaging Sciences at the Hull York Medical School and the Department of Psychology, University of York. She serves as INSPIRE Programme Lead for undergraduate research and contributes to research governance and public/patient involvement in research through committees like the York Neuroimaging Centre Research Governance Committee and Involvement@York.

• Education: AB in Biology/Psychology from Dartmouth College (1986), PhD in Vision Science from University of California, Berkeley (1995)
• Career: Research Fellow at Stanford, Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, and University of York; Lecturer in Imaging Sciences at Hull York Medical School (2012-2021)

Her research focuses on neural mechanisms for central/peripheral vision processing, cortical responses to sensory loss (e.g., AMD, deafness), and neuroprotective strategies like photobiomodulation. Techniques include structural and functional MRI, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, multifocal EEG, and electroretinography. Key findings include cortical reorganization in macular degeneration and superior visual performance in deaf adults.

Recent article trends highlight:

• Neuroimaging biomarkers for AMD progression
• Cross-modal plasticity in deaf individuals
• Long-term effects of sensory deprivation on brain structure
• Photobiomodulation for neurodegeneration
• Functional connectivity in face-selective regions
• Contrast perception dynamics across aging

Scientific awards include:

• Exceptional Contribution to Student Experience Finalist, Hull York Medical School (2024)
• Pursuing Excellence Award, Hull York Medical School (2023)
• Vice-Chancellor's Teaching Award, University of York (2020)
• Multiple Teacher of Excellence Finalist recognitions (2016-2018)

She teaches undergraduate medical students in Foundations of Medicine and Neurological Diseases, and supervises MSc Cognitive Neuroscience projects. Collaborations span institutions like University of Hull, University of Lille, and University of Regensburg. Current students include Sharyfah Alasiri (PhD, Biomedical Sciences) and Erin English (PhD, Psychology) at the University of York.