Isabel M. Santos

Isabel M. Santos is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Aveiro and serves as coordinator of the NeuroLab, an integrated research unit within the university's Health Team. Her work bridges clinical psychology, oncology, and cognitive neuroscience through interdisciplinary collaboration.

Her research program centers on Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment (CRCI) in cancer survivors, focusing on developing the CanCOG web-based cognitive rehabilitation program. Additional investigations include neuropsychological assessment tools for CRCI, biomarker identification, work-related impact analysis, and attentional biases. The NeuroLab also employs psychophysiological methods and eye tracking to examine social cognition—particularly facial signal processing (emotions, identity, gaze)—and how individual differences, clinical conditions, and adverse childhood experiences modulate these processes.

Recent publications (2021-2023) reveal strong thematic continuity in CRCI research, with emphasis on Portuguese population adaptations, breast cancer-specific cognitive challenges, and intersections between cancer history and reproductive concerns. Methodologically, her work combines experimental psychology, clinical assessment, and digital intervention development.

Scientific Awards:

• No scientific awards mentioned in source materials

While specific student advising details are absent from source materials, her NeuroLab leadership implies active mentorship of graduate researchers. No grant information appears in the provided text, though her program development (CanCOG) suggests external funding involvement.

The NeuroLab operates as a specialized research hub within the Health Team, utilizing eye-tracking technology and psychophysiological measures to investigate cognitive-emotional processing in clinical populations—particularly cancer survivors—and normative social cognition mechanisms. Current projects integrate rehabilitation science with fundamental cognitive research to address real-world patient challenges.