معرفی
Karen Bunday is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Westminster, Faculty of Science and Technology, and a member of the Centre for Psychological Sciences. Her research focuses on motor neuroscience, particularly how the central nervous system controls movement using neurophysiological techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and peripheral nerve stimulation (PES).
Her educational background includes a BSc in Psychology from Royal Holloway, University of London (2003), and a PhD in Neuroscience from Imperial College London (2007). She conducted postdoctoral research at the Systems Neuroscience Institute, University of Pittsburgh, USA, and later served as a Research Associate at the Institute of Neurology, UCL.
Karen's research interests center on human motor control, including corticocortical connectivity, corticospinal pathways, action observation, skilled hand movement, and motor disorders. She employs electrophysiological methods to investigate both healthy individuals and patients with sensorimotor impairments such as spinal cord injury and peripheral neuropathy.
Her recent publications (2021–2024) reflect a strong focus on gait adaptation, cerebellar contributions to motor control, corticospinal excitability, and neuroplasticity after spinal injury. The articles demonstrate a consistent trajectory in understanding motor learning, adaptation, and rehabilitation mechanisms, with an emphasis on translational neuroscience.
Scientific Awards and Recognition:
While no formal awards are listed, her sustained publication record in high-impact journals such as Journal of Neuroscience, Current Biology, and Experimental Brain Research, along with an H-index of 15 and 18 publications, reflects significant scholarly impact.
Peer Review and Academic Service:
Karen has served as a peer reviewer for leading journals including Journal of Neurophysiology, Brain Stimulation, Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, Cortex, NeuroImage, and Cerebral Cortex, contributing to the scientific community over a sustained period.
Grants and Funding:
She has secured both international and UK grant funding to support her research, though specific grant details are not provided.
Supervision and Teaching:
Karen leads the Advanced Research Techniques in Cognitive Neuroscience (6PSYC022W) and Cognitive and Clinical Research Methods (5PSYC011W) modules. She also delivers seminars in Biological Psychology and Physiological Systems. She currently supervises doctoral researcher Balpreet Malli, whose thesis explores cognitive effects of online listening.
Laboratory and Research Environment:
Her work is conducted within the Centre for Psychological Sciences at the University of Westminster, where she applies TMS, PES, and electromyography to probe motor system function. Her research bridges basic neuroscience with clinical applications in motor rehabilitation.
