Melanie Burke

Professor Melanie Burke is a leading cognitive neuroscientist at the School of Psychology, University of Leeds, where she holds the Chair in Cognitive Ageing and Neuroimaging. She also serves as the Director of Post-graduate Research Studies (DPGRS) in the School, overseeing research training and development.

Education:

• BSc (Hons) in Applied Physiology
• PhD in Visual Neurophysiology, University of Manchester
• Post-Graduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCAP)
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA)

Her research explores cognitive and visuomotor changes across the lifespan, with a focus on healthy and pathological ageing. She employs advanced neuroimaging and neuromodulation tools including fMRI, fNIRS, EEG, TMS, and eye tracking to investigate brain-behavior relationships in memory, motor control, and interhemispheric communication. Her work aims to identify neural mechanisms underlying cognitive decline in conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

Her recent publications highlight a strong trajectory in understanding neurodegeneration, white matter integrity, and the potential of brain stimulation to enhance cognitive function in ageing populations. Themes across her work include interhemispheric connectivity, neural plasticity, and multimodal assessment of brain function.

Scientific Awards and Recognition:

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA)
• UKCGE Supervisor Recognition Award

She has secured significant research funding from the ESRC, Wellcome Trust, Alzheimer's Research UK, and an anonymous donor. As an educator, she teaches vision and the brain, leads a specialized module on advanced neuropsychological techniques (PSYC3527), and is module leader for the Ageing and Dementia course (PSYC5919) in the MSc Cognitive Development and its Disorders programme. She actively mentors postgraduate researchers and welcomes PhD applicants worldwide.

She leads the Brain and Behaviour Laboratory, which integrates behavioral tasks with neuroimaging and brain stimulation, and is affiliated with the Academic Unit for Ageing and Stroke Research, Perception-Action-Control laboratory, and professional networks such as the British Neuroscience Association and the Yorkshire Vision Network.