Noura Vyas

Dr. Noura Vyas is an Associate Professor of Mental Health in the Department of Psychology at Kingston University's Faculty of Business and Social Sciences. She serves as the Academic School Lead for Civic Engagement and has been with Kingston University since 2012, having previously held a Senior Lecturer position at Middlesex University. Dr. Vyas is also an Honorary Senior Lecturer at Imperial College London, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.

Dr. Vyas completed her PhD in Psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London in 2008. Her educational background includes a BSc (Hons) in Psychology from City University London. She is a Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, a Chartered Scientist of The Science Council, and holds a Senior Fellowship with the Higher Education Academy.

Dr. Vyas's research program focuses on understanding the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, particularly early-onset schizophrenia (EOS), using multimodal approaches including clinical assessment, cognitive testing, and advanced neuroimaging techniques. Her work investigates neurocognitive functioning in EOS patients and their first-degree relatives, brain oscillations and structural/functional abnormalities using magnetoencephalography (MEG), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and positron emission tomography (PET), and the effectiveness of mindfulness interventions on wellbeing in typical children. Her research bridges neuroscience, genetics, and clinical psychiatry to uncover the complex mechanisms underlying psychotic disorders.

Analysis of Dr. Vyas's publications reveals a consistent trajectory from basic neuroimaging and genetic studies of schizophrenia toward more integrated approaches examining the interplay between multiple biological systems and clinical manifestations. Her work spans psychiatry, neuroscience, genetics, and psychology with increasing emphasis on translational research that connects basic findings to clinical applications.

• 2017: Women of the Year Award, British Asian Achievers Award
• 2017: Team Excellence Award, Succeed Canvas project, Rose Awards
• 2017: "Highly Commended" STEM Leader, Forward Ladies National Awards
• 2017: 'Inspirational Role Model of the Year' (Finalist), European Diversity Awards
• 2017: 'Women of the Future Awards – Science' (Finalist)
• 2017: Marquis Who's Who Lifetime Award
• 2017: Young Investigator Award, 13th World Congress of Biological Psychiatry
• 2016: Outstanding Women in Science, Technology & Mathematics (STEM), Precious Award
• 2016: Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowship
• 2011: Lindemann Trust Fellowship, English-Speaking Union

Dr. Vyas has secured significant research funding from diverse sources including Fulbright, Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, UKRI, and institutional grants. Her leadership roles include Faculty Champion for Canvas implementation (2016-2018), KAPS Panel Assessor (2018-present), and Course Director for the Foundation Year in Social Sciences (2018-2022). She currently co-leads the MSc conversion (online) degree program and teaches across undergraduate and postgraduate courses including Psychology MSc, Clinical Applications of Psychology MSc, and various BSc Psychology programs.

Dr. Vyas is actively engaged in public mental health initiatives as a series guest speaker on mental health with Resourceful Women's Network, Riverside Radio, Healing our Earth online platform, and Dharma Mandir. She organizes public engagement talks supporting mental health initiatives and contributes to KU Blogs on mental wellbeing topics. Her Instagram account @mentalhealth_connect serves as a platform for public education on mental health issues.