There are a number of existing projects running in the department, which trainees in the East of England can join in with. Alternatively, there is also the possibility of a trainee starting a project themselves under supervision.
Trainees are very welcome to browse the university department website, or the Cambridge neuroscience network, and contact individual members of the department to discuss options.
Professor Paul Fletcher is the research tutor for psychiatric trainees who can provide advice. He will be delighted to meet with you and discuss any research plans that you may have.
Listed below are various projects which department members have thought are potentially suitable for trainees, but this list is by no means exhaustive.
Professor Simon Baron-Cohen
Autism Research Centre: The Autism Research Centre has six main research programs focused on autism spectrum conditions (ASC).
These include:
- Perception and Cognition;
- Neuroscience;
- Genetics and Proteomics;
- Hormones;
- Screening and Diagnosis; and
- Intervention.
The research group comprises 20-30 staff from a range of scientific disciplines. If you are looking for research experience are welcome to contact Professor Simon Baron-Cohen to explore collaborating on an existing project or setting up a new one.
Professor Karen Ersche
Professor Ersche conducts several research studies in drug-dependent individuals within the Drug Addiction Research group. She welcomes trainees who have a genuine interest in drug addiction research. Trainees’ involvement would be dependent on their interests and time constraints.
Professor Paul Fletcher
- The brain basis for psychotic symptoms – find out more here
- Food-related behaviours – find out more here
Dr Emilio Fernandez-Egea
Dr Sam Chamberlain
Dr Chamberlain conducts research into impulsive, compulsive, and behaviourally-addictive disorders. This involves techniques such as clinical assessments, cognitive testing, brain scanning, collection of blood biomarkers, and single-dose medication challenges. He also undertakes sessions at the CPFT Adult ADHD clinic.
Psychiatry Trainees are welcome to contact Dr Chamberlain if they would like more information about getting involved in research, and/or spending time in the CPFT Adult ADHD clinic.
Dr Graham Murray
Studies into mild psychotic symptoms in young adults with putative prodromal psychosis and Parkinson’s Disease, mostly using brain imaging (functional MRI), and into anhedonia in depression and schizophrenia. Help is needed in performing psychiatric assessments in person or by telephone using structured, semi-structured and unstructured psychiatric interviews.
Dr Rashid Zaman
Dr Zaman is interested in the following research projects:
- Genomics/Biomarkers in First Episode Psychosis with Bahn Group, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Cambridge. Ongoing in Bedford and Luton
- Comparison of care of first-episode psychosis patients between Early intervention service in Luton with community mental health teams in Bedford.
- Acupuncture in Psychiatry
- Safety and efficacy of treatment in people with prodromal signs of psychosis. In collaboration with the Institute of Psychiatry (Professor Phil McGuire).
- Study of Psychotic Prodromes in Slovenia.