Skills & Qualifications • Ability to work independently and efficiently. • Strong organizational and task prioritization skills. • Excellent communication skills and proficiency in performing administrative and clerical tasks. • Proficient in general laboratory procedures
techniques
and documentation. • Willingness to learn and adapt to new techniques and technologies. • Fluent in English
Spanish
French
and Catalan. • Proficient in statistical analysis and software such as SPSS
MATLAB
and Python. • Proficient in using various software programs
including Microsoft Office Suite (Word
Excel
PowerPoint). • Advanced knowledge and experience in 3D cell culture techniques. • Skilled in protein isolation
Western Blot
PCR
rt-qPCR
toxicity testing
IHC
Northern Blot
and ELISA. • Proficient in anatomical dissection studies for medical and veterinary purposes. • Experienced in static analysis of behavioral data and microarray data. • Familiarity with electrophysiology
imaging
protein purification
and optical and electron microscopy techniques. • Advanced level proficiency in conducting animal experiments
behavioral experiments
anatomical dissection
and molecular analysis. Education Uskudar University
M.Sc. September 2019-June
2022 Istanbul
Turkey Cumulative GPA:3.78 High Honor Student Master Science in Neuroscience Department of Neuroscience Sciences Thesis: Investigation of TopoII ß Gene Expression in LPS-Induced HMC3 Microglia Cell Line Pamukkale University
B.Sc. September2015-June 2019 Denizli
Turkey Cumulative GPA: 3.0 Honour Student Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Universitat de Barcelona September2018- June 2019 Barcelona
Spain International Student ERASMUS Study Abroad ProgramBody augmentation and brain plasticity How are artificial limbs represented in the brain? While tremendous resources are dedicated to the development of cutting-edge prosthetic limbs to aid amputees to cope with their disability
a staggering 50% of amputees do not use their prosthesis regularly. We believe that a better implementation of artificial limbs can only emerge from a true understanding of the cognitive and neurophysiological constraints of prosthesis representation and usage. Our work explores whether neural resources
uniquely developed for hand representation
become repurposed to support artificial limbs
and whether neural “embodiment” of prosthetic limbs can be improved. Example papers: van den Heiligenberg et al.
2017
Psych. Science; van den Heiligenberg et al.
2018
Brain; Maimon-Mor & Makin
2020
PLoS Biol Can the brain support body augmentation? In recent years
there has been increased interest in emerging augmentative technologies that enhance the physical abilities of the human body
such as extra robotic fingers. We maintain that successful adoption of such technologies critically depends on the human brain’s ability to effectively operate augmentative technology. These innovative devices introduce new theoretical and practical challenges for body representation and brain plasticity. For example
what resources can the brain employ to control a body part that has never been there before? We collaborate with Dani Clode
designer of the Third Thumb
to characterise the neural correlates of successful motor augmentation using neuroimaging and behaviour. We also use local anaesthesia to assess the contribution of somatosensory feedback for successful control of augmentative devices. Brain stability and phantom limb pain How does sensory input loss influence brain organisation? Once a major input is lost to the brain
the missing hand area is thought to become “freed-up”. Our own research in amputees
however
shows that this is not the case. We are interested in understanding how malleable brain organisation is following input loss
using both experimental models (pharmacological nerve block) and longitudinal (pre and post amputation) studies in amputees. We use neuroimaging and brain stimulation to explore how persistent representation of the missing hand relates to phantom sensations
and phantom limb pain in particular. Example papers: Kikkert et al.
eLife
2016; Makin & Bensmaia
TICS
2017; Wesselink et al.
eLife
2019 What is the neural basis of phantom limb pain? Up to 80% of amputees report they suffer from phantom limb pain – pain perceived to arise from the ‘missing hand’. The neural underpinning of this fascinating phenomenon is still debated. We use neuroimaging
behavioural paradigms and electromyography to characterise the physiological basis of phantom pain. We are particularly interested in the role of phantom hand motor control in predicting and modulating phantom limb pain. For example
we use a predictive coding framework to investigate whether phantom limb pain relates to sensorimotor prediction error. Example papers: Makin et al.
2013
Nat. Comm.; Makin et al.
2015
Brain; Makin et al.
2020
NeuroImage How can we relieve phantom limb pain? Phantom limb pain poses a significant medical problem to many amputees. It also poses an unusual challenge to medical staff – how do you treat pain in a part of the body that no longer exists? We are applying discoveries made in our lab about the behavioural and brain correlates of phantom pain to investigate potential treatments for this condition. For example
we apply non-invasive brain stimulation coupled with behavioural therapy
to help characterise the neural process enabling pain relief. Example paper: Kikkert et al.
2018
Annals of Neurology; Schone et al.
2022 Brain plasticity in amputees Can input loss facilitate input-driven plasticity? We are interested in understanding the potential link between sensory deprivation (input loss) and adaptive behaviour. For example
we wish to determine whether amputees and individuals who were born without a hand can develop “super powers” due to the neural processes triggered by input loss. We aim to understand how these processes can facilitate the strong behavioural pressure to pick up new skills to cope with their disability. For example
we are interested in how input loss can impact perception in remaining body-parts
such as the intact hand in amputees. We also use pharmacological interventions to determine whether we can see functional benefits of deprivation (e.g. enhancements of sensory learning) after short term input loss with anaesthetics. Example papers: Makin et al.
2013
eLife; Dempsey-Jones et al.
2019
JEP:General; Wesselink et al.
2022
Science Advances How do altered patterns of motor behaviour affect brain organisation? Our world is designed for bimanuals. Yet
individuals with a missing hand develop compensatory strategies with their body
allowing them to be fully functional. We use a range of approaches to characterise such compensatory behavioural strategies to their full complexity. We use neuroimaging and brain stimulation techniques to determine how such altered behaviour shapes brain reorganisation. Example papers: Hahamy et al.
2015
eLife; Hahamy et al.
2017
Curr Biol.; Dempsey-Jones et al.
2019
Cell Reports